The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden
The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden
'If you've got a small space you can still do amazing things with it'
Definitely not your standard back garden extension
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
If someone says they are getting an extension in their rear garden surely most people instantly envisage a large, single-storey kitchen diner or a two-storey extra wing. But if your garden is a cute courtyard what then?
The answer could be an extension inspired by this truly unique extra room that is a very unexpected find within the tiny back garden of a home in Penarth where every square centimetre of space has been carefully thought out.
The extension has been constructed within a small space but that makes a huge impact and, thanks to clever design and high-end craftsmanship, offers the lucky owners two extra and enticing spaces that fully utilise the compact garden area available. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
READ MORE: We spent £1.2m turning this unremarkable bungalow into a dream home
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: This is the best kitchen in Wales
James Beaton from JB Construction & Carpentry Limited
(Image: JB Construction & Carpentry Limited )
Article continues below
Builder and master carpenter James Beaton from company JB Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited said this most quirky of extensions had created a workshop on the ground floor and a roof terrace on the first floor overlooking the park and described it as "a funky one" – and surely once you get to grips with what has been created here you are in total agreement.
While many building companies might have walked away James and his team were left excited rather than daunted after that initial site visit.
It was a compact space that had a unique set of challenges
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
James said it was a quirky build – one that saw it through to the final of the Federation of Master Builders Cymru Awards – but one that he thoroughly enjoyed. "When I stepped out into the garden it was obviously a small space but I could see it, visualise it in my head, and thought: 'Right, we can make this work'.
"It was about maximising the garden area – making the most of the little space and making the architect drawings by Richard Andrews become a reality – and it was a challenge.
"It was never going to be the biggest workshop, especially with all the homeowner's tools and everything in there, but he was very much aware of that and we were all very realistic of what was going on in there.
Building the space for the spiral staircase had to be millimetre perfect
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
" The shapes, the angles, the space to work in, doing all the curves, but making the spiral stairs fit in order to maximise the space for the workshop next to it was the biggest challenge – i t was literally to the millimetre so we really took our time on it, went over it with the client, moved a few things around, added on a few things. It was a tricky one."
The homeowners were living on site while this workshop and roof terrace masterpiece was being born and for some companies that might have been a negative but for James he was very happy householder Harold was right there and involved.
The curved wall is a feature but was also a challenge
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
James said: "I t was going to be his workshop – it's his passion as well, creating and craftsmanship, and so he loved getting involved.
"We would chat every day especially regarding the circular cladding around the spiral staircase, talking through making sure that would work."
As well as the tight space for the spiral staircase up to the roof terrace the interior look of the workshop, with the curved wall adjacent to the external spiral staircase, was another aspect of the build that was quirky but has made this space very special.
Light from the bifold doors is joined by clever hidden windows between the wall and the ceiling
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
James said: " I've done a few curves before but as this was internally the homeowners didn't want any plasterboard – he wanted a workshop to have an industrial look to it so we added layers of six-millimetre ply, because it's a flexible ply, to wrap around and make the curved wall.
"It was probably one of the trickier parts especially as I had to notch it all in between all the ceiling joists using measurements of a curve to make sure it could bend around.
"It was a challenge but it's those little finishes and attention to detail are what sets this project off."
The roof terrace starts to take shape
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
Access to the small site was also a hurdle to overcome.
The team couldn't go through the house and instead had to go through the public park and use the garden's small back gate which meant it was sometimes "a bit of a headache" but nothing James couldn't work with.
The new spaces have a lot of features to find and admire including a living roof on the first-floor deck that softens the harder materials of brick, glass, metal, and plastic as well as framing the view out over the adjacent park from a lounger or bistro dining set.
James was not on the roof with a packet of seeds encouraging the foliage to grow and add an instant strip of garden though. He said: " The living roof is a tray system so you buy the trays, put them, in position and click them in.
"It was designed so it would grow up and over the gutter a bit just to give that extra outdoor feeling on the roof terrace."
The living roof was an added visual bonus
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
If you have a small outdoor space and think it has no potential James has some advice – rummage around online to find inspiration on how other people have transformed tiny areas and pinch the best bits.
He also advised thinking about going up, even if it's not an enclosed storey, to keep costs down and said a roof terrace is the perfect option to make use of the space without adding much more to the build.
Finally, if required, find an architect who shares – and can add to – your vision and understands your requirements.
