DIY
Smart technology updates to bring my home into the new decade
Let’s kick off the new decade with the excitement of further home renovations (yes, I’m still at it!) and embracing new technology within the home…
Let’s kick off the new decade with the excitement of further home renovations (yes, I’m still at it!) and embracing new technology within the home…
Over the years I’ve lived in some rather small homes and it’s been difficult to decorate for Christmas in such a compact space. However, that’s never stopped me from filling my home with festive decor each December and, in fact, I’ve quite enjoyed the challenge of making my own DIY space-saving Christmas trees. Here are three ways to upcycle pallets, pipes and paint to create your own unique festive decor that doesn’t take up too much space…
I’ve been looking ahead to 2020 and making plans for our life and home. With plenty more renovation work on the horizon, I need to think ahead to make sure everything gets done! So, if like me you’re thinking of doing some work on your home in the New Year here are some thing you should consider before you get started…
No festive party should be without a cocktail cabinet, which is precisely why I’ve DIY’d one this month! Turning this writing bureau into a drinks bar is a relatively easy upcycle (no power tools required!) and it’ll be the hub of all your gatherings over the festive period, so read on to find out more…
You won’t believe it but, after months (okay, years) of complaining to you about my horrible hallway, the space has finally been decorated! We really
When planning a kitchen makeover, it’s surprisingly easy to make aesthetic decisions that might actually be less cost-effective in the long run. So, if you’re researching a renovation project and need to make decisions about your appliances, here are three things to consider to help you save money going forward…
Another day, another DIY! This time, it’s a classy coffee table that doubles up as handy storage. And would it even be a Cassie Fairy DIY if it didn’t include pallets?? The rustic-yet-cool chevron effect top is all refinished pallet wood – making this a money-saving project too. Read on to find out how to DIY a coffee table for yourself this autumn…
As you might be able to tell from my previous blog post, I’ve been DIYing this week. With that in mind, I thought I would share some nuggets of DIY wisdom (or words of warning, perhaps..?!) that I’ve come across during my decorating…
This staircase painting technique can be used either way – painting the centre or the sides of the steps – to give the effect of a runner on your stairs without you having to splash out for a rug, runner or carpet. Here’s how to DIY a staircase runner, the easy way!
I’ve given my old teak display cabinet a bit of a makeover. Previously, all the messy items I was storing inside the unit were there for all to see – and you know how much I dislike clutter. So, what was the solution? Why, to paint the cabinet doors, of course! But the doors are made entirely of glass, so it’s not as easy as using a tin of paint and a roller (although I’ve never tried that – does it work?) so I’ve put together a little DIY video so guide you through the process…
It’s been a busy couple of months and I’ve been lucky enough to write a couple of interiors feature for issue 42 and issue 43 of Reclaim magazine. Plus, I’ve also written some blog post elsewhere around the internet so here are the links if you want to check them out..!
Old and stained double-glazed doors can make your entire home look tired, and no amount of cleaning can get them back to their box-fresh whiteness. PVC doors can be costly to replace so why not spruce them up with a coat of paint? Not possible? Here’s how I revamped my ugly kitchen door with a vibrant pop of colour to keep summery vibes in my home for longer..!
All photos of Ju’s home by Alexandra Joseph If you’ve been hooked on the new BBC TV show Interior Design Masters since it started in
Last week I mentioned that I’m currently working on renovating my kitchen and that I’d already revamped a few retro kitchen chairs. I’ve since been asked how I restored these junk-shop finds to their former glory so I thought I’d put together a little video to show you how to upholster a kitchen chair and renovate the wooden frame…
So your family is expanding (congratulations!) and you need to upsize from your current home. Moving house is an exciting time, but it can also be a complicated and stressful process. Adding this on top of your already-busy family life can create frustration for parents so I want to help make the process as easy as possible with these handy house-selling tips…
I don’t know why hostess trolleys ever went out of fashion. They’re so handy for gathering everything you need together, and wheeling it right where you need it to be. So, when I spotted this old wooden trolley in a skip, I was keen to rescue it. Here’s how to upcycle a retro trolley into a vintage style bar cart for bank holiday parties…
