Monthly Archives:January 2015

There are so many reasons why environmentally friendly design is important. It helps save energy, reduces pollution and protects the planet, and there’s something about an eco home that keeps giving a feeling of calmness and reassurance. If you’re interested in a green home but don’t know where to start, let us help!

Clean, green and full of style

Mainstream building materials have some pretty nasty things in them, including solvents and other harmful chemicals. These materials are often energy-intensive to produce and difficult to dispose of safely. At Greenstone Design we can help you choose environmentally friendly, natural materials that won’t bring anything nasty into your home.

Saving energy with common sense

We can help you make informed decisions about the construction of your home and the appliances you fill it with. Ensuring walls are well-insulated and draughts are kept out is a must, and we’ll stop at nothing to make sure the job is done right. When it comes to choosing boilers, washing machines and other gadgets, we’ll help you find something that looks right and will be good value over the longer term.

Peace of mind in a green home

It’s so satisfying to live in a home that is environmentally friendly, well-insulated and filled with attractive, non-toxic materials. You can have that extra peace of mind that your home is not costing the earth. It can change your whole way of thinking. Inspired? Take a look at this gallery of Eco Homes to get the ideas rolling, then call us to discuss your dream home on 01706 813777.

A restored fireplace can provide a central point of warmth, beauty and charm to your home, but it can be confusing to know how to get started. Let Greenstone Design help you with restoring a fireplace to its rightful place.

If your house was built in the earlier part of the twentieth century or before, chances are you have a fireplace and chimney. Many houses lost their original fireplaces in the renovation crazes of the 1960s and 1970s; others have been covered up by layers of paint or boxed in. We can help you with restoring a fireplace to bring out its original glory.

Let’s start with the fire itself. Are you planning to use it as a fire, or even to fit a wood-burning stove? This can have implications for your chimney structure if the fireplace hasn’t been used for a while. You’ll need to make sure you have a safe hearth to prevent damage to surrounding surfaces too.

If you’re choosing to use the fire as a decorative feature only, we can really go to town. Taking out gas fires and revealing the original glory of the fireplace is a speciality. Perhaps it has beautiful patterned tiles, or ornate carving on the grate. We can help you make the most of what you have – or supply authentic pieces if they’ve been lost.

You might also need to think about rearranging your room to make the most of your new feature. It’s no good restoring a fireplace for it to hide behind a sofa. Choosing a design that complements and accentuates your fireplace will really pull the room together as a whole.

So what are you waiting for? Give us a call on 01706 813777 or email info@greenstone-design.co.uk to bring out the best in your home.