Homes under the DIY hammer!

I'm determined to find out what you're all doing! Wallpapering, painting, carpentry - are you doing it yourself or getting someone in?

Once those 'big' jobs are out of the way - central heating, double glazing, garden improvements, thoughts are turning to the much more fun aspects of interior design: Re-design; colour schemes; soft furnishings; furniture. 

Working on a new house isn't so bad - the walls are generally already smooth and painted magnolia and there's little preparation needed. But what if you're in an older house? I** remember sanding down the walls in my back room - those walls are like glass now, not that I'm saying my brother in law (he's my man I get in)  is a teensy bit fussy (but he is!) and I thought I'd never see the day when my Sunshine Yellow wall would be complete! (** I obviously didn't actually do any sanding, just supervised.)

If D-I-Y-ing, make is as painless as possible by ensuring you have all the proper equipment - remember, you won't be using it just this year. Or maybe you will; I guess it depends how well you do! 

Johnstone's tool supplies and hardware store are easily found in the high street, but should you be out on the Peninsula, there's Taggarts in Hoo - with their rather lovely coffee shop just next door, for a well-deserved rest in amongst all that running around you'll be doing! 

If, on the other hand, you'd rather someone else took all the strain, there are bathroom, kitchen and bedroom fitters available to do that for you, check out the directory for those nearest to you that can give a free quote. 

One thing you will almost certainly need, whoever is doing the hard graft, is tiling! It's amazing how many different styles there are and while there are lots of big chain stores around, you could find something a little different with a smaller, independent trader. Likewise, there are plenty of places to buy paint: if you don't want it all over you, have a look-see here instead.

And then we do get to the fun stuff - I love paint cards, what can I say, I spend hours just matching ... stuff. Lighting can be taken care of by Nimbus, fireplaces by Rochester Fireplaces and flooring by Santone Carpets but for those little splashes of texture and colour, visit Capture the Castle, Pastures New and Hometown. You'll be spolit for choice but can happily browse for hours before making up your mind. If you're not quite as sad as me, maybe you'd like someone else to do the matching-up-stuff: Julia at Younique Designs would be glad to help, I'm sure!

And don't forget those before and after pictures; I think I've shared enough!