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Posts Tagged ‘design<’
Posted in Plastering & Drywall on Sep 12
If you have just had a new drywall built, the finishing off is easy enough to do yourself – assuming of course you have the basic know-how. However if you are still to build your drywall, you need look no further than Mr-Skill, where you can find a plastering and drywall expert to do the job for you perfectly. A drywall is an easy and neat way of partitioning or dividing a given area, and if space permits, you could gain an extra room by planning carefully.
Finishing Your Drywall 
Once your new wall is complete, you will need to sand it to provide a smooth and perfect surface for later painting or wallpapering. Wet sanding is far preferable to dry, simply because of all the dust and mess the latter method creates. In fact, one of our regular London plastering and drywall specialists far prefers the wet method of sanding as it makes for a much cleaner and healthier environment too. Let’s see what is involved:
- The first step is to pop down to your local hardware supplier and buy a sponge specifically designed for the wet sanding process. It’s not that expensive, but it is manufactured with an abrasive edge for sanding purposes, while the flip side is a sponge for wiping sludge away.
- Once you have your sponge, you need to dampen it, but don’t saturate it in water because this will quickly soak into the plaster surface which will make life very difficult if not impossible. The aim is to moisten the sponge just enough to gather the sand and dust effectively.
Wringing the Sponge
As you work, you will notice that your sponge is gathering increasing amounts of powdery residue from the drywall, so you will need to wring it out quite regularly. The wringing process maintains a clean and clear sponge face for further wet sanding work. Don’t forget to re-moisten the sponge after wringing it!
Message form our Sponsors! 
If this is all sounding too difficult or messy you could also get a plastering and dry wall quote from one of the many members signed up with Mr-Skill. Remember to ask for that special discount too!
Clean up Time!
Whether you are doing the wet sanding yourself, or using one of Mr-Skill’s experts, be sure to clean up properly when finished. Use a facemask and rubber gloves to protect your face and hands. Hopefully, you remembered to cover furniture and electrical appliances to prevent them from becoming dirty!
Tags: basics, design, drywall, dust, find a plastering and drywall expert, furniture, gloves, hardware, london plastering and drywall specialist, manufacturer, planning, plasterer, plastering expert, plastering-and-drywall quote, process, sanding, space, specialist, sponge, surface
Posted in Plastering & Drywall | Comments Off
Posted in Tiling & Flooring on May 14
 If you are looking for subtle ways of brightening up your bathroom, you could find that mosaic tiles are just the job. They can add texture as they come in a variety of shapes and patterns, and there’s a veritable kaleidoscope of colours to select from too. You can even add some of your own artistic ideas to get a sensational finish, and all your friends will think you’ve had the experts in! If you’re not quite so brave, perhaps you should find a tiling and flooring expert right here on Mr-Skill.
Tips on Design
If this is a first attempt at using mosaic tiles, it may be best to start with a simple concept. Even basic designs can look really impressive with bold highlights and a mix of complimentary colours. This form of tiling can be quite fiddly too, because each tile making up the mosaic needs to be positioned and glued in place individually. It can be quite similar to fitting pieces together in a jigsaw puzzle.
Tips on Colour Selection
Give some thought to the four components of colour, which are:
- Tone
- Temperature
- Hue
- Intensity
If colour composition is not your best subject, rather get a tiling quote right here.
Tone is the degree of lightness or darkness of a colour, whereas temperature refers to the warmth or coolness factor. Hue is the parent group of colours, including red, yellow and blue, while intensity indicates the depth of a particular colour choice.
Taking it a step further, colours of different hues, but with matching tones can be complimentary. However, colours of varying intensity or temperature could end up clashing. When you select your mosaics tiles, consider them in different colour combinations before setting them in glue. Moreover, as you work, glance away from the detail from time to time, so as to keep the bigger picture in your mind. It’s very easy to get confused otherwise!
Choosing Grout for Your Mosaics
The mix that we use to seal gaps between mosaic tiles is known as grout, and we use it to keep out unwanted dirt and dust too. Grout comes in many colour options, so you need to consider carefully, because your choice of grout finish can make or break the overall impact of your job. One of our regular London tiling and flooring specialists advises that if in doubt, use grey as your grout colour. That’s because grey is perfectly neutral, being halfway between black and white!
