Tag Archives: diy

DIY Tips on How to Add Design to Your Kitchen Counters


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Kitchen countertops are one of the most prominent things you see in the kitchen. For this reason, in order to create a stylish kitchen, you must make sure that you find the right countertops to match the entire room. However, do not compromise functionality with style.

Decorating your simple countertops will help add an inspirational vibe when cooking. The best way to keep things interesting inside the kitchen is to make sure to keep things alive. Here are some step by step tips you can do by yourself to make kitchen counters that are stylish, functional, and unique –the best part is that it will not cost too much:

1. learn to get organized

Think of the things you need to do first before starting such as the design and the required materials that you need to jumpstart your activity. List out things such as the trowel, sandpaper, tiles, pry bar, adhesive, gloves, and rags before proceeding to the plan. Find a style that you want online. There are plenty of styles available. Find one that complements the rest of the room.

2. proceed to the layout

Place the tiles on top of the counter. Arrange it first before sticking them. Find an image that best suits your liking. Make sure that the layout is done according to the picture before proceeding to the final steps.

3. remove the existing counter styles by cleaning the dry surface

Remove the old counter by prying it then place the new tiles on top. Just make sure that you smoothen the surface after you remove the previous tiles. Regular sandpaper will do the trick.

4. clean and prepare the surface of the countertop

Granite Tile InstallationMake sure that you have dust away every bit on the top after prying the previous tiles are removed. Prepare the surface before putting you selected adhesive. Get a slice of the surface and try the adhesive fist on a smaller part.

5. learn how to stick the pieces accordingly

All you need is a thin surface of adhesive. Place the cement on the first section.  This is actually the exciting part. Transfer the first tile from the layout you made earlier. Carefully stick to the cement and press gently on the adhesive. Continue doing this until you are finished on the first row. Repeat the process until the design is complete. Disperse the caulking materials on the surface of the tiles. Do not let it dry.

6. moisten the surface

Place a damp soft rag with warm water. Remove the excess caulk from the tile top. Make sure that the caulks on the sides of the tiles are not removed. Let these dry, just not ones on the surface.

7. unveil your work of art!

The steps are really simple and very basic. There is absolutely no need to hire an expert for this DIY Project. Be proud of your work and showcase it to your family or neighbors the next time they come over.

Chef Linda Rosario is a food blogger from Chef Needs, one of the trusted suppliers of bakery display cases. She also loves to paint and dreams of having her own art gallery. Aside from painting and drawing, Linda has a heart for cooking and food.

Electricians Tell Their Secrets: 5 Of The Worst DIY Attempts


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Image by: sturti

Over 14 million men in Britain have admitted that, when DIY work has gone wrong, it resulted in wrecking their home. More than half confessed to still having at least one DIY project unfinished in their property. Each job on average totals up to £170 – which means that there’s an enormous 2 million pounds worth of DIY fix ups to be done in the UK!

Most people prefer to do their own handy work instead of calling in the professionals. This may seem a cheaper alternative since it would save money to do it yourself rather than paying somebody to do the same job.

But this is how DIY disasters are caused. Electrician Martin from MF Electrical in Heanor agrees: “It is whether it has been done safely and won’t endanger a life. Is it worth taking the risk rather than getting a professional in to do it?”

We asked some professional electricians about some of the worst DIY attempts they had seen. Here’s what they had to say.

Dangerous

“A couple had an immersion heater wired in coax TV cable, an 8.5kw shower wired in orange lawn mower flex. One of the classics we used to see regularly was tin foil wrapped round the old style cartridge fuse in fuse boxes.” – Martin from MF Electrical in Heanor

“I think the worst thing that I’ve found would be a ‘junction box’ in a loft. This was basically the connections snapped out of a light fitting and left underneath loft insulation live and with all the live parts exposed.” – Kirsty from Kirsty Cockerill Electrical

“My friend’s husband took some power out to the garden deck. He ran a socket out there and then ran some lights off that. He did it all in 1mm lighting cable and didn’t consider IP ratings (protection from moisture). He plugged in a couple of heaters. There was a big bang!” – Karen from She’s Electric

Bizarre

“I was called out to a home where the lady of the house was getting a shock as she washed her hair in the kitchen sink. It turned out to be a DIY light at the bottom of the stairs her husband had installed – I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not it was intentional!” – Roger from C.J. Timms

“Joists catching fire, since the builder drilled half of it out so that his downlight would fit, sockets and showers with no earth, whole houses with no earthing, circuit tripping as a socket under sink was full of spilled fabric conditioner.” – Donna from ATB Electrical

So now you know how not to do it, here are few sage words of wisdom from those electrical pros in the know. 

Helpful Tips

“If you have an old-style fuse box, get it replaced. It could save you and your family’s lives.” – Roger from C.J. Timms

“Never risk it and check it yourself. Most electricians will give you free advice, so if in doubt just give someone a call. It could end up costing you more in the long run if you try to fix it yourself.” – Kirsty from Kirsty Cockerill Electrical

“Just because it works doesn’t necessarily mean its safe. If you are at all worried about your electrics, get them properly tested.” – Donna from ATB Electrical

So what’s the moral of the story, boys and girls? Don’t try attempting any DIY work if you’re not 100% what you’re doing. You may end up paying out more to repair any faulty D.I.Y than actually having a professional do it for you.

Have you ever had a disastrous DIY attempt? Or got any of your own tips? Let me know in the comments below.

Sarah Garvey has a fair share of knowledge of electrician DIY work, especially about ICT and from her own personal experience. She recommends Alert Electrical.

Interior Design: Get a Pro or Go DIY?


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Whether you decide to hire a professional interior designer or to do it on your own highly depends on your personality, specific needs, your budget and other circumstances. If you are confident with your skills, have a lot of spare time and can easily learn things on your own, then DIY might just work for you. If you are always on the go, have a considerable budget, and love immediate results, a professional interior designer will take the stress and worries off your mind, and you can go on with your usual business.

InStyleModern provides an infographic that will help you weigh your decisions better. After all, when it comes to interior design, every choice has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Whatever path you choose to take, this infographic gives you the details you need to consider in order to attain the design that you’ve always wanted. After all, it’s your own place and when it comes to designing it, you call the shots.

Interior Designing - Hire Professional or DIYInterior Decorating DIY

E.A. Jeffries writes for InStyleModern and loves dreaming up of unusual ways to transform his own pad’s interior, depending on his current mood.