CSK recently painted my entire four-bedroom house in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area and I must say…read morethat the work completed was flawless and on time. The time schedule in which he promised to finish the work was very reasonable and met perfectly. For a four-bedroom house, the price was unbelievably low and I cannot recommend them highly enough. The painters were very polite and easily approachable, too. All in all 5 out of 5 and no superlatives could accurately describe the work. I am a very happy man.

When my landlady out in St Hilary decided to redecorate and recarpet the huge living room she…read moreconsulted two companies: Sorrento Furnishers in Cowbridge and Modern Decorations in Barry. Her thinking was simple. Both are long established and well trusted family businesses... the kind of people that my landlady endeavours to support. The guys from Modern Decorations came out with swatches and samples of every make and colour, allowing Jill to colour match in the comfort of her own home. Jill is in her seventies and so this was a real benefit from every angle. Although being very active, it helped they Modern Decorations were prepared to come to her. Modern Decorations provide a full measuring, making and fitting service for curtains and soft furnishings. They also even make duvet covers. They have been around for quarter of a century, and really know what they are doing!

When all price is 'on application', you know that you shouldn't be there. Well, not if you're a…read morestudent and have only wandered in because you see there's furniture inside and a) you like furniture and b) you still haven't found a coffee table. However, if I COULD afford this stuff I would probably fill my whole house with it. All of the furniture is absolutely beautiful and all of truly excellent quality. There are crystal lamps, for goodness sake. Also, they can offer individually designed pieces of furntiure. They also do things like curtains, so you can extend the beauty to your soft furnishings too. I'd also like to point out that I quite clearly didn't belong there. I was wearing my wellies (which were a little muddy), leggings and a ratty old jumper. Yet I was treated with respect and friendliness.

This beautifully put together interiors shop is run by designers Yvonne Jones and Andrew Burch who…read moreprovide a complete interior design service, from planning through to implementation. Inside the shop itself you find some classic furniture designs and some more contemporary furniture designs, all of it stylish and well-made - but be prepared to pay the price for quality. They also sell other interior design products and accessories, from soft furnishings such as cushions and curtains to lamps, vases and even fabric covered mirrors. If you have pockets deep enough, this shop has some unique products and is well worth a visit.

Cardiff Glazing are a reasonable business that take what they do seriously. I know a couple of…read morepeople that have used them for small jobs, but they would certainly not be my first port of call with regards to glazing issues. This is not because i have heard anything bad about them, quite the reverse! But, if I have any glazing associated issues I will always go directly to Ashdown Sales Ltd Stained Glass Specialists, as these are the daddies as far as I'm concerned. Cardiff Glazing specialise in double glazing, and do a few other things to. The supply both wholesale and retail customers, and so their prices are pretty reasonable. Where they fall down in my estimations is that they simply don't do everything that Ashdown do... but if it's cheap double glazing with installation that you want, then you might get a better price here...?

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. They should repaint their sign, mind, it is…read moreseriously sun-faded. If your little girl likes playing rounders and isn't so great at throwing the ball the right way, but is pretty fantastic at hitting it at your neighbour's window and having a smashing time, you'll need a number like this on speed dial. Or to only let her play with soft balls that can't break windows. Mostly, though, Cardiff Glazing specialise in double glazing. That thing most student houses lack. So if you wanna stay warm and toasty and cut out some of the late night Canton traffic (human and vehicle) this place can sort you out.

Essence Interiors is a fantastic kitchen and bathroom shop on Whitchurch Road that is always a…read morepleasure to dawdle by, looking in at the elegant displays. Friends of mine had a bespoke kitchen made by these guys about one and a half years ago. It's beautiful, and a dream to use, (but wasn't cheap). The reasoning behind having the kitchen done was because prior to that they had wanted to sell, (mainly because they weren't happy with the old kitchen and were planning a family). The recession made them revise their decision dramatically. They've put the decision to have a family on hold until the economic climate is more certain, and have opted to improve their current home instead of playing a game of chance with the volatile housing market. They are so pleased with the results that they are considering having the bathroom done too. I personally think they're crazy as their present bathroom is really nice, if a little commonplace. There's no denying that the craftsmanship and design skills of Essence Interiors make a home really special, and the results are really seductive, but both of them are facing possible redundancy and I'd hate to see them take one risk too many. Besides, I thought that they were meant to be making babies not bathrooms!

Harmony Interiors has around for 27 years, which is a considerable achievement! This is largely due…read moreto their professionalism and expertise within the market that they serve. There's no question that they are at the cutting edge of interior design, offering both traditional and contemporary style quality furniture and accessories for the home. They pride themselves on offering a unique and personal service, providing differing levels of involvement depending on the clients specific requirements. Services offered range from discussing simple colour schemes with shop floor representatives or home consultation, where a full interior design service can be provided. Harmony Interiors stocks incredibly beautiful furniture that has been crafted by artisans They have been stocking Duresta for over 25 years and also carry stock from producers like from Parker & Farr. They also offer a bespoke service. Many items for the home can be made specifically to the customers tastes. Sofas can be upholstered in any one of the gorgeous fabrics that they stock, or dining room tables can come with one of many veneers available. There's also the option of buying a bespoke handmade carpet from the Far East, or from manufacturers closer to home, and curtains can be made from a broad selection of fabrics. They are not cheap, but their results are amazing!!!

M and R get my DIY vote. This family-run builders merchant and decorating supplier are well…read morestocked, reasonably priced and open late on a Saturday (most builders merchants close at 12 on a Saturday). I've brought a lintel, some silicone, a lock and lengths of wood from M and R. I've found them chatty and knowledgable. It's very easy to just drive in and load up your van or car, without attempting to find a place to park on the busy and double yellowed Cowbridge road. Two beautiful Alsatians guard the yard after dark and a caravan is tucked in the corner. I'm not sure who lives in it, it may be a fancy kennel for the Alsatians I fancy. M and R is great for both the professional builder and DIY enthusiast alike.

M&R Decorators Supplies is like a builder's arts and crafts store, or like walking into your mate's…read moreunreasonably large garage and digging out the supplies you want to borrow. With brown boxes stacked high, M&R is not your John Lewis of decorators' stores, but the wide selection seems to the main draw here, with massive vats of paint 10-year-old children can pile into, as well as a range of wallpaper, some priced as low as £3.99. They have everything here - Dulux and Johnson and Leyland trade paints, rolls of linoleum flooring, painting supplies, fence coating, poly filler and pretty much anything else you'd need to complete a house project. Early opening hours means you can get started early, but be aware they're closed on Sunday, so you'll have to save your browsing for the weekdays.

Just had my doors back from 'Back to the wood' and i must say they are FANTASTIC!!! Theres are…read more1930s doors and i cannot believe the difference in them, the grain and wood are so good i am no longer painting them white just just clear varnish. I was charged 20 quid a door and as i live in Torfaen, they picked them up and dropped them off for 30 bucks!! Bargain!! also the customer service was second to none!! all seven doors were dipped in just three days, they rang me half hour being collecting and dropping off. Brill service and really chuffed with my doors!! Will def use again and def recomend!!!