The Interior DIYer
#DarkRomanticLuxe

Secondhand Schoenhut baby grand piano

As I was searching Kijiji for a storage bench for our hallway last week, one of the ads to show up in my search was this tiny toddler grand piano [and subsequent tiny toddler grand piano ‘bench’, which is how it showed up in my search]. I had to have it … for Cora. I showed Robert its picture and within 15 minutes I was arranging to collect it from the seller.

It was advertised for $40 on Kijiji as some of the legs on the bench were wobbily and the seller explained they were unable to fix it for years. Challenge accepted. I took the piano as is and 5 minutes after bringing it home I fixed both wobbily legs [I wrapped the screws on each leg with a bit of masking tape and screwed them back into the bench. The screw and socket (?) seal had just become loose over the years]. I leaned back and allowed the smugness to wash over me and I bathed in it for several minutes.

I’ve tried finding this ‘Schylling’ piano online but the closest thing I’ve found was this Schoenhut Baby Grand Piano online from Target [I can audibly hear Canadian’s weeping] for $169.38. It’s a surprisingly solid piano made entirely of wood – no cheapy plastic parts.

It has the sweetest little chime sound to it and Cora is already a huge fan. Unlike our poor neighbours. If you’d like to see our new-to-us baby grand piano in action, check it out in my saved stories on Instagram under ‘Thrifted’ [only viewable via the app]. It’s amazing and perfect and I can’t wait to put it in Cora’s room once it gets more organised.

Do you have a favourite secondhand piece you found recently for a sweet deal? That’s my favourite thing about finding excellent things secondhand; how much cheaper they are than brand new and I feel almost no guilt when buying them.

#NetflixStreamTeam

Netflix recommendations (Canada and UK / Ireland)

Storm Emma has made herself home in western Europe this week and if you too are stuck indoors like so many of my friends and family, I thought there was no better time to share a list of my favourite Netflix shows and movies. As a member of the UK and Ireland #NexflixStreamTeam I can assure you I’ve put in the time, effort and countless hours of research to bring you a list of my favourite lesser-known Netflix features, all of which I’ve recommended within the past year to family and friends. Since moving to Canada, I now have access to the Canadian Netflix and have picked up some new favourites here, so I’ve detailed if each movie or show is available in Canada (🍁) or Ireland (☘️), or both! And if you can’t see those emoji’s from your device, you’re just going to have to guess which is which. Tough.

Schitt’s Creek (🍁 and ☘️)
Starring Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, a quirky and comically awkward show that you can easily binge over a few days. Moira’s wardrobe alone is a reason to watch.

The Little Hours (🍁)
A movie based in medieval times but with a modern dialogue and it is hilarious and very unexpected.

Rick and Morty (☘️)
Not a show for everyone, but if you like things that don’t make sense and are very out there or inter-dimensional cable, this is for you.

What We Do In The Shadows (🍁)
Easily one of my favourite movies now thanks to Netflix. It’s a movie I tell almost everyone about. It used to be on Netflix UK and Ireland but has recently been removed, but I’m hoping it comes back soon because it is something everyone needs to see.

Labor Day (☘️)
A very captivating and unexpecting movie with a really good story.

John Wick (🍁 and ☘️)
A violent and graphic movie that won’t be to everyone’s taste, but is very good and was made for Keanu Reeves.

Hidden Figures (🍁)
Funny, empowering and inspiring movie that I brought Cora to watch when she was teeny tiny. It became available on Netflix the day we moved to Canada and it was the first thing we watched here (and have watched it many times since).

Puffin Rock (🍁 and ☘️)
I can’t not throw a kids show in here and if I had to pick one it would be Puffin Rock. It’s so sweet and it won’t drive you insane as a parent. It’s narrated by Chris O’Dowd so you know it’s going to be good.

The Last Man on Earth (🍁)
We just finished the 3rd season and we can’t wait to watch the 4th. It’s an unbelievably good show and even better, it’s helping me curb my swears in preparation of Cora becoming ever more conscious of talking.

ADDITIONAL! A list of mainstream / popular movies and shows you may not have watched but I can attest are very good and are very popular for a reason (all of which are 🍁 and ☘️!) …
– Ozark
– Fargo
– Gilmore Girls
– Looper
– The Good Place
– The Keepers
– Grace and Frankie

AND FINALLY … What used to be on Netflix but aren’t at the moment but for the record, were some of my absolute favourites …
– The English Teacher
– The Help
– Life of Crime
… And hopefully they make a reappearance soon.

I hope wherever you are this week that you’re warm and have enough bread. And if you do try one of my Netflix recommendations, let me know! I always enjoy hearing if people think my recommendations are good (or bad!). And tell me , what’s been your favourite lesser-known Netflix binge these days? Or do you prefer to stick to more mainstream shows?

Environmental Resolution

Secondhand French provincial sofa and armchair

Despite it being a Monday, I’m very excited to share photos of our new secondhand French provincial style sofa and armchair that we got our hands on last weekend through Kijiji! And I am so in love with them.

I had been searching Kijiji for vintage and vintage-style sofas for a while and every time was met with either beautiful sofas that were way outside of our budget (a months rent minimum) or the polar opposite of threadbare couches with disproportionate price tags. Then one afternoon while Cora was napping, I logged onto Kijiji to see if there was anything new (or, I should say, ‘new’) and there on the first page was a peach coloured French provincial sofa and armchair …


The seller was looking to have the set gone by the weekend, so she marked them as free. F R E E. You can imagine the sounds I made when I saw those four letters, so I sent a message, made a few phone calls later and the next day the sofa and armchair were being delivered to our apartment.

There are a few stains on the fabric and the foam cushions have seen better days (which is understandable, I mean, it’s a 30 year old set), but it’s otherwise in incredible condition. Both the sofa and armchair are very firm and comfortable and are just what I’ve been needing for my hip problems (yay, ongoing post-pregnancy issues). The wooden frame of both the sofa and armchair are incredibly sturdy and the springs in each are perfect. But I do have big plans for this set. I’m planning on having them reupholstered in a dark gray velvet and have the back of both pieces tufted. Not too unlike this beauty …

I’ll be getting a few reupholstering quotes in the coming weeks and I’m hoping the cost of reupholstering both pieces will be exorbitantly cheaper than buying a brand new sofa (which I’m not totally against, but the past few months have been very expensive so I’m trying to keep costs down. I might splurge on a new footstool).

In the mean time, I’m happy to keep a peachy sofa set in our living room. And so is Juniper, in case you were wondering.

Image four credit.

Also featured – how to mattify gloss paint