My red door was scratched to bits so I transformed it for £30 – it's bright & people say it's ‘so much better'
Plus, ten easy DIY hacks to spruce up your home for less than £1
HOUSE ABOUT THIS? My red door was scratched to bits so I transformed it for £30 – it's bright & people say it's 'so much better'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A MUM has left people open-mouthed after sharing her epic door glow-up.
If you're looking to give your home a makeover on the cheap, sprucing up the door is an easy - and affordable - way to do so.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Though posted just 14 hours ago, the fabulous transformation has already taken the internet by storm
Credit: diy on a budget/facebook
2
While pink doors seem to be all the rage recently, the mum dared ''to be different'' - and went for a stunning lilac hue
Credit: diy on a budget/facebook
This is exactly what one thrifty mum, Andrea Ange Johnstone, decided to do after her son ''developed a vendetta'' against the front door of the property.
The dark red door had seen better days, with scratches and marks all over the surface.
But rather than forking out for a brand new door or revamping it with red paint, the mum opted to change the colour entirely - and social media users are stunned by the transformation.
While pink doors seem to be all the rage recently, the mum dared ''to be different'' - and went for a stunning lilac hue.
read more on homes
WASH THIS How to use a 69p hack to kill green flies without nasty chemicals
Sharing the jaw-dropping results on the DIY On A Budget Official page, Andrea told social media users she used uPVC Paint in Violet Macaroon.
Thrifty homeowners and DIY lovers can find a 750ml tin of this vibrant and summery paint for a mere £30 on Amazon.
Meanwhile, a larger 1l pot will set you can just £40 - which is a cheaper alternative to buying a new door.
Other options from the online marketplace include a light grey shade called Babushka, a pastel blue tint called Be My Mermaid, as well as light mauve hue called Lilac Wine.
Andrea told Facebook users: ''I sanded it but not heavily more so on the bad scratches and lightly over the rest.''
To complete the epic makeover, the thrifty mum also added a ''The Witch is In'' sign she had left over from Halloween, a fake lemon wreath for an extra pop of colour and faux foliage at the top of the frame.
I transformed my council house hallway for under £60 - the old laminate has vanished but critics say it 'looks cheap'
Uploading Before and After snaps on the platform, Andrea urged others to think outside the box.
''I really love it, dare to be different.''
'Absolutely gorgeous'
Though posted just 14 hours ago, the fabulous transformation has already taken the internet by storm.
Close to a whopping 450 people gave the post a like, as almost 100 flooded to comments to share their thoughts and praise Andrea.
10 DIY hacks for under £1 each
These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money
Homemade Air Freshener:
Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh.
Upcycled Tin Can Planters:
Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants.
Custom Phone Stand:
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint.
DIY Lip Scrub:
Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container.
Personalised Bookmarks:
Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders.
Easy Cable Organiser:
Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape.
Magnetic Spice Jars:
Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage.
Handmade Coasters:
Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home.
''I painted mine lilac recently too i'm in love with it,'' commented another DIY fan.
''It's beautiful you've done a great job,'' someone else chimed in.
Another agreed, writing: ''That looks so much nicer than the red!''
