Lets-do-diy.com News

DIYnot for everyone

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

An increase in the number of home owners calling out tradesmen for quotes has increased by 122% year on year according to Ratedpeople.com.

The quotes are for more traditional crafts such as stonemasonry and carpentry, skills that are not easy for the average DIYer.

Ratedpeople.com, the UK's largest website for finding trades people, believes the reason for the increase is because homeowners have been inspired by home improvement and property shows on the TV. As people learn about the benefits of the traditional home improvements, they seek a professional to do the job as a fair amount of skill and craftsmanship is necessary to complete the project.

Andrew Skipwith, CEO and Founder of Ratedpeople.com said: "The increase in requests for stonemasons recommended by others is likely to be down to the growing trend in using more traditional features on homes and the increase in number of people building their own homes. It is more important that the aesthetics of a traditional project are correct so most quite rightly opt for a professional to do the job as quite a lot of skill and craftsmanship is necessary to get the right result."

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Expert forecasts DIY trends for 2010

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:36:22 GMT

Kelly Hoppen explained that DIY enthusiasts are seeking a luxurious appearance for their homes.

A leading interior designer has given her predictions for the DIY looks for 2010 and claimed that Britons are seeking a luxurious approach.

Kelly Hoppen, who recently appeared on the BBC Radio 4 show 'The Bottom Line', explained that despite the economic downturn, Britons "still want luxury".

However, the home design expert stated that the "meaning of luxury has been redefined", adding that the trend for 2010 is "Linear Shabby Chic".

Ms Hoppen claimed that the latest interior design trend is for homes to look as though they have "been lived in for years".

Further to this, she said that the popular look can be achieved by making a home appear as if it is an amalgamation of different designs and ideas.

Ms Hoppen described the in-vogue look as one that "has been thrown together with a bit of this from his house and a bit of this from hers and some bits from grannies."

Meanwhile, fellow interior design professional Linda Barker recently claimed that DIY home design is more "eclectic" than ever before.

Posted by Jenny Summer

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

DIY Britons urged to use warm tones

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:34:00 GMT

DIY enthusiasts have been told colours that comprise of warm tones can help homeowners to create an unexpectedly "fabulous" living room design.

According to Kristine Tucker of helium.com, warm paint colours are an appealing option for living room decor because they are soft and are appealing to both men and women.

Ms Tucker explained that warm colours "bring an ethereal presence to your room design", though she acknowledged that such colours can be "unexpected".

Further to this, she noted that "warm brown hues like cappuccino, mocha, and milk chocolate" can make a room seem more attractive.

In addition, Ms Tucker remarked that "soft golden yellows and spicy reds can bring a harmonious blend" to the appearance of a living room, adding that glossy designs are out of fashion.

Meanwhile, a DIY company recently launched a new range of environmentally-friendly paints, which is supposed to contain 22 per cent lower embodied carbon content.

Posted by Thomas Morris

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Prime Kensington refurbishment opportunity

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Cheniston Lodge, an exceptional unmodernised Grade II listed freehold building, is being launched for sale this week with John D Wood & Co. Currently in use as Class B1 offices, the property benefits from Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for a change of use to a single family house.

The house was built in 1885, of Queen Anne style, with a shaped gable, stereotyped panels of aesthetic decoration and patterns in the glazing bars. Being situated in the prime residential turning of Cheniston Gardens, it is just a 5 minute stroll from Kensington High Street and Holland Park.

Planning permission has been granted for the following accommodation:

Master bedroom with dressing area and ensuite bathroom : four further bedrooms : two ensuite bathrooms : three shower rooms (two ensuite) double reception room : study, library : family room : kitchen/dining room : 2 cloak rooms : store room lift

Matthew Harrop of John D Wood & Co. comments, "This is an intriguing house and an exciting opportunity to create something rather special in the heart of Kensington. I would therefore expect the property to receive a great deal of interest".

