Tiles can get damaged by the everyday wear and tear that goes with running a house. It’s always an idea to buy a few more tiles than you actually need should a few break when you’re putting them up or should you need to repair one over a period of time. Or, you may also want to replace some tiles to freshen up a kitchen or bathroom without having to pull the whole lot away.

If you are going to replace a tile or liven up a tiled area, use a pointed tool to scrape out the grout surrounding it first. Then, starting at the centre of the broken tile, use a hammer and chisel to chip it out slowly and carefully so as not to spread the damage to other tiles.

Once the offending tile is removed, use a layer of adhesive on the rear of the new tile and press it into the desired position. Grout around the tile when the adhesive has set, (there’s usually a recommendation on the back of the adhesive tube) and clean it with a damp cloth.

You might find that a few colourful tiles mixed in with the usual white just lifts the area and gives it a brighter look. The grout may become discoloured over time. If this happens you can buy a colouring stick from a DIY store or alternatively re-grout the tile.

One of the most infuriating things about having a conservatory is not knowing what blind or drape to use. Roof blinds are needed to reduce glare and drapes will offer shade but which ones will complement the room?

The most popular blinds are pleated blinds as an alternative for roof and window blinds these days. A versatile blind, they are available in many different colours / patterns and are easy to maintain.

You can even buy an “automated” version of the pulley system if you like the idea of “remotely” operating the blinds. Pleated blinds have been recommended by conservatory shop owners who seem to think that the ‘solar’ blinds give better performance.

Alternatively, you could purchase the Roman Blinds which are usually made with “Original French Pinoleum” and have been quite traditional in many conservatories. These blinds are composed of thin strips of woven wood, usually manufactured in France and complement interior furnishings such as wicker and Rattan.

Roller blinds are thought to bounce the sunlight back and reduce the amount of glare which has the subsidiary attraction of helping you control the temperature. These types of blinds come in all sorts of different fabrics and are the most durable if perhaps the least aesthetically pleasing of the blind options.

You could of course create your own drapes in contrast to the blind option. This alternative will enable you to give the conservatory your own individual stamp of style and taste.

Converting a loft can help you put added value on your home, free up much needed space or provide you with a hobby room free from family disturbances. The room should be comfortable and as light as possible depending on what you plan to use the space for.

To get the best results hire a loft conversion company or experienced builder to evaluate the space and tell you what you can and cannot do, he can also advise you on any paper work that might need doing.

Loft conversions can be expensive; the crucial thing to remember is to get the safety and design aspects right from the beginning. Some people will not have much change from £15,000 and if you decide to get a company in it may cost even more so be prepared.

A loft conversion can take up to eight weeks depending on what design you have chosen- even longer if structural work becomes complicated with walls being removed and joists being implanted.

Design ideas should sit in harmony with the rest of the structure outside and inside. Dormer windows and brickwork should match if you’re extending the roofline. Staircases should be positioned over the original one to make the space feel like it continues on from the rest of the house.

I read the weekend papers. They tell me that I’ve got to create the right effect with my home. They tell me it so much that I’ve started to believe them. I look at my interior decoration and wonder what kind of effect it has on visitors.

Most likely it has no effect at all, because visitors to my house are normal people who aren’t suddenly going to start hating me just because I’ve got the wrong shade of ochre on somethign or other. But the papers tell me I have to act.

Unfortunately, I’m lazy. Lazy and ignorant. I have no idea what the interior design look is this season. I also care about a period of time longer than just one season. I need a grown-up to tell me what to do. I need contemporary interior designers to come to my rescue.

I have a job. Actually I have several. I am not blessed with a huge amount of time and what spare time I do have I don’t devote to the study of interior design. Conversely, contemporary interior designers spend every waking hour thinking about the subject. If there’s a thing they don’t know, it ain’t worth knowing.

So maybe I’ll get them in and ask for guidance. It’s a time-honoured tactic for the incompetent: if you don’t know what you’re doing, ask someone who does.

HVAC, as the title states, is an acronym for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. This is more commonly called climate control, this is due to the fact this is what it actually does, keep a controlled climate.

HVAC is often found in mid to large-size buildings, usually offices, such as skyscrapers. They are ideal for surroundings that contain a large number of people and have a poor natural air circulation. HVAC can help to maintain a constant temperature and humidity in very hot or cold conditions.

They are also regularly utilised in areas with high levels of public, like shopping centres, due to the large number of people in a closed area. This ensures everyone is kept at a comfortable temperature and the air is continuously refreshed.

Non of the above means that you can’t have it in your home, but it can work out quite expensive. There are smaller, purpose-built solutions for homes, such as dehumidifiers and portable air conditioning units that act as good HVAC systems.

If you are fixing up a commercial property, HVAC is definitely one of the things that should be on your “ToDo” list. Not only does it ensure a better quality of health within the property, but it can also add significant value to the building.

