The Bricks

Our budget didn't allow for the brick we wanted. I drove to various parts of the country, looking at houses built in different bricks. In the end, I kept coming back to the one we'd liked all along. It's called Old Clamp Blend by the York Handmade Company and we'd driven past a house nearby early on and taken a great liking to it.

Not knowing what the brick was, I took a gamble and wrote a letter to the owner of the house, asking if they could tell me. It was the start of a friendship, borne out of mutual interests, which I hope will endure over time.

The owners couldn't have been more helpful. I was invited round, given a tour of their beautiful home, coffee and lots of information on the suppliers they used, as they had built the house themselves.

So, decision made. Over budget already, even before we start! However, Paul and I agreed that the exterior is as important as the interior - it's the first indication a person has, driving up to the house, of the quality of the build, so it has to be right. I can see I'm going to be my own worst client! Somewhere along the line, I will have to come in under budget on other choices, to get back on track.