The property currently offers 5,178 sq ft of accommodation, and is being for sale with a Guide Price of £2,950,000

For further information, contact Matthew Harrop at Kensington on 020 7908 1100

Posted by Jenny Summer

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Fathers prefer to use a handyman

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Fathers are more likely to use a handyman to do their home improvements, resulting in a big increase in male domestic labour.

It is thought that because fathers are unable to reduce their working hours during the week, they prefer to spend time with their children on the weekend rather than complete DIY home improvement and minor repairs.

This has resulted in an increase of foreign handyman, many of which from Eastern Europe. It is thought that 16% of domestic sector workers in the UK were born abroad, an increase of 7% since the early 1990s.

According to reports from Hull University and the London School of Economics a third of the work force is male.

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Fresh decorating ideas to transform your home

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

According to research nearly 1.2 million litres of white emulsion paint will be sold over the Easter weekend, enough to repaint The White House 452 times. To ensure you don't fall in to the same rut, EASIpanel has suggested some fresh decorating ideas to transform your home.

EASIpanel makes a simple, inexpensive and satisfying project and can be used to cover uneven walls and outdated woodchip with minimum fuss. Available in two decorative finishes, tongue & groove or raised & fielded, simply cut the high quality, embossed mdf panels to size and attach over existing surfaces using a liquid nails type adhesive.

Paint effects - add character to a room by enhancing the panel's woodgrain effects. Paint the panels with oil-based gloss and use a gilt cream to enhance the woodgrain texture for a decorative finish. Alternatively, paint with a neutral or pastel shade and rub with fine sandpaper until the desirer ‘shabby chic' look is achieved.
Beautiful bathrooms - transform your bathroom by painting the panels with an on trend colour such as turquoise, named as the 2010 colour of the year. Team the vibrant panels with flamboyant wallpaper and create a look of continuity by cutting the panels to size and boxing in the bath and unsightly pipe work.
Hardwearing hallways - use the panelling to create a tough kid-proof finish in the hallway. For a classic fresh look use a neutral toned eggshell paint and team with natural textures and complete the look with dado moulding.

The EASipanel website is full of ideas for ways to use the product to improve your home, visit www.easipanel.co.uk for inspiration. EASipanel starts at £7.99 per panel and is available from Homebase stores nationwide (tel: 0870 900 8098) and independent retailers (tel: 0115 911 3500) or see www.easipanel.co.uk

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

DIY Britons told wooden flooring can transform the home

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:55:24 GMT

DIY enthusiasts have been told that they can enliven their homes simply by installing wooden flooring "without breaking the bank".

According to the denbighshirefreepress.co.uk, carpeting is one aspect of homes which can make them appear dated and, therefore, DIY Britons have been urged to bring their homes "into the 21st century" by installing wooden flooring.

Further to this, the website claims that wooden flooring is a practical alternative to carpets.

The website said: "Keeping wood floors clean is simple and quick as there is no more rubbing stains out of the carpet that will never come out or vacuuming up crumbs and mess that gets stuck in there."

In addition, wooden flooring was described as a "beauty that never dates", while the wide variety of available choices enables homeowners to find a style that reflects their personality and taste.

Cork flooring is regarded as eco-friendly because the tree bark is stripped every nine to ten years and does not damage the tree.

Posted by Jenny Summer

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Expert urges DIY enthusiasts to save energy

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 13:27:40 GMT

DIY enthusiasts have been told that simply by installing wall and roof insulation they can reduce heat loss in their homes by around half.

According to Laura Sevier from ecologist.org, just by improving wall, floor and loft insulation, consumers could "significantly reduce" the cost of their utilities bills.

In addition, Ms Sevier warned homeowners that some domestic appliances, such as fridges, dishwashers and televisions, can also waste unnecessary energy.

However, she warned Britons to ensure their home is as energy efficient as possible before installing renewable energy technologies.

Ms Sevier advised homeowners to "find out which renewable technologies will suit your home using the Energy Saving Trust home energy generation selector".

Meanwhile, the government recently announced plans to provide Britons with incentivised loans to help reduce carbon emissions in the UK.

The purpose of the new scheme is to encourage consumers to install energy-efficient appliances in their homes and, as a consequence, reduce the cost of their energy bills.

