Imagine, a stunning huge penthouse flat, brilliant original walls and great huge spaces. The idea of open plan living seems appealing to most. Huge sweeping flats, stunning decor and a rather grand feeling are all things that you can get with a well designed open plan property. But is that all you have to think about? There are some pros and cons that you really should weigh up before you get carried away with finally having somewhere to play Wii tennis.

Pros:

1. Well, it looks pretty damn swanky for a start. One good thing about open plan flats is that they always look more modern. But you also get to make the most of the structure of the property as well. Original wall features and high ceilings really come into their own and you can make the most of them.
2. Being able to chat to people as you’re in another part of the house. This is very handy for cooking for friends. You can also keep an eye on kids while you get on with housework.
3. Perfect for entertaining. Parties are much nicer if everyone is in the same room. Otherwise you’ll end up missing all of the action if you get stuck in the kitchen.
4. Very easy to tidy.
5. Cheaper to keep lit – you can swap standard lights for more appealing mood lighting. Wall sconces and spotlights suit open plan flats much more than just one bright light, meaning you’ll save money.

Cons:

1. Not that easy to hide the mess! Let’s face it, if you have unexpected guests, the easiest way to tidy is to move junk from one room to another. You can’t do that if you have no rooms! Open plan suits tidy people.
2. They can feel cold if they’re all one colour. Try and separate different areas with different coloured accents. You’ll have a sense of space as well, which can be a good thing.
3. It can get noisy. If you’re trying to read a book, you don’t want someone blaring out music in the same space. Think about how much privacy you want.
4. Don’t underestimate the need to shut a door. Sounds strange, but being able to close a door can give you a feeling of safety and calm. You need your own space sometimes. Sweeping great rooms are great, but make sure you don’t mind not having a space of your own.

Open plan living might sound great, but have a think about it. If you’re not sure about it, think about how you live now. Do you stay in the biggest room in the house, or do you prefer to stay cosy in the tiniest spaces? Something like an open plan flat can really affect your mood, so it’s not just location and decor that’s a factor here.

Q. I live in a period Victorian detached home which has most of its original features including the sash windows intact. As I have never had to paint them before, I’m a little unsure of how to approach the task. Can you advise if there is an easy way?

A. Sash windows are among the trickiest of DIY painting jobs, purely and simply because the sliding panels make life difficult when it comes to reaching those awkward corners. Another reason is that the older the windows are, the more the layers of paint build up, which makes smooth operation extremely difficult.

I would advise taking out the staff beading around the window with a blunt chisel and then undoing the sash rope attached to the sliding window frame. This is usually held in place with staples or nails. After doing that, you can simply separate each individual frame which makes for easier decoration in the workshop or garage. Replace the frames exactly as you took them out and you should have no problems at all.