When Ed and Beth Peers bought an unassuming three-bedroom 1960s house in Woking they knew that very little of the original building would remain untouched. The dated three-storey townhouse offered the perfect opportunity for a renovation project. Inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design, their contemporary home features concrete panel and Douglas fir-faced ply walls and concrete flooring and natural materials that enhance everyday life. “It’s the little details which really make the house a joy to live in,” says Ed.

“Our aim was to blend in at the front and add a bit of a wow factor at the rear,” say Lee and Rebecca Thorpe of their extended and remodelled bungalow. From the road, the cedar-clad entrance is the only clue that the property isn’t a 60s bungalow. Now more than doubled in size, it has a modern interior and rear elevations. “Initially we didn’t plan for eco credentials but after substantial research we took on the principles of a Passivhaus design by taking airtightness to the limit for a traditionally-constructed house and adding an MVHR system.”

It was a neighbour who first nicknamed Laura Dewe Mathew's award-winning, shingle-clad house – its quirky cedar shingle exterior reminded him of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. Built on an awkward London infill plot for just £245,000 using cross-laminated timber panels, its construction was fast and the panels form the internal finish of the house. "We were initially looking for an industrial building to convert,” says Laura "we were very lucky to find this rectangular plot, which was entirely built over and used for storage."

The old garden workshop, overgrown in ivy and bamboo, was falling into disrepair. New external weatherboard cladding, reroofing with handmade clay tiles and installing new windows and doors has transformed the building into a luxury New Forest retreat.

Garden designer, TV presenter and creator of more than 40 RHS show gardens, Alan Gardner talks to us about the influence of autism on his career, how he became a TV presenter and offers advice on how to approach garden design.

An award-winning barn conversion in Cornwall posed a few technical problems for the designers and suppliers of the oak frame.

A 1960s mid-terrace ex-council house in Battersea has been overhauled by celebrity architect Zac Munro to become an elegant family home. “I hope that we have addressed the stigma attached to social housing by elevating something very humble in a very simple way,” says Zac.

An open-plan layout has many advantages for a modern lifestyle, but requires careful consideration. Before you decide if open plan is right for you, we look at what you should think about and offer top tips for open-plan living, including hidden storage and lighting.

Fun ideas for kids' bedrooms.

Sara Corker has transformed her Cornish holiday home into a haven of contemporary, soft industrial style. “Lighting was carefully chosen to create atmosphere, with arrow and star lighting pieces introduced for a fun feel.”

When it comes to your home, first impressions count, and the right front door can make all the difference. It’s not just appearances that matter – security and insulation are also important. To choose the safest and most efficient external doors, it's a smart first step to study the different materials on the market. We look at the options available.

Legal advice: Property law specialist, Guy Elyahou, advises on your responsibilities to notify neighbours of impending works.

Plot Doctor, Roy Speer, looks at whether there is any hope of permission to build on a back garden where an application appeal has been rejected.