Book recommendations architectural & interiors
Who else has an Amazon Books Wishlist as long as their Sainsbury's receipts?
I do!
Below is a concise list of my top recommendations for practical, genuinely helpful books to buy to help you manage your renovation project.
Of course, you can google anything these days - but personally I can find the endless rabbit hole of the internet distracting.
You start off looking up lock types and end up buying gorgeous Buster + Punch socket plates before you've even exchanged on the house...
BUILDING BOOKS
Illustrated Building Pocket Book
How do you succinctly explain that the ' bit behind the cover at the top of the ceiling light cable thing that is fixed to the ceiling where the wire gubbins come out*' needs moving?!
This picture based book is such a good starting place when you're getting into building works. The WORST thing about putting on a new hat is when the 'old hats' start firing acronyms and jargon at you and your new pencil can't keep up. Or god forbid they laugh at your (totally reasonable BTW) ignorance.
I recommend this book to students too - because it's just a great place to start. Not only will it tell you how to name pretty much any component in a building accurately (really helpful if you're trying to describe the work you want done to a builder), it will also give you all the key elements of a medieval castle - for seeming clever (if old fashioned) in front of your kids.
*it's called a ceiling rose - not to be confused with the decorative plasterwork often found around it - ALSO known as a ceiling rose. But then they're in the same place really, so who actually cares.
This is a book I have thumbed a LOT. It has lived on my desk for years and is a great place to go if you have a basic understanding of building and LOVE geeking out and learning all the things when you start something new.
If becoming an expert in your free time on energy ratings and acoustic glazing types feels overkill, fair enough. But it will tell you handy things like standard door and window sizes, building regs requirements for chimneys & wood burner flues, and where to locate extractor fans in a room so they work most effectively.
Building Regulations Pocket Book
If you're going it alone without an experienced designer, and particularly if you haven't gone with a well know contractor and want to feel more confident that the work they are doing will comply with regs this is a useful handbook. Especially if you'd rather educate yourself BEFORE the Building Inspector visits or you start getting suspicious damp patches six months after everyone has buggered off.
This handy guide provides you with all the information you need to comply with the UK Building Regulations and Approved Documents. The Building Regulations pocket book will also tell you more about the approvals process and what to expect, including who will keep a record of the final certification.
Part 1 sets the scene with an overview of the Building Act [dry, but important]
Part 2 offers a handy guide to the dos and don’ts of gaining the Local Council’s approval for both Planning Permission and Building Regulations Approval [the bit you really care about]
Part 3 has an overview of the requirements of the Approved Documents associated with the Building Regulations.
Part 4 is an easy to read explanation of the essential requirements of the Building Regulations. Great for when you are getting specific about the details.
INTERIOR DESIGN BOOKS
My Bedroom Is an Office: & Other Interior Design Dilemmas
A GREAT one to start with if design is a totally new concept for you. I love this little book and I have it on my desk regularly. It is just full of plain english, no-nonsense, real-life practical advice. Because how many of us have NOT worked from our bedroom before, right?!
It's full of beautiful photographs for the Pinterest enthusiast too.
Love plants but keep killing them? There's an answer for that.
Got a stunning fireplace surround but no chimney (I do, funnily enough!) - here's advice on how to still make it a great feature.
Living in rented accommodation but want to make a statement. Joanna's got 'ya.
Need I say more...?
It can be a bit overwhelming looking at a room and thinking 'what the hell can I do to make this look good'. And some days you just want a quick fix.
Often small tweaks and a good tidy actually make the biggest difference. Good to know you don't have to jump straight to repainting or knocking down walls.
Written by Scandinavia's top interior design blogger, this book is filled with practical tips, rules-of-thumb and tricks of the trade. Often it's just about knowing the principles to follow. And - as Chris Tarrant used to say, "it's only easy if you know the answer!"
Considered a bible of interior design you'll find easy to follow, illustrated guides to aesthetically hanging artwork (arrangements, heights etc) and staging tips for everything from accessories to furniture. Just as useful for quick fixes or bigger projects.
The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book
This is the book for you if you are more 'interior' than 'exterior' but still thinking BIG. This is aimed at students and designers, but I don't see why you wouldn't find it a helpful guide if you are taking on a larger renovation project, moving house or engaging an architect for a new build dream.
Dubbed "Everything Interior Designers Need to Know Every Day", this book will give you a really good insight into how interior designers work, so you can plan ahead and keep up. You'll see in here, on page 21 amongst others, where the roles of architect and interior designers overlap too - which is useful. Who does what is most often based on the specific skillset and expertise of the person you are working with, and the demands of your project.
Amongst other things this book will also give you an understanding of how we put together a programme, budget and go about getting quotes for the work.
Bonus Free Online Resources
House | Heart | Home - COME TO ME! This is my free members Facebook Group where I hang out and sprinkle advice and humour. You can share what you're working on in a friendly supportive space (as do I - I am about to move into my new house and start making my mark....weeeheee!) and cheer others on too.
Dimensions.com - not only can you find sizes of a lot of 'off the shelf' furniture (like IKEA) and information on how height to fit your shower head, there are also CAD blocks to download if you are using design software.
For the full Building Regulations Approved Documents, which you can download for free as a PDF go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents#approved-documents
Wow - you made it all the way to here!
Thank you for reading, and cheers to that! Hopefully you found this helpful.
If you did, please share on social media and shout about my blog and resources to anyone you know in need of a bit of support (or just cheering up whilst the building dust flurries around them - I get it!).
Image credits:
Photo from Buster & Punch