B&Q unloved rooms revamp - review thread for MNers getting stuck in! NOW CLOSED

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

This thread is for the 20 MNers who have been chosen by B&Q to revamp an unloved room in their home.

Those selected have been sent a B&Q giftcard to buy the things they need to give their unloved room a makeover. They've undertaken to complete the makeover by 3rd June, and will be keeping us up-to-date on how their revamps are going on this thread as well as posting photos.

Please do follow their stories and add your own comments if you want to show some support!

Below are the questions we'd like testers to answer but please feel free to add your own comments too. Please give us a bit of info about the room you're revamping and what you plan to do with it in your response.

• Why is your unloved room unloved? What do you want to change about it? What has stopped you until now?
  
• Where did you get your inspiration for doing up the room from? What sort of style are you going for etc?
  
• Have you had much help along the way with the revamp? If so, who from? And what sort of help - practical or ideas-based?!
  
• 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?
  
• 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?
  
• If B&Q could do anything more to help you next time you visit, what would it be?
  
• Have you had any feedback on what you've done with the room from family/friends? Has the transformation had a big impact on you and/or your family?
  

If you're not an official tester but would like to be in with a chance of winning a £200 B&Q giftcard, please post on this thread to tell us about your own room revamp successes (or failures!) - we'd love to hear from all MNers who have a room makeover story to share!

Thanks very much
MNHQ

[Babieseverywhere]

That should read "matching chairs to this table"

[ChocolateMama]

Why is your unloved room unloved? What do you want to change about it? What has stopped you until now?
First of all, thank you for picking me . My unloved room is my sons bedroom which they share. We basically bought our house, had all the basics (plumbing/electrics/plastering etc) done by tradepeople and all the decorating ourselves. Initially I did quite a simple 'young child' theme in the room using peel-off wall stickers. However, these have long gone as they are way to old for this sort of style now. The room is now very bare and boring and desperately needs some love and attention.
Where did you get your inspiration for doing up the room from? What sort of style are you going for etc?
As others posters have mentioned, I absolutely 'LOVE' watching home renovation/house buying programmes etc, and buy lots of house decor mags. I want the room to look a bit more grown-up (but not too grown up!) and a sort of cool place for the boys to hang out with their little friends.
Have you had much help along the way with the revamp? If so, who from? And what sort of help - practical or ideas-based?!
My husband will be helping me do the actuall work, although pretty much all of the ideas are mine! We visited B&Q virtually as soon as the vouchers arrives (I was soooo excited) and bought some of the lovely bookshelf wallpaper for one wall, together with all the necessary equipment for wallpapering. Also, paint, a lovely plantation style blind and cushions etc. I think it is going to look quite cool! We are pretty hands-on with all the decorating and stuff, so feeling quietly confident about the results.
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
We went on a quite Friday morning, so walking around the store was a nice relaxing experience. When we asked questions, the staff were very helpful. As one other person said, B&Q could do with more sign posts to the various areas. However, as B&Q regulars, we sort of know where things are.
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?
We haven't yet, but will definitely look at the YouTube videos, specifically the one on wallpapering!
If B&Q could do anything more to help you next time you visit, what would it be?
Nothing springs to mind really. Staff were helpful when required. Nothing I hate more than over keen staff who will not leave you alone, so B&Q staff had the balance right.
Have you had any feedback on what you've done with the room from family/friends? Has the transformation had a big impact on you and/or your family?
Not yet, but will be getting some when we have finished!

[nevergoogle]

Wow! I spent a big chunk of the money today. About half of the budget has gone on paint and I had a great time shopping.

I mooched around the lighting and wall decor area for a while and was really impressed with the choices. Fingers crossed I have enough money left for some great lighting at the end of the project.

I pottered around for a while getting some low tack masking tape, a roller refill and pad, sandpaper etc. Most things were easy to find and all in same aisle which is helpful. The paintpad refills available don't fit my 'thingy', and the others seemed a bit plasticky with odd handles that I didn't trust to last very long. I was looking for something a bit more sturdy so will have to look elsewhere I think.

Then I ventured to the paint section to find a very helpful man called John, John Wright infact (he gave me his feedback ticket). John helped me calculate how much paint I was going to need of each of the colours I'd chosen, and helped me decide to err on the side of caution with my amount of paint. Unused pots of mixed paint can't be returned but will always be the same colour if I need to buy more, so it was helpful to have his advice on that. I explained about the B&Q unloved rooms project with Mumsnet and he was interested to hear about it calling over the manager Geoff who had the authority to give me a discount .

From then on it was VIP treatment, although to be fair, all of the staff I've encountered have been friendly, knowledgable and helpful without any prior knowledge of my project. John helped me locate the final roll of masking tape I hadn't found before and wished me luck with the room.