''It's beautiful I love the colour and just what I like to see someone who is not afraid to do what they like to their own taste without worrying about other people's opinions,'' a fellow member of the page penned.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Wimbledon champion Annabel Croft on downsizing after her husband's sudden death & the truth behind new man rumours
From Centre Court to heartache – Annabel Croft on love, loss, and the lifeline that was Strictly LOVE GAME Ex-Wimbledon champion Annabel Croft on downsizing after her husband's sudden death & the truth behind new man rumours Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Former tennis champ and broadcasting royalty Annabel Croft on downsizing after the loss of her husband, why Strictly was a lifeline, and who to watch at Wimbledon Annabel Croft is in a taxi on her way home after a corporate speaking engagement, fresh from a day of commentating at London's Queen's Club. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Annabel is one of the BBC's top tennis presenters, covering tournaments worldwide – including Wimbledon, which starts tomorrow Credit: Mark Hayman 6 Annabel with her late husband Mel 6 Annabel reflects on her Strictly 2023 training, which began just weeks after losing husband Mel to cancer Credit: BBC It's 8:45pm, yet the former tennis pro is still brimming with energy. Is stamina her superpower? 'It does feel a bit like that,' she laughs. 'But this is peak season for me – and I love it.' As one of the BBC's most respected faces of tennis programming, Annabel covers tournaments around the globe including the Wimbledon Championships, which start tomorrow. And the day before she steps on to Centre Court to host the trophy ceremony for a third year running, Annabel will celebrate her 59th birthday, plus a major milestone in her sporting career. 'I'll be 59 on the penultimate day of Wimbledon, and that marks 50 years since I first picked up a racket at the age of nine,' she says, remembering the first time she gave tennis a go during a family holiday to Spain in 1975. She went on to win junior versions of Wimbledon and the Australian Open and represented Great Britain in the Federation Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup), becoming one of the world's Top 25 players, before quitting at 21 after growing tired of travelling the world alone. 'I've lived my whole adult life with Mel, and now I'm on my own' Today, 38 years on, Annabel is encountering similar feelings again, two years since losing her husband Mel, 60, to cancer. At the five-bedroom family home that Mel built, she occupies just the kitchen and her bedroom, saying she no longer 'needs very much'. 'It's taken me back to living on my own before Mel came into my life, as that 15-year-old playing at Wimbledon for the first time, travelling the world on planes and across America on Greyhound buses. 'I've gone full circle to that person, because I've had to,' says Annabel, who has spent the past few months sorting and decluttering in readiness to move. I've realised I don't need much any more. I don't want overheads, maintenance, a garden to look after and pay for – anything that is excess to what I need. 'The house has been my life for 25 years. Everything about it is Mel, because he built it. We've had amazing memories here that are impossible to forget, but I'm ready to go,' she says, admitting she is looking forward to 'simplifying' her life. Strictly fans can't believe Annabel Croft's 'real age' as she stuns with cartwheel in tiny 60s minidress' 'What gives me pleasure is going for a morning walk in the park, running with my friends, having a coffee, a meal out and being with my family. "I've realised I don't need much any more. I don't want overheads, maintenance, a garden to look after and pay for – anything that is excess to what I need.' Annabel's journey with America's Cup yachtsman Mel began in 1987, when they met filming BBC yachting series Cudmore's Call, when she was just 21. "The pair went on to have three children, Amber, now 31, Charlie, 29, and Lily, 27. 'I've lived my whole adult life with Mel, and now it's a weird thing to be doing [life] on my own,' she says. 'I just walk into an empty house, so I try to trick my brain into thinking about when Mel was out at a work function and I'd come into the house on my own. Only, every night it is like this. 'Thankfully, I'm busy – that's always been the same and that's helpful.' Annabel remembers the days and nights she devoted to training during the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing soon after losing Mel, who died in May 2023, just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Partnered with South African dancer and choreographer Johannes Radebe, 38, the pair reached the semi-finals and the BBC show became a lifeline and welcome distraction. 'I wish I could find some way of replacing Strictly in my life in terms of what that show was to me. "It was so special and joyful,' she says, choosing not to be drawn on recent Strictly controversies, specifically surrounding pro dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, who quit over bullying claims. Since then, duty-of-care measures have been introduced, including a 24-hour helpline and chaperones in rehearsal rooms. 'I think having a permanent chaperone would have been quite restrictive [when it comes to building] the relationship between you and the dancer,' says Annabel. 