Rainbow Home Handyman

08/10/2022

I was asked to replace some rickety wooden garden steps with permanent stone steps - well I always like a challenge so I designed some semi circular stone steps creating a very elaborate, practical and rather beautiful garden feature. Every stone was hand cut to a specific shape taken from a card template and on the very top step I ground into the stone an arrow representing the north point. Each step was not only semicircular but also angled downward to shed rainwater so in heavy rain in becomes a cascade, maybe not quite rivalling Alnwick Gardens but still very satisfying!

22/07/2022

This tired garden and former piggery at the back of a cottage was a mish mash of patched up concrete paths and grotty gravel. A total makeover was needed to establish the structure of a light and airy cottage garden which would be a pleasure to spend time in. I set down natural stone paving to create a winding pathway through the garden, filled in with gold gravel to compliment the stone colour of the buildings and created new flower borders and a new central island with reclaimed stone. It just remains to be planted now with cottage garden style flowers to finish the effect...

26/06/2022

I have just assembled and fitted a garden swing from Vintage Swings Uk (who you can find on Facebook) These are not the kind of swings that last 5 years and end up in landfill - this is a top quality swing that will last for generations, for your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren too....I happen to know that the original on which these swings were based is still swinging after 70 years!!! I can supply and fit these or just check out the Vintage Swings uk page yourself.

26/06/2022

I was asked to make a full sized single bed, fitting into a tight space, with storage underneath and involving the removal of the old airing cupboard to allow enough room - well I like a challenge so this is what I came up with. Finished naturally in pine with a padded headboard, three drawers underneath, and glow in the dark ladder steps, it's ready for a standard single mattress to finish and should give lots of cosy nights for years to come...

20/08/2021

The problem here, or with any garden on more than one level, is access between levels especially for lawnmowers etc. Using an existing corner, I dismantled part of the existing wall and rebuilt a new sloping wall to match the existing stonework. After infilling the void with rubble and soil, the top layer was turfed and after a few weeks it all blended in, creating the perfect easy access slope for lawnmowers, wheelbarrows and even people. The best bit of all is that the hedgehogs have found it too and can now access all of the garden so I have inadvertently created a hedgehog super-highway!

21/05/2021

It's not every day I get asked to work with oak, so I was delighted to take on this beautiful solid oak book shelf unit. I designed it from scratch to fit the clients needs, making the size fit perfectly in to an alcove. The oak was biscuit jointed for perfect joins and all finished with wax polish. A pleasure to build an item that will probably still be holding books in hundreds of years time!

21/05/2021

Kitchen tiling - but a bit more challenging than usual as 'herringbone' was the chosen pattern which means a lot more cutting! The final result however looks great, finished with a contrasting grey grouting.

21/05/2021

I was asked to come up with a creative storage solution in an awkward under stair situation. I divided the space in half with a useful full width shelf above which I designed and made a stained glass window allowing coloured light in to the space. Below the shelf I made three units on wheels, two open fronted shelving units and one tray, all of which could be easily pulled forward for access to the under stair meters and switches. The middle unit was shaped perfectly to fit the angle of the stairs.

28/01/2021

Coquet Sunrise! I was asked to design and make this stained glass window to be sited internally between a kitchen and hallway, so it could be viewed from both sides. The sunrise is a classic 1930s glass motif but I've given it contemporary twist with the bold colours and reflected light rippling on the waves. It's made from a mixture of machine made and handblown glasses, the central sunshine being an antique piece of Sunderland glass recycled from a decommissioned church window. Always a pleasure to create something beautiful that will last for generations...

22/12/2020

22/12/2020

Decorating, wallpapering, gate making, flat pack assembling, felt roof replacing, door step fitting, parcel box making, exterior painting, curtain fitting, garage door painting, garden maintaining, patio cleaning, work top refinishing, floor sanding, bird spike fitting, shower head replacing....to name but a few......Rainbow Home Handymaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

31/07/2020

In need of fitted wardrobes? I made this bespoke wardrobe fitted into an alcove in a period Victorian house, incorporating the skirting and coving to match the existing detail. There was enough height to create not just hanging space but internal shelves and a separate generous cupboard above for storage. The main doors were finished with full length mirrors....