And then there was Daniel, the very nice young man with a welsh accent. Well he added up all my items, then took of my B&Q club discount off the paints and then labouriously, the extra Manager's discount. He too was interested to know about the Mumsnet/B&Q pairing. He seemed to like my idea of hanging 20 toilet seats from my living room wall, inspired by the B&Q aisle next to his till. But don't worry, I'm not going to waste this opportunity.

So this afternoon, DH and I have prepped the walls, skirting, windows and coving. And we're ready to get started. Eek, this is so much fun!

[ChippyMinton]

Hello decorators. Just checking in at the end of a long weekend of decorating. I have:
cleaned and prepped everything
painted the ceiling
painted the walls
touched up the woodwork with white gloss
spray-painted the radiator
used my favourite product - decorators caulk - to fill in lots of ugly gaps between the ugly built-in wardrobes and the ceiling

Now need to make a final decision on the wallpaper before next weekend, when DH will hang it. He also needs to replace a length of skirting and put up a bit of lining paper in the corner that's been hidden by a chest of drawers - out of sight out of mind!

[Londonseye]

Our room is all painted now, finishing touches needed..new duvet sets, art work etc. Its looking good to us! Frog tape is the best thing ever. But expensive at £7 a roll. But it really doesn't leak paint through.

[thecatcamebacktheverynextday]

Wow I am miles behind . Done very little this weekend as still very very undecided about paint scheme!

- Why is your unloved room unloved? What do you want to change about it? What has stopped you until now?

The unloved room is our dining room. It's the darkest room in the house and doesn't feel very warm so doesn't get used much. I have a 'slight' hoarding problem so it's become a massive dumping ground. I want to make it into a useable space where we can eat as a family.

- Where did you get your inspiration for doing up the room from? What sort of style are you going for etc?

I've been looking online but struggling. We live in a 1900 late Victorian/early Edwardian mid-terrace that has a lot of period features still in it so I'm trying to keep it as authentic as possible (not easy as the last owners were not very DIY savvy).

- Have you had much help along the way with the revamp? If so, who from? And what sort of help - practical or ideas-based?!

Not much help no. I'm doing everything on my own.

- 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've only spent £10 so far on paint samples but experience so far is ok. Unfortunately, my local store, despite being quite big, doesn't seem to stock a huge amount of items, and for some reason only has one manned till (the rest are self-service) which is a bit odd. I intend to go back and spend the rest of the gift card before making a final opinion though!

- 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?

I'm going to a DIY course on the 30th May. Really looking forward to it .

- If B&Q could do anything more to help you next time you visit, what would it be?

Nothing as far as I know.

- Have you had any feedback on what you've done with the room from family/friends? Has the transformation had a big impact on you and/or your family?

I'll answer this one when I'm done.

This is a fantastic opportunity and I thank both B&Q and Mumsnet again for giving me the chance to transform my home.

[thecatcamebacktheverynextday]

Can anybody help me with a colour scheme for my room? The room needs a lot of work - at some point soon I'm going to take the carpet up as we have lovely original floorboards, and sand them. We repainted the room when we moved in a few years back as it was a hideous mushroom brown colour, but the pale yellow we chose has never really suited it (and shows up a lot of dirt from us walking in from the garden, and the cat).

The room is North-east facing and we're mid-terrace so it doesn't get much light, apart from a little at the end of the day during high-summer. I really want to make it into a warm, comfy place to have dinner.

We currently don't have a dining table and I'm trying to sell the large dark sideboard so I can get a new (smaller) sideboard and dining table that matches it.

So, I'd like to repaint the room for a start - but what colour? The rest of the house is colours like pale blue, apple green and a mid-yellow so it needs to suit. I don't really like feature walls. I was think about possibly an olive green or another warm green colour, but not too dark. Any thoughts? Would some other colour be more suitable?

I quite like the look of this room from the Homebase page as the furniture is what I'd like to get eventually - this one. I've had a look on other pages but struggled.

Help?

[thecatcamebacktheverynextday]

Sorry, I have photos on my profile.

[nevergoogle]

I like the idea of a sage green dining room like the one you've posted.

[nevergoogle]

I've had a look at your photos and I think you could do it just like in the photo you've linked. Looks lovely.

[nevergoogle]

Londonseye, you are phenomenal! How are you making such quick progress?

[Londonseye]

We have been waiting a long time to do this room. I think because DP and I are both female, we just work. Know what we want, and sync with keeping the kids out of the way, so one of us has been constantly doing one bit of decorating for 10 hours yesterday and today.

Thecat the link you posted looks good! Our living room is a similar colour and we matched it with a sort of very light "biscuit" colour, and it really works. Has anyone else noticed the bizarre names they give paints?? "Forbidden fruit", "sexy pink" and "sweet pink"?? It's mad!

