Decorative storage boxes

Wallpapering into corners can be a difficult yet inevitable job, but it’s not an impossible one. The key with wallpapering into corners is to plan ahead. You must plan to start just before the corner, not using a particularly long or short length of wallpaper to avoid creasing and other imperfections . You will need : - Wallpaper - Tape measure - Scissors - Wallpaper paste - Pencil - Wallpaper brush Plan to run just a small amount into the corner. Start by measuring from the last length of wallpaper that was hung before the corner, take a measurement from here into the corner and cut a length that is 1-2 inches bigger than your measurement. Paste and hang this section, which will run into and slightly past the corner. Now take the second piece and hang from the corner, along the vertical line, this will create a seamless effect and the end result will almost look like one piece of wallpaper running across the corner. Finish by brushing into the c...

As with most DIY projects , preparation is everything! When decorating your home, conducting great prep is the difference between a super smooth finish and a sloppy one. Start off by dusting the surface of your walls with a towel, brush or vacuum cleaner. You will need : - Brush or vacuum cleaner - Sugar soap or homemade alternative of warm water and detergent - Sponge - Bleach - Sandpaper - High quality primer  Next wash down your walls with warm water and a high quality detergent, use a weak solution consisting of 3 teaspoons of household detergent to one bucket of warm water. Alternatively, you can use sugar soap to remove any stubborn stains like grease, soot or smoke damage.  Whether you are using sugar soap or a homemade cleaning mixture , use a damp sponge to apply the solution, which should be regularly rinsed. Don’t be afraid to cover old ground either, clean the wall area at least 2 to 3 times to remove excess dirt. You may encounter moul...

You can’t just freshen up your decor by just painting the walls, go the whole hog and paint the ceilings as well. You will need : - Overalls and other protective gear - Angled brush - Your chosen paint - Roller - Tray - Extension handle The ceiling should always be painted first, followed by the walls, then to finish the woodwork should be varnished or glossed. Generally you will need the same equipment for painting a ceiling that is used to paint the walls, but you can choose to invest in an extension handle which will extend the length of your roller.  Using an extension handle in the safer and more efficient alternative to painting your ceiling from a step ladder. The first stage of painting a ceiling is cutting in, create a border of paint (approximately 2 to 3 inches wide) so that you can roll without the danger of getting paint onto your cornices and the walls below. Unlike painting a wall, which should be cut in and rolled wall by wall, you s...

Preparing your woodwork should always be a part of your home decoration preparation, after all prep is the key to a complete and professionally finished result. Messy woodwork can be the fine line between a beautiful home interior and a ‘not so beautiful’ one so prepare your woodwork today with a few tips straight from the experts. Cracks and holes in your woodwork are unsightly to say the least so repair these with a good quality wood filler. Large knots can be off putting too so use a knotting compound to seal these. You will need: - Wood filler - Knotting compound - Sugar soap - Electric sander - Filler knife - Fine sandpaper - Cloth - White spirit - Wood primer (quick rying and water-based)  If you are working with a painted surface and wish to spruce it up with a fresh coat, wash the surface down with sugar soap before you commence work. The sugar soap will remove any dirt, grime and dust that can go unnoticed to the naked eye but creat...

  Stripping wallpaper can be a pain and is a feat that has lead many of us to choose paint over wallpaper when overhauling our interiors. However, with the correct equipment and the right techniques you can tackle the most stubborn wall coverings. New wallpaper adheres to stripped surfaces much better so it pays to strip your walls properly. The important thing to remember is to treat your wall with care when removing old wallpaper, stripping is the main cause of damaged walls. You will need : - Stanley knife - Scraper - Stripping solution (homemade or shop brought) - Sponge - Steamer or steam stripper Whether you are opting for a traditional scraper or a steamer, the easiest method of removal is to firstly score the wallpaper with a Stanley or craft knife, this will allow the stripping solution or steam to soak into the wallpaper thoroughly. Be careful not to score too deeply as this may damage the wall underneath.  Score the wallpaper in st...

  In a world where everyone has to be different, your interior should be no exception. Creating a custom interior is a wonderful idea but not as easy as many people think... Before you go crazy and mix every colour you can get your hands on, buy  some tester pots of paint, most DIY stores offer a full range of paints in  these smaller quantities.  You will need : - Range of paints in same finish (also known as ‘mixers’) - White paint (again in same finish as mixers) When choosing your paints, make sure you choose paints that have the same finish, i.e. matte, silk, emulsion or gloss. Also, if  you have no clue of what colours you want to mix, refer to the colour theory, which consists of primary and secondary colours. Primary colours, like red, yellow and blue, can be combined to form a secondary colour.  The key to mixing paint and finding a colour that suits your taste is to experiment! Many budding decorators choose to thro...

When overhauling your decor, it’s not just the walls that need attention,your woodwork needs to be prepared and painted to complete the look. When wallpapering your walls, you wouldn’t dream of applying new wallpaper on top of your old covering, the same applies when painting woodwork like skirting boards, handrails,panelling or doors. You will need : - Dust or polythene sheet - Goggles, gloves and protective overalls - Chemical stripper or heat gun - Scraper - Curved scraper or steel wool - Shavehook - Old paintbrush - White spirit or bucket of warm water Strip your woodwork , just as you’d strip your walls, for a perfect result. Paint can be sanded away but the easiest and fastest method is to use a heat gun or chemical stripper. Before you begin however make sure youprotect yourself and your surroundings. Cover flooring and furnishings with a dust sheet or polythene, and put on old clothes or protective overalls, goggles and gloves to protect yourself from the ha...