Expert Advice George Clarke's 10 Renovation Tips

Comments

1. HAVING WATCHED YOUR HOME SHOW LAST NIGHT (THE OLD PEOPLES RENNOVATION HOME) (24.11.09) COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE & WHAT THE NAME WAS OF THE LIGHTING SHOP THAT GEORGE PICKED THE TABLE LAMPS FROM. I SPOTTED SOME FANTASTIC OOTDOOR LIGHTS ON THE WALL BEHIND HIM, WHICH I AM CURRENTLY IN NEED OF. LOVED THE FINISHED LOOK OF THE HOME AND THE WONDERFUL REACTIONS FROM THE RESIDENTS. THANK YOU IN ANTICIPATION FRANCES ROTHERA

   Posted by FRANCES on 25/11/2009 14:19:24

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2. Very nice project whic you made for the residents i'mean the project of "The Old People Home" really very nice and you are very genius person.

   Posted by Bakht Said on 25/11/2009 00:40:30

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3. Dear george - Spotted the Victorian Entrance porch/vestibule on the Elderly Peoples Home tonight. Is there a photographic image I can use to make a drawing of someting similar for our home? Thanks

   Posted by Dr Geoffrey Broad on 24/11/2009 21:42:57

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4. George, I have a 15yrs old small detached house with integral garage which I would really like to bring into good useable space in the house, probably convert to an open dining area from kitchen which is currently behind it. I have racked my brains and tried all sorts of layouts, butcurrent layout really doesn't easily leave much scope for any changes (there is a cloakroom to accommodate too) I am looking for an innovative designer to approach this, but as I am just retired I don't want to spend too much up front in case it doesn't/can't work within my budget. Would local architect colleges in area be interested in offering this as 'project' for 3rd year graduates to have a go at - and possibly see through (project manage)? Or would local architects offer creative ideas for a small cost before putting it into more expensive plans. Any ideas? Regards Pat Palmer

   Posted by Pat Palmer on 23/11/2009 16:46:19

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5. Hi George I purshased my parents house a 3 bedroom bugalow and my mother still stays with us! about 15 years ago have tried to do home inprovement but need more space on budget as just gone through 2 sessions of ivf and now have a lovley little boy called Ethan, would like to try a loffed extention,could you please advise,thankyou Angela

   Posted by Angela Robertson on 09/11/2009 17:45:39

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6. Hi George, We have a 1 bedroom, 1930's flat in a prime location which we are currently renovating. Putting in a traditional working fire place will be costly but it will look fabulous. However, do you think it is a value adding exercise? Will it add much value to our property?

   Posted by Em on 09/11/2009 13:17:29

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7. HI George, Just a quick word from a fellow geordie. I'm a great fan of your program and admirer of your work. I believe you are looking for new houses for your next show. I'm putting myself forward as a single lady who gets extremely annoyed when trying to get quotes from builders, plumbers etc. It would be really re-assuring to have an expert who is clearly not going to rip me off. I have a very interesting house in W4, with a lot of potential. Most of the shows I have seen to date are with couples or families. Would you consider a dameselle in distress?

   Posted by Joanne Lee on 06/11/2009 15:23:01

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8. Any ideas on how to hide cables when mounting a flat screen tv on a wall. The tv also needs to connect to a sky box and surround sound centre.

   Posted by Brian on 02/11/2009 23:15:37

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9. Hi George Love your program,If channel4 are doing a program in West Scotland Argyll and Bute would you please come and build me a double side extension to my 3 bed detached home. Look forward to hearing from you.

   Posted by Mo on 02/11/2009 18:49:20

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10. hi george..dont know if your gona read this or not. Nevertheless,i would just like to say what a fantastic job your doing. I really enjoy watching your programme. Your standard of finish sets you apart from alot of other Presenters and their shows.Not only is your show a joy to watch but its also very inspiring and informative.Absolutely brilliant!!!PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...

    Posted by shaffiq on 29/10/2009 23:48:18

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11. Please help me, I watch your show and wish I had even half the budget of some of the people on it but unfortunatly I have just bought my first flat and have a tiny budget to do up a tiny galley kitchen. Please could you give me some ideas about how to make it look nice and how best to use what little space I have without breaking the bank. Any ideas, useful websites, pictures etc would be gratefully received

    Posted by Jenny 24 on 29/10/2009 21:03:46

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12. Hi George! Just have to chime in and share my agreement about finding a builder who you have had personally recommended to you by someone you know. I myself made the mistake (more than once I'm ashamed to admit) of picking a contractor based on the claims they had made about themselves in their advertisements. What a sorry state of affairs that resulted in! Sometimes it is hard to find someone you know who knows and has worked with a builder they recommend, but a quality professional will always be ready willing and able to provide you with references. And as always the internet is an excellent resource. I've found through local sites personal recommendations, in some cases people even forwarded me before and after photos to show how much the appeciated the job that was done.

