Tips & Advice

  1. Top DIY Tips To Convert Your Garden Shed into Your Dream Space
    June 15, 2021

    Top DIY Tips To Convert Your Garden Shed into Your Dream Space

    The garden shed is a multifunctional space that could serve different purposes depending on your needs, from a DIY workshop to an additional room or office space. In this blog, you will find some great DIY tips that are easy to follow and will help you convert a dull, conventional garden shed into a space that you will enjoy spending your time.

     

    Apply a New Coat of Paint

    Fresh paint always gives a new look, even when you’re dealing with a shed that might be a decade old. A bright, neutral colour for the inside such as white is always the safest and best option, as it can reflect natural light, brighten up smaller spaces and make them look bigger, but also allows you to be more creative with the décor you choose. Pick the right paint according to your needs by choosing from a wide collection of exterior or interior paints and coatings and don’t hesitate to ask for more information when it comes to

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  2. How to create wall panelling that your clients will love
    May 21, 2021

    How to create wall panelling that your clients will love

    When it comes to interior décor it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and styles and stay ahead of the game. With so many programmes focused on house renovations and refurbishment, customers are always looking for new ideas to improve their homes. In this blog, we’ll look at how you can tap into one of the latest trends to create wall panelling that your customers will absolutely adore.

    Wall panelling not only looks great in both traditional and contemporary homes, but it is a cost-effective service that you can offer to your clients. So, without further ado let’s look at some of the different types of wall panelling and what tools you will need to install these for your clients.

    Geometric wall panels

    The perfect choice for a contemporary interior, geometric wall panelling not only looks great, but it can also be customised to perfectly fit the space and create a bold and unique design that your customers will adore. Whether you are coming up with the

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  3. How to paint radiators and metalwork like a professional
    March 11, 2021

    How to paint radiators and metalwork like a professional

    When it comes to updating our home’s décor one of the most overlooked items is often the humble radiator which generally serves a functional purpose. And, sure you can invest in fancy industrial style radiators but there is a simpler and cheaper option which is often overlooked. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how to paint the metalwork in your home and get great results every time.

    Proper preparation

    Whether you are painting a radiator, a metal staircase or bannister, balcony or railings, taking the time to properly prepare the surface will help to ensure that your paint job looks professional. When it comes to painting a radiator here are the preparations that you should be carrying out:

    • Turn off your radiator and make sure it is cold
    • Use a wet and dry abrasive paper to lightly rub down the surface
    • Rinse and dry the radiator and coat any bare metal
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  4. How to troubleshoot and solve common painting issues
    February 15, 2021

    How to troubleshoot and solve common painting issues

    Have you turned up to a job and been asked to troubleshoot painting problems that have mysteriously appeared? Perhaps you’ve even come across these issues yourself and had to act to resolve them for your customers. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the common painting issues that you will encounter and how to resolve these for your customers.

    Chalking

    This is often found on exterior walls when the wrong paint has been used, the surface has not been sealed properly or the previous paint was over-thinned. This can lead to a chalky white layer occurring over time.

    Solution – Luckily the solution is fairly straightforward. You will need to remove the chalky substance by washing the surface, sugar soap is great for this. Once you have fully cleaned the surface and washed it with clean water and let it dry you can then apply a suitable sealer or stabilising

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  5. Top tips for painting and decorating a rental property
    January 14, 2021

    Top tips for painting and decorating a rental property

    We all know how important a great finish is when it comes to painting and decorating and this is equally true when it comes to a rental property. In this blog, we’ll look at what to focus on when decorating your property for the rental market and how to make sure the decorating appeals to the mass market.

    Less is more

    When it comes to rental properties the temptation can be to update and upgrade everything in the property to make it stand out, but our advice would be to focus on what matters. Functionality is key to success so simple furniture, fittings and fixtures will do the job just a well as more expensive alternatives at a fraction of the cost. Stick to neutral colours for things like your kitchen cupboards, tiles and flooring as these will help the property appeal to the most people.

