Decorating and Furnishing
Making your home 'homely', comfortable and smart is probably the main preoccupation of all new home owners. It's hard work, it takes time and it can be costly.
Decorating is always best done before you move in all your furniture but that is seldom possible. It is, therefore, best tackled a room at a time so you can work on an empty space.
Start off by looking round the DIY stores to see what is on the market, what it will all cost and what if any, skills you'll need to do the work.
Next buy the basics. You'll need dust sheets to cover the floors. You will need a paste table, paste brush, edge roller, decorator's scissors, plumb bob, scraper and a very sharp knife. You will need two or three buckets for water, paste, etc. If there is re-plastering to be done you'll also need a hawk and a float (to carry the mixed plaster and to apply it to the wall and smooth it off). A palate knife is also useful for applying plaster to fill small holes. An old (clean) paintbrush is best for filling in fine cracks.
Note these things to remember: when using lining paper under the final wall covering, apply the lining horizontally. The same applies to the ceiling. Generally you will paper a ceiling along the shortest length of the room but lining paper must go at right angles so it must be hung along the longest length. It is far easier to paper a ceiling and walls if light fittings, ceiling rose and so forth are removed. This means turning off the electricity, so time your papering early in the day so you can finish the job in daylight. Paper hanging by torch light is not funny, nor is trying to re-connect the electrical fittings. Don't touch the electrical fittings unless you know exactly how to re-connect. If you intend to install wall lights, do so before you apply paper, test them and if all is well, disconnect and commence papering. Don't forget to size the wall before papering, you can use dilute wall covering adhesive. If any of your walls are distempered, there is no need to scrape it off - apply Unibond, or a similar product, suitably diluted. Once dry this will seal in the distemper and you can then paper or even emulsion over the top. Don't try unless it is sealed however - you have been warned.
Always remember, whether you buy your materials and tools from a DIY store, High Street supplier or builders’' merchant, if you are at all unsure of what to do in a certain circumstance or with certain materials, ask, they will be only too happy to help. If they tell you a job needs highly-skilled application, don’t hesitate, send for a professional builder/decorator. It is always worth recognising your own limitations because it is all too often the case that it costs more to remedy a bodged job than it does to tackle the job from the beginning - properly.
Once the decorating has been completed you can turn your attentions to the furnishings. You will have had some idea of colour schemes when you chose the wall coverings and paint. Now is the time to find the carpets, curtains and blinds that will fully complement your scheme.
Take your time, furnishing fabrics and carpets are expensive items and a mistake could be a costly one. Choose the carpet wisely. Be guided by the sales staff as to the quality. There is no need to spend out on the highest quality for a little used bedroom floor. You can have the same pattern all over the house but most good carpets come in a range of qualities which help cut down the price. Choose an all-over pattern rather than a plain carpet if you have dogs and children in the house.
Another tip, go for the right nylon/wool mixture, it wears best and keeps its good looks longer, and ask about stain resistance, some carpets are specially treated to shrug off dirt and stains. Finally, get the carpet(s) professionally laid. It helps you by removing a difficult and tiring chore. It also contributes to the longevity of the carpet.
Window dressings are very important. They are an integral part of your home's insulation - against heat, cold and noise. The more layers at the window, the more effective the insulation. Nets give prettiness and privacy. Roller blinds help keep out the sun. Heavy, lined curtains insulate and look cosy when closed. The linings help prevent fading and help elongate the life of the curtains as well. You can buy curtains ready-made, have them made to measure or make them yourself, but don't attempt to do so unless you have ready access to a sewing machine.
Once your carpet and curtains are in place you can begin to gather the rest of the furnishings and furniture together. Choose carefully, you only get what you pay for, and don't fill the room with clutter - it will look more elegant and be a great deal easier to clean.