'I would have found it quite awkward, but if that's what you know, then that's all you know.' Annabel speaks regularly to Johannes, who she says she 'adores'. But what of the friend she shared a lunch date with in April, sparking speculation of a new romantic connection? 'He's my bank manager and a great friend who was also close to Mel,' sighs Annabel. 'We were looking at photographs of Mel together. Mel adored him and he's been really helpful to me.' 'Sport was my chance to feel like I had something to offer' Family is everything to Annabel – and now, that family is growing. In September, her eldest daughter Amber will welcome her first child. 'It feels like yesterday that I was cradling my baby [Amber] in my arms, feeding her, bathing her and taking her to nursery school. "I can't believe that same baby is now having a baby herself!' says Annabel, who hopes the birth will be before her nationwide speaking tour starts. 6 Annabel made history at 15 when she became the youngest Brit in nearly a century to play in the Wimbledon main draw Credit: Mark Hayman 'I leave on September 24, so I hope the baby isn't late because I want to be supporting with cooking and helping out. Amber was 10 days early, so I'm hoping that her baby will be, too!' Amber married husband Hector last summer and, in August, it's son Charlie's turn to tie the knot. But Annabel will not be imparting marital advice. 'I can't bear hearing people talking about how to make a marriage work,' she says. 'If you have to try and make it work, there's something wrong. "Marriage should just be, and if you're compatible with somebody and enjoy their company, you go on the journey together.' I was very shy and introverted and had no interest in academics. Sport was my chance to feel like I had something to offer. Raised in Kent by her club-level-tennis-playing dad James, a chartered surveyor, and mum Susan, a housewife, Annabel was hooked from the moment she first picked up that racket aged nine. 'I remember gazing out of maths class at the sports pitches, because all I wanted to do was to be out there. "I was very shy and introverted and had no interest in academics. Sport was my chance to feel like I had something to offer,' she says. This summer, with women's sport sitting front and centre of a blockbuster line-up of events, Annabel hopes young girls feel inspired, just as she was watching tennis rivals Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. 'From women's tennis returning to the Queen's Club for the first time in 50 years and players excelling at Wimbledon, to the Lionesses defending their title at the Women's Euros and female cricketers and rugby stars competing at their World Cups, these moments matter. 'Visibility drives engagement. Sport gave me so much, and it can do the same for the next generation of young girls.' Annabel made history at 15 when she became the youngest Brit in nearly a century to play in the Wimbledon main draw. At 18, she reached the third round, facing her idol Chris Evert on Court One – one of her 'most defining' career moments – and won Junior Wimbledon Singles that same year. 'I'll always be part of Wimbledon history and that makes me proud' But, aged 21, she stunned the tennis world by walking away. 'Ever since, people have come up to me and asked: 'Why did you stop so early?'' she says, explaining that she 'fell out of love' with the job. 'I didn't want to live that circus lifestyle any more,' she adds, admitting the decision was unplanned. 'I shudder now, thinking: 'How did I do that with such conviction but without any idea of what I was going to do?' "I didn't have an education or a plan. I was young and naive, and hadn't actually thought beyond that moment.' Fortunately, life after tennis served her well. After five years starring in pantomime, which built her confidence, Annabel found her stride in television, starring in Channel 4's adventure series Network Seven, before replacing Anneka Rice on Treasure Hunt in 1989. Once digital sports channels emerged, Annabel returned to her tennis roots, becoming a tennis presenter and pundit, first for Eurosport, then Sky Sports and the BBC. These days, as a member of the All England Club, she still plays 'two or three times a week'. Occasionally, she gives friends guided tours, ending at the Wimbledon trophy cabinet, where her junior title is enshrined. 'At the time, it didn't mean that much to me, but it does now. I'll always be in that trophy cabinet, which is part of Wimbledon history,' she says. 'That makes me proud.' Does she regret not staying to win the women's title? 'Of course, I would have loved to have won the main trophy, but I made a decision that I didn't want to chase that dream any more. "I regret that I didn't understand what I was doing at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it?' Annabel lights up again as we discuss the players to watch at this year's Wimbledon Championships, namely Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, 22, as well as British sensations Jack Draper, 23, and Emma Raducanu, 22 – who was the last Brit standing last month in the new WTA 500 event, the first time women's tennis had been played at the Queen's Club since 1973. Annabel has also got her eye on American player Coco Gauff, 21. 'She's had her ups and downs on her journey in tennis, but I admire her as a character and a player – her attitude, work ethic and how she's battled through challenges,' she says of young French Open winner, Coco. A woman after her own heart. . . Annabel's nationwide 28-date tour starts September 25. For tickets, go to 6 Interviewing Wimbledon champ Carlos Alcaraz Credit: Ella Ling/Shutterstock 6 Family is everything to Annabel – and now, that family is growing. In September, her eldest daughter Amber will welcome her first child Credit: Mark Hayman Editorial Hair: Dino Pereira using Andreia Professional Dino Pereira using Andreia Professional Make-up: Charlie Duffy using Delilah Charlie Duffy using Delilah Styling: Lynne McKenna Annabel wears sports bra, Under Armour at skirt, Wimbledon Shop; necklace, bracelet, both Merci Maman; ring, Sif Jakobs; shoes, dress, John Lewis & Partners; sweatband, Wimbledon Shop; necklace, Lucy Quartermaine; rings, Sif Jakobs; shoes, Next