    Posted by Chris Builder on 27/10/2009 04:09:04

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13. HI George, Ilove your show and try and watch it every day as we get home from work. Today you said you are looking for houses for your next series to redign and furnish. We would both love you to do our house which we moved into a year ago. Its a semi - detached in a lovely small village in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. Look forward to hearing from you.

    Posted by Helen McCabe on 20/10/2009 20:07:46

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14. How do i make contact with George Clarke to use his professional sevices?

    Posted by Taz on 20/10/2009 18:56:14

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15. Hi George Clarke, you're my kind of guy, a laughing face and a twinkle in your eye. I need your mind to work for me, as in a dilemma I seem to be. My house is big and in good order but I need a pool with lots of water! In my mind I know what I want but how to do it seems such an ordeal please come and help me make it real! I want to clear my garage out for there I want my pool to be a mezzanine level and a balcony view, George come and make my dream come true! I've watched your show time and time again and loved at times to see your face when things don't seem to go quite right, and it's kept you up all night! Suddenly smile when the clients say that they have loved what you have done. You seem to make it lots of fun! Come and help me fulfill my dream of owning a swimming pool with a mezzanine!

    Posted by Rebecca Gray on 16/10/2009 21:03:10

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16. Hello George, today is the first time that I have ever seen your programme! I am buying a Victorian three storey old rectory in Derbyshire, this house needs rearranging and I have know idea how to use the space. I played as a child in this house many years ago and at that time it was one very large rectory, it is in the village that I was born in too, so it is most important that I turn this wonderful house into something so very special. After watching your programme over once again I feel that it would be so advantageous to bring in the experts like yourself. Are you available for consultancy etc. Do you still carry out renovations yourself and your team in different area's and if so what do I have to do you get you on board this project. Regards, Patricia

    Posted by Patricia on 14/10/2009 00:20:08

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17. Hi George, what a wonderful guy you are, you have made so many people very very happy, you are an inspiration. You are also very handsome[just had to let you know]. I live in Prestwick in a semi bungalow, which I love very much but my storage space is non existing, so if you are ever in my area, please come in and have a wee cuppa with us.

    Posted by Maggie Logan on 07/10/2009 21:42:46

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18. Standard ex council house - Chimney is slightly leaking smoke via brickwork into loft conversion... I recollect one of your programes where you re lined a chinmney. This was not cheap, but was not extreme either... Can you advise please? I live in St Albans, Herts....

    Posted by Jonathan Carhart on 05/10/2009 14:22:24

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19. Hi could you help with a dilemma we have. My husband and I live in an end terraced house with a considerable amount of land on the side. We have decided to have a two storey extension. We have had the plans done twice now and we seen to be coming up against stumbling blocks with the planning. Our only alternative is to have the large family bathroom at the side of our en-suite and to create some space for a corridor to the new part we have got to have some major works done to the front double bedroom. Any suggestions and comments would be very much appreciated.

    Posted by Karen Barnes on 22/09/2009 16:46:42

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20. I love the show and would continue to watch and recommend to friends and relatives to watch. keep up the good works.looking forward to read about the show in print/book

    Posted by theo kaycee on 14/09/2009 13:35:31

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21. I remember a builder using a resin product to waterproof a leaking wall in an old episode of Grand Design (Series 5 Cheltenham). Could you give me any product info on this.I have a leaking underbuild in Spain and think this product would be ideal. Thanks

    Posted by Debbbie on 14/09/2009 08:54:29

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22. I have a 4 bedroom chalet bungalow on the Isle of Wight. The layout of the bungalow does not work. The front door is hidden round a corner and not on view from the front of the property. The kitchen is too small. There is a separate double garage. Ideally the property would need an extention to join the garage and bungalow together and a new kitchen-diner, separate dining room, study, bedroom with ensuite extension (or cinema room) putting into the new layout. As an Eco Island it would be nice to produce a green property, solar panels for heating and hot water, water harvesting etc to use in showers, toilets, washing machines etc. Please help me have a workable eco-property on my Eco-Island. This property is for life and it would be nice to lead the way in green technology and eco-frindly build and design. I hope you are up for the challenge and look forward to meeting you soon.

