Category Archives: Decorating

How to freshen up your front door

front-door

First impressions count, and you can transform a tired entrance is with just a little imagination and elbow grease. Just follow our easy steps and youÔÇÖll be proud to shut the front door!

1. If possible, take the door of its hinges. If youÔÇÖre unable to do this, you can still prep and paint it in situ.

2. Remove the doorÔÇÖs hardware, such as the letterbox and handle, or use masking tape to cover them and any panels that you may want to paint a different colour.

3. Clean the door thoroughly with a damp cloth.

4. Apply two coats of primer ÔÇô an undercoat of paint that will protect your door and prevent the topcoat flaking and cracking.

5. Use a fine sandpaper to sand down the door, brushing away the dust with an old paintbrush.

6. Apply the first topcoat with a brush or a roller, painting with the grain of the wood. Always choose a quality paint for a beautiful finish and durability; cheaper paints can prove a false economy! RonsealÔÇÖs 10-year Weatherproof Wood Paint is drip resistant and comes in 15 classic colours such as Racing Green, Dark Oak and Chestnut, in either a gloss or satin finish.

7. Apply a second and further coats if necessary. The darker the paint, the more work needed!

8. Using a mini roller, paint the inside and top edges of the door.

9. If you have a panel door and want to paint the trims and grooves in an alternative colour, wait for the base coat to dry before masking around and inside the panels. Paint the trim with an angled brush, applying a second coat if needed.

10. Remove the masking tape and screw the letterbox, knocker, handle and doorbell back in place. Polish the fittings and voila ÔÇô your front door is ready and waiting for guests to make an entrance!

Image courtesy of Ronseal

 

 

home-improvement

Budget ways to boost your home

home-improvementIf your property is in need of a makeover, there are plenty of ways to do it without breaking the bank! Whether you want to spruce things up in order to sell or simply make your home a cosier place in which to curl up, here are some inexpensive improvement ideas!

First impressions

They really do count, so make sure the entrance to your property looks its best. Keep the lawn mown and the path well weeded, and place a few potted shrubs near the front door. If youÔÇÖre not particularly green-fingered, artificial topiary or plants can look smart and inviting without requiring maintenance! Try a specialist such as Evergreen or check out the range at High Street and home improvement stores.

Running theme

Fitting a new carpet throughout the hall and stairs can be expensive, but an eye-catching stair runner can have the same impact at a nicer price! Stair runners look fabulous over painted floorboards and can also rescue a tired, old carpet, covering the well-worn centre of each step and giving your hall a welcoming appeal.

Splashing out

kitchen-sinkA well-presented kitchen can clinch the deal for prospective buyers – but thereÔÇÖs no point spending thousands on new cabinets only to find your buyer plans to rip it straight out again. Instead, enhance an existing kitchen with a few added extras such as a splashback. Splashbacks can transform grimy or dated tiles around the cooker or sink and the choice of materials now available ÔÇô including glass, wood, gloss acrylic and tiles ÔÇô might be wider than you think. New worktops can also be bought and installed reasonably cheaply and they take the focus away from less-than-perfect kitchen cupboards underneath!

Loo-sen up

bathroomAs with a new kitchen, it can cost a lot to install a new bathroom suite, but there are plenty of ways to brighten up your bathroom on a budget! At the very least, buy a new loo seat, shower curtain and bathmat, as well as accessories such as toothbrush holders and soap dishes. Scrub the tiles and re-grout between them if needed, or buy a grout pen to disguise discoloured areas. Adding fresh bathroom sealant is an easy job, whilst most homeowners are able to fix new bathroom cabinets and shelves (and itÔÇÖs a good chance to re-paint the walls when the old units have been taken down!).

Light of your life

Lighting is an often-overlooked element of home improvement, yet the right lighting can transform a room. Accent lighting highlights focal points, drawing the eye towards features you want guests to see and creating mood. Spotlights are a brilliant way to light up corners and recesses, whilst a striking pendant light or chandelier can make a statement in a large room. A table lamp in the hall will create a welcoming atmosphere and a standing lamp next to your favourite armchair provides the perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day doing DIY!

Make a date with DIY this spring!

home-show

Regular readers might remember our January round-up of home, garden and building show dates for your diary. With the show season now well underway, itÔÇÖs time for Part II ÔÇô so here are the must-visit events in April, May and June!

The Gadget Show Live, NEC, Birmingham

Now in its seventh year, the Gadget Show is the perfect way to round off the Easter holidays! With the chance to see, try and buy the latest in cutting edge technology, this event showcases the best of British innovation, as well as staging gaming tournaments and talks and shows in the Super Theatre.

