Harefield Gazette

DIYD DONNYD

- Drew Russel diy.donny@reachplc.com

ABOVE: Gershwing ‘Parakeet’ fringed Bette lampshade, from £325, Divine Savages A fancy fringe lampshade made from plush velvet not only makes a luxe statement, but will give a floor lamp stand a new lease of life.

RIGHT:

Set of two pink curly martini glasses, £29, Rose & Grey

A curly stem and pop of pink will make those martinis and cosmopolit­ans taste even more decadent.

Our expert answers your questions

Q How can I stop cats using my garden as a toilet? I’ve tried all sorts of powders, none non worked.

Les Hattersley

A I once heard the smell of human urine puts cats off. I’ve never tried that but my dad used to lay chicken wire over his veg v patch. Cats won’t walk on that, so it worked w well. ABOVE: Nevada tufted diamond cushion,hion QHow Q can I get rid of lichen growing on £18, Sass & Belle my tarmac drive? Think desert living, USA-style Dr Clive Whiston with soft, sandy colours.

ALichen and moss will grow where it’s shady and rainwater can’t wash it away. I usually use a hose (not a jet washer), then apply weed killer. If the water pressure is good this will work. There are products to clear lichen from stone but it will cost a fortune for a drive. Q I have a 1970s bungalow with internal walls of compressed straw panels with a very thin plaster skim coating called Stramit board. What kind of wall fixings should I use? I don’t want my TV to fall off!

AStramit walls are solid enough but a TV needs a strong fixing. On a plasterboa­rd wall you’d use around eight self-drill plasterboa­rd fixings. Gripit also do great fixings. But in your case it may be safer to locate the timber studs the Stramit boards are affixed to and drill fixings into them. Failing that, fix a timber baton to the studs, which you could mount on the wall.

Q

What will stop condensati­on running down the toilet cistern?

ANow don’t laugh, Kathleen, but you could knit a tea cosy-style cover for the cistern. The aim is to stop the cold water that fills the cistern making the cistern’s surface so chilly it causes moist air to condensate. Another trick is to empty the cistern, dry it and fix insulation matting, such as a yoga mat, to the inside.

Email

Kathleen Murray

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 ?? ?? Kooper boucle armchair, £499, rest of items from a selection, Mad About Mid Century Modern This statement-making armchair is high on style and comfort, with clever curves and beautiful boucle upholstery
Kooper boucle armchair, £499, rest of items from a selection, Mad About Mid Century Modern This statement-making armchair is high on style and comfort, with clever curves and beautiful boucle upholstery
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TV may need a strong fixing

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