Home is a place to relax however, sometimes that well-deserved rest becomes elusive & the most common hindrance is noise. Or maybe YOU are making noise & want to be a more considerate neighbour – so here’s how reduce noise the thrifty way…
To be honest with you, the kitchen was one of the most disgusting rooms in our fixer-upper home. So it was kind-of the room we tackled first. It got a coat of fresh white paint (to cover up the oil-and-nicotine stained walls eww) on the day we got the keys. We’ve since painted the existing cabinets. which has freshened up the units. But there’s still plenty more to do…
When I found a few brick pallets in a building site skip (and asked if it would be okay to re-use them!) my mind starting whirring at the possible projects they could be used for. The result is this kids’ mud kitchen and I thought I’d share the step-by-step project with you today…
You may have spotted a sneaky peek of my scaffold board table in my blog post about building rustic benches for my garden but today I’m sharing the step-by-step tutorial with you so that you can have a go at making a DIY scaffolding table for yourself…
It’s finally happened! I have my very own finished home office! I’m sat at my wall-to-wall DIY desk as we speak, uploading tons of photos to this blog post and I can’t wait to show you everything in this room tour of my home office…
I know it seems crazy to be talking about heating when the weather is like this – but it won’t always quite as delightful as it is right now! That’s why I wanted to help you plan ahead for the autumn and get most of your heating maintenance out of the way during the summer months. That way, you won’t have any surprises when the cooler weather comes around. Here’s 8 tricks to help you to reduce your heating bills…
If you’ve just moved into a new home and are struggling to find space for all the possessions you’re unpacking, today’s blog post is for you. I’ve done my research and found 5 clever storage hacks that’ll help you to make the most of the space in your new apartment…
If you want to create an outdoor kitchen in your garden, it’s easy to DIY it with just a few pallets, a scaffold board & a ceramic sink. Here’s how I made a handy kitchen cabinet & worktop for my deck from scrap wood…
I’ve been DIYing in the garden again and this time I’ve made an outdoor coffee table using an old wooden cable reel that I found in a skip. Plus, I’ve created a cosy corner for drinks and chatting outside on my deck (featuring my ‘new’ coffee table, so here’s how I did it…
When it comes to home improvements, you’ll probably want to prioritise projects that will add more value to your home—especially if you are planning to sell your property and move on in the future. Today I’m sharing some ideas for getting your home ship-shape so that you can enjoy living in it AND boost it’s resale value…
Good windows are essential in keeping a home cosy, which is why it’s important to care for your windows and occasionally carry out some maintenance. But how do you know if your windows need repairing? Natural causes such as the weather can have an effect on your home, but windows are more susceptible as they are the thinnest barriers between you and the outside world. How will you know when it is time to repair your wooden windows? Below is a list of six tell-tale signs…
If you’ve always wanted to grow your own veggies and pick fresh herbs from your back garden, I’m here to show you that it can be done in just a small space. Here’s how to grow your own herbs (and stop the weeds from making a comeback!) in a raised bed…
We’ve had a busy week of garden-based DIYing here, which all began when we got hold of some low-cost scaffold boards from the local timber yard. My mind went into overdrive about all the things I could build with the 13ft-long boards but we decided to start small with some rustic garden benches. Here’s how to make them…
No one wants to live in a damp house. It can be very uncomfortable, especially during the winter months as it will only make your place feel colder so why not tackle it now, before it becomes a bigger problem? You might think that you’ll need to call professionals in order to get rid of dampness in your home but the good news is that there are budget-friendly ways you can solve your damp and mold problems yourself. Here’s how…
How much do you know about home break-ins? If you believe the cartoons, you may think that burglaries only happen at night, with a criminal sneaking around in a black mask with a swag bag! In reality, the majority of break ins happen in broad daylight. They even are committed by burglars who live nearby. Plus, despite our misconception that these crimes are well thought-out and highly planned, most homes are burgled in less than 10 minutes. That means it’s more essential than ever that you take your home security seriously with these 5 low cost (and free!) security tips.
