DIY NEWS

:: Fired Earth is celebrating its 25th birthday this year and, to mark the occasion, is offering 25% off selected favourites throughout the year (details online or in-store).

Also, if you spend £50 or more on paint in-store, Kevin McCloud’s new book Colour Now (RRP £9.99) is yours free. In it, McCloud researches, selects and combines more than 120 colours, including his own paint collection for Fired Earth. Each of the featured palettes is made up of between three and eight colour swatches and includes an introduction describing its influences, potential and variety.

If you want to know more about colours or if you struggle to choose and combine them in your home, this could be the book for you. See www.firedearth.com for more details.

:: Homebase has a new DIY advice centre on its website, offering lots of help and information for home improvers, including interactive tools, buying guides, projects, frequently asked questions, and ’How to’ guides. You can also view Homebase brochures there. Websites of DIY chains are a great source of information and advice – and this one just got better. Visit www.homebase.co.uk.

SEASONAL TASK…

Now is a good time to treat wooden garden furniture to protect it against the elements and wear-and-tear during summer, especially if you plan to leave it outside. Wait for a fine day and apply an exterior wood treatment, oil or paint, following the instructions carefully.

By Andrew Wilcox

I love sheds Founder & judge of Shed of the year - Wilco writes mainly about sheds. About the blog Enter your shed into #shedoftheyear