[nevergoogle]

ah the names!
we've gone for a chalk blush and papyrus colour scheme.
WTF?

I'm very impressed Londonseye. I was in B&Q alone, calling DH on the phone with questions, while he was trying to polyfilla the walls with constant interruptions from the kids too.
Doing the living room is hard as we use this room ALL the time. Trying to keep the kids entertained in other rooms is a new idea for them.

Back to work for both of us tomorrow so I expect it'll be the weekend again before we make any significant progress.

[thecatcamebacktheverynextday]

Thanks for the responses all . If only I can find out what colour is being used in that photo!

I've spent my evening looking for inspiration online and have found some expensive but gorgeous green paint called Deep Adam Green by Craig & Rose. The rooms I've seen with it in don't look as dark as the colour might suggest, but I'm a bit nervous. May get a sample tomorrow. But lordy is it expensive!

londonseye you put me to shame!

[nevergoogle]

I've chosen a Craig and Rose paint for one of my walls too. Great colours.

[thecatcamebacktheverynextday]

I've found the colour in the Homebase photo - so off to get a tester and also the Craig & Rose one! This is so exciting I'll ut up some pics of both colours later, maybe you guys can help me choose! I'm hoping if I like the Homebase green, B&Q can mix me up some of their own!

[Londonseye]

Thecat sounds like you are getting there! Don't loose momentum! Once you start I think it is addictive, to get it done. I hope you get the right colour and looking forward to seeing photos. I shall post my before photos later today. Busy working just now

[Allhandsondeck]

Thankyou for the opportunity. We are delighted.
Why is your room unloved?
Our house was originally 3 bedrooms. However we knocked through and made two of the bedrooms into one enormous room and DD had the other bedroom. then along came DS... A temporary wall went up in our bedroom giving DS a sort of bedroom around the size of a very large cupboard. This was fine whilst he was small but now he is 6 he rather plaintively asked if "One day he could have a room with a window"!! Now, please be clear, he is a very loved little boy who has everything he wants..except for a window! The only reasonable solution we could think of was to make the downstairs bathroom the main bathroom and the upstairs bathroom into a third bedroom. The upstairs bathroom was old, cracked and mouldy. We removed the fixtures and the pipework and then ran out of oomph (and money). The sun finally started shining and it was more fun to play outside than worry about the upstairs building site. If you closed the door you could pretend it wasn't there.But now we have a £300 voucher..and a deadline!!! We have sprung into action, DH is enthusiastically (!!) finishing off the plastering and ceiling and we are off to B & Q.
Inspiration?
Well DS has taken charge on the colour scheme and wants alternate light blue and yellow walls.(easily pleased!) We want toy storage, clothes hanging space and a hardwearing carpet. The room needs to be functional, practical and easy to clean. Parents of small children will understand completely!
Any help?
Not much, it's just us. Fortunately DH is able to do all the building trades himself. Would be very interested to know if anyone could recommend how to get maximum storage in a smallish space.
We haven't received our voucher yet..I think it was delivered on Friday, but I wasn't in so redelivered tomorrow. Then off to the B & Q warehouse.

[Allhandsondeck]

Bathroom fixtures out.. plaster on most walls..

[Allhandsondeck]

Ceiling up tonight, last wall plastered tomorrow..ready for shopping and the pretty bits!

[Londonseye]

Allhands you are really going for it!! Huge undertaking! I am impressed.

[gazzalw]

Yikes only just found this thread....

We are revamping what has been DS's room which has been his for eight years but essentially was previously a guest room so it has never really been stamped with his style...He is heading for teenage years now so he deserves a more chilled space to relax and in which to study...

Will be back later to update....it's not going swimmingly at the moment. We weren't in when the postman tried to deliver the gift card so it was delivered on Saturday. DW had loaded the virtual shopping basket ready to process the order online only to discover you can only use the gift card in-store! She also did the click to collect option on some pictures and cushions. Went yesterday on the bus (we Don't have a car) to order the stuff to be delivered and to collect the 'click to collect' items. Didn't have the codes to order in-store and the 'furnishings' were not there to pick up - search! DS and I did did manfully carry home six rolls of breadboard wallpaper though....

Luckily ours is more a cosmetic job than one requiring too much serious DIY work. Inspiration comes from some rather jazzy Benetton curtains already up in DS's room which are a funky of cream, bright green and blue. He wanted to use this colour theme but making the green and blue more centre-stage. We had already bought a rather fetching blue paint to do a feature wall. We have to be careful with colour though as his room is north-facing and needs to feel light and bright...

[JParkson]

Bedroom is nearly done! Lots of photos to follow, with comments as applicable

Firstly, here's our bedroom before... it's so small, I've had to take pics from various angles...

[JParkson]

bedroom angle 2

[JParkson]

bedroom angle 3