The Self Builder’s blog

As the house actually takes shape, you can start to see where everything is going to go, and how big the rooms will actually be.

You also get a great idea of the view you will get from each window. 

Today I spotted a problem, or should I say, opportunity.

As the architect insisted that a sort-of galleried landing would give the house a much better feel upstairs, one was designed in.  A window was also added to allow natural light into this area.

At this early stage I’m starting to see what the man-with-the-plan meant.  The stairs would have just led to a series of doors, but this addition will mean they lead to a small area for a bookcase and chair, that all roads then lead from.

However when standing at the top of the mythical stairs, looking through the hole that will become a window, you look straight across at one of my neighbours’ bungalows.

Not a terrible view, but much worse than the other side of the house. 

There’s also the neighbour to consider.  And I’d rather not worry them thinking, I’ve got a view, right into their lives.

So, I could simply go frosted glass, but I think it would be better to have a unique, yet simple, stain glass design. One that really puts a personal stamp on this home.

Whilst not being renowned as a useful artist, I think this design should be simple enough to come from me.  I could consult Max’s nursery and see if they wanted to run a competition, but fear I would end up looking at some sort of dinosaur every morning.

Taking inspiration from the views from the other side of the house, I’ve scribbled the four very similar designs (pictured), I am leaning towards ‘D’ at the moment, but I’m sure I’m a way from a final design.

If I do plump for one of these designs or similar, maybe, just maybe, it will appease the neighbours, who at least will have some sort of open-aspect-view.