Journal
Restoring a House: Why the Work You Don’t See Matters Most
There is something uniquely rewarding about taking an existing house, stripping away decades of alteration and wear, and rebuilding it into a beautiful modern home. But a true whole-house restoration is also one of the most technically demanding forms of residential construction.
Air Source Heat Pumps: Smarter Heating for Modern Homes
At Aspire Luxury Properties, we believe the finest homes are not defined by appearance alone. True quality lies in the engineering behind the walls — the systems that deliver comfort, efficiency and long-term value for the families who live there. That philosophy is why we incorporate advanced technologies such as air source heat pumps into many of our…
Our Guide to Creating a luxurious master bedroom
Creating a luxurious master bedroom involves careful attention to design, materials, and ambience; after all we spend about 26 years of our life in our bedrooms – Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design a stunning and indulgent space: 1. Choose a Sophisticated Colour Palette 2. Invest in a Statement Bed 3. Upgrade Flooring and…
Our Guide to Crafting the Ultimate Home Bar
As experts in developing high-end, bespoke properties, we know the importance of creating spaces that exude luxury and sophistication. At the heart of any home lies its entertainment spaces – and where better to entertain than in a home bar? Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or simply enjoy hosting guests, a well-designed home bar will…
Everything Your Bespoke Home Cinema Needs
Looking to create a cinema room in your luxury home? We don’t blame you! Being able to host movie nights with your friends, or even cosy afternoons with family is a great feeling. No more neck and eye strain craning to see the TV; no more muffled audio from bad speakers; no more paying to…
Choosing a Plot of Land to Build On
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and build your own house, it can seem daunting in the early stages when there are endless decisions to be made. When settling on a plot of land to build on, there are a number of crucial factors you should consider. At Aspire, we know the luxury property…
Artful Living: Finding & Choosing Artwork for Your Home
Too often, artwork is chosen as an afterthought — put up merely to fill a blank space. When chosen well and placed thoughtfully, artwork can be the icing on the design cake. It has the power to infuse a space with your personality and create points of interest throughout the home. Until the art is…
Do You Pay Stamp Duty When You Build Your Own House?
There’s a whole host of things to keep in mind when you buy property — but what about when you buy land and build your own home? Are the rules and fees the same? If you’re thinking of building your own home, you’ll likely be totting up all of the costs so you can better…
What Does An Interior Designer Do?
In a previous blog, we talked about how to find the right interior designer for you. But if you’re not yet at the stage of looking for an interior designer, you might be wondering whether you need one – and what they actually do. The world of interior design might seem a little complex from…
Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy A House?
In 2020, a study carried out by the National Custom & Self Build Association and the Building Society Association found that 32% of people said they were interested in designing or building their own home. 9% of those people said it was likely that they would build their home in the future. So, considering that…
Top Tips for Working With an Interior Designer
So you’ve found your interior designer — the person that will, in theory, make your visions become reality. How do you ensure that your working relationship is such that they really do get your vision? Any good interior designer is experienced in filtering out the noise and getting to the beating heart of your future…
Managing Costs on a Self-Build
How much does it cost to build your own home? Well, no matter how many online magazines give you averages, the answer is always going to be: it depends. It’s your self-build — you don’t want to have to rely on averages. Knowing your costs ahead of time and how to manage them throughout the…
How To Find The Right Interior Designer For You
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Selecting an interior designer to work with can feel like quite the task. After all, you’re talking about putting the aesthetics of your dream home in the hands of someone who doesn’t know you personally – a decision which can require a lot of trust. However, trust is crucial to seeing a beautiful final…
Designing Your Luxury Outdoor Space
Eaton Park, Private Commission – Aspire Picture that villa you stayed in that took your breath away – where you sat drinking wine and eating al fresco. A luxury outdoor space like that doesn’t have to be limited to holidays; in fact, they’re a vital aspect of luxury home living. These days, your outdoor space…
What Makes a House a Dream Home
What is your house to you – Is it a place to sleep and eat, just bricks and mortar? Or is it a place where you can truly feel relaxed, somewhere you look forward to returning to after a hectic day? This is the difference between a house and a home. A dream home takes…
The Core Elements of Modern Luxury Bathroom Design
Aspire Commission, Eaton Park Your bathroom can be more than just a functional room. Just because it serves a practical purpose, doesn’t mean you should give luxury the cold shoulder. The two can coexist, and with the right balance of ornate trimmings and practical solutions, you can turn a moody or minimalist bathroom into an…
Creating a Home for Entertaining Guests
To make your home work for entertaining, you have to factor it in from the ground up. After all, not all homes are made for it. Light, open spaces, and plenty of seating – these are some key features to incorporate into your design. But there’s plenty more to it than good seating and a…
A Guide to Modern Home Design
The ‘modern home’ is not a straightforward, pre-packaged concept. But there are some common threads and considerations we see across many of the luxury homes we are commissioned to bring to life. In this blog, we’re going to explore the things that make up a modern home – and, more specifically, a luxury home. First,…
The Interior Design Trends to Expect in 2022
Design and fashion are ever-evolving. There are trends that come and go, and those that just seem to stick. From one month to the next, 70s orange is in and then out again, replaced with modern grey. From the houses we build to the furniture we buy, we can’t help but be influenced by the…
The Most Luxurious Homes in London
London is home to some of the UK’s most luxurious houses, from historical mansions to modern masterpieces. Attracting celebrities, esteemed architects, and designers alike, London is a hub for all things magnificent, high-end, and aesthetically pleasing. Let’s take a closer look at what are, in our opinion, five of the most to-die-for homes in the…
The Best Places to Invest in Luxury Property Outside of London
Throughout the pandemic, many Londoners made the move to luxury properties outside of the city. If you’re looking to step away from the hustle and bustle and invest in property outside of London, there are plenty of amazing places to choose from, whatever your needs. Whether you want a touch of the city life or…
Designing a Kitchen For Your Luxury Home
A kitchen is the heart of the house. Often, we spend more time in the kitchen than we do in the living room. Making a cup of tea, cooking a family dinner, making drinks at a party – it’s all happening in the kitchen. So it goes without saying that a kitchen should be designed…
How to Make a Luxury House a Smart Home
Smart home tech is no longer bound to the realms of science fiction. It used to be that as these technologies emerged, people bought each piece one by one – often ending up with a hodge-podge of disconnected devices. This is no longer the case, and luxury smart home systems can be custom-built to your…
Is Now the Right Time to Make That Countryside Move?
Do you have to leave your home, lock your front door, get a bus and walk to the nearest park to ‘find’ nature? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to simply have nature on your doorstep? Certainly, throughout the throes of the pandemic, many city-dwellers considered escaping to the countryside. Now, the…