Home Design & Build
Renovation Decision Fatigue Is Real, Here’s How to Handle It
Anyone who has renovated a home knows how quickly excitement can turn to overwhelm. You…
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Meet the Team
Seán McAlister
Since founding the business in 2012, Seán has led Pencil and Brick, designing both modest and front-page home improvement projects across London. Since 2018 he’s also been leading our construction company bringing design and build together under one roof.
Seán is a vocal advocate for mandatory builder licensing and stronger consumer protection in the UK. His commitment to raising the bar earned him a seat on the FMB London Board, and the FMB National Standards Committee, where he campaigns for better standards, accountability and trust in construction.
Originally from Northern Ireland, he now lives in Walthamstow with his wife and two kids, in a home he renovated and extended inhouse (forgive the pun) – he walks the talk. When he’s not thinking about houses, you’ll find him singing or playing a competitive game of table tennis.
ARB Registration Number : 083888H
More about Seán
Unexpected hobby or side obsession:
Singing bass in small ensembles, especially for renaissance and baroque choral music
Secret talent totally unrelated to work:
Quick moves on the Table Tennis table
My brain runs on…
OCD Juice
Current favourite building material or tool:
Smoked Portuguese Cork
Design trend you’ll never tire of:
John Soane’s Lumière Mystérieuse
Playlist/album I have on repeat at work:
In Colour by Jamie XX
Blogs from Seán
News
Heat Pump Grants Cuts: What it means for Home Renovations and Net Zero
The government plans to cut billions from heat pump grants, affecting homeowners planning renovations. Explore…
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Home Design & Build
Garden Renovation: Should You Include It in Your Home Makeover?
Discover how to include your garden in a home renovation and create a stylish, functional…
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Property Development
Why Planning Permission isn’t a guarantee even if your neighbour has already done the same.
Just because your neighbour received planning permission doesn’t mean your project will automatically be approved.…
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Design Ideas
6 Things to Consider for your Perfect Bathroom Design
Discover six top tips for luxurious bathroom design. Learn how to combine tiles, paint, and…
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Home Design & Build
Matt and the curious case of the elusive steel
In a real life Maida Vale mystery, nothing was going to stop Matt from completing…
Read BlogLooking to renovate your London home?
As both architects and a construction practice under one roof, we can manage every stage of your project from initial concept to final completion with clear budgets, realistic timelines, and seamless collaboration. Whether you’re planning a sustainable retrofit, a beautiful extension, or a full home refurbishment, we make the process straightforward, stress-free, and tailored to how you want to live.
About us
Get to know us
We’re known for bringing a fresh, sometimes quirky approach to reimagining period homes, blending contemporary flair with a deep respect for original character. Our work strikes a careful balance between old and new: thoughtful, playful, and never afraid of statement colour or bold design details.
We don’t follow design trends for their own sake. Instead, we approach each home on its own terms, creating spaces that feel naturally light and open, or calm and atmospheric, depending on what suits it best.
Our Ethos
Our philosophy is simple: great design and great delivery should always go hand in hand.
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Our Process
Our process helps you navigate planning, budgeting, and design making home renovations feel more joyful.
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What we do
We offer architectural design or full design and build services, bringing creative thinking and hands-on expertise to both.
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Awards and Recognition
We’re RIBA Chartered and proud to be recognised by the Federation of Master Builders and Best of Houzz. Our work…
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