Tags: clash, colour, colour components, complimentary, coolness, design, find a tiling-and-flooring expert, grout, highlights, hue, intensity, london tiling-and-flooring specialist, mosaic tiles, temperature, texture, tiling-and-flooring quote, tone, warmth
Posted in Tiling & Flooring | Comments Off
Posted in Kitchen Fitting on Mar 12
By replacing your kitchen cupboard door handles and knobs on your drawers, you are cosmetically modernising your kitchen for very little outlay or effort. Start off by selecting a design that appeals to you, and makes an appropriate statement in your “new” kitchen. The range is really quite staggering, and  there are even London kitchen fitting shops specialising in knobs, handles and knockers too.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to positioning handles and knobs, so you can do almost as you please. Remember though, the cupboard door action needs to be practical, so it would be of little use placing your handles at the bottom of the base-unit door. This is one of those jobs where you will find that if it looks right, it probably is.
That said, the rule of thumb is to mount handles towards the top left or right corner of the under-counter doors. This obviates the need to bend too low when opening them. Conversely, fix wall unit handles to the bottom left or right of the doors. When it comes to mounting knobs on drawers, use the two-thirds, one-third principal. Mark the middle of the drawer and position the knob two-thirds of the way up a deep drawer face (or the middle of a shallow drawer).
If everything looks right, mark all your drill points on the doors and drawers using a template so that all the holes are aligned.  Then start drilling with a smaller sized drill-bit to avoid splitting the timber. After that, you can finish drilling with the correctly sized bit. Keep in mind that the new handles and knobs should cover any existing holes or blemishes. Go ahead and fit the handles and knobs.
Now if that all seems too hard or you simply don’t have the expertise to install your cabinet handles and knobs, why not find a kitchen fitter on Mr-Skill. If you are going to do the job yourself, don’t forget to wear the right safety gear in the form of gloves and goggles, and make sure you have all the right tools handy.
Remember that Mr-Skill has an array of professionals on board, when you are ready to receive your Kitchen Fitting Quotes.
Tags: bottom, cabinet, centre, choice, cupboard, design, drawer, drill, drill bit, fit, handle, install, kitchen, Kitchen Fitting, kitchen fitting quotes, knob, left, london kitchen fitting, mark, middle, modernise, practical, range, right, rule, template, top
Posted in Kitchen Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Mar 08
Most of us don’t think twice about a locksmith, until we actually need one. The problem could be at your home, the safe in your office, or maybe the fact that you have locked yourself out of your car. Whatever the situation, you are in a state of panic. This unwanted event might easily ruin your day.
 The intricate design of modern locks and keys means that once we have locked ourselves out, there is very little that we can do about it. Sure, you could smash a window in your car or house, but that will likely attract the attention of the neighbours and the long arm of the law!
Try explaining why you are breaking into your own car or house then. You could well end up in trouble! Rather find a locksmith on the basis that they are experts in electronic and mechanical locks, and can return your situation to normal as soon as possible.
Locksmith Services
Locks – A London locksmith will stock a wide range of products, covering all leading brands. Make sure that you are dealing with a registered locksmith before you call.
Key Cutting – An approved locksmith with a key code or sample should be able to help you straight away.
 Safes – If you have lost the key to your safe, you will have no other option. Contact your approved local locksmith (unless you have a friend with a stick of dynamite).
Vehicle Keys – Car dealers are careful about replacing key sets without proof of ownership. Your approved locksmith should be able to advise what to do.
Choosing a Locksmith
It is important to check that your insurer approves your locksmith if you plan to claim. When you ask for a locksmith quote, make sure they are current members of the Master Locksmith Association. Remember, that locksmith will have knowledge of your keys and locks, so be careful who you deal with. It’s far safer to work through Mr-Skill, and it’s free to customers too.
Tags: approved, brand, break in, car, claim, code, dealer, design, electronic, find a locksmith, home, insure, key, lock, locked out, locksmith quote, london locksmith, neighbours, office, panic, police, problem, registered, reputable, safe, sample, window
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
I find it surprising how so many people put so little thought into the subject of their taps, when they do a bathroom upgrade. After all, these are essential user-interface points, and they must feel right. I’ve heard that some London Bathroom Fitting Firms insist their clients choose their taps themselves, and then design the rest around them.