Posted by Thomas Morris

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

New stencil from Crown and the RCA

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Following last year's success, Crown and the Royal College of Art have re-united to launch the Crown Jewels 2010, an exciting and unique collaboration to design modern, stylish and inspired wall stencils for the home.

A brief was given to second year textile and fashion students at the RCA to create a wall stencil for use in the home as a DIY ‘interior design' tool - to be painted directly onto walls within the home using Crown paints. From edgy and contemporary wall art through to more traditional motifs - the results were eclectic, inspired and stunning.

From this year's exceptional entries the Crown judging panel selected ‘The Consequences of a House Party' by Nabil El-Nayal, as the overall winner.

Nabil is currently studying for an MA in womenswear and has already been making impressive waves in the fashion world. In April 2008, he won the Royal Society of Arts Award and in 2009, his Graduate collection won the Womenswear Gala Award at Graduate Fashion Week. His work has already featured in the likes of Vogue.com, Elle and Drapers, making this much garlanded young designer clearly one to watch for the future.

Nabil's design was chosen due to its completely original concept and the quirky inspiration behind it. Nabil's stencil designs capture a selection of objects including a Martini glass, tea cup and vase being knocked over at a house party. Nabil commented: ‘I wanted to encapsulate that precise moment when excitement leads to an object falling, smashing and breaking, and to celebrate that moment by projecting it larger than life on the walls of many homes; therefore providing a long lasting memory of both the party itself, but also, more hauntingly, the object that is no longer'.

The avant-garde new stencils are set to lend a directional look to the walls of any home, and are sure to be a talking point at all social gatherings.

Stencils are the perfect way to bring a directional look in to any room in the home, they are fun to create and each is individual. Try using glamorous metallic's like Millionaire® Fashion for Walls® Metallic, or one of Crown's bold new Feature Wall colours such as Rebel®

Wendy Dagworthy, Head of Fashion and Textiles at the RCA comments: ‘Once again the students have really enjoyed the challenge from Crown and have produced some exceptional work. It is fantastic to give them the opportunity of working with such a fantastic brand and with such a creative brief.'

‘The Consequences of a House Party' stencil has been produced by the Stencil Library and is available to order now at http://www.crownpaint.co.uk

The stencil retails at: £24.00

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

DIY home designers told to be more 'eclectic'

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 12:52:30 GMT

A leading interior designer has claimed that DIY home design is currently more "eclectic" than it has ever been before.

According to Linda Barker, spokesperson for the Ideal Home show, patterned wallpaper and a broad range of colours are two DIY trends that are set to continue this year.

The former star of the BBC DIY show Changing Rooms explained that the popular look for 2010 is "not formulaic, it is not boring, it is not minimalistic - it is quite exciting".

"It is about getting influences from all over the place and employing them in your own home," Ms Barker commented.

In addition, she said rich colours have made a big revival and urged DIY enthusiasts to consider using such colours throughout their homes.

Meanwhile, Ms Barker recently advised Britons to visit high-end showrooms to get inspiration for their own homes.

She said consumers should visit the "best showrooms to get the best ideas" and adjust their budget according to the most attractive design.

Posted by Jenny Summer

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Women's Institute launches DIY initiative

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 17:05:58 GMT

The Women's Institute (WI) plans to train its members to become more proficient in DIY chores in an attempt to challenge gender stereotypes, the Daily Mail reports.

The WI has invited a leading hardware store to teach its members the basics of home improvement and 75 ladies will soon take part in the first DIY teaching class at Denman College, Oxford.

Apprentices of the store will teach the women how to fix plumbing appliances, apply wallpaper and how to use power tools.

Anne Harrison, the chairman of Denman College, explained that although 21st century women are more independent than ever, many are still unable to fix relatively minor problems.

"It will be wonderful to know you don't have to wait for a man," she told the newspaper.

"You can also save money by being able to do simple five-minute jobs around the house rather than paying someone to come in."

The Women's Institute provides a programme of monthly meetings and demonstrations for its members.