    Posted by Caroline Young on 25/08/2009 21:51:00

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23. hello George, my hubby and i are both disabled, we would like to get our 2bed, ground floor flat to work for us, have you any suggestions, its a different ball game when your not able bodies and we would like to stay as self sufficent as possible, have you any ideas please thank you, i do hope you help can us

    Posted by veronica burgess on 19/08/2009 18:21:47

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24. Hi George,i watch the show with my wife and also think its fantasic, we live in a 5 bed house in kent with 4 boys under the age of 6 so we have very little time on our hands .We have around £45k to spend on extending our property and the no1 priority is to build a kitchen/dinner so my wife can keep an eye on the kids whilst cooking etc. havnt got a clue where to start ..please help or a divorce will be immenent!! Thanks

    Posted by jason lyons on 19/08/2009 15:12:13

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25. George. I am a single father of a 3yr old daughter, we currently live in a two bedroom bungalow, which used to belong to a little old lady who sadly has passed away. I am looking at a complete refurb, The property is a lovely detached bungalow, but sadly very very dated, and i wish to make changes to ensure it now becomes a lovely home for my daughter and I for the rest of our lives. Any help would be greatly appricated. Thank you in advance. Tony

    Posted by Tony Smith on 17/08/2009 22:56:38

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26. Hi George or (al right bonnie lad) Have moved to Essex (white stiletoes all)but have found a fantasitic 1930's house but need attic convetion kitchen extension. Have 3 boys who fight constantly. I need an extra bedroom as my youngest is a bit of a messy pup and destroys any cleaning his brother doe's. So needd exta bedroom extend Kitchen. Do I extend out up or out 2 the side or just out but have downstair lavee in kitchen. If I extend out will I have 2 loose downstairs loo (as i have 3 boy's it may be difficult). Also worried about planning permission if go out will loose light 2 back room. Help Durham lass in distress Diane

    Posted by d wilkinson on 14/08/2009 01:29:53

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27. Great show! No questions or advice needed - just to say a very good show. Congrats to George and the team (as I'm sure he doesn't spray all those houses white on his own?!!!) Keep up the good work and look forward to a new series

    Posted by Northern Ireland on 04/08/2009 16:01:22

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28. i would like to contact George Clarke to use his professional services, can you please help? Regards Abdul Patel

    Posted by Abdul Patel on 01/08/2009 18:03:33

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29. HI George, I just love your show, I think you have some great ideas and understand that a house is for living and not for SHOW, and a house is a home. Im in the middle of putting drawings into the council for my extension and keep wondering if the layout is the best for us and if we are making the most of our money that we are spending on it. Any advise would be great thanks.

    Posted by angela on 26/07/2009 16:02:51

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30. George you were in the wrong in last weeks show. As an architect you should have picked up on the problems that would have beeen caused by putting the stairs in your original position, banging your head is a more obvious consequence surely, you should have accepted the error and finished the ensuite at Channel 4's cost, that will make people trust you less.

    Posted by JJ on 26/07/2009 14:45:19

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31. George - help! i bought a fabulous 19C house in a France almost 8 years ago and rennovation progress is SLOW! How can i remove old lino (asbestos backing) to reveal / retain the original quarry tiles underneath? We've tried pulling, tearing, cutting, chipping (cement/glue stuff) ... but are making no progress. What can i do with the original bread-oven which takes over practically one whole wall of my kitchen? Tear it out? make some fabulous feature? your advice and inspiration will provide some much-needed impetus to help us edge things along! With many many thanks! We love your show!

    Posted by Catherine on 24/07/2009 15:37:35

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32. do you have a book? my husband loves the show and as part of his birthday present i was trying to find a book?

    Posted by raj on 24/07/2009 12:03:37

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33. Hi George, We watch your programme every week to get some ideas for our home project. We are soon to be building a wrap around extention - 2 storey at the side and 1 story at the back which will double the size of our house. I'm afraid I'll get it wrong and want to make the best of the space available. Any tips on how to decide whats best?

    Posted by Yvonne on 20/07/2009 13:03:25

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34. hello george l watch and wonder every week at the miracles you perform every week. to see the fanilies faces you just know its all going to work for them. "LIONAL" HAS SAID IT ALL FOR ME. l have tried covering my walls with sheets but am afraid l get so farand just cannot see how it will look when finishe . l l know its not a big job and it would make it possible for me to remain in the house i brought my family up. if you ever do small projects, can i be the first. many thanks derry. as you can see new to compute

