MINI MAKEOVERS

Spruce up your shelves

Fit a glass splashbackUp to 3 days..Under one day..COFFEE TABLE: Delamere coffee table pounds 185, faux apples pounds 8 (set of 8), Glass pear and apple pounds 18 (set of 2), all from Next; Esher platter pounds 34.95, Rockett St George.Tile key areas of the bathroomSort out your shoes..Turn over for fab 4-day ideasSTYLIST TIP: Grey-toned fabrics against slick white furniture create a coastal feel with a modern twist STYLIST TIP: Team greens with chunky wood furniture and wicker style chairs then add metal or glass for contrast STYLIST TIP: Designing a scheme can be imaginative and fun. It's easy to inject colour into a neutral room without even having to pick up a paintbrush. Simply add new curtains, bright scatter cushions and maybe a striking armchair, or add wall art for a bold focusTo get ideas about the range of lights available, you can browse the web sites of the UK's leading lighting vendors and get an idea of what kinds of lamps and shades are available. You can then place your order safely online for swift delivery.DINING ROOM: Facet mirror pounds 110, Buddha head pounds 30, Santiago dining chairs pounds 235 (per pair), Delamere table pounds 335, Green lacquered ball curtain pole from pounds 50, Green taffeta stripe curtains from pounds 60, all Next. DINING TABLE: Bowl pounds 29.95, hydrangea flowers pounds 14.99 each, both Rockett St George; wood candlesticks (set of 3) pounds 25, Botanic 12-piece dinner set pounds 30, wine glasses pounds 18 (set of 4), all Next.Wallpapering a whole room in a day is a tough call for even the most experienced DIYer. So for a simpler, do-it-in-a-day task, stick to one to create a bright, eye-catching feature wall. It's a quick and easy update that gives a big "Wow!" factor. Kids @ Home wallpaper 35799, pounds 16.94 per roll (www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk)Three days should be plenty of time to repaint your whole kitchen. You could add a fresh lick of colour to everything from the floor to the tiles, units and even your storage jars! Kitchen painted in furniture and cupboard paint in Lovely Olive and Warm Mink, both from pounds 17.99 for 750ml (www.international- paints.co.uk, 08444 817 817)Give your old chairs a new lookYou need to be sure your shades are transparent enough to allow the required amount of light through otherwise your rooms might be too gloomy. It depends on the functionality, however. When it comes to accent lighting, dark lamp shades are popular.Spring break DIY 3 page specialWhen it comes to light shades, you have a wide range of fabrics to choose from, everything from cotton and linen to damask, mica and silk. Each fabric adds its own special quality to the light and thus each creates its own mood. You can also get shades crafted from paper and glass, with Murano glass from Venice being extremely popular. Also timelessly appealing are Tiffany shades based on classic stained glass designs.You don't have to tile the whole room... just areas that take a lot of water. Try starting with an easy project, such as the splashback behind the sink - a perfect beginners' job!Making over your home with lighting is quick and inexpensive and the results can be astonishing. The deft and tasteful use of floor lamps and light shades can transform the whole look of your rooms and create magical spaces to live and work in comfort and style.SIDE TABLE: Delamere Cube table nest pounds 175 (set of 2), Amaryllis flowers tied bundle pounds 35, from Next; Coasters pounds 4.99 from Rockett St George.Turin wall tiles in beige, brown, grey, charcoal and white from pounds 15.49 for 44 tiles (www.focusdiy.co.uk, 0800 436 436)Spray old boxes in pretty pastels then stick a photo of each pair of shoes to the front. Plastikote super spray in pale lilac, blue lilac and sumptuous purple, all pounds 6.95 per 400ml can (www.plasti-kote.com, 01223 836400 or DIY stores)Fitting a funky glass splashback is a DIY job - you just need to make sure your wall is properly prepared. Spend a day making sure it is painted and smooth, pick your design then fit. Enki Muted Sage glass splashback from pounds 95 (60x70cm). Matching up-stands and different sizes available in 27 colours (www.cpgroupuk.com, 0845 519 7039)The next type is known as accent lighting. This works to highlight special areas and objects in your home to show off their qualitative and create a certain mood or atmosphere. Track lights, spotlights and wall lights generally provide accent lighting. You can also get accent illumination from floor lamps judiciously positioned to shine onto the desired areas.Lay new laminate flooringTurn a chimney breast into a hot new featureThese fun blackboard stickers make it quick and simple to create an organiser for the whole family. Convincing your little darlings to stick to it might be another matter... Stickers pounds 24 each (www.spincollective.co.uk, 01242 255244)The final type of light is known as task lighting. As the name suggests, this type of illumination allows you to easily carry out daily activities such as reading, cooking or sewing. Task lighting can come from many sources including spotlights, table lights, floor lamps and wall lights. Floor lamps are perfect for use as task lights. You can position a floor lamp behind your sofa or easy chair to work as a reading lamp, for example.STOCKISTS: Next (www.next.co.uk, 0844 844 8000), Store Twenty One (www.storetwentyone.co.uk, 0844 884 4808), Pedlars (www.pedlars.co.uk 01330 850 4000), Dunelm Mill (www.dunelm- mill.com, 08451 656565), Rockett St George (www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 0208 350 5450).Make a family notice boardTake a closer look at this green floor lamp and shelf... that's right, they've been painted on. Get clever with some leftover emulsion and you can revamp a room with new "furniture" in next to no time. Forest Falls 1 flat matt emulsion pounds 24.99 for 2.5l (www.dulux.co.uk, 08444 817 817)Create wall art

Spring break DIY 3 page special

Author: ANGELA MACFARLANE