do it yourself
Be handy at home
The latest need-to-knows to help you improve your home Got a wooden drawer that KEEPS Sticking? rub the runners with a white candle to Get them Gliding again
Be your own plasterer
Sick of bumpy, uneven walls? Knauf ’s Proroll plaster is applied straight from the tub with a medium pile roller and smoothed with a trowel or joint knife to level the surface up to 4mm. It can be sanded and used over new or old plaster as well as old textured ceilings. Genius.
Show your metal…
Guaranteed to be in every upcycler’s arsenal, chalk paint has revolutionised a vast array of DIY projects, thanks to the fact that it can be applied to many surfaces without the need for timeconsuming prep. Sarah Jayne Chalk Paint has introduced two new metallic shades – a silver hue called Mercury and a rich golden shade named Stardust – that will give an old piece of furniture a fabulous new statement look. Or use them more sparingly to highlight or create a decorative feature. Apply with a brush and once dry, buff with a soft cloth.
try a multi-tool
Using the right tool for the job when doing DIY makes the process a whole lot easier and the results miles better. The Dremel 8220 is a cordless, variable speed multi-tool with interchangeable accessory heads, perfect for intricate DIY work. Its small size means you can work anywhere to sand, shape or carve – ideal for upcycling furniture – and its 360° LED light makes it easy to see what you’re doing. It even has an engraving accessory so you can personalise items and mark tools or bikes with your postcode in case they get lost.