Q. I’m looking to revamp my bedroom for the autumn season - what’s a good colour scheme to go for? LESLEY says: Autumn is all about simplicity and a return to a very neutral colour scheme including coffee, chocolate and camel tones. This serves to be warming for the home and provides a base complementary to the seasons furnishing options, many of which are natural and simple including white to silver palettes punctuated with flashes of gold, lilacs and even black. If all this feels a bit too stripped down for the bedroom, try something more sumptuous with soft furnishings, including cushions with metallic layered detailing or even luxurious satin sheets. Q. We have recently moved into a Victorian house which we plan to renovate. Although the boiler looks old, it still works. My husband thinks we should live with it, but I would rather get a new one. What should we do? DAVE says: Any boiler more than 10 years old is unlikely to be energy efficient, and you can instantly cut your heating bills by a third by replacing it with a new one. By law new gas boilers fitted in England and Wales must now be high-efficiency condensing boilers. The best of these apparently convert more than 90% of their fuel into heat, compared to 78% for conventional types. You can get more information from the Billingham-based Energy Saving Trust. Log on to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0800 512 012. Q. I’m unhappy with a recent paint job in my house as the result is really uneven. What’s gone wrong? EDWARD says: It is helpful to first apply a primer that is a similar shade to the paint colour you will be applying. It is also worth investing in a top quality roller to apply the paint giving greater paint capacity, less dripping and spattering resulting in an even finish. For the best result use a water-based acrylic paint and ensure it is applied evenly across the whole surface area. | 
