Thinking of Extending or Renovating Your Home? Extending or renovating your home can be exciting, but knowing where to start isn’t always straightforward. You may already know exactly what you want — perhaps a larger kitchen, a loft conversion, an extra bedroom or a complete refurbishment. Or you may simply know that your home [...]
We’re delighted to be opening the doors of Studio AVC once again as part of this year’s Open House Festival. Join us at our studio in the historic 1929 Shop at Merton Abbey Mills for The Crafted Environment — a short talk exploring William Morris, the Arts & Crafts movement, and how its principles of [...]
The Importance of Feasibility Studies in Architecture and Interior Design A feasibility study is often seen as an optional early step in a project. In reality, it is one of the most important stages of the design process. Before drawings are developed, consultants appointed, or costs committed, feasibility allows clients to understand what is [...]
Retail Design: How Interior Design Influences Customer Behaviour and Sales Retail design is far more than visual styling.Well-considered retail interior design directly influences customer behaviour, dwell time, and ultimately sales. Before a customer speaks to staff, touches a product, or reads signage, they experience the space. Layout, lighting, and proportion shape their first impression [...]
Thinking of Building in the Countryside? Many people dream of building a one-off home in the countryside: open landscapes, quiet surroundings, and a chance to create something unique. But planning policy in England is strict. Local authorities are cautious about allowing new houses in rural areas unless there are exceptional circumstances. That’s where Paragraph [...]
The 2024 NPPF Explained (2025 Update): What Homeowners & Developers Need to Know The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is the Government’s central planning guide. It sets out how local councils decide what can be built, where development should take place, and how to balance housing, infrastructure, and environmental priorities. The latest version, released [...]
Planning Timeline: What to Expect from Start to Decision Understanding the planning process can feel daunting, especially if you are approaching it for the first time. One of the most common questions we hear is: how long will planning take? While every project is different, there is a clear sequence most planning applications follow. [...]
The Power of Colour in Interior Design Colour is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. It influences how a space feels, how we behave, and even how we connect emotionally with our homes. Whether you’re creating a calming retreat, a lively family space, or a sophisticated backdrop for entertaining, the right colour [...]
Grey Belt Explained: What the New Planning Category Means for Development The December 2024 update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduced a new planning category: the Grey Belt. What Is Grey Belt? Grey Belt land sits within the Green Belt but is recognised as not strongly contributing to its original purposes — [...]
London is changing fast. Rising housing demand, evolving work patterns, and a renewed focus on sustainability are reshaping how we design and use buildings. The traditional boundaries between living, working, and leisure are blurring — giving rise to a new generation of mixed-use developments. At Studio AVC, we believe these projects represent the future [...]
