Fitting skirting board and covering poor wall

[SCLMCNR]

Hi, I'd be grateful if anyone could help me with the following two questions (and bear in mind I'm quite skint so non expensive answers would be especially helpful!!) 1) I got rid of the fitted furniture in my bedroom and discovered the skirting board had been removed the length of one wall, and around the corner by about 2 feet -any tips to help me fit new one? 2) The chimney breast in the room has obviously had a fireplace filled in - it showed badly through the old wallpaper (I put a bookcase in front of it to cover the worst) - any suggestions for making it look better, other than just putting furniture in front of it (I'd like to just paint it). Would sanding the wall (and sanding and sanding) then usinga good undercoat do the job, or would I be best using lining paper- even possibly double lining(which I read about on here - have never wallpapered in my life!). Thanks in advance for any tips and hints - and just for reading!

[Jugglering]

I'm sure the clever guys will answer the skirting board problem.

The chimney breast - several options here. You could have it replastered which would be the best option but it depends on whether you know a friendly plasterer who could do it for you (it would take less than an hour if you pre-stripped any wallpaper and paint off). Sanding might work but it depends on how badly replastered it was done in the first place. Yes, you could repaper but if the paper was then painted (esp in a silk finish) then every little bump would show up). You'd be better off putting up lining paper and then a patterned paper - avoid stripes and a paper that needs a pattern match until you have more experience !

A totally novel idea might be to hang an interestingly patterned wall hanging (like a thin rug) or even some unusual upholstery fabric - you could either tack/nail it to the wall or suspend it from a serious hook attached to a horizontal rail. I did this for a neighbour once - I tied the tassles of a rug together in pairs and looped them through a bamboo rod, then suspended the rod from two picture hooks. I used some double sided tape to fix the rug to the wall (to stop it blowing around in the wind when the window was open). If using a patterned upholstery fabric, it would be worth hemming it so that you don't see any frayed edges (or use wondaweb).

[Clanad]

Recognizing differences in terminology between the U.K. and here in the U.S. I'd advise that, first your'e going to have to determine if you can obtain the required "skirting" board (it's called mop board here) to match what's already installed. If it's an older home, it may not be available. At any rate, the most difficult part of the installation will be mitiring the 45 degree angle cuts at the corners. There are, at least here, very serviceable, less expensive and more easily worked such boards (actually mouldings) that are made of a rigid foam material. The are available in wood tone but also can be painted. They can easily be cut with a small saw but can be trimmed to fit neatly with a sharp knife or even heavy duty scissors. It's usually glued up but can be nailed as well. Getting the correct mitre can be done with an inexpensive mitre box and saw. Here in the U.S., I find one at about $10 (U.S.) that would certainly do for a one time job like yours...
Best of lusk!