One of the quickest and easiest ways to freshen up your home is to add a new coat of paint to your woodwork, and this is a relatively straightforward job that only requires a few basic supplies from your local DIY store.

Removing Old Paint
You can just paint over the top of existing paintwork, but if there are a few layers already this can create a lumpy, even finish and so if you do have enough time it is a good idea to strip the paint using a scraper and heat gun.  Once the majority of the paint is off you can sand the woodwork to make sure you have a smooth finish ready for painting.

Knotting
If you have any new woodwork then it may need treating with a shellac based solution to ensure any knots present to not bleed sap through to the paint, causing brownish marks.  Just dab a little knotting solution onto the knots with a paintbrush and leave to dry for an hour before painting.

Filling
You may need to fill any gaps or chips in the woodwork before you begin painting, and this should be done after priming, as this will make the defects very clear.  Mix the filler into a thick, workable paste and fill cracks and chips and wipe off excess filler with a rag.  When dry rub down with some sandpaper to create a smooth finish.

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Home furnishing is a very fashionable industry, and over the years styles come and go with almost as much frequency as clothing and hair design fashion.  There are also those classic timeless designs that stay in place year on year, but if you are interested in keeping up with latest in home design and furnishing then here are two hot tips for the next few months:
·    The season sees a trend for peacock shades of deep green and blue, mixed in with more traditional autumn colours of rich plum and vibrant orange.  It takes a bit of skill to manage such as strong palette of colours in home design and furnishing, but if you get it right you can create a stunning and very up to date look for your home.

·    Shiny metallic furniture and accessories continue to be big news following on from summer, and so shiny chrome and glass coffee tables, metallic effect vases and picture frames and any kind of polished metal furnishings are very much in the moment.

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If you are interested in protecting the environment and reducing your carbon footprint then it is a good idea to look into the wide variety of eco friendly furniture on offer that is manufactured using sustainable sources.

There are a number of forward thinking designers who are creating fun and ascetically pleasing pieces of furniture for the home using a whole range of different eco friendly materials from designer cardboard chairs through to old reclaimed cinema seats which are transformed for use in the home.

Some designers have even made use of old washing machine drums and other rubbish destined for landfill to create stylish tables and other pieces of furniture, and this creative use of waste is a wonderful way of supporting the recycling movement.

When it comes to wooden furniture it is very important to make sure that the timber has been sourced from sustainable forests, as so much of this type of home furnishing is made from woodlands all around the world that are being cut down aggressively without being managed or replaced.

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There are many home improvement shows on TV these days that can show you how to make stylish changes to your home living spaces, but many of the wonderful ideas shown are simply not practical or affordable for those home owners on a tight budget.

However there are a number of ways in which you can update and refresh the decor in your home for very little money, and all you need is a few basic supplies from the DIY store and plenty of creativity and imagination.

Fresh Coat of Paint
If your living spaces are looking a little drab and dull then a fresh coat of paint can really brighten up a room and add a whole new atmosphere.  If you are on a really tight budget then just concentrate on the ceilings and paintwork, and use a coat of brilliant white matt on the ceilings and architraves, and a coat of white gloss on skirting boards, window frames and doorways.

If you have a bit more money to spend you could also try painting the walls in a new, fresh colour as well.

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