Get your decorating game tight with this genius £40 AirBnB DIY experience
Learn how to renovate in a TV presenter's home!
Does holding a drill makes you feel physically ill? Will using a screwdriver brings you out in a cold sweat? Then we have just the solution. Sian Astley, ‘lady builder’ and presenter of Channel 5’s Half Built House, is hoping to give home renovators confidence by launching her own AirBnB DIY experiences. In her very own home.
For £40, you'll enjoy an insightful four-hour masterclass from the hugely experienced Sian. She'll tackle topics ranging from cost-effective styling and how to mix traditional style with a contemporary edge, to more practical subjects like underfloor heating and insulation.
A post shared by Sian @ Moregeous Design (@makeitmoregeous)
A photo posted by on
The real genius behind this workshop is that you'll also see, first-hand, the ongoing project that is Sian's home. That's because the tour and consultations take place in her Edwardian house, bought back in 2003 in South Manchester.
Nicknamed Moregeous Mansions, it's in the process of being completely renovated. Incidentally, you can also follow Sian's progress on her blog, Moregeous – 'Making stuff more than gorgeous'.
A post shared by Sian @ Moregeous Design (@makeitmoregeous)
A photo posted by on
Sian originally bought the property to rent out. However, after a debilitating car accident in 2006, she and her partner Martin decided to move in. They had no choice but to stay put following the 2007 housing-market crash, so started working on their home. That work has since snowballed into an ambitious extension and renovation.
12 years after moving in, the transformation is almost – but not quite – complete. 'I wanted to offer a new and affordable way for homeowners to get inspiration and accessible information,' Sian says. 'But without necessarily employing a designer or consultant. I consider the unfinished project a blessing. This way, people can make the most out of their visit.'
A post shared by Sian @ Moregeous Design (@makeitmoregeous)
A photo posted by on
Sian's aim is 'to turn the house mad into the house savvy', and her interactive workshops are aimed at homeowners who are looking to kick start or complete an ambitious project As well as a full tour of the property, Sian also serves lunch and hosts a Q&A session.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Book your experience: Interiors Restoration with TV Designer Sian Astley
Can't get up to Manchester? Then pop along to the The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show, where Sian will be offering up her advice on the Trades Secrets stage. It runs from 21 to 23 September, at the ExCeL, Docklands.
Amy Cutmore is an experienced interiors editor and writer, who has worked on titles including Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, GardeningEtc, Top Ten Reviews and Country Life. And she's a winner of the PPA's Digital Content Leader of the Year. A homes journalist for two decades, she has a strong background in technology and appliances, and has a small portfolio of rental properties, so can offer advice to renters and rentees, alike.
-
What is a Tree Preservation Order? Experts warn this could be why you may face a £20,000 fine for cutting down a tree in your own garden
You need to know about TPOs if you're planning on making any changes to the trees in your garden
By Katie Sims
-
I was sceptical, but these expert-approved plants and flowers convinced me that Mocha Mousse, Pantone's Colour of the Year, is the perfect colour for gardens
These are the best varieties for coffee and chocolate tones
By Sophie King
-
We’re obsessed with Emma Bridgwater’s Love Heart-inspired mug — this latest collab with Swizzles is the sweet treat we all need right now
The queen of the aesthetic mug has turned Queen of Hearts this Valentine's Day
By Kezia Reynolds