April 7-12, adults £25, children (5-12) £20, http://www.gadgetshowlive.net

The RHS Flower Show, Cardiff

Spring will well and truly bloom at WalesÔÇÖ premier flower show, with gardening tips from Royal Horticultural Society experts, exciting family activities and, of course, thousands of plants! Talks and demos will take place in the theatre, whilst the show will be split into three main themed areas ÔÇô plants, people and places. The RHS Flower Show takes place in Bute Park, just outside the walls of CardiffÔÇÖs historic castle and with the largest number of ÔÇÿchampionÔÇÖ trees in any public park in the UK.

April 17-19, RHS members, £7.50, public £8.50 (two under-16s free with every paying adult), https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-cardiff

The Cornwall Home & Lifestyle Show, Wadebridge

CornwallÔÇÖs only home, garden and living exhibition, at the Royal Cornwall Showground, brings together the best products and services in interiors, homeware, gardens and architecture. The 150+ exhibitors include renewable energy firms, letting agents and food and drinks vendors, and thereÔÇÖll also be a health and wellbeing zone. And, if you book online in advance, itÔÇÖs free!

May 2-3, free in advance or £3 per person or £5 per couple on the door (children free), http://www.cornwallhomeshow.co.uk

Grand Designs Live, ExCel Centre, London

The show of the year for fans of the long-running C4 series (not to mention presenter Kevin McCloud!), this huge event has it all. The interiors hall has inspiration from every room in the house, from essential kitchens and bathrooms to luxury games room. In the Grand Village, visitors can take in unique and innovative architecture and see the latest in eco-friendly design, whilst experts, celebrities and real life Grand Designs case studies will share their experiences in the Grand Theatre.

May 2-10, from £12 (under-15s free), http://www.granddesignslive.com

All Energy Exhibition & Conference, SECC, Glasgow

After 14 years in Aberdeen, the UKÔÇÖs largest renewables show for professionals is moving to Glasgow during the cityÔÇÖs Green Year. Featuring more than 450 suppliers and with more than 400 high-profile speakers, the exhibition includes a Sustainable Cities Zone, a number of conference theatres, a Meet the Buyers ÔÇÿshare fairÔÇÖ, where developers will explain what they look for during their tendering processes, and an Energy Storage Visitor Trail. And donÔÇÖt miss the Low Carbon Transport Zone, where visitors looking for personal or company vehicles can take a ride in a number of display cars.

May 6-7, free to register in advance, http://www.all-energy.co.uk

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, SECC, Glasgow

The second of seven Homebuilding Shows throughout the UK in 2015, this Glasgow date comes hot on the heels of the All Energy Exhibition and in the same venue. ItÔÇÖs an essential date for anyone planning to create their dream home, either from scratch or by remodelling or extending an existing property. A one-stop shop of ideas and advice, this show includes inspiration for gardens and has experts from Homebuilding and Renovating magazine ready to answer your questions.

May 16-17, from £8 in advance, http://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Chelsea, London

garden-showThe RHS staged its first ÔÇÿGreat Spring ShowÔÇÖ in Kensington in 1862, before moving to Chelsea in the early 20th century. Since then, this world-renowned show in the grounds of the Royal Hospital has become the place for horticulturalists to exhibit, with displays becoming increasingly inventive year on year. 2015 marks the return of award-winning designer Jo Thompson, who is creating a romantic retreat inspired by the writing room of author Vita Sackville-West. Prince HarryÔÇÖs charity, Sentebale, will also create a garden, whilst the RHS Discovery Zone in the Great Pavilion is a great place to head to with children. They can even turn astro-biologists courtesy of ÔÇÿRocket ScienceÔÇÖ, a project with the UK Space Agency encouraging youngsters to plant rocket seeds that have been to the International Space Station!

May 19-23, from £24 for non-RHS members, https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show

Salvo Fair, Henley-on-Thames

This outdoor show at Fawley Hill is a mecca for homeowners with an eye for all things vintage. The UKÔÇÖs largest architectural salvage fair, itÔÇÖs a treasure trove of home and garden antiques, industrial products, upcycled goods, reclaimed material and retro items. New for 2015 is ÔÇÿTiny Salvaged SpacesÔÇÖ, an exhibition of summerhouses, wagons and shepherdsÔÇÖ huts. Note that Friday, June 26 is trade day.

June 27-28, £8 in advance or £9 on the day, or £29/£32 for a family ticket, http://www.salvo-fair.com/2015/Salvo_Fair,_architectural_salvage_and_reclaimed_materials_fair_in_Henley_on_Thames.html

Main image courtesy of the Homebuilding & Renovation Show