Posted by Peter Brady on Wed 20th September 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Decor, Gadgets, Plumbing
This is a little bit of fun. But if your going to replace that toilet seat, why not consider put in one which makes your country proud!
Check out this union jack loo seat:
Retailing for £19.99 ($37) at DIYtools and described as follows:
• Quality lacquered finish for extra comfort.
• Fits all toilets.
• Adjustable chrome plated brass hinges.
• Quick and easy to install.
It’s got quality written all over it!
Posted by Peter Brady on Tue 19th September 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Decor
Damp paintwork is usually like a honey pot for mould spores. They simply love it. It’s important to monitor damp, condensation and water penetration using a tester like this.
More often than not spores settle on paintwork that is moist from condensation settling glass or cold metal. This results in the black brown mould patches that are so common.
This can easily be treated by taking the following steps.
1. Find out where the water is coming from and take steps to prevent it returning. Inadequate ventilation is usually the cause - so it may be case of opening your windows more frequently or fitting an extractor fan.
2. Treat the affected area with a fungicide. Directions for use will provided by the manufacturer.
3. Clean the surface thoroughly removing all of the visible mould. Let it dry thoroughly and then repaint.
Posted by Peter Brady on Mon 18th September 2006 at 07:00 AM, Filed in Decor
We spoke here about painting walls with glazes.
But, how do you add a tint your glaze? Here’s how:
1. Submerge a small amount of colour into white spirit.
2. Mix this and pour into the glaze stirring thoroughly.
3. It’s worth testing the effect on the wall to be painted. Add more glaze until you achieve the look you want - then repeat over the remainder of the wall.
Ever considered whether you actually need that garage?
Well, there is a growing trend for many households to convert their garage into additional living space. To me this makes absolute sense and I suspect (contrary to some recent evidence) that this will ultimately add value to your home and here’s why:
1. Converting garages is typically a very easy/cheap thing to do. Plaster, flooring, hooking up services and your off.
2. The principal reason for garages used to be for storage of the family car. Why? Because vehicles in general were not galvanised as par for the course - resulting in rust. Therefore, it was important to protect your car from the elements as much as possible. Today, new cars are routinely galvanised - hence no need for the garage.
3. Sheds are fast becoming the place of choice for storing everything that you would have usually stored in the garage. Particularly, with the increasingly vast array of ultra modern sheds containing everything including the kitchen sink!
4. Living space, particularly in city and urban areas is rapidly becoming more and more important. It’s a question of whether that garage is more important than a nursery, study or larger kitchen/diner? That’s a no brainer to be honest!
5. I think most of us if we were honest, would concede that the garage is jammed full of junk that you actually don’t need. Strip the junk out and you would more than likely be able to fit everything else in the shed or in the loft.
We’ll see in years to come, but I predict that garage conversions will become a very easy way to add serious value to your home, for comparatively little expenditure.
Posted by Peter Brady on Thu 14th September 2006 at 07:00 AM, Filed in Decor
With some practice, glazes can add a wonderful decorative change to your walls.
For those of you who don’t know what a glaze is - it’s defined as “thin, almost transparent film of oil based colour usually diluted with white spirit.” You usually have to work fast because drying times are fairly rapid for most glaze products.
Glazes can be used with wall surfaces using a diluted oil based paint over an undercoat or eggshell. You can then use techniques such as ragging, dragging, sponging, and stippling. It is important that any imperfections in the wall are dealt with before you embark on your glaze otherwise these will become highlighted. Also, it is important never to glaze over a gloss finish - why? Because the glaze won’t stick to the wall.
It is also possible to buy transparent oil based glaze known as scumble which comes in a variety of brown shades.
Usually as a rule of thumb - 2 1/2 litre tin of glaze can cover 12ft by 12ft by 10ft room.
If you wish to give the glaze tints then you can add just about any stain you want.
There are a variety of brushes used for stippling and dragging, most of which are pretty pricey - so it’s important that you ensure that they are properly cleaned afterwards.
