The Big Idea aims to bring information, how to’s, tips and ideas on DIY projects no matter how big or small they are. The team is made up of experienced tradesmen and interior designers, all dedicated to giving people guidance in DIY skills.
Our principal aim is help you achieve that interior designer look whilst maintaining a comprehensive budget that will allow you to renovate more of your home than you could by using professional tradesmen and women.
Learning new skills will give you that ability to take on those jobs around the house whether big or small.
If you can carry out those little jobs that every household needs, you can not only save money but increase the value of your home whilst improving your quality of life at the same time.
Having the confidence to tackle those DIY tasks is in us all it just needs you to take that plunge and grab that hammer, paint brush or even a needle and thread and have a go.
We are attempting to make those jobs easier and more affordable to you and having the help of Bob & Sue Taranto as part of the creative team is a bonus not just for me but anybody that is looking for great ideas for simple and sustainable home improvements.
This is why that since leaving the industry due to an ongoing injury I have endeavoured to attempt to teach as many as people as possible how to accomplish those do-it-yourself jobs around the house that need to be done in the right way.
As a foreman and company owner I always thought that teaching staff was more beneficial to me and those around me than allowing them to stay in the same position and that goes for you and I at home.
Having worked alongside Bob Taranto whilst in London and become firm friends with him we got together to help impart some of our building knowledge to others.
It was actually me that introduced Bob to his future wife, Sue whom I had worked for during my time in Dublin and we struck up an ongoing friendship based around our passion for clever, achievable and classic design that still exists today.
After he and Sue moved to France to renovate their beautiful family home we came up with the Big Idea and as Sue has 20 plus years’ experience as an interior designer, I feel and hope we have the right combination to help you make your home more beautiful than ever before.
Along with my trusted friends I will try to make everyday tasks and do-it-yourself challenges a great, budget-friendly experience for all.
Cheers
David
Meet the Big Idea Team
David Dooley
David Dooley has a lifetime of experience in the trades and landscape gardening. Learning his skills over the world to huge success means he was able to take early retirement and work on his passion of sharing his knowledge through writing. Mostly focusing on his own DIY home improvement projects, he’s realised that the wealth of information out there is incorrect so would like to document the correct way to do the job.
1982-1987: Attended The Campion School in Essex and was a keen rugby player and raconteur.
1985: First job working with my Dad during school holidays. He was a member of The Guild of Master Craftsman so he taught me the right way to carry out any building work and gave me his mantra “that’ll do will never do”.
1987: Left school with O’levels in English, maths, French and woodwork and a determination to see the world.
1987 – 1996: Worked in London, Dublin and Paris as a carpenter in a shopfitting company. Travelled through South East Asia and the United States during this time.
1996-1997: Lived in Sydney, Australia and worked in their equivalent of Earls Court erecting conference stands. Also worked briefly on the set of The Matrix but didn’t make the credits unfortunately.
1997-2000: Moved back to London to continue in the building industry and renovating homes for various companies including myself. Worked with a number of property developers in Shepherds Bush including Bob & Sue Taranto.
2000-Present: Moved to Brighton to become a landscape gardener. After several years as a contractor, I started my own company specialising in decking and paving.
Future: Since being forced to give up my business due to an ongoing injury I have started The Big Idea to spread my knowledge and skills for the do-it-yourself enthusiast that is in us all.
Sue Taranto
Bob Taranto
Bob and Sue Taranto initially wanted to document their own home renovation project when they purchased a dilapidated French farmhouse to restore and modernise and use as a holiday rental until they can retire there. But living and working in London has made this a slower process than hoped, and they’ve since renamed the house Moneypit.
With their own work commitments, the project has expanded to a 5 year plan but they love sharing DIY tips and hacks as they go, even if their own progress is slow.
They love to write articles about the DIY work that you can do in your own home, decorating, garden and home inspiration. So you’ll never be short on the right ideas and info to build things up in your dream home.
