Dreams of a farmhouse kitchen or a spacious modern cooking haven need not be put on hold, as the conditions of self-build and lifestyle renovation are not as gloomy as it appears, experts claimed.The National Self Build Renovation Centre indicated that people shaping up to install a new Franke kitchen sink or to de-clutter their counter-top design in a new-build project should find the market conditions of the economic downturn more favourable to them.The group claimed that many property developers would be unwilling to chance their luck in a property market that no longer promised a profit at sale, leaving more room available for lifestyle-oriented self-build projects.Tim Doherty, managing director at the National Self Build Renovation Centre, said Lifestyle renovation and self-build is not so market sensitive, and such projects dont need to end with a guaranteed sale. Changes to the Planning Bill now make it easier for homeowners to make improvements to their houses with extension and conversions, rather than trying to sell their property.