Posted by Thomas Morris

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

DIY homeowners given energy bill savings advice

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:03:41 GMT

DIY enthusiasts have been encouraged to save money on their energy bills by implementing a number of changes to their homes.

Chris Goodall, writing in the Guardian, suggested a few DIY changes that could help homeowners to become more energy efficient and also save money on bills.

Indeed, Mr Goodall claims that a series of "simple and inexpensive measures" can significantly reduce the need for heating in most homes.

"It's not glamorous or exciting but the single most cost-effective measure is probably to go round the house searching for leaks and draughts," he said.

In addition, homeowners were advised to fill the gaps in external doors, check for leaks around window frames and block any holes in the brickwork, all of which Mr Goodall claimed would cost less than £100.

Furthermore, he urged property owners to place reflective panels behind radiators because it helps to insulate heat in the room.

The government, meanwhile, is set to introduce a new scheme which will make loans available to Britons who wish to make their homes more energy efficient.

Posted by Jenny Summer

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Colourful and fresh ideas to liven up your home this Easter

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Easter Holidays are quickly approaching, and what better way to spend a Bank Holiday weekend then creating a gorgeous new look for your home! With spring finally arriving and summer soon approaching, it's time to give your home a new and colourful lease of life!

Crown paints have a huge array of ideas, paints and trends to inspire, and get your creative juices flowing, and here is just a little taster!

Crown Trends 2010

Using research, observation, experience and a splash of intuition, the 2010 Crown Trends Panel have presented themes that they believe will be pivotal to interior styling in 2010. Together they have created six distinct colour collections of Crown Paint that capture the spirit of each of trend.

Crown Feature Wall

The new Feature Wall collection is the perfect way to instantly give your home a new and colourful lease of life, and a fresh, directional lift! Paint a full wall, a stencil, alcove or stripe with one of Crown's new colours and you'll give your room a trendy boost!

earthbalance

earthbalance® is a paint with reduced environmental impact, perfect for the discerning consumer who wants to make a conscious decision about the environment without compromising on quality, performance or price. The colours are soft, mid to pastel tones that will look modern and stunning in any room of the home.

If you are planning an Easter Decorating special, Crown has the inspiration, ideas and images. We can provide quotations from the Trends Panel, expert colour advice as well as high resolution images, press releases and samples to accompany your feature.

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Design expert issues advice to DIY enthusiasts

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 16:51:44 GMT

An interior design expert has advised DIY Britons to visit high-end showrooms to get inspiration for their own homes.

Linda Barker, a spokesperson for Ideal Homes, explained that consumers should visit the "best showrooms to get the best ideas" and fit their budget around the most desirable design, but without diluting the look.

She said: "You are not going to get exactly the same kind of finish, you might get a veneer wood as opposed to a solid wood but you can get a look that is quite consistent and quite high-end."

In addition, Ms Barker explained that thorough research can help consumers to unearth the best home improvement offers and find a suitable design for their own property.

Ms Barker is perhaps best-known for her appearances on the popular BBC DIY home improvement show Changing Rooms, which was broadcast between 1996 and 2004.

Posted by Barney Marshall

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Winter Olympians urged to spray their way to success

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Milton Keynes based brand now wants GB bosses to pick up the phone and discuss a success strategy for the next games in Russia.

A spokesperson said: "The difference between success and failure in professional sport comes down to mere fractions. We believe that we have a product that can lead to better times and better results for many Winter Olympic competitors.

"We would like to offer the team a year's supply of product to help maintain equipment and hopefully improve performance in competition."

The brand, famous for having over 2,000 uses is also providing a list of relevant uses for winter sport athletes.

The spokesperson added: "We would welcome feedback from the British Winter Olympic team and possibly new uses for WD-40.

"With various national and international competitions in the coming months, we hope the team finds positives when testing the product."