Why is it that the vast majority of the time we neglect our bedrooms the most out of all of the rooms in the house? Sure, we are probably the only ones to actually see our bedrooms, and we’re mostly asleep when we’re in there – but that doesn’t mean they can’t become a tranquil space for some much-needed ‘me time’ – here’s how…
Making improvements to your home is never going to be cheap, and amid all the home renovation programmes and YouTube DIYs you can often feel pressured to keep up with the Joneses when it comes to sprucing up your home. However, home improvement doesn’t have to be as expensive as it’s made out to be, and today’s blog post offers a few different methods of creating some easy improvements on the cheap, without going overboard with the power tools…
I’ve been working on landscaping my garden this year and the steep slope needed to be terraced, which left me with a design that created ‘rooms’ within the garden. And since finishing the deck over the weekend, it’s got me thinking about the ways that I want to use the terrace that’s closest to the house…
If you’ve been reading my blog over the past couple of years you’ll probably have noticed that many of my posts are about my own
The roof of a house is a perilous place so I wouldn’t even begin to suggest you take on a roofing DIY task yourself as it takes time, skill and specialist safety equipment to perform necessary repairs. That said, there’s no reason why you can’t assess the current state of the roof and spot any minor fixes that can solves problems before they become bigger jobs. At the very least, if you’re capable of assessing the damage you can call in a roofer and explain what needs fixing. Here are some roofing tips to help you get started…
Do you feel like suddenly everything is in bloom? Finally, my garden is looking better than it ever has before and I can actually go outside and enjoy the space a little. Here’s what I’ve been up to over the past month…
All good bank holiday weekends should be spent DIYing, right? The project I had earmarked for the May bank holiday has been long overdue and I can’t believe it’s finally happened! Here’s how I DIYed a wall-to-wall desk for my home office…
After decades of use and sun exposure in a conservatory many classic Lloyd Loom chairs are faded or damaged. While it’s still possible to buy the originals (I picked these up at a car boot sale) it’s likely that they’ll need a little care and attention to bring them back to life. Here’s some simple tricks to renovate vintage woven chairs and bring a touch of retro design onto your patio this summer…
You might think that your family home is already full to bursting point, with kids, pets and all the things that come with them. Then you get a call, and your friends are coming to stay! How will you accommodate them? And what about when a parent or grandparent can no longer live independently? Can you fit them in too? Let’s find extra space in your home that you’re not already using…
I’ve been working on another pallet upcycling project and this month I’ve been creating much-needed storage for my bathroom. Pallet wood is my favourite material to make furniture from – it’s sturdy, looks much better with just a little TLC and, best of all, it’s free! Here’s how I DIYed a bathroom laundry hamper and sink caddy from a pallet…
Spring has sprung, and summer is on its way! You’ve probably already gotten started on your spring renovation projects, but have you considered those less-than-glamorous home maintenance jobs that need to be done as well? Summer is the best time to take care of a few quick fixes and clean-ups so you don’t have to worry about them later in the summer or when the weather turns cold again. Let’s go..!
If you need a bed but are on a budget, why not make one yourself? Today’s blog post shows you how to build a platform bed on wheels using pallets, with step-by-step photos of the whole process. If, like me, you’re a fan of upcycling and like to build things with pallet wood, the newly published book Pallet Style by Nikkita Palmer and Billy Barker is the one for you. And the great news is that I’ve got a copy of the book to give away to one lucky winner so read on to enter..!
If you’ve got a fixer upper home like me, you’ll inevitably have to invest in some tools to complete your DIY tasks. But it doesn’t have to be expensive to stock up on the tools you need. Plus, if you get the equipment to do most home improvement tasks yourself, it means that you won’t be spending too much on labour costs of getting a pro in.
If you’ve been DIYing and gardening over the Easter holidays, you’re not alone; we too have made a lot of progress on our garden landscaping project over the past couple of weeks. Today’s blog post is all about how I upcycled a low-cost shed to make it look super-swish…
With power tools, gardening items, DIY materials and cleaning supplies, my shed workbench was over-flowing so I decided it was about time to sort out some proper storage. If you’ve been struggling to stow everything safely in your shed, this could be the solution for you too…
Making the move to smart home is getting easier, with connectivity being made available for more home fixtures. This not only makes everyday tasks easier, it can also help to save energy and cut costs on your bills. Today, I’m researching smart sockets – whaaat?
If you’ve been following along with our home renovation, you’ll probably have noticed that we’ve had a bit of a break from the DIYing over the winter. But now we’re back on the job and raring to go – and the hallway makeover is next…
Are you in need of extra storage space in your kitchen? Today’s upcycling DIY could be just what you need! I’ve turned a couple of old pallets into a ‘pallet pantry’ and I’ve shared the step-by-step project…
If you are looking for new ways to spruce up your interior without breaking the bank, changing the window treatments is a quick fix. At first glance blinds may seem complicated to fit, but you don’t need the help of a professional. With the right tools, it’s easy to install window blinds yourself. Here’s how…
Winter may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to fling open all the windows yet! There may still be a few more weeks of cold days (and even colder nights) to come. But heating your home during the bitter chilly winter months shouldn’t cost your entire monthly budget and there are lots of ways you can save money on your home heating. Here are five tips to help you to maintain your radiators AND save money on heating costs while keeping your house warm and cosy…
A leaking shower is something no-one wants in their bathroom. It can be quite an inconvenience when the shower doesn’t function as it should, so what can you do to repair the shower? How can you identify which part of the shower is causing the leak? Can you do some minimal repairs before calling a plumber?