Now the project is done, dusted, and loved by the owner James looked back at the experience and said: "I enjoyed it because I do a lot of extensions, renovations, and loft conversions but this was completely unique and I thrived on it.
When it was completed everyone was thrilled
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
"I was over the moon with the finish, had a great rapport with the client, and although it went on slightly longer than planned it was worth those extra few weeks – to make it around 12 – to get it done to the highest of standards. Now no-one will ever have a workshop quite like that – it's totally unique to that space.
Article continues below
"When it was finished I was really happy with it and so were the owners.
"They have the best of both worlds – husband Harold can relax in his workshop and then the wife can relax in the sun on the roof terrace. Two different forms of relaxation and a great result."
You can follow James on Instagram @jbconstructionandcarpentryltd and for more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Wales Online
The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden
The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden 'If you've got a small space you can still do amazing things with it' Definitely not your standard back garden extension (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) If someone says they are getting an extension in their rear garden surely most people instantly envisage a large, single-storey kitchen diner or a two-storey extra wing. But if your garden is a cute courtyard what then? The answer could be an extension inspired by this truly unique extra room that is a very unexpected find within the tiny back garden of a home in Penarth where every square centimetre of space has been carefully thought out. The extension has been constructed within a small space but that makes a huge impact and, thanks to clever design and high-end craftsmanship, offers the lucky owners two extra and enticing spaces that fully utilise the compact garden area available. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: We spent £1.2m turning this unremarkable bungalow into a dream home YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: This is the best kitchen in Wales James Beaton from JB Construction & Carpentry Limited (Image: JB Construction & Carpentry Limited ) Article continues below Builder and master carpenter James Beaton from company JB Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited said this most quirky of extensions had created a workshop on the ground floor and a roof terrace on the first floor overlooking the park and described it as "a funky one" – and surely once you get to grips with what has been created here you are in total agreement. While many building companies might have walked away James and his team were left excited rather than daunted after that initial site visit. It was a compact space that had a unique set of challenges (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) James said it was a quirky build – one that saw it through to the final of the Federation of Master Builders Cymru Awards – but one that he thoroughly enjoyed. "When I stepped out into the garden it was obviously a small space but I could see it, visualise it in my head, and thought: 'Right, we can make this work'. "It was about maximising the garden area – making the most of the little space and making the architect drawings by Richard Andrews become a reality – and it was a challenge. "It was never going to be the biggest workshop, especially with all the homeowner's tools and everything in there, but he was very much aware of that and we were all very realistic of what was going on in there. Building the space for the spiral staircase had to be millimetre perfect (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) " The shapes, the angles, the space to work in, doing all the curves, but making the spiral stairs fit in order to maximise the space for the workshop next to it was the biggest challenge – i t was literally to the millimetre so we really took our time on it, went over it with the client, moved a few things around, added on a few things. It was a tricky one." The homeowners were living on site while this workshop and roof terrace masterpiece was being born and for some companies that might have been a negative but for James he was very happy householder Harold was right there and involved. The curved wall is a feature but was also a challenge (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) James said: "I t was going to be his workshop – it's his passion as well, creating and craftsmanship, and so he loved getting involved. "We would chat every day especially regarding the circular cladding around the spiral staircase, talking through making sure that would work." As well as the tight space for the spiral staircase up to the roof terrace the interior look of the workshop, with the curved wall adjacent to the external spiral staircase, was another aspect of the build that was quirky but has made this space very special. Light from the bifold doors is joined by clever hidden windows between the wall and the ceiling (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) James said: " I've done a few curves before but as this was internally the homeowners didn't want any plasterboard – he wanted a workshop to have an industrial look to it so we added layers of six-millimetre ply, because it's a flexible ply, to wrap around and make the curved wall. "It was probably one of the trickier parts especially as I had to notch it all in between all the ceiling joists using measurements of a curve to make sure it could bend around. "It was a challenge but it's those little finishes and attention to detail are what sets this project off." The roof terrace starts to take shape (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) Access