Winter sports uses:

Lubricates sleds and toboggans
Cleans and protects metal buckles on snow gear
Lubricates snowboard bindings
Removes rust from sled runners
Stops squeaks on ski boots
Prevents rust from forming on ski bindings

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Twist-it watering can

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Every gardener has a list of essential equipment and one at the top of that list is the watering can. Frequently awkward to lift and difficult to pour, it is a garden product that is often associated with necessity. Sankey, leading UK manufacturer of garden and horticultural products, has rethought the watering can and designed a product that is a joy to use.

The Twist-it Watering Can is an innovative design that allows you to water containers, beds and pots more effectively and with increased comfort. The unique pivoting handle adjusts as you pour, providing you with more control and requiring less effort. In true Sankey style, every aspect has been considered. The adjustable rose turns through 180 degrees and gives you the option of sprinkling delicate plants, or pouring to allow for drenching. When tending to a variety of plants, this feature allows a level of flexibility that will make daily watering a pleasure.

Watering cans use less water than hoses and offer more individual watering. For containers both indoors and out, the 10 Litre Sankey Twist-it Watering Can will revolutionize the way in which you water. Combined with a Sankey Water Butt, considerable savings can be made in both natural resource and your water bill. Rain water is the purest option for tender summer plants, containing less mineral salts and metal deposits than mains water so it makes sense to make the most of this free resource.

Part of the Fiskars group, Nottingham-based Sankey, a company of 155 years standing, is committed to investing in design and practices.

The 10L Twist-it Watering Can is available in Black with a RRP of £14.99. For further information please telephone 0115 927 7335 or visit http://www.rsankey.com

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

South West business experiences rapid growth

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Somerset-based wire rope company, Tecni-Cable Ltd has announced a successful start to 2010 with a record number of sales.

The company has enjoyed an explosive growth in the midst of an economic downturn, and now turns over £60,000 per month, holds over £100,000 worth of stock, and employs eight full-time members of staff from its depot at the Walrow Industrial Estate in Highbridge.

Managing Director, Trevor Heyworth says, "Having just celebrated our fifth anniversary, the business is unusual in the industry in that that we have enjoyed dynamic growth without employing sales reps or by cold calling.

"Ecommerce combined with good business sense has been the driving force that has taken our business turnover from zero to more than £500,000 per annum in less than five years - we now look set to become a leading player in the wire rope industry in future years."

The business began back in 2005 and grew through reinvesting the profits and with minimal borrowing.

By mid-2007 the business had become profitable enough to take on its first full time employee, Marketing Manager, Alex Keen.

With two pairs of hands on board, sales began increasing exponentially, and in January 2009 with still only two members of staff Tecni-Cable relocated to bigger offices where a further six new staff members have been employed. Further success was achieved in 2009 by winning the Somerset Best E-Business Award from the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses.

Tecni-Cable is a market-leading specialist in miniature PVC & Nylon-coated stainless & galvanised wire rope products, and welcomes orders and enquiries from all business sectors including private individuals. Its key areas of expertise include supplying steel cable for lifting assemblies, security cables, balustrading, garden design, shop fittings, exhibitions and gym equipment.

To find out more about wire rope-related products, please visit www.tecni-cable.com For enquiries, please contact Trevor Heyworth on 0845 5190 650 or by email at sales@tecni-cable.com

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Building company set to create new homes from plastic

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:40:57 GMT

In news that is likely to be of interest to DIY enthusiasts, a building firm in Swansea has announced it is to create new homes made entirely from recycled waste, BBC News reports.

The company stated it has developed technology to build low carbon, eco-friendly houses from the waste of plastic and minerals.

Financed by the Welsh Assembly Government money, the company stated its intention to launch a range of green homes, while it also claimed that green properties could help to transform the building industry.

Indeed, Ian McPherson, managing director of the firm, said that the new technology could change the market for ever.

"Every country in the world has issues with waste and we now have an opportunity to turn waste into an enduring housing resource that is 100 per cent recyclable," he told the website.

Meanwhile, Guardian journalist James Randerson recently encouraged Britons to make their homes more energy efficient to help reduce the cost of household bills.