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Bezos wedding celebrations met with protests in Venice
Hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice on Saturday to protest against the three-day wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Letting off smoke flares, blaring loud music and chanting 'Bezos out of the lagoon', they marched from Venice's railway station to the Rialto Bridge, which spans the Grand Canal. They carried placards which read 'Money Can't Buy Style', 'F--- Capitalism' and 'No Space for Bezos' – a play on the Amazon founder's Blue Origin space venture and his new wife's recent space flight. The estimated 500 marchers were shadowed by a small phalanx of riot police equipped with batons, helmets and shields. The noisy demonstration came as Mr Bezos, his new wife and their celebrity guests prepared to take water taxis from their luxury hotels to the Venetian Arsenal, the city's historic shipbuilding complex, for a final wedding celebration – a culmination of the three-day nuptials that have divided the city. 'Bezos is acting like he's king of the world' Some have hailed the economic impact of the event and the attention it has brought. But activists accused Mr Bezos, the third wealthiest person in the world, of treating Venice as a rich man's playground, a picturesque backdrop to a wedding believed to have cost between 40 and 50 million euros. The demonstrators are furious about the security arrangements and the fact that some parts of the city have been closed off to the public to allow access for Mr Bezos and his 250 guests, who include Ivanka Trump, Queen Rania of Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Kardashians. 'Our message is that everyone is welcome in Venice but not people who create disruption like he has done,' said Oliveiro Cassala, a 43-year-old protester who works in a hotel in Venice. 'He came to Venice acting as if he was king of the world. He thinks he can pay money and do whatever he likes. But we are proud people in Venice, and we don't like it.' He carried a placard which said that Mr Bezos' donation of three million euros to Venetian causes, from education to the environment, was paltry. 'With an estimated net worth of $230 billion, this donation represents 0.0013 per cent of his wealth,' he said. 'It's as if he had left a tip of three euros. Money does not buy respect, and Venice deserves much more.' Other placards with messages that read 'Free Palestine' and 'Stop Bombing Iran' were paraded down the streets past groups of tourists enjoying the evening sunshine and sipping Aperol Spritz cocktails. Elena Dal Toso, 80, said police had blocked her from walking from her home to a hospital clinic on Thursday evening, when Mr Bezos hosted a gala dinner in the cloister of a historic church called La Madonna dell'Orto 'They told me I couldn't pass – in my own city. It's fine to come here and get married, plenty of people do it, but not to cause this kind of inconvenience,' she said. 'We already have enough problems, like lack of housing and too much dependence on tourism. I feel like the city has been taken over these past few days.' Alice Bazzoli, another activist, said Venice had been 'exploited' by Mr Bezos and his wealthy friends, with mega-yachts moored in the lagoon, private jets landing at Marco Polo airport, and some parts of the city cordoned off. 'Protestors don't represent the majority' Police officers and Italian soldiers guarded narrow alleyways to Venice's centuries-old Jewish Ghetto to block any pro-Palestinian protesters from veering off the main route of the march. There were more police on standby in blue and white motor launches and on jet skis, deployed to surrounding canals. But many Venetians have welcomed the Bezos wedding, saying it would bring huge economic benefits to Venice. 'These protesters don't represent the majority,' said Matteo, who runs a trattoria near the Venetian Arsenal, the venue for Saturday night's celebrations. 'I think it's good that he came here. He's so rich, he could have chosen anywhere in the world. He could have gone to New York or St Tropez or Fiji. But he chose Venice. That says something about what a special place it is.' As wedding guests, including Bill Gates, Orlando Bloom and Oprah Winfrey, headed to the Venetian Arsenal, amid unconfirmed rumours that they would be serenaded by Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga, it remained a mystery as to who would actually provide the evening's entertainment. The menu was to consist of specialities from the Veneto region, including baccalà, or salt cod, and tiramisù. Paparazzi faced a stiff challenge in trying to access the venue – the Venetian Arsenal is surrounded by high crenellated walls and there are just a few entrances, all of them by boat. It evolved over the centuries as a place to construct merchant vessels and warships, built to fend off pirates, commercial rivals and marauding Turkish fleets. 