This blog is the result of over 20 years of working in building and renovations and a growing career in writing guides, columns and books.
Posted in Gardening Basics, Gardening Guides on March 19th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Garden power tools seem to be taking up increasingly larger areas of the shelf space in DIY stores, and I’m not including lawnmowers here, which is a subject for another day. Now, we all love our gadgets, but I do wonder with this every growing array of motorised plastic, exactly what is a necessity, and what is literally going to gather dust in your shed. The following guide, by no means covers everything, but picks up on the main players in the garden power tool field. read more »
Posted in 'How-to' Guides, Electrics on March 15th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Changing a socket in your home is a very straightforward electrical DIY job, but if you are in any doubt about working with electricity, seek professional advice from a qualified electrician. Any electrical work must comply with the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) regulations (BS7671). Always refer to, and follow precisely, the manufacturer’s instructions when fitting a new socket. The guide below refers only to the UK. read more »
Posted in Gardening Guides, Growing Vegetables on March 14th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Growing peas is yet another great option for your garden. You do need to be a little careful about the time of year you sow, but in general, peas are very straightforward to plant and look after. A good idea, in small gardens, is to sow peas in ground that can afterwards be used for salad, leeks, or cabbage. Also be aware that peas need plenty of water to thrive. read more »
Posted in Gardening Basics, Gardening Guides on March 9th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – 1 Comment
Sufficient garden storage space is an important component of any garden, and there are a vast array of options out there. Below, I’ve assembled some good ideas in this area, that cater for both large and small gardens. As always, set yourself a budget, as it is easy to get carried away with all sorts of racks and storage units that suppliers and advertisers may suggest as “essential” for all gardeners. So, take some time to find out what garden storage options suit your particular needs. read more »
Posted in 'How-to' Guides, Bathrooms on March 7th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – 1 Comment
Planning a bathroom project needs to be a very carefully considered process. If you are replacing most, or all, of the fixtures and fittings, it needs very good planning to co-ordinate the help you may require from different trades, with ordering and delivery of items, with the work you yourself plan to do, whilst still allowing your ‘home life’ to function around your bathroom re-fit! Below are a number of points to consider when planning a new bathroom, from making choices of bath, shower and toilet, to deciding on a sensible order of work. read more »
