Make Old Wicker Look A Bit Slicker

Nov 9 2008 Justin And Colin

Tricks Of The Trade

Over time, wicker furniture can become saggy and mis-shapen due to the cane stretching.

Agreat way to bring it back and tighten it up is to sponge it down with a half vinegar, half hot water solution then leave sitting in the sun or in a warm room for a few hours.

As it dries, the wicker will tighten and your furniture will become firm once again.

If you have a hole in linoleum and want to repair it for next to nothing get your hands on a kid's wax crayon the same colour as the lino and melt it in the microwave. Next carefully push the warm wax into the hole using a spatula, smooth out and then leave to harden. Hole? What hole?

If you're keen to save the earth and money, follow B&Q's One Planet Home guide. Learn how to save energy, have a healthy home free of toxins and how to recycle effectively. You will also be able to calculate your eco-footprint with their online calculator. Follow the One Planet Home link from www.diy.com

Sort out your magazines and paperwork with style thanks to these handy paper trays from Matalan.

These striped or polka dot baskets have handles for ease of use and look fab on the floor next to the sofa or on a desk as a tidy.

Best of all they are just a fiver each from stores or www.matalan.co.uk

If you're planning a spot of home reupholstery and want to cut foam for a seat pad or headboard then here's a great tip to cut it with ease.

Use an electric carving knife - the kind of thing you'd use for the Sunday roast.

It'll cut like a hot knife through butter.

This week we're loving the Occa functional table from Bo Concept. This smart walnut and chrome piece has two hinged sections that lift to create useful surfaces for TV dinners or laptops and there is useful storage space underneath The table costs £649 from Bo Concept in Glasgow or click on www.boconcept.co.uk

STYLE BIBLE what's hot in the shops

Style Bible - Home Comforts With Style, by Mary Gilliatt and Andreas Von Einsiedel, £20, published by Conran Octopus.

Described as "a design guide for today's living", this valuable volume looks at the notion of decorating for comfort and focuses on ways to make a home that is both attractive and welcoming.

Covering all rooms and all interior styles - from rustic retreats to city dwellings - learn how to choose colours, create quiet spaces, organise clutter and use sound, scent and light to make rooms that soothe and reward.