The Interior DIYer

Alex - The Interior DIYer April 22, 2015 Uncategorized

Nearly new challenge – #EarthDay2015

As today is none other than #EarthDay2015, I thought it no better day than to write about a new [and sort of not so new idea] that’s been rolling around in my head for some time – a Nearly New Challenge.

Back in November I wrote about my Nearly New Wood Challenge which was inspired by Sophie Amoruso’s #GirlBoss book coupled with my panache for reducing, reusing and recycling. Since publishing that blog post I realized quite quickly that I apply this ‘nearly new’ challenge on a daily basis, but with all kinds of items; not just wooden. Therefore, my new Nearly New Challenge came about!

In the most simple form, this is what it’s all about; in stead of buying new the next time you need something, take a look around and see if you can repurpose something you already have, think outside the box and head to a local charity shop and see if you can find what you need there, or head online and see if someone’s selling what you need second hand [ie – Craigslist, Freecycle, Adverts.ie etc].

I’m not perfect. Yes, I still buy new things, for that I am guilty. But if I’m looking for a non-specific item, I will consciously try to find a repurposed or second hand item first ahead in favour of buying something new. To play Caption Obvious for a moment, I acknowledge there are some things we have to buy new, that it inevitable. But there’s an awful lot we don’t need to buy new.

I grew up with thrifty and creative parents so it’s all I know to be honest. By buying Nearly New, you’re not only contributing less to the demand to produce new products, you’re preventing another item from ending up in a landfill. You’re also getting something that’s bespoke [should you repurpose it] and you’ll be getting a unique item not available on the high street.

So what do you think? Are you up for the Nearly New Challenge? Will you opt for nearly new the next time you need something? If you do, I’d love to hear about it! And if you share it online, use the hashtag …

#NearlyNewChallenge!

GRAB THE BADGE FOR YOUR SIDEBAR: only if you wanna.

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Alex - The Interior DIYer April 20, 2015 Uncategorized

Always a good idea – embossed labels

I use our Dymo embossed label writer on so many things. Not just for organisational things [for which I use it a. lot.], but I love to use it for its retro-yummy-black-and-white-prettifying of things. I think embossed labels are not only timeless but super neat, a little bit sciency and official looking [such technical terms], fun and informative, won’t go out of style any time soon and immediately take otherwise blaze things to the next level.

One of the first things I added an embossed label to was the jar of sand in our living room that we scooped from the Sahara Desert 5 years ago when we visited an abandoned Star Wars set. Which, by the way, the desert in June is kinda hot. FYI. It was an epic Tunisian adventure nonetheless; exciting, terrifying, haunting, surreal landscape and for the most part if you wanted to stay sane you had to ignore the constant undercurrent of sexism and double standards. But that’s a story for another day.

After I initially blogged my emergency rescue kit for our spare bedroom, it wasn’t until a couple of months later that it dawned on me to upgrade the box and slap a lush embossed label on it. It instantly looks well lusher. Also – the spare bedroom is getting another update which I’m hoping to share soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Another set of boxes I prettified with labels were our holiday memory boxes. In fact, I made some bespoke embossed labels for that project that I’m hoping to use again. The holiday boxes have since moved from our bedroom into the hall cupboard. I tried to photograph them in their new home but the photos turned out terrible. Some hall cupboards just weren’t made to be photographed.

Way back when I DIYed the Death Star globe for husband’s birthday, I punched out “I love you to the Death Star and back” and stuck it to the envelope for his birthday card. Little did he know it hinted towards the present I had made him that still takes pride of place on our living room shelves. I framed the envelope and it now hangs in our newly updated hallway.

I’ve used these labels in more areas throughout our apartment, but the above are the most interesting [aka, least boring] uses. I have loads more projects I’d like to tackle with my Dymo label writer but alas, it’s broken. It’s fixable, it’s just I need to actually sit down and figure out how to fix it. Welp.

So, are you a label-holic like myself? Do you have a penchant for punching out sayings? If so, you are among friends!

Alex - The Interior DIYer April 17, 2015 Uncategorized

Woodie’s ‘Get the Look’ guide

On Wednesday afternoon I was busy working on my latest DIY project in Woodie’s Carrickmines [more on that later!]. While I was waiting for some paint to dry, I saw their new brochures so I flicked through them to kill some time. Lo and behold, there on the last page was me and my Woodie’s projects staring back at me. Ha! It was a lovely little surprise to be included in their Get the Look guide. And along side none other than stylist master extraordinaire Ciara O’Halloran of Style Serendipity. That girl has some serious skills and I’m forever oogling her work. You can see a glimpse of her skills in the Woodie’s Summer Lovin’ online magazine.

Speaking of summer loving, we’re due some cracking weather this next week [the weather lady mentioned TWENTY ONE DEGREES at one point], so I hope you spend some quality time outside with a beverage in hand this weekend. So get off your electronic device! And get outside. xx A

My Woodie’s projects to date – chalkboard tray – string art – #Shedspiration