Ok, so it seems that we might well have a bit of extra time at home on our hands… Once you’ve watched all of Netflix and eaten all the crisps, there’s a good chance that you’ll fancy doing something practical and useful (after offering to help out your elderly or housebound neighbours, of course). As such, we thought we would bring you some pretty simple DIY suggestions that you can undertake should you find yourself stuck inside…
Going for Green
As we’re looking at some easy, beginner-level DIY ideas this week, we thought that our Piastrella tiles, shown here in Olive Mix, would be a good starting point for non-expert tilers! Don’t forget that there is lots of guidance and How-To articles over at our Help Centre section with extremely useful advice on all manner of tiling tasks. In general though, it’s worth remembering that smaller format tiles are easier to handle if you’re not an expert, and choosing a project such as a straightforward splashback is a good idea – and colourful tiles can have an immediate impact, adding a jolt of colour and updating a dull kitchen (or bathroom) very quickly!
Elegance with Elements
We wanted to show you these tiles just to prove that although colour is fabulous, and we’re all for it, of course, you don’t have to go to extremes to add a new Spring look to your kitchen or bathroom. Our wall Elements wall tiles in the Metro colourway are another small format, easy-to-handle tile that can add a real touch of subtle elegance to a neutral scheme. We like the way that metal shelf unit stands out against the tiles – black accessories, work surfaces, taps and even kitchen cabinets are seriously trending at the moment. Check out these similar ideas from Made.com.
It Is Easy Being Green
If you’re feeling a bit more keen on a new paint job rather than a tiling job, may we suggest a little look at the new colours from Benjamin Moore Paint; this is Aura, and it’s a very deep and beautiful shade of green that has intense coverage and is highly rated by the experts. Available in Matt, Eggshell, Satin and Semi-Gloss, there’s something for every eventuality. So, if you’ve got a room that needs perking up, why not play around with some bold paint colours. We’re thinking that walls in this colour would work really with some of our stone-look tiles, such as our popular Dunsen Ivory porcelain tiles.
Cushing Green | Smoke | Downpour Blue – all by Benjamin Moor Paint
Confident Colour
And naturally, being interior design addicts and creative colour advisors, we can’t resist showing you just a few more shades from Benjamin Moore. From left; Cushing Green, from the firm’s Colour of the Year palette. This is deep velvety green that would work perfectly for bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces. Middle; Smoke, a rather lovely grey-green that we can see working almost as a neutral contrast when teamed with a deep blue or grey. And right; it’s Downpour Blue which just might be the perfect blue – not too dark and not too light, but just absolutely right!
Pale Blue Moods
Ok, for those more confident DIY-ers amongst our readers and customers, may we show you these matt-finish porcelain tiles, Mr Jones in Azure Blue featuring a traditional surface pattern reminiscent of encaustic tiles favoured for hallways and porches in period Victorian and Edwardian homes. Shown here with our Linear White Gloss ceramic wall tiles, for a very crisp and clear look.
Red Alert…
Nothing to do with Spring really, or green, for that matter. But … isn’t this cheerful?! Just a bit of perky colour to brighten the day. If your new tiling project needs a jolt of colour why not be outrageous and go for red? These are our Red Mini Metro Tiles – once again, easy to install and cut for anyone who isn’t yet a complete tiling expert. For similar floor tiles, take a look at our Hester range in Ocean.
Brilliance Storage System from Sistema | Rapid 1.5 Bowl Stainless Steel Sink from Carron Phoenix | Ultra Storage System, also from Sistema
Spring Cleaning, Organising & Updating
In the spirit of general Spring enthusiasm for cleaning, re-organising, decorating and updating our homes, here are three little things you may like! Left; The Brilliance™ storage system from Sistema, which is totally leakproof, stain resistant, shatter proof and suitable for the freezer as well as the microwave with vents to prevent heating splatters too. Right; the Ultra storage system, also from Sistema, is ultra-clear, airtight, stackable, and suitable for all sorts of dried goods – so get that larder properly organised! And in the middle, the Rapid 1.5 Bowl stainless steel sink with a Linen textured finish from Carron Phoenix – it fits into 500mm and 600mm wide cabinets, so it would be worth considering if you want to update or upgrade your kitchen by replacing just the sink, taps and work surfaces.
And Finally…
For a spot of Spring Updating/DIY that will get done in time to look very inviting and seasonal for the summer, take a look at this glorious Tropical Leaf Wallpaper by Mind The Gap available at Plum Retail Ltd. Just the ticket to add spring (well, tropical!) looks to a gloomy room. And for a weather beaten style floor, consider our Country Wood Effect porcelain planks which are super-easy to install and need no upkeep, unlike real timber!
Will you be tacking some DIY tasks this Spring? If so, we’d love to see ypics of your finished projects! Tweet us on @TileMountainUK , hit us up on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!
You might also like these posts on the Tile Mountain blog…
Working From Home: How To Create a Home Office Space That Encourages Productivity
29 DIY Tiling Hacks & Tips for Smoother Tiling Projects [INFOGRAPHIC]
Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.