If you want to kit out your home (or home office, like me!) with some gorgeous coordinating homewares but haven’t got the budget to splash out on new items, why not head to your local charity shop to see what you can find? Here’s how I upcycled my Barnardos haul into useful storage for my home offce…
Ready to spruce up your home this year? Great! Whether you’re completely revamping a recently purchased property, preparing your home for a sale later in the year or adding a dash of contemporary character to a specific room – here are a few tips to get you started on your decorating journey in 2019…
We’re only three weeks into the new year and already there have been massive changes afoot at Cassiefairy HQ. We’ve been DIYing in earnest and I’m exhausted just thinking about it! You see, we’ve decided that 2019 will the be the ‘year of the garden’ and we’re tackling a landscaping project for the first time. Here’s what we’ve got planned and how we’re getting on…
Fancy making your own neon snowflake light to decorate your home for Christmas? I’ve shared the full DIY project along with photos of my own minimalist snowy white festive bedroom…
If you haven’t got a Christmas tree or simply can’t fit one into your home, this DIY copper-pipe tree is a great slimline option. You can make it yourself using offcuts from your plumbing project, a broom handle and a piece of pallet wood, so it’s practically free!
If you want to learn more about creating your very own smart home (without rewiring your whole house!) today’s blog post is for you! I’m sharing my honest experience of smart lighting for the first time, plus I’ve got a Phillips Hue Starter Kit to give away to one lucky reader in my competition so read on to find out how to enter…
Now that the cold winter months have arrived it’s time to make sure our homes are warm and cosy. Landlords now have to make sure their properties are more energy efficient – good news for us renters as it could save us valuable pounds! Here are a few DIY jobs you could do to make your rental home a little toastier…
If you long to create the home office of your dreams but have been shocked by the price of office storage furniture, today’s DIY project could be the solution. Here’s how to upcycle a rusty old filing cabinet so that you can add castors for a flexible office configuration, or turn it into a desk with built-in drawers…
If you’re planning a festive get-together over the coming months, this light-up bar would make a great focal point to serve up cocktails. And even better, it’s made from pallets! So get out the drill, pop open that pot of paint and have a go at DIYing it for yourself…
In a move to combat the issue of affordable homes in cities, it has been suggested that recycled shipping containers could be the perfect material to construct safe, liveable and comfortable tiny homes. But, just how true is this claim, and how likely is it that your next home could be a shipping container? Here’s just how usable shipping containers are and how they are currently being used…
Many people hold back from replacing their carpet because they are overwhelmed by the decisions involved; plush piles or loop piles? Which fibre should you invest in? How do you know if the colour will suit the room? While it’s true that there are different factors to consider, choosing the right carpet for your home can be surprisingly easy. Just keep these four basic points in mind:
If you need a cabinet in your bathroom for all your beauty bits ‘n’ bobs here’s an easy DIY cupboard you can make in a day using pallet wood. It’s a great way to recycle an old pallet and mirror, and you can make it any size to suit the space you have in your bathroom…
How to give a rusty old bicycle a new lease of life by renovating the frame and upcycling the accessories to create a fully functioning bike that you’ll be proud to cycle around on.
The good news is that your tankless water heater will work to its optimum ability if it is well maintained and taken care of. There are many things that can be done to ensure the smooth running of your water heater this autumn. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guide for the best results and here are 4 more tips to help you maintain your tankless water heater:
If you think you’ve got no time for fixing up your home, think again! You may believe that DIY tasks will require too much energy after a long week but the reality is that many updates can be performed over a series of free weekends. Breaking a project down into smaller parts makes it more manageable and removes some of the resistance to getting started on a DIY task. This also has the side benefit of spreading the cost over time. Whether that’s buying some pots of paint, replacing tiles on the bathroom wall or putting in a better garden fence, dividing expenses over a few weeks or months isn’t a bad thing! Here are 5 ways to update your home and garden that are cost effective and relatively painless to do…
Another day, another DIY and today I’ve been renovating an old pet bed for my cats. What kitty doesn’t want a cosy knitted pillow to sleep on and fluffy pom-poms to play with? Here’s how to give your pet’s basket a quick makeover that matches your decor, too…
Today I’ve teamed up with online DIY retailer DIYDirect.com to give you some advice when it comes to decorating – and in particular, how you can be as thrifty as possible in your project…
It can be difficult to find a balance between spending time and money on improving and your home versus actually enjoying it! Here are a few small ways that you can renovate your home to boost its kerb appeal, while still taking pleasure in the process..
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