Grand designs

Having always opted for period properties in the past, Nicola Daly and partner Nick Savvides were intrigued after driving past a new-build house on the outskirts of Knutsford while on the school run.

Blending a monastic simplicity with warm shades, vibrant highlights and sculptural shapes, this converted church is now a heavenly haven that reflects both past and present

When one couple decided to build a new house they asked designer Francesca Leat to ensure it felt like a home that had been lived in and loved for years

Five years ago, a twist of fate led a couple to their dream seaside property, and now the once-neglected house is a stylish and welcoming family home

Thoughtful design decisions and a respect for its original features have transformed a run-down east London property into a serene, and very stylish, modern retreat

The decision to buy a tired doer-upper was all about the location for one couple and realising they had to knock it down felt like a setback, but now they have a contemporary home that’s as spectacular as the landscape it sits within