to the small site was also a hurdle to overcome. The team couldn't go through the house and instead had to go through the public park and use the garden's small back gate which meant it was sometimes "a bit of a headache" but nothing James couldn't work with. The new spaces have a lot of features to find and admire including a living roof on the first-floor deck that softens the harder materials of brick, glass, metal, and plastic as well as framing the view out over the adjacent park from a lounger or bistro dining set. James was not on the roof with a packet of seeds encouraging the foliage to grow and add an instant strip of garden though. He said: " The living roof is a tray system so you buy the trays, put them, in position and click them in. "It was designed so it would grow up and over the gutter a bit just to give that extra outdoor feeling on the roof terrace." The living roof was an added visual bonus (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) If you have a small outdoor space and think it has no potential James has some advice – rummage around online to find inspiration on how other people have transformed tiny areas and pinch the best bits. He also advised thinking about going up, even if it's not an enclosed storey, to keep costs down and said a roof terrace is the perfect option to make use of the space without adding much more to the build. Finally, if required, find an architect who shares – and can add to – your vision and understands your requirements. Now the project is done, dusted, and loved by the owner James looked back at the experience and said: "I enjoyed it because I do a lot of extensions, renovations, and loft conversions but this was completely unique and I thrived on it. When it was completed everyone was thrilled (Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited ) "I was over the moon with the finish, had a great rapport with the client, and although it went on slightly longer than planned it was worth those extra few weeks – to make it around 12 – to get it done to the highest of standards. Now no-one will ever have a workshop quite like that – it's totally unique to that space. Article continues below "When it was finished I was really happy with it and so were the owners. "They have the best of both worlds – husband Harold can relax in his workshop and then the wife can relax in the sun on the roof terrace. Two different forms of relaxation and a great result." You can follow James on Instagram @jbconstructionandcarpentryltd and for more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Press and Journal
Founder retires as Moray engineering firm with 125 staff acquired
One of Moray's most prominent business figures has retired following the sale of his company in a major acquisition deal. Alan James, 71, has stepped down from AJ Engineering (AJE), the Forres-based firm he founded in 1999. The business, which employs 125 people across sites in Forres, Fort William and Carlisle, has been acquired by global environmental and engineering leader RSK Group. The deal includes AJE's sister company NEWCo, based in Fort William. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, brings AJE into a group of over 200 companies worldwide. Graham Alexander, who has worked with AJE for 11 years, will take over as group managing director. Neil Worsdall will remain general manager of NEWCo. Mr James said the deal secures the future of the companies and positions them well for further growth. He will remain for a short handover before fully retiring. He expressed confidence in the next phase of the business. 'By joining a larger organisation, AJE and NEWCo will benefit from increased new business opportunities, a broad range of knowledge sharing, and working in partnership and collaboration with the other RSK Group businesses on a wide range of varied and inclusive projects,' he said. 'This truly marks the start of exciting times for all at AJ's and NEWCo.' Mr James began his career in 1971 as an apprentice fabricator welder at William Reid Engineering in Forres. He progressed into project management and later earned an MSc from Aberdeen University. It was when he was made redundant at 45 following the closure of William Reid in 1999, that he took the leap to set up his own firm. He launched AJ Engineering with just one employee in a rented workshop at Greshop Industrial Estate in Forres. 'Starting out I remember working eight straight weeks – all hours, Saturdays and Sundays too,' he recalls. 'It's been a lot of hard work building up the company, but very satisfying.' Over the past 26 years, AJE has taken on major projects across the UK and beyond. Highlights include infrastructure support at SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland and ongoing work at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. Mr James says he has always placed a strong emphasis on training and development: 'I started as an apprentice myself,' he said. 'Investing in young people has always been important to me. 'The intention is that for our staff here in Forres, Fort William and Carlisle, it's very much business as usual. 'I am well over retirement age, and making sure that the company that I have built, with lots of support along the way, continues to grow from strength to strength has been very important to me.' Outside his role at AJE, Mr James has been active in the Moray community. He is Depute Lieutenant of Moray and a director of Forres Events Limited. He helped organise the Piping at Forres festival and last year's Grant Park 100 celebration. RSK Group said acquiring AJE and NEWCo will strengthen its UK engineering base, particularly in water, energy and infrastructure.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
I've read thousands of CVs – eight phrases you MUST avoid and major mistake all jobseekers make
