For many self builders and renovators, the start of a new year represents the ideal opportunity to get their projects started. It also marks a flurry of activity at Build It HQ, as we put the finishing touches together for our advice and inspiration-packed exhibitions. Our first Build It Live shows of 2017 are coming up in the South East on 4th & 5th February and the North West on 18th & 19th February – and they’re the perfect place to track down the information and products you need to make a success of your scheme. Find out more about what to expect on page 103 or visit www.builditlive.co.uk to book tickets (don’t forget to take advantage of the 2-for-1 ticket offer on page 72!).
Even if you can’t make it to the shows in person, there’s still plenty of expert guidance and design ideas to feast on in this month’s issue. the owners of our cover house, Brian and Loveday Ellis, found the inspiration to create their gorgeous barnstyle home in these very pages. You can read all about their self build journey on page 22. If you want to add a little wow factor to your own project, don’t miss architect Julian Owen’s top tips on page 92. Building with oak frame is a great way to add instant character to a self build – and this month, Andrew Hobbs reveals how you can achieve a spectacular result on a tight budget (page 68).