If you've no plans to go anywhere this Easter and the forecast is for clear skies, why not spruce up your place by breathing new life into the house, garden or general kerb appeal. Outside is a smart place to concentrate on, as the end result is evident for all and sundry to admire.
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A lick of paint
If your home's facade is looking tired, a fresh coat of paint is probably in order. Trojan has these DIY painting preparation tips:
- Before painting, remove any flaking paint, nails or loose material with a multifunction paint scraper. Trojan's 6 in 1 Multifunction Paint Scraper removes paints and silicone, and can pull nails, clean rollers, scrape points and open paint tins.
- Fill cracks and holes with putty using a quality scraper.
- Washing or wiping down walls will help to provide a clean surface so paint adheres properly and distributes evenly.
- Use painter's tape to mask off edges and trims. After applying the tape run a scraper knife over the top to ensure a good seal - there's nothing worse than removing tape after painting only to discover that the paint has bled through!
Outdoor ambience
Backyard fire pits are becoming increasingly popular as people want to utilise outdoor spaces all year.
"The ambience a fire pit brings is worth the investment alone," says garden and landscape expert, Melissa King. "Adding a fire pit will provide an immediate feature for the garden and become a natural gathering spot for socialising and entertaining and provides warmth as well as a great cooking source. People are naturally drawn to the campfire-like atmosphere."
Northcote Pottery's Glow Outdoor Heating includes a range of fire pit styles designed to work in a variety of backyards and courtyards.
Special delivery
Updating your letterbox gives any property an instant uplift. Northcote Pottery also has a choice of letterboxes to suit your place. "They can either add a unique focal point or be a subtle complement," says Jacqueline Hughes, the company's product manager. "All you need to install one of the Northcote Pottery letterboxes is concrete, a spade, spirit level, screwdriver and a spanner."