We reveal the perfect CV format to follow and FREE tools you can use to help you write one YOU'RE HIRED I've read thousands of CVs – eight phrases you MUST avoid and major mistake all jobseekers make Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LANDING your dream job starts with an attention-grabbing CV - but in a competitive recruitment market many are riddled with clichés. The Sun spoke to HR expert and recruitment firm boss, James Flemming, who has spent 25 years reviewing thousands of CVs - and he revealed the major mistake most jobseekers make when it comes to writing resumes. 3 A good CV can help you bag an interview for your dream job and there are free tools to help you Credit: Getty 3 James Flemming, founder and chief executive of recruitment specialists Brave, has spent 25 years reviewing thousands of CVs James says: "The key to the perfect CV is to ditch the generic buzzwords and focus on demonstrating your impact with concrete examples." Recruiters spend mere seconds scanning each CV, so you need to make every word count. Your CV isn't just a list of previous jobs - it's your personal advertisement. It highlights your skills, experience, and successes, showing why you're the best person for the job. As your first impression, it needs to stand out and make an impact. He knows exactly what makes a CV stand out - and what causes it to be rejected. The keywords and terms to avoid Generic terms like "hard-working," "committed," and "diligent" have become so overused that they've lost their impact, said James. Instead of telling employers you're hardworking, show them with examples. "You could say, 'I managed a caseload of 50 clients while maintaining a 95% satisfaction rate'". The phrase "team player" is equally meaningless unless backed by evidence. Living wage working family react to the Spring Statement James said a better approach would be to write, "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a new product two weeks ahead of schedule". Again, while terms like "go-getter" or "self-starter" might grab attention in sales roles, they only work if supported by proof. Instead, you could say, "I implemented a new client onboarding process, reducing time-to-productivity by 30%," which James said is far more compelling. Passive phrases like "responsible for" should be avoided too, as they fail to convey a sense of action, James explained. Instead, he suggests starting with powerful action verbs such as led, delivered, designed, or streamlined to highlight your achievements. Similarly, stating you're "detail-oriented" isn't enough - prove it with specifics like: "I reviewed 100 invoices per week with 100% accuracy." YOU'RE HIRED: The perfect format for a CV HERE is a template for the "ideal [First name] [Last name] [Phone number] | [Email address] | [Location] Professional Summary [Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional]. Experience [Job Title] | [Employment dates] [Company Name] | [Location] (Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results. [Job duty] [Job duty] [Job duty] [Job duty] [Job Title] | [Employment dates] [Company Name] | [Location] (Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results. [Job duty] [Job duty] Skills [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] Education[Degree and major] | [Name of school or university] [Location] What should your CV include? Your CV, that crucial first impression, needs to be a lean, mean, job-landing machine, fitting snugly onto just one side of A4, says James. Pack it with the essentials - your name and contact details so they can actually reach you, a snappy summary of your skills (if you like), your work history showcasing what you achieved, not just what you did, and your educational background. Quantify your successes wherever possible - numbers speak louder than words James Flemming Tailor it ruthlessly to each job you're applying for, ditching anything that isn't directly relevant. Quantify your successes wherever possible - numbers speak louder than words. Forget those outdated phrases and the assumption that everyone needs to know you can use Microsoft Word. Proofread meticulously because typos scream "unprofessional," and aim for a clean, clear layout that's easy on the recruiter's eye. Remember, it's a highlight reel, not a career autobiography. Don't forget the cover letter Once your CV is ready, don't stop there – your cover letter is just as important. Your CV shows the highlights, but the cover letter is your chance to explain the story behind them and why they matter for this job. James says: "Never underestimate the value of a well-crafted cover letter. "This is your chance to show motivation, cultural fit and how your values align with the company's. "Keep it succinct, tailor it to the role and avoid repeating your CV. "Instead, offer context - why this job, why this company and how you'll bring value." James recommends having a good nosey around the company website, getting a feel for their vibe, and then sprinkling that knowledge into your letter. It shows you're genuinely keen and not just firing off applications willy-nilly. 3 Getting straight to the point with your CV can make all the difference, says James Credit: Getty Now, for the opening. If you can find a name – a hiring manager, someone in the team – use it. This shows you've put in the effort. Then, be clear about the job you're after. After that, get straight to the point: what is it about this gig that makes you tick? In the main body, don't just say you've got skills - prove it. Give real-life examples of when you've smashed it in the past. It's also vital to chat a bit about why you're a good fit for their culture. Again, do your research and work out what makes them tick, and show how your own values line up. Finally, carefully proofread your cover letter to catch any grammar mistakes. A polished cover letter shows you're professional and pay attention to detail, so ask a friend or family member to check it over too.