While this does sound a bit bizarre, it also makes a lot of sense. Many bathroom fitters don’t specify the  taps included in their Bath Fitting Quotes, and could be tempted to dumb designs down if they run over budget. The first thing is to check your relative water pressure – any plumber could do this for you – after which you’re ready to go out shopping.
- Old-fashioned Pillar Taps add a retro feel, and are perfect for twiddling in the bath with toes.
- Mixer Taps are simpler because there is a single outlet and you can feel whether the temperature adjustment is right
- If your cold and hot water pressure is unbalanced go for Dual Flow Mixer Taps instead.
- Monoblocks take things a stage further because now you only have a single leaver you can pre-set.
- If you have an in-bath shower, buy a Shower Mixer that allows you to divert the water up or down.
 The next step is to choose the design itself, which is largely a matter of personal taste. Brass-effect taps provide an invitingly warm effect reminiscent of graceful days. Shiny Chrome is hard to keep looking clean. Matt or satin finishes are all in vogue, and appear likely to remain that way.
Once you’ve made your decision – but don’t buy just yet, you never know – you can Find a Bathroom Fitter on Mr-Skill you can engage in comfort. Don’t take a chance by hiring a possible cowboy off the street. Shop with confidence on Our Website.
Tags: bath fitting quote, bathroom, brass, budget, choose, chrome, design, dual flow, feel, find a bathroom fitter, finish, london bathroom fitting firm, matt, mixer, monobloc, monoblock, pillar, pressure, satin, shower, specify, tap, water
Posted in Other Craftsman Services | Comments Off
Remember the days of central heating radiators when you got just one choice like porridge in a boarding house. Great lumbering cast-iron things they were, and broad enough to support two schoolboy bums chilled from walking across frozen fields to get to school.  That’s all changed thank heavens. These days, when you get Plumbing Quotes on Mr-Skill you get flooded with designer brochures too.
Even the old fashioned cast-iron radiator has become a thing of beauty with inboard towel-drying rail incorporated in the design. Stainless steel ones are even more alluring thanks to the opportunities this metal offers. These days you can have bars that run horizontally too. Perfect for drying the washing on a rainy day!
Lightweight aluminium offers unlimited opportunities for air-circulation through the fins, although I still doubt the thermal properties of the alloy metal. Flat steel-panel radiators are ideal for commercial applications, although useless for drying out a wet coat. And then there are the tubular ones – just perfect for warming seats in cold stone parish churches. You just need to Find a Plumber to install them as a gift of love!
 Designer radiators are the ones I really love though. Modern metal-working techniques permit a stunning collection of gently flowing tubes and angles. These days more than a few London Plumbers are full of creative ideas. Your friends could even think that yours are pure decoration, and that there’s under-floor heating concealed elsewhere in the room.
I really love these great ideas for modernising old trusted friends like central heating radiators, as much as I love having Mr-Skill to help me Find a Reliable Plumber too. One last thought. I doubt that all the modern contraptions I described would take the weight of two healthy schoolboys … this one should though.
Tags: air circulation, alloy, aluminium, bars, brochure, cast iron, central, design, designer, dry, fin, find a plumber, heating, horizontal, london plumbers, panel, plumbing quotes, radiator, rail, stainless, steel, towel, tubular
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
There is nothing quite as lovely as a water feature tinkling in the background on a gorgeous summer’s day. Before you even think of asking Mr-Skill for Landscaper Quotes, you first need to decide on the design and the location.
•  Choose on the position of your water feature first, because there’s no point in rushing off and buying one unless you know where it is going. Will it be a detail on the patio, or something more generous in centre of the garden? Take advice from a registered electrician before you finally decide. That’s because the cost of running cabling can be higher than you think, and cost is distance-driven.
Your next step is to choose the water feature that best suits your needs. There is a huge range of pre-fabricated ones available, although some gardeners still prefer to Find a Landscaper to build one especially for them.
• You could recess a water feature in the middle of the lawn and install a water jet in the centre of it. Installation costs will be higher and the disruption disappointing. In the end though, you will have a delightful feature for many years to come.
•  Perhaps you prefer something more compact and self-contained. There are any number of designs that have water flowing between stacked containers. Just remember that these are never more than adjuncts to other space, as opposed to being centre pieces.
