Welcome to DIY Doctor's blog


Dec 31

We are loving these Star Trek inspired air-powered doors at DIY Doctor which we found via dornob.com.

They have been fitted by a DIY geek in America, and even have the whooshing air sound as they are powered by compressed air.

Watch the video and see what you think……

Dec 01
Wall Collection Christmas T1 More DIY Christmas Tree alternatives

Wall Collection Tree

We’ve found some more creative and modern alternatives to christmas trees via great blog post on apartmenttherapy.com. There are ten unusual ideas if you are short on space or just looking for something a bit different this Christmas, and here are a couple of examples.
 

Or you could go for the Print Out tree from HP. More information can be found here to print out your tree.

Print Out Tree More DIY Christmas Tree alternatives

Print Out Tree from HP

 
 
 
 
 
 
              
Musical Christmas Tree More DIY Christmas Tree alternatives

Musical Christmas Tree

Nov 24

If you are a bit bored of the usual traditional christmas tree and are looking for something a bit different this year, we have a couple of unconventional DIY suggestions (thanks to architectlines.com). What do you think??

DIY Christmas Tree DIY Christmas Trees!

 

Wooden Christmas Tree DIY Christmas Trees!

Jul 25

bunk bed How to survive school holidays

Usefull storage space in a comfortable bed

School holidays: Guide to stress-free sleepovers and encouraging tidy rooms

 

When children have their own rooms, most adults agree that getting the little tykes to clear up after themselves is a never ending job like painting the Forth Bridge. There are a number of ways to approach this (and could include the ‘naughty step’ from Supernanny) and to keep a positive approach is usually the best start.

Rather than having toys in boxes around the room, buying a piece of bedroom furniture like a cabin bed will appeal to a wide audience as this is especially designed with children in mind. There are a number of drawers and storage shelves, together with the added excitement of sitting underneath your own bed with a desk to work from, whether it’s a laptop or written homework. Encouraging the younger ones to look after their own belongings could often start with the basics, starting with their own bed.

For small rooms where space saving is paramount and to accommodate guests would be a struggle with buying a spare bed, consider buying a futon to help with school holiday sleepovers. Futons are versatile items of furniture, quickly changing from a sofa to a bed within seconds.

Choosing a futon should be based on the advantages of a wood frame versus a metal frame. If you intend to use the futon as a sofa primarily, and as a bed only on rare occasions, the metal frame gives a better seating posture. If the futon is mostly going to be slept on, or used regularly in a children’s room, for example, the wood frame would be a slightly cheaper option. Most futon mattress covers are fixed, so consider buying a modern colour to match the scheme of your home.

Children’s space saving ideas on a budget are chair beds and sofa beds. As children are lighter than adults, the fillings used do not need to be solid and firm, or use internal springs. A foam cube bed, or chair bed are cheaper than buying a single bed and great for occasional use, they come in a wide array of colours. These flop-out collapsible beds are also perfect for children to put down and pack up again with no risk of injury. Every child loves the novelty of sleeping round a friend’s house, and using a bed they have made themselves surely adds to the experience to compliment jammy dodgers as a midnight feast!

Comfy Living recently featured on ITV’s ’60 Minute Makeover’ with one of their bed frames and have had encouraging feedback from the programme designers and customers alike.

Mar 15

While DIY Doctor is at the Ideal Home Show we have been looking around at the trends for next season in the home. Here are the 3 hot tips for interiors:

Floral abundance – mix bright floral fabrics with cushions, rugs and other soft furnishings and set them off with light neutral walls and floors to create a room that is full of style and character.

Sea Breeze – take inspiration from beach-front living with weathered whitewashed wood, and striped fabrics in neutral shades and washed-out blues. Then kick back and relax in this calm environment, perfect antidote to today’s fast pace of living!

Functional fifties –post war interiors were all about pared-down style and streamlined profiles, rediscover this look with blonde wood, teak and rosewood furniture teamed with graphic style prints and Scandinavian ceramics.

Linda Barker is presenting in the ‘How To’ theatre today at 11.30, 1.30 and 3.30, with her own tips for how to transform your interiors incorporating your own style.

DIY Doctor will also be on stage giving expert advice on How to Avoid Cowboy Builders at 12.30, How to Skim Plaster at 2.30 and How to Tile a Bathroom (in association with TileTracker) at 4.30.