    Posted by derry/ on 06/07/2009 12:04:01

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35. Hi George What ever show you have presented its been great because your feet are on the ground. you all ways give sound advice and its never just a quick fix. There are so many program's that you have to spend tens of thousands to see a result it would be nice to have one produced by your self that caters for the normal working man/woman who may only be able to scrape together a few thousand for a specific project in there home and lets face it there are more people like that than those with access to loads of money. The type of projects I had in mind are perhaps the relocation of stairs ,door ways or generally making the best of what you have got simply by knocking a wall or two down etc. I think if you could make a change to say a small country cottage or a little terrace house with a relatively small budget not only would you have proven to the country that architects don't need unlimited funds to make difference but there skills can be applied to those less well off. I realize that it may be some what frustrating at times but I really do feel that you are the architect of the people and lets face it you have never been frighten of a challenge. your respectfully Lionel

    Posted by Lionel on 03/07/2009 15:10:28

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36. I love your show! When we decided to renovate our condo we too were so unsure of where to start and what type of work would be involved. So we did so much research as we could not find a website with everything we wanted to know. So instead of a renovation we actually created a website! We thought that it would be nice to share this information with our visitors. We also included a photo gallery to help inspire design ideas. Maybe your viewers would appreciate our effort as well. Thanks for all your great advice!

    Posted by Jennie on 01/07/2009 03:33:10

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37. How do i make contact with George Clarke to use his professional sevices

    Posted by Ken Connop on 29/06/2009 15:40:33

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38. I would like to take out my fire place and make the room square. what are the building regulation about this.

    Posted by sheila on 25/06/2009 21:56:08

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39. Hello, George. How do we get on your show? Living in a victorian terraced house with an ever growing family and just cant afford to move, the jump is just to big in the area. We need help on how we can make the best of where we are..do we fill in the side return? Get another bedroom in the loft? We need you George !

    Posted by J Reid on 20/06/2009 17:23:45

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40. Hello George, Love your program can't wait for it to come on each week. Wish you could come to France I need you. I have had enough of the cowboys. Best Wishes

    Posted by Brandy on 19/06/2009 13:23:36

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41. My son is moving into his first home - a three storey townhouse, which has property attached. Our concern is the ensuite, it has no natural ventilation and no outside wall for us to fit an extraction fan, is there another option available to him. Many thanks for any advice.

    Posted by Lynn wood on 14/06/2009 20:47:41

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42. We have recently built a double side and rear extension on a semi, we have put in new sandstone lintels and love the look of the original stone. The problem is the lintels on the original house are 50 years old and have been painted a number of times, we have tried all over and have came across a sandstone coating but this does not match is there any other product on the market that will make the original lintel look the same as the new one please help!!

    Posted by emma on 12/06/2009 23:04:28

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43. hi have a great villa overlooking the sea in spain with five sets of patio windows looking over the sea. want advice on window dressing, as in the winter it would be nice to shut out the dark, but dont want to loose the light and airy feeling during the summer. a;; rooms painted white with some wood panelling on the walls brought with us from an old country house in uk. quite a traditional home.

    Posted by jan harrop on 11/06/2009 21:23:11

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44. Hello. We live in a 3 bed two floor garden flat (converted Georgian buiding) in Bath. Two adults, 3 children - 9, 4 and 2. It's not our dream home and currently needs quite a bit of work doing so that we have a decent livable space. We can't afford to move and actually are ideally located for school, work and the city centre. Plus we have a large flat garden and private parking. We currently have two very small bathrooms, both about 5'x5', and too small to move around in, (one en suite to the big master bedroom). We are planning on giving the master room to the two smaller children so they have a big bedroom/playroom. What I would really like is for George to come round and spray the whole thing white and work his magic, but I don't have a cheque! My question is, what do you think about us knocking the two bathrooms in to one, to give us one long, thin bathroom. I was also thinking of taking a small chunk out of the master room, accessible via the old ensuite door, to create a small airing cupboard. This would allow us to open up the area under the stairs to the front door (we are below ground on one side) creating a much larger landing area which we could then use as a home office perhaps. What would you do? We're not concerned about resell etc etc as we do plan to stay here for a while. Many thanks

    Posted by celia on 10/06/2009 20:49:20

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45. I've just had my gable wall replastered by a reputable firm of builders. The job was completed on April 28. When the first part of the scaffolding on the left side of the wall was removed the area of wall visible looked wonderful. However when the remainder of the scaffolding was removed a few days later, the wall was all patches, which seemed to spread into the unaffected area. There are five or six large area of dark patches. It is now 3 weeks since completion and there seems to be little or no improvement. One of the people in charge of the job, looked at it last week. He said it was perfectly normal. It was just a result of the floating of the plaster at different times and that it would dry out perfectly. While I do believe him, as they have been in business a long time, I just wonder about it. I would welcome a professional opinion. How long will it take for the dark patches to disappear. The house is a 74 year old stone house and it was a sand/cement plaster job. I would be grateful for an early reply if possible.

