About Handymanfriend

  • Hi my name is Marie!


  • I have neither the time or inclination to drill holes or draw decorative pictures on my walls. My natural place is on the settee, dunking biscuits and marvelling at the nice job someone has done in my home!


  • So I put together Handymanfriend, a quick , easy guide to a variety of handymen, craftsmen, artists and muralists in London, UK.


  • I felt that it was a nice touch to ask the partcipants to send in a picture of themselves so that you know who you are speaking to.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 6/3/2009

    Denise Cliffen: Muralist and Trompe L'Oeil

  • Denise Cliffen Muralist and Trompe L'Oeil expert is now on this site.
  • Denise is a professional fine artist, specialising in murals and trompe l'oeil, undertaking commissions for private clients, companies and interior designers. Denise is based in Maldon, Essex.
  • Denise has transformed children's bedrooms, swimming pool houses, cast iron baths and stairways.
  • Check out her commercial portfolio on her website for a rather cheeky commission for the Gentlemen's loos at the Tulip Pub, Essex.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 2/3/2009

    Chris Westall: Mural suggestions room by room

  • Welcome to Chris Westall's monthly mini-series on murals in your home especially compliled for Handyman Friend. Many Thanks Chris!


  • Having a mural or trompe l'oeil painted in your home is one of the most personalised forms of decoration your could opt for. They can reflect your personality, maybe show painted views of places you have visited (or would love to visit), or they even can indulge your sense of humor with a convincingly painted glass of wine in a niche waiting for somebody to try and pick it up.
  • Because of the myriad of possibilities it can be difficult to decide just what sort of mural you would like and where you would like it painted.
  • Room by room I can help you on this journey with some of my own suggestions.


  • The Kitchen
  • This is often the hub of the home where the family regularly gathers but unfortunately there is usually a lack of wall space due to the kitchen units and tiling. The space above the units could be utilised in the form of a painted frieze – a culinary themed one would be very apt or maybe something floral.
  • An orange or lemon tree would be an effective feature to have painted – if possible try to have them flank a feature in the room, maybe one either side of a window or the cooker. Cast shadows will further enhance the 3D effect.
  • If there is a suitable wall available you may wish to have a Mediterranean style window painted, maybe looking out onto Spanish olive groves or lavender rows from Provence. Convincingly painted louver shutters can further enhance the illusion
  • In April Chris will focus on the dining room and sitting room.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 8/2/2008

    Naz: Muralist / Interior Designer

  • Naz muralist and interior designer is now on this site.
  • Naz has worked for Disney Toons animations on two of Disney's last hand drawn childrens' animations.
  • Her work has featured in music magazines, fashion stores and clothing.
  • She has now branched out into interior design for private residences, nightclubs and bars.
  • Nightclubs, bars, and corporates are invited to get in touch if they would like her to host an exhibition on their premises.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 25/1/2008

    Terry: Furniture Maker, specialising in burr woods

  • Terry furniture maker is now on this site.
  • Terry has been a furniture maker and restorer for many years. He lives in the country and spends a lot of time searching for suitable trees to make his specialised furniture. He is not much interested in perfectly formed wood. He wants to see burrs, those knobbly growths, bulges and wavey grain that makes the wood a bit eccentric. He then decides on the best way to mill and air dry it. His customers are welcome to select their own timber from his collection for him to work on.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 25/1/2008

    Angel: Murialist

  • Angel murialist specialising in children's art is now on this site.
  • Angel has been painting murals for 20 years. He specialises in murals for children's rooms and nurseries. He can also spruce up kiddies cabinets and toyboxes. For the rest of the family he can apply decorative work on drinks cabinets and baths. He has a wide range of styles from18th century Baroque and Rococo style to Victorian.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 15/12/2007

    Richard Baxter: Potter

  • Richard Baxter Potter and ceramics maker is now on this site.
  • Richard Baxter is a British potter who makes individual and collectable ceramic art. Some are practical and others are one-off unique pieces.
  • Many items are influenced by the sea and rippling water and seaside architecture of the fishing village of Old Leigh where he lives.
  • Richard is versatile and has produced items as diverse as Easter Island Heads for the Museum of Mankind (British Museum), and Commemorative tankards for Millwall Football Club Museum.


    • NEWS UPDATE: 9/12/2007

    Simon Goodway: Illustrator and Cartoonist

  • Simon Goodway Illustrator and Cartoonist.
  • Simon a freelance illustrator and cartoonist has been published in children's books, comic strips, websites, greetings cards, and much more. He also produces corporate work to illustrate complex issues.
  • Simon has even produced personalised greetings cards for couples to suprise their partners with...an interesting thought with Saint Valentine's day coming up in 2008!






    • NEWS UPDATE: 9/12/2007

    Aina Rodriguez: Decorator

  • Aina Rodriguez decorator is now on this site.
  • Aina is a London based painter and decorator with 10 years experience in both interior and exterior work. She has a wide knowledge of specialist paint finishes. She can schedule projects during vacations, holiday periods or outside normal working hours.






    • NEWS UPDATE: 5/12/2007

    Sam Brown: Bespoke Furniture Maker

  • Sam Brown bespoke furniture designer is now on this site.
  • Sam has an interesting section in his website showing the production of his bespoke furniture. Sam uses timber from renewable sources.




    • NEWS UPDATE: 28/11/2007

    Chris Westall on the television

  • Chris Westall, mural designer is now on this site.
  • Chris has written two books, 'Trompe L'Oeil Interiors', and 'Trompe L'Oeil Bible'. Look out for Chris in action on the television next week when another shocked household gets a suprise 60 minute makeover!


  • Programme: 60 Minute Makeover
  • Channel: ITV1
  • Date: Wednesday 5th December 2007
  • Time: 2.00pm