Posted by Thomas Morris

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Easy weekend DIY projects

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Last year, B&Q found that over 66% of homeowners have unfinished jobs around the house, and the things that stop us doing these jobs are time, cost and know-how. Make 2010 the year that these jobs are completed, as the UK's leading home improvement and garden centre retailer is on hand to help Britons spring into action. Even a small job can make a big difference to the home or garden, and the DIYer's dream four-day-Easter-weekend is not far away, so start planning a 2010 home makeover now.

One day - Making a raised flower bed

Creating a raised flower bed should just take one day out of the weekend and gives a nice additional element to any garden. Once you have decided on the size of your patch, mark out an area and remove the turf. Creating a raised bed simply requires preparing a bracketed rectangular framework from four deck boards. The whole family can get involved adding the compost and then planting the chosen seeds or bulbs. Once completed, add a selection of B&Q's garden stakes for instant colour and to add an individual touch to the bed.

Two days - Features of the Future

Inject some colour and design inspiration with a new generation of feature wall for 2010; hanging alternate drops of plain and patterned wallpaper in coordinated colours is a new take on this trend, or raise the roof and go for a bright coloured feature ceiling. Turquoise is set to be the hottest colour of 2010, so whether you go for a bold statement room, or more subtle touches of this hue, your room will be right on trend.

Three days - Spruce up your kitchen

Updating your kitchen doesn't mean you have to go the whole hog. In just a few days a kitchen can be immediately revived by changing the floor, doors and handles.

Replacing the floor - Whether it's tiles, laminate or lino, a new floor will change the atmosphere and look of a room immediately. Laminate flooring is an easy, cheaper and easier to maintain than real wood and is available from £3.98 per square metre.

Update your doors and handles - Pick up a pack of door or drawer fronts from just £9 at B&Q, where there are over 40 different styles and colours to choose from. Once you've measured the existing cupboards to get the correct size, hanging the doors is quick and simple and all doors are pre-drilled to make fitting easier. If the existing doors are in good condition, but look a little tired, a change of colour, finish and new handles will create a whole new feel to the room.

Four days - Get the garden ‘BBQ ready'

Clearing out winter's dead leaves and taming overgrown plants will go a long way to getting the garden back to its best for summer. If the lawn has seen better days it may be time to lay a new one. Growing a lawn from seed is not difficult if the site is well prepared and you look after it, however, it does take a while. Turf will give you an instant lawn but must be kept well-watered until the turf has rooted.

A basic garden shed is straightforward to assemble, and will give you lots of extra storage space for tools, seeds and pots, garden furniture and your BBQ. If that's not enough, more elaborate designs are available that can be fully wired up, insulated or even heated adding an extra room for entertaining or a den for the kids.

Outdoor lighting will add extra atmosphere to your summer socialising, and help you make the most of your garden all year round. Solar powered lights don't need any wiring as they store sunlight energy in a battery, but they are not a powerful light source, if you want to light a large area then there are lots of different low-voltage options to look at.

After all that, make sure to leave enough time to enjoy your handiwork and get a few close friends over for the first BBQ of the year (weather permitting of course!)

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.

Facebook campaigns to save DIY station makeover

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:26:24 GMT

A campaign has been launched on a social networking site to save a DIY-style makeover to Carlisle train station, newslite.tv reports.

The station waiting room was recently turned into a lounge, while one platform was transformed into a garden as part of a new television advert for a DIY store.

Commuters have taken to the new design - which features garden and home furniture - so much that they have decided they want it to remain.

In fact, more than 7,000 Facebook users have already pledged their support to the campaign entitled 'Keep Carlisle train station like this!'

A spokesperson for the DIY store explained that the intention was to create something inspirational that would be seen by lots of people.

The spokesperson told the website: "Carlisle has a station with lots of contrasting areas where we could really show people what can be achieved, so it was the perfect space to start this campaign that will also transform spaces across the rest of the country."

Situated in the local government district of Cumbria, the border city of Carlisle is the most northerly in England.

Posted by Jenny Summer

N.B. The information contained in this story is provided by the supplier and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of lets-do-diy.com.