    Posted by Donal Harnett on 18/05/2009 11:46:45

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46. Hi George, I found a 60s 2 beds art deco flat roof bungalow. I wonder is it easy to put another story on top with trandtional roof? If not, is it possible to put a roof only? Thnak you

    Posted by Amy on 14/04/2009 20:42:33

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47. Hi George, I own a 1930s semi simillar to the one in the worcester park episode. We are looking to do an extension on the back of the house but rather than relocate the kitchen into the extension we want to use the extension as a family room and put the kitchen into the middle of the house into the room that now backs onto the garden, we will retain the curent opening and this will provide one of two points of access to the extension. The space that is currently a tiny kitchen will then be utilised as one wall of floor to ceiling storage units and we will use a bit of space together with under stairs space to make a downstairs cloakroom. The door from the present kitchen will become an open archway into the new extension. My main question is do you forsee problems with the suggested layout - most people tend to go for the layout you showed in the Worcester Park episode. However, we do not like the idea of needing to walk through every room to get to the new area. Any thoughts? suggestions?

    Posted by Mica on 30/03/2009 17:17:42

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48. how do i clean a sandstone fireplace

    Posted by jillhiggins on 04/03/2009 13:34:41

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49. Could you please supply me with good reputable builders in Leicester, to carry out an attic conversion, plus other renovation work. As there are loads of cowboy builders about, I really need someone who does quality work, someone who is registered with builders associations.

    Posted by Farid on 12/02/2009 09:46:28

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50. we have consent to convert a hideous 1960s industrial building in a very prominent position on the south coast of the Isle of Wight into a zippy and well designed holiday house. how do we get into contact with the producers as it might be a project they wish to film. James Cooper

    Posted by James Cooper on 11/02/2009 19:26:46

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51. More of a question: we are living in an refurbished school in Berkshire and have problems with the 150 year old windows (not a surprise). I have tried to look up Jim Hickman in Edinburgh for his double glazing. Can you point me in the right direction please. Thank you in advance.

    Posted by Alexandra on 28/01/2009 22:15:46

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52. I live in studio flat of Victorian conversion in central London. The neighbours upstairs have installed a laminate floor and I now get all the noise and vibration. The ceiling is a wooden ceiling, and 270 cm high. What can I do to insulate the ceiling? I have been told that I can loose in height and spend a lot of money but there is no guarantee of success. I would appreciate your advice, thanks

    Posted by Mr Pillow on 24/01/2009 16:35:14

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53. Our 4 bed detached house was build in 1983. We have updated the kitchen, 2 bathrooms and had the garden/drive landscaped but now have to tackle an awful 'Cornish Stone' fireplace in the living room. The gas fire was dire so we have gotten rid of that and are now left with a whole(and a draft)! We would hope to downsize (only the two of us now)within the next year or so would appreciate some advise as to how to remove the old fireplace with as little disruption as possible and what type of fire/fireplace to replace it with, also the decor to match. I look forward to your reply. With thanks. Sally Hocking - Torquay, Devon

    Posted by Sally Hocking on 29/12/2008 09:36:17

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54. Been watching re-runs of Location/L/L. Phil and Kirsty often comment on how it is possible to re-vamp existing Victorian windows by simply replacing the glass from single glazed to double-glazed. Need to revamp my windows now! Could you please forward details of suppliers/fitters the Kent / Bromley area you would recommend. Thanks very much.

    Posted by Paula Jones on 28/12/2008 16:34:20

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55. I was impressed by your programme and wish you could transform my house. We are currenly doing some DIY since purchasing our house 6 months ago. We are still unfortunately trying to decorate the lounge which has been out of use since we moved. Could you suggest the best way to get a good white paint finish on our floor boards which up until now have been under carpet? Regards, Emma

    Posted by Emma Burness on 15/12/2008 20:56:33

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56. Dear George, From watching your excellent programme, I've noticed that you like to retain timber sash windows wherever possible. I live in a victorian house with single glazed sash windows, which I would like to replace with double glazed timber units. Could you forward details of reputable suppliers / fitters you would recommend. Kind Regards, Nicola Sharpe North Somerset

    Posted by nicola sharpe on 12/12/2008 17:04:34

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57. I am a keeen follower of your show & would like to know how much and where were the sun loungers sourced for the Coulston episode, which was shown on channel 4 on 10/12/08. Your web site shows the picture of them but it details the outdoor pots instead. We would bw very gratefull for this info. We are also trying to source large outdoor glossy colourful pots.

    Posted by Martin Supple on 10/12/2008 23:01:00

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