• Your third alternative is something even smaller and more ornate. London Landscaping Firms often favour these because they have a tiny footprint and if used indoors you merely plug them in. Another advantage is that they are highly portable and make perfect gifts.
We take electrical safety seriously at Mr-Skill, and that’s why we insist that you request an electrician to check electrical safety for you, and to wire-up all outside water features too. Remember water, electricity and your body can be a harmful combination – act safely, please don’t get hurt.
Tags: cabling, check, compact, container, cost, decide, design, detail, distance, electrician, estimate, feature, find a landscaper, Garden, generous, gift, landscaper quotes, lawn, location, london landscaping, need, patio, plug, position, pre-fabricate, recess, safety, self-contained, space, summer, tinkling, water
Posted in Gardening & Landscaping | Comments Off
Posted in General Building on Oct 15
Before you Find a Builder to complement your house with a perfect garden wall you really ought to choose the design yourself. This is because a boundary wall along a street is the ultimate statement of the owner’s taste, and hence a personal decision.  Here are some ideas to get you going. The comments are our personal feelings, not the final word on the subject!
• The first decision needed is the height of your garden wall, which has a great deal to do with why you are building it in the first place. If you require privacy the wall will be far higher than if you are defining the street line in a garden suburb. There will be council regulations that control height too.
• Your next choice is probably the materials to use. Here you are guided by several considerations. These include the style of your own house, the prevailing vernacular in the neighborhood, and the magnitude of Builder’s Quotes that you can afford. Cost is not the only consideration though. A first impression from the street can influence the value of a home enormously.
•  Where possible avoid a monotonous run of wall. There are various techniques to use. These include staggered heights, curved effects and inset sections. Experienced London Builders often recommend incorporating a herbaceous feature here and there. That’s because Mother Nature does not work in straight lines, and neither ought you to.
When you know exactly what you require it’s time to get competitive quotes. May I suggest you include Mr-Skill in this? They have a large number of Rated Builders available to work in every Postcode, and their unique bidding system ensures attractive bids.
They are also well-versed in design alternatives, and will be delighted to help you to choose the best design.
Tags: bid, boundary, Builders Quotes, cost, council, curve, decision, define, design, feature, find a builder, Garden, height, herbacious, house, inset, london builders, material, monotonous, perfect, privacy, rated, regulation, stagger, statement, street, style, taste, technique, vernacular, wall
Posted in General Building | Comments Off
The last components that are fitted when assembling modern baths are the front panels themselves. These clip easily into place, and clip out easily too in order to provide access to drains and pipes. Because bath sizes are standardised these days, it follows that it is equally easy to replace an existing panel on a modern bath.
 This represents a superbly simple way to add new panache and style and colour to existing bathrooms for a fraction of the cost of refits, and you don’t necessarily require Bathroom Fitting Quotes before you start. In fact, the biggest task is often selecting the right bath panel from the range of options.
We recommend that you resist the urge to install anything that is capable of absorbing water, whether this spills over the bath-rim, or is present in the form of humidity or steam. This puts paid to romantic ideas of natural wood unfortunately. Speak to any London Bathroom Fitter and you should always receive the same consistent message – stick to fibreglass or plastic, or there is no guarantee.
Fortunately these modern materials come in all kinds of finishes and colours, and being mouldable are available in different profiles too. You will have to shop around if buying directly from the manufacturers though.  Moulds are expensive meaning that each factory offers a strictly limited range.
As you shop around you are bound to be impressed by the huge variety of designs available, especially if searching on the internet. Mr-Skill’s advice is to keep things simple unless you have a farmhouse bathroom. Light colours and less intrusive designs work best in smaller spaces.
Although is possible to replace a bath panel yourself, you may prefer to Find a Bathroom Fitter on Mr-Skill instead. That’s because you could find it difficult working on your knees in cramped spaces, and you could also end up damaging the material as well. If you choose your panel wisely though, then you should inevitably be enthralled by the stunningly refreshed effect. Isn’t it nice to know that some home improvement projects are so easy?
Tags: absorb, access, bath, bathroom, bathroom fitting quotes, clip, colour, component, cost, cramp, damage, design, drain, fibreglass, find a bathroom fitter, finish, fit, guarantee, humidity, install, intrusive, light, london bathroom fitter, material, mould, option, panel, pipe, plastic, refit, replace, simple, size, spill, steam, style, variety, water, wood
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
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