    Adopt a neutral colour scheme

    While your own personal style might be bold and bright, it isn’t for everyone. Neutral colours will help to brighten up small rooms and

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  6. A professional guide to paint brushes for a superior finish
    November 19, 2020

    A professional guide to paint brushes for a superior finish

     

    One of the easiest ways that you can help to guarantee a great finish is ensuring you have the right tools for the job and when it comes to paintbrushes there are a huge range of choices. And, while there is a massive selection of brushes on the market, we’ll look at which ones you’ll likely be using on a daily basis. Not only will having the right brush help you complete the job quicker, but it will also make getting a perfect finish much easier.

    Don’t go cheap

    It can seem tempting, especially for those just starting out in a career as a painter or decorator to buy a set of cheap brushes but this is a false economy. Cheap brushes simply don’t last as long as their more expensive counterparts which means any cost savings that you enjoyed originally will quickly be lost as you have to replace brushes that lose their bristles and shape. As well as lifespan, another reason to avoid cheap brushes is the quality of finish simply won’t be up to that of a more

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  7. How to get rid of nicotine stains on walls once and for all
    September 15, 2020

    How to get rid of nicotine stains on walls once and for all

    While smoking in the home is becoming less common, as a painter and decorator as a painter and decorator you’re still likely to come across rooms that have been occupied by smokers. And, while a couple of coats of trade quality interior emulsion will probably cover the stains, it won’t be long until they start to seep back through leaving the room in need of redecorating. In this article, we’ll look at the most effective ways to get rid of nicotine stains and the secret to making sure they don’t come back.

    Surface Preparation

    When it comes to getting rid of nicotine stains from ceilings and walls, good surface preparation is essential. To start off with you’ll need to give the walls and ceiling a good scrubbing using sugar soap to help eliminate any staining. If the walls have been wall papered then it is worth

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  8. 6 decorative painting techniques that your customers will love
    September 01, 2020

    6 decorative painting techniques that your customers will love

    Fancy yourself as the Pablo Picasso of the painting and decorating world? These 5 painting techniques will help you showcase your skills and provide your customers with a great painted finish that they will love. Not only will mastering these techniques help you stand out from the crowd, but they will also help you win more business. So, let’s dive in and take a look at the decorative painting techniques and how you can master them.

    1.      Metallic paint

    This is definitely one that takes some practice to perfect. Metallic paint offers a great way to add a decorative finish to walls and using techniques such as stippling, sponging, criss cross, overlapping, strié and other painting techniques. It is best to experiment with different strokes to see which give the best finish. The results can be truly stunning and will help you provide a luxurious finish that looks great in bathrooms, bedrooms, and hotels.

    2.     

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  9. 8 essential tools for DIY projects
    July 16, 2020

    8 essential tools for DIY projects

    Thinking of tackling that next home renovation project yourself? If you want to get professional results, then you need to make sure that you have the right tool for the job with a comprehensive toolbox. In this blog, we’ll look at the essential items that should be in any DIY enthusiast’s toolbox as well as a couple of additional tools that will make your life easier.

    Hammer

    One of the most basic toolbox items is a claw hammer as this is a good option for a number of jobs from hanging pictures to remove nails from flooring. While hammers come in many different shapes and sizes, a standard 16oz claw hammer will be suitable for a wide range of tasks. A great inexpensive tool that should be in everyone’s toolbox.

    Screwdrivers

    There are two main types of screw heads, flat-head and Philips which has a cross in the middle. Screwdrivers sets are cheap to buy and will give you a wide range of screwdrivers in different sizes suitable for a wide range of jobs.

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  10. Simple home décor tips for a fast house sale
    August 01, 2018

    Simple home décor tips for a fast house sale

    If you’re looking to sell your home it’s important to focus on the strengths of your property while making the flaws less obvious. And while you can’t improve the location of your property, these simple home décor tips can help to make your house more desirable to potential purchasers. So if you want to find out how to freshen up your home and make it more sellable without breaking the bank, just keep reading.

    Make the right first impression

    We’re sure you’ve heard it before but first impressions really do matter. Kerb appeal is a real thing and can set the tone of expectation for the rest of your property. If the outside looks dated and unkempt then it doesn’t matter how fantastic the interior as people will already be put off. Some easy ways to transform the outside of your home include: giving your front door a fresh lick of paint, ensuring your windows and frames are clean and in good condition, trimming all bushes, grass, and

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