Power cuts rarely last more than a few hours, but they do remind us that the modern home cannot function without electricity. The basic principles are not difficult and every householder should get to know…

Power cuts rarely last more than a few hours, but they do remind us that the modern home cannot function without electricity. The basic principles are not difficult and every householder should get to know…
Wood can be bought from a DIY store, a builders’ merchant or a specialist timber merchant. Each source has a different role to play — your local DIY store is the place to go for…
Carpeting has a charm which nothing else can match. There is a feeling of warmth and comfort, and after 1950 the carpet square was steadily replaced by the fitted carpet. Carpets are available in various…
Make sure the type and design suit the room The type you choose should be right for the room — washables where steam or stains can be a problem, embossed or woodchip papers for poor-quality…
Make sure the materials suit the room A vast range is available from cheap, mass-produced tiles to expensive, hand-painted ones. There are other variations — a glazed surface is essential if the surface is to…
Wood and then coal were once our most widely used fuels, but not any more. Gas and then electricity made solid fuels seem so time-consuming. Storage had to be provided and the fire required to…
Until 1970 oil was the main fuel for central heating. In the years which followed, the central heating boom took place and oil lost its lead – gas took over as the major fuel for…