MELLOW YELLOW
Bosaka shevling unit, £45, Am.Pm at La Redoute Yellow floral tag jar, £10, Next Sunflower candle in holder, £12.99, H&M Home
QI have woodchip flooring boards covered by a carpet which badly needs replacing. I can’t afford that, so is it possible to varnish the boards instead?
Peter Brown, via email
Yes. I’ve seen almost every type of sheet wood product varnished, stained or painted and it always looks good. The key is to ensure it matches the style of the rest of the room.
AQWe have recently painted new plaster after having an extension built. Despite putting a thinned down coat of paint on as a base some of the paint has peeled away. I’ve rubbed it down and repainted, but it just bubbles up again. Any ideas? Caroline Hallam, via email
It must be some contaminant in the wall coming through the plaster. Apply diluted PVA to the affected area, then two full coats of paint using a smooth roller.
ADONNY’S TOP TIP
QCan you recommend a paint for a patio concrete floor? I am an older lady who plans to brighten up mine in the spring. Margaret McGee, via email
I would recommend using a Blackfriar Anti-Slip Floor Paint. It’s an excellent product and widely available.
I am getting excessive condensation in a vanity cupboard under a sink. Can it be treated cheaply? I’ve tried lagging the pipes but it’s not easy to completely cover them.
John, Nottingham
Condensation only forms on cold surfaces, so you either need to cover the cold surface or warm it up somehow. In this case I would just box in the pipes. Also, when applying lagging foam over pipes, it’s best to use tape or tie grips to hold it firmly in place.
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