'This won't change anything' Among those who welcomed the presence of Mr Bezos and his high-profile guests was the owner of the legendary Harry's Bar, famous for hosting generations of celebrities, on the banks of the Grand Canal. Mr Bezos and his new bride dropped into the bar on Saturday afternoon, the day after they had exchanged vows on the tiny island of San Giorgio. The Amazon founder is 'a private individual who has come here to get married. I can't see any problem with that. Venice is Venice and this event won't change anything,' Arrigo Cipriani, the owner of Harry's told the newspaper Corriere della Sera. He said only a tiny minority of the city's 48,000 inhabitants were upset, adding: 'And I'd like to know if there is a single person among them who has not bought something on Amazon.' Luigi Brugnaro, the pro-business, centre-Right mayor of Venice, lobbied for the wedding celebrations to be held in the city. 'I understand the protests that have been organised by students – we were all young once. They are idealists and they want to organise these striking actions, especially when there is a chance of attracting lots of media attention. I don't agree with them but I understand their motivations. I was also a rabble rouser when I was young.' But he said it was unfair to criticise the security measures that were put in place, given the international situation and the profile of the wedding guests. He accused Left-wing opposition councillors of trying to exploit the wedding for political ends. 'It is not normal that they criticise the number of police on the ground when, until a few days ago, we risked a world war breaking out and we have here in the city the daughter of the president of the United States.' He rejected criticism that the soul of Venice was being eroded by mass tourism, the proliferation of Airbnb properties and population decline, saying: 'The problem is that around 300 to 400 Venetians die each year and not enough babies are being born. This is affecting the whole of Italy, not just Venice.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Emma Raducanu giggles as she addresses Carlos Alcaraz relationship ahead of Wimbledon
The pair have been the talk of the internet since their US Open announcement earlier this month COURT IN A STORM Emma Raducanu giggles as she addresses Carlos Alcaraz relationship ahead of Wimbledon Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA RADUCANU has put any rumours of a relationship with Carlos Alcaraz to bed. Raducanu and Alcaraz, both 22, have been subject to swirling rumours about a potential romance after they announced they would be teaming up as doubles partners for the US Open later this summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Emma Raducanu has cleared up rumours about her relationship with Carlos Alcaraz Credit: PA 3 Raducanu and Alcaraz have announced they will be teaming up as doubles partners for the US Open later this summer Credit: Getty The pair will team up at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre in August as they both look to add a doubles success to their US Open singles titles. Rumours on social media have suggested that the duo's relationship goes further than the court this week, but Raducanu has been quick to shut down the chatter. When asked about it in her pre-Wimbledon press conference, the British star said while giggling: "We're just good friends". Raducanu is jumping at the idea of teaming up with the World No2, who is hot off the heels of winning the French Open earlier this month. READ MORE IN TENNIS SET FOR LOVE Boulter hopes £2m love nest she shares with Oz ace will boost Wimbledon hopes Recalling when Alcaraz asked her to join forces, Raducanu said: "I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play. "But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to kind of go through the formality of asking my coach, so I didn't just make the decision." On how they became friends, Raducanu added: "I've known him for years. "And actually in Wimbledon 2021 it was like kind of the first time I started getting to know him, and I had a good run there and then also again in the US Open in 2021. 3 Rumours have begun to swirl about the dynamic between Alcaraz and Raducanu Credit: Getty "And I remember he was always playing the day before me and I was playing like the second day of the round. "And I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too." Further lifting the lid on her connection with Alcaraz, Raducanu went on: "We have a good relationship still. He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago. "I think for all of us, we really kind of value those connections that we had from when we were young because when you become a bit more known or a bit more successful, you just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection. "Because it becomes very busy and you have a lot more friends but the ones that you've known for a long time mean a lot more to you." Both Raducanu and Alcaraz will have their full focus on Wimbledon for now, with first-round action getting underway at the All England Club on Monday. Raducanu will open her account with a clash against fellow Brit, Mingge Xu. While Alcaraz will launch his defence of his 2024 title against Italian Fabio Fognini.