Going green can prove harder than one expects so it’s nice to have a few tips on what’s hot in the green department these days.

If you’re thinking of designing and building an extension then why not seek out the ‘Integrity Block’. Yes, it sounds a bit pompous but is in truth a compacted-earth block used as a cost-crunching replacement for concrete masonry units.

The beauty of the blocks lies in the fact that they contain up to 60% recycled content and about half as much Portland cement as the normal concrete blocks do plus, they take 40% less energy to produce.

Once you’ve completed the room you may want to have a look at some interior doors, skirting and rails made from composites that are solid wood certified and recommended by the Forestry Commission as sustainable and recyclable products.

You can also find products that use whey protein instead of petroleum to get that sheen finish in floorings and from varnishes. The development of whey means low emissions when making the items and a recycling of what is a by-product of the dairy industry.

Going green isn’t easy but once you’ve taken yourself down this road it is very satisfying to know that you’re doing you bit for the environment.

When choosing flooring for a room remember you have several options to choose from so think carefully before you buy one.

You could choose vinyl which is a man-made material supplied in a wide range of colours. It’s extremely easy to cut and stick down as well as being waterproof and a synch to clean.

Vinyl floor is very tough and durable which makes them perfect for hallways and areas where a lot of wear and tear is expected. The only drawback is that they can scuff and mark more easily than other floorings so, be careful when moving heavy furniture on it.

Natural wood looks great and it gives you confidence knowing it is the real thing underneath your feet as opposed to a man-made surface. These too are easy to install and most engineered floors are ‘clicked’ together without much fuss. Again it’s easy to clean and can be fitted in a variety of different room shapes.

Laminate flooring offers a tough alternative to vinyl and can look smooth, clean and durable. Not all laminates are suitable for kitchens and bathrooms though as water can damage them. Always check with the supplier that your flooring is suitable for the room you are decorating.

Carpets are a traditional floor covering that can add a feeling a warmth to your home, however they are not as rugged as the aformentioned coverings so family members that use children’s buggies or wheelchairs may have difficulty using this floor covering.

Getting the rustic country look can make a living room feel warm and cosy. One way of getting this look onto your walls is to colour wash them.

Colour washing can be used in many settings and can utilise many different colours. The effect works best with rustic colours such as Venetian red or raw sienna but you shouldn’t let this restrain your creative urges.

For the technique to be effective the paint needs to be built up patiently layer by layer. This will help to bring depth to the overall look of the walls and the room itself.

You can use either oil based or water based paint but many people have found the water based paints easier to apply and quicker to work with.

All you need to do is mix a small amount of the colour you have chosen and then thin the mix down to a ratio of fifty per cent water to fifty per cent paint. If you find that the paint is still too thick then, add a bit more water, until you are satisfied with the consistency.

The wall will need a thin layer of plaster over it sealed with emulsion thinned with water. When the base coat has dried you can work your prepared paint onto the surface.

Some tired old furniture can be brought to life with the simple technique of stencilling. This is a very subjective technique and can e a lot of fun and very satisfying when finished.

Before you start to stencil you need to prepare the wood by stripping it down and then painted or left with its natural look.

You can strip the furniture by using paint or varnish remover and then steel wool or sand paper to give it a really smooth finish. If the wood needs repairing first, use PVA glue which is quick drying.

You can cut your stencil out of oiled Manilla card or plastic film which you can purchase from craft suppliers and good art shops.

Now, mark your design, floral pattern, swirls or whatever with a 2B pencil or a permanent marker pen. Why not use tracing paper to copy ideas from books and then transfer them onto your stencilling card?

When stencilling, you must keep the card/film firmly in place whilst you apply your colour to the holes. Use spray adhesive if you like to help keep the card in place whilst you stencil, it will easily peel off once you’ve finished the painting.

You may want to varnish the finished piece to protect it and you should choose a varnish that suits the furniture’s texture. You can get matt, satin and gloss varnishes so you can take your pick of finishes.

The fireplace can be the focal point of the living room but how do revitalise a fireplace without it costing you the earth?

Creating a stone-effect fireplace will take patience but it will be well worth the effort when you see the finished look and hear the comments made by admirers.

Firstly, the surround to the fireplace can be made from timber skirting, off cuts of architrave and beading which is all glued and nailed together around the fireplace itself.

When trying to emulate the stone look you have a couple of options to choose from. You might want to use paints which are built up layer upon layer and manoeuvred around to create a graining effect and stone colour.

Some people mix fine sand in with an ordinary emulsion creating a texture which appears to have stone like qualities. The colour of the paint should reflect the kind of stone you want to surround the fireplace.

Also on the market is a specialist fireplace paint which will give you a stone finish. You can also use this paint on MDF, wood plaster and brickwork. The look can be very authentic and it comes complete with instructions on how to apply it.