Why is your unloved room unloved? What do you want to change about it? What has stopped you until now?
Our bedroom has been neglected since buying the house 7.5 years ago, apart from putting some blinds up and installing a wardrobe which is pretty much built in (it wasn't meant to be, but that's a whole other story!).
I want to freshen it up, as it's quite boring, and is in desperate need of some TLC. Up till now, we've I've only managed to inject some colour by buying cheap and cheerful duvet sets.
Money has been the chief problem. When we have come into a little money, through DH's bonus scheme, or when I was made redundant, we focussed on rooms we felt needed it more, such as retiling the bathroom so we could shower in the bath. Or redecorating DS's room, as his was quite neutral too when we bought the house. Or buying blinds for throughout the house. Our bedroom is a space we left until absolutely necessary to do things with - we installed a ceiling fan a couple of years ago - an absolute godsend with DD1's pg. And we bought our wardrobe after the cheap one we were using fell apart. And most recently, we bought a bunkcot - yet another god-send with 2 DDs and a 10yr old DS who (very understandably) didn't want to share his room with a girl any more!
Where did you get your inspiration for doing up the room from? What sort of style are you going for etc?
It probably sounds cheesy but I do love watching the shows where homes/rooms get refurbished. Sometimes to re-sell the house, and sometimes to thank the house owner. As well as giving the room more identity, we are looking to sell in about a years' time, so although we are personalising the house, we're also mindful that the room has to be neutral enough that someone could move in and live with it.
I've always had a picture in my head of a room I can feel relaxed in, and we've had our fair share of awful bedrooms over the years! The worst was a mess of my own making... I became obsessed with the colour blue, and had everything blue!
In a teeny tiny attic bedroom at my parents, DH and I decided after that faux pas that blue was off the menu! We'd never felt so visually cold ever!
Have you had much help along the way with the revamp? If so, who from? And what sort of help - practical or ideas-based?!
Er, not really! DH is very keen to DIHS (do it him self :o ) so is looking for every opportunity possible to kick me out of the house.
To be fair, our house is quite small (2 bed coach-house), and so having me and 3 kids rampaging round will make this quite a challenge!
This weekend, DH is focussing on the bedroom, as he can shut the door and crack on with it. And in a weeks' time, he'll be doing the main room. So I'll be off to my MIL's for a couple of days, so he can really knuckle down and do it. I have suggested on more than one occasion that one or both of my brothers may be able to give him a hand, but he tends to pull a face at me and change the subject.
How did you find your shopping experience at B&Q? Were the staff helpful? Did you find anything in store you maybe didn't expect to beforehand?
I quite enjoyed pottering round the wallpaper and curtain departments to sort out the bedroom. And it was nice knowing that I could buy 6 cushions without having to worry too much about whether I could then afford the wallpaper (or similar)
DH really enjoyed the course he did, and was waxing lyrical about the lady who was running it. He ended up buying some of the equipment he used on the course to help with the wallpapering, so I'm really keen to see how it all works out. (Shh, don't tell him this, but she taught him how to use polyfiller...! I've been trying to tell him for years that he was doing it wrong... but tonight, I have beautifully prepped walls ready for painting and papering!)
DH is sold on B&Q - we used to use another well-known DIY store, mainly because they were conveniently close, and I could collect reward points there. He's declared that whenever we need such supplies, B&Q is where he'll go (I'll hold him to that, as I'm signing up for their club card thingy)
Did you use any of the help and advice that B&Q offer? This includes their videos on YouTube, leaflets and classes in store etc. If so, how useful was that help and advice?
DH did the course, and will be doing the majority all of the decorating, so I have no idea whether he'll use the YouTube and leaflets. I'll make him aware of them though.
If B&Q could do anything more to help you next time you visit, what would it be?
No complaints from either me or DH so far. Staff were very friendly and helped when we asked for assistance.