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Interview with DIY expert Orlando Khota

DIY with Orlando Khota

Orlando is QVC's resident DIY expert. Here he talks about his passion for decorating, tough DIY jobs and his favourite QVC products.

What do you enjoy most about DIY?

The sense of achievement after doing a good job, whether it takes an hour or a few days, is very satisfying. Using my creativity and having a hands-on approach are also things I particularly enjoy.

"I've always been very good at working with my hands, even from a very young age"

When did you realise you had a talent for DIY?

I've always been very good at working with my hands, even from a very young age. My father would give me these complicated Japanese wooden puzzles that were in lots of different pieces, and he was amazed at how quickly I could put them back together.

My father was also good at all kinds of DIY. Being constantly surrounded by his tools and watching him work on projects really rubbed off on me.

What aspect of DIY do you find most challenging?

Even though I'm a carpenter by trade, I can do most aspects of DIY such as tiling, electronics and wall-building etc. However, plastering is something I've always found tricky; I'm filled with nothing but awe for those people who can plaster walls and ceilings and create a perfectly

"I'm filled with nothing but awe for plasterers!"

How do you keep track of the latest decorating trends?

When I'm not at QVC, I run my own building firm and it allows me to see what styles my clients are choosing. I also flick through my wife's design magazines, which can be quite useful.

I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to DIY, and I prefer to create classic looks using natural materials. I'll always advise my clients to choose timeless materials like oak panelling or slate tiles because, if they're fitted properly, they'll still look great in 15 or 20 years time.

"I prefer to create classic looks using natural materials"

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