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

453 replies

TheOtherHelenMumsnet · 17/05/2013 11:30

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
OP posts:
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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:23

photo helps!

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:23

and final pic...

This one is the worst quality, as it's against the light.

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:32

Clearing the bedroom...

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:33

Vacuuming...

(look how well trained he is :o )

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:35

Oh, here's an example of DH's previous attempts at filling.

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:35

And here's his handiwork after the workshop...

nearly invisible!

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:36

Painting has commenced...

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:37

DS helping...

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:38

Moving furniture around so DH can paint the other wall

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:39

And now onto the woodwork... I'm not sure how easily it can be seen but the newly painted wood is to the left, the old paint to the right. There was a very obvious difference when I looked at it!

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:41

The walls and the freshly painted ceiling.

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:41

Old wall vs New wall...

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:42

Wallpapering has begun

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:43

Argh! Photos!

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:44

Using his freshly taught paper-pasting skills

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:45

Hanging the paper! Or actually, to be more precise, trimming the paper.

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:46

Bit better shot, I hope. He trimmed round the sockets beautifully :)

PS, I know standing on a small chair isn't recommended...! But we only have a huge step ladder which comes out at Christmas time, to raid the attic!

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:47

The finished wall(s)

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:48

Other end of the room

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JParkson · 20/05/2013 13:57

Going forward, the curtain rail needs to be put up, and the curtains hung. I still haven't found a nice bedspread yet, but I have cushions galore! :o

Question: Would you have a patterned duvet set, or a plain set in this room now?

Up till now, we've had patterned sets, as the room was plain. But now that the wall is decorated, I'm thinking a plain set would be better. White? Or a darkish beige?

My cushions are two shades of minty green, one set of beige, and a stripy aqua colour. I've bought an aqua sheet, and some aqua pillowcases, and some beige ones too.

I'm wondering whether a white duvet set with a pale turquoise trim would be ok?

Suggestions greatly appreciated!

Over the next two weeks DH will be tackling the main room to our house. He'll be repainting some of the walls and all the ceilings, freshening up the woodwork, and also papering certain accent walls. Plus exercising his filling skills too!

I will take as many photos as I can, but I'll be away for 3 days when he tackles our main living space, over the bank holiday weekend - as you may well imagine, toddlers and paint do not mix!

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thecatcamebacktheverynextday · 20/05/2013 16:27

I'm so jealous of your progress JParkson! Wish my husband would lift a finger to help me Sad

Personally I would go with a plain duvet set just to avoid any possible clashing with the wall. But I have simple tastes Smile.

The tester paints have dried - I've attached a picture taken slightly earlier, natural light, no flash. I'm surprised how dark the Craig & Rose one is in this, doesn't look as dark in real life. Any comments please? Smile

I'm looking into hiring a floor sander (never done it before) but not sure if I'll get that done before the time is up. I'd also like to put up coving along the top of the walls, as the original was ripped out before we moved in.

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Londonseye · 20/05/2013 17:49

I like the, both thecat! Would you consider doing one wall in the darker and the rest in the lighter?

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thecatcamebacktheverynextday · 20/05/2013 18:09

Not really, I'm not a fan of feature walls and none of the other rooms in the house have them (in fact they did when we moved in and I took them out lol)...

Husband doesn't like either colour!

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Londonseye · 20/05/2013 18:27

My bedroom has a feature wall...I despise that phrase though. It's not a feature....it's just a different colour! Go with your heart. You are the one that needs to live with it :)

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thecatcamebacktheverynextday · 20/05/2013 19:36

Well, not that I'm chickening out or anything...but I've got a few days to decide anyway. I'm looking into hiring the floor sander possibly for this weekend and got a guy coming on Wednesday to look at the ceiling (not a job I'm going to be able to do myself) so if I can get those done before the 3rd June I can think a bit more about the painting.

I've spent almost £20 of the voucher on tester paint so far and still no decision! That's 9 pots of different colour greens!!!! What a palaver.

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