With the biggest DIY weekend of the year approaching, it doesn’t have to be about power tools, hammers and spirit levels. Interiors stylist, Jane Molloy shares her insider secrets to taking home improvement in your stride. Jane says “DIY doesn’t need to be hard work. I’ve made some of the biggest interior transformations over a weekend with minimum effort and not a power tool in sight. Below, are my five top tips for creating a mini makeover without any DIY disasters."
Step 1: Paint
Obvious, but it works wonders. Even if you’re painting an area the same colour a fresh lick of paint feels cleaner, looks brighter and gives the whole area a fresh look. If you do want to choose another colour, nudes are very on trend this year and translucent colours complement the majority of colour schemes. If you would like to make an area look bigger, paint a light colour on the walls, if you would like a room to feel cosy and have a romantic ambience, add a deep colour to the walls.
Step 2: Embellish
There’s a big trend at the moment for embellishment. Pom poms, feathers, sequins and hand embroidery. Brighten up old cushions with a strip of pom poms, they can be bought fairly cheaply from haberdasheries and they’re easy to hand-sew. Embroidery can turn something fairly bland, in to something completely unique and beautiful. Detailed embroidery oozes vintage appeal and adds a touch of the 1940s décor into a home.
Step 3: Rugs
Jewel from the Plantation Rug Company
Rugs are great for two reasons, the first being that they transform a room from a minimalist shell to a welcoming home – they can change the vibe of a room from traditional to contemporary in the shake of a rug. The second; they’re great for hiding worn out flooring and threadbare carpet. Over the past few years rugs have become a staple in any home and the designs range from patterned to patriotic to plain. My springtime favourite is Jewel from the Plantation Rug Company (www.plantationrug.co.uk), rrp £65, the pastel colours shout out that summer is on its way. Another favourite for spring is Twinkle, rrp £85, the shimmery, silky threads catch the light perfectly.
Step 4: Garden
Now’s the time to plant delicious smelling herbs and save money on bay leaves, mint and rosemary. Try sewing seeds in olive oil tins and old vintage pots or buy terracotta pots and spruce them up with brightly coloured paints. It’s so easy to create your own little herb garden and seeds can be bought from traditional hardware shops or garden centres and cost just pounds.
Step 5: Clean
Spring wouldn’t be spring without the annual spring clean. You can buy re-grouting pens that work wonders on old tiles, making kitchens and bathrooms look new again. Also, try mixing a few drops of lemon, lavender or orange added to bi-carbonated soda and use as a natural cleaner for carpets. Sprinkle over carpets and hoover – this will leave a beautiful aroma throughout the house and stain-free carpets.
