.co.uk Review

Changing Rooms is one of the most popular programmes on TV and its home makeover team have become celebrities in their own right. Here designers Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Linda Barker are joined by show presenter Carol Smillie and handy man Andy Kane to help you give your own home a new look.

The software can be used on three levels. Newcomers to the idea of design can look at a selection of different styles for furniture and accessories that have been pre-packaged to give a particular look. A more advanced option is to get Linda and Laurence to show you groups of items they have put together for inspiration. They explain how these items help inspire a design, and then show the design itself. For the really experienced there is a freestyle approach to room design, which you can use to choose colour, objects, fabrics and so on to create your own room. You can work on a bedroom, living room, or dining room.

The other side of this CD-ROM is a database of practical projects showing you how to make a range of furniture and decorations. The advice and information from the designers is useful, and the chance to play with colour and themes on a CD rather than using real money and your own room is welcome. Changing Rooms could be very useful if a room make-over is on the cards in your house.--Sandra Vogel

Manufacturer's Description

Carol Smillie, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Linda Barker and Handy Andy provide inspiration, ideas and advice for your home. Choose a room on which to base your designs and then access one of the three levels of design guidance: Get The Look (easy), Designer Style (medium) or Freestyle (advanced).

Choose from a selection of styles and view a range of furnishings and accessories for your room. Tweak the elements to add your personal touch.

View a photo-realistic room made over in your chosen style at any point in the programme. Access tips on how to create decorative effects and make over furniture. There is an Inspiration Board where you can select a range of objects such as textures, shells, and decorative items as inspiration for a unique style.

Experiment with creative designs including a colour palette and furnishings selector to choose colour schemes, fabrics, paint effects and more. Back up your creative efforts with advice from Handy Andy on using tools, tackling jobs such as wallpapering and over 40 projects for furniture, features and accessories.