Buying paint
I'm always over ordering (and wasting money) or under ordering (which means a second trip to the shop!) on paint. Can you offer any advice to avoid this problem'
Alison Stobart, 33, Newcastle
Colin and Justin reply
Simply use the online Paint Calculator by Crown to avoid this hassle. It's a genius solution that will help take the stress out of decorating forever! For more information, visit www.crownpaint.co.uk/colourexp/decorate/planning/calculator. Good luck!
Home and away deals
I've often thought of jetting off stateside to purchase luxury electrical goods such as laptops as I've heard savings can be huge, but I'm unsure about compatibility and guarantees. Can you help' Meanwhile, my family are in desperate need of a holiday. It looks like it's going to be spend, spend, spend in our household! Help!
Steve Jackson, 45, London
Colin and Justin reply
We're here to help!
If you're travelling abroad anyway, then take advantage of BAA's Shop and Collect service! Here's how ' you shop BEFORE travelling, they hold on to your goods and you collect everything when you return. One of our friends recently saved 15% on high street prices by buying a laptop at the airport and the '300 saved actually paid for her flight to New York and back! Simple!
See www.baa.com/shopping for details.
Window fashions
Please help with window blinds; as summer settles in we're baking in our conservatory and we're looking for a good value source of blinds. Any suggestions to stop our white UPVC pod looking like everyone else's'
Carolyn Richards, 38, Birmingham
Colin and Justin reply
Our first piece of advice is to avoid curtains in conservatories ' they're best kept to other rooms. There are several fabulous blind companies on the market at the mo, but our favourite (due to a combo of value and style) is Homestyle by Vantana. Visit them at www.vantana.co.uk/conservatories.htm. They've got a gorgeous selection of rattans, silks and cottons in
a variety of styles from Roman to Venetian and from Roller to Horizontals. Good luck ' sometimes it's nice to be in the shade!
Hard choices
Hi boys! Can you tell me which is best ' laminate or solid timber flooring' I don't want to make a mistake and regret it all later.
Teresa Jenkins, 42, Swindon
Colin and Justin reply
Hello there! Aye, a little caution goes a long, long way! Both laminates and solid timber are workable options. If cash is limited opt for a genuine timber laminate (as opposed to a plastic or photograph finish) and spend as much as you can on a good product. If you've got a little more budget then indulge with a solid timber option, many of which can be sanded and re-varnished further down the line. And here's a new idea ' take out insurance against damage! Try Floors 2 Go who offer this protection and also have what we consider to be some of the best products on the market. Visit them at www.floors2go.co.uk.
Boys toys
I'm desperate for a big TV style viewing experience but don't fancy a bulky black slab of plastic and glass using up my space! What is my alternative'
David Moon, 35, Manchester
Colin and Justin reply
Settle down with your Pick 'n' Mix cos we're taking you to the cinema! We've rooted around for you and come up with the perfect solution! The LG AN110 slim line projector is the world's first wall mounted projector that doesn't look like it belongs in an office! This sexy sleek beast provides HD-ready big-screen entertainment. At only 88mm deep, slightly thicker than a lever arch file, the new projector can be discreetly positioned flush against the wall, eliminating the need for a ceiling mount. Find out more at http:/uk.lge.com. And get this ' on the manufacturers approval ' this slick piece of kit can even be covered in matching wallpaper to blend into your overall scheme! Now that's clever!
