The Interior DIYer
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Work space reveal

Before now, we didn’t have a work space in our apartment. We would sit in front of the TV with searing laptops on our laps and hazily go back and forth between staring at the TV and the occasional burst of work on the laptop. Enough was enough and I felt we needed a work space area in our living room. No more TV distractions. A place to sit and pound on the keyboard. So one lazy Sunday we traveled to IKEA where I scoped out options, measured, made decisions, stuffed my face with Swedish delights, swore at flatpacks, assembled, tweaked, designed, snapped branches, and finally, sat down. And here is what I ended up with … 

Our very own mini office nook! What was in this space beforehand was a tall shelving unit holding our vast DVD and game collection. This corner got a lot of neglect, but it was a great spot to add a little work space. It’s more so perfect because it is easily hidden behind our living room door which is always kept open {as seen on the right}, so you don’t see the work space until you walk right into the room. 

Thanks to my inspiration pictures, there were some basics / key pieces I had in mind for our desk to make it feel more encouraging to sit at …


1 – I added a bulletin board to give height to the desk space as well as somewhere to pin {the real meaning of pin my friends} my favourite stuff up. I decorated the bulletin board itself by spray painting thumb tacks / push pins and adding them as a decorative border as well as painting the wood trim in a deep charcoal colour.  2 – One of our wedding invitations gets pride of place. 3 – Our new lamp, especially thrifted for the new nook. 4 – My new business cards {that I still can’t hand out in a professional manner. So much cringe}. 5 – My fool-proof quick and cheap revamp – an empty hot chocolate tin covered in electrical tape. 6 – I added a stack of my favourite books and magazines. Some are for visual purposes only {that top one is a catalogue and is going on 3 years old, but I love the colours on it}, along with some of my favourite magazines. Along with a desert rose I picked up on our Tunisian travels. 7 – My framed QR code cross stitch, perfect for any desk. 8 – Stay strong as one of my favourite pillow sets, picked up from TK Maxx. 9 – I went with the ALEX desk from IKEA. It was the perfect size for the limited amount of space we had in our living room, and I mean really, do I have to state the obvious? It’s called ALEX. Plus it was on sale for €79. Hells yes. 

I’m pleased as punch with our mini office nook and I feel like such a grown up sitting at it. All we need now is to frame both our college degrees and hang them above the bulletin board. Too legit to quit.

xx A
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Work space inpiration

Over the past while there have been changes in my work life. I might write about it at another time, but for now I’m excited / terrified / nervously contemplating the idea of making it on my own. I’ve recently met and been in touch with some seriously inspiring and independent people, which is adding fuel to my imagination. Anyways – yesterday I woke up wanting my own work space. Partly fueled by Pinterest, partly to put some blinders on and have somewhere to sit down and do some hardcore writing {other than in my pyjamas covered in cats on the couch in front of the TV}. 
Husband started the ball rolling by mentioning a single, beautiful word – IKEA. Parental units offered to chauffeur me to said destination, and let’s say we left with a full car. I’m working on the final touches for my new little office nook, and it has me cray. The following pictures I just can’t get out of my head. So much eye-nommage … 

I actually want to eat that gold lamp. It is heaven.
I’m excited to finish my little work space and of course, share it. Just this afternoon I thrifted the perfect lamp for my desk. It is to. Die. For. xx A
Image cred 1, 2 and 3.
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Retail therapy …

Saturday mornings. Quite possibly my favourite part of the week. I wake up early {force of habit}, tune into a plethora of cookery shows, and clean my apartment. Probably some peoples idea of a nightmare, but I love cleaning my apartment. 
On to the main attraction – I have some new additions to our apartment, and I couldn’t help but share them. Onto the eye candy … 

I picked up these adorable pillow cases from Arnott’s Bargain Basement in Dublin. I couldn’t help it since they’re in my favourite colour – dark cherry, and they were reduced from €20 each to €5. These will look perfect juxtaposed against our skull pillowcases. I adore strong mixes like this. 

Up next, a little faux never hurt anyone. I am a huge fan of {quality} faux flowers since I unintentionally murder any plant that enters my home. So much so, I blogged about it here ages ago. I picked up this mother at good ole IKEA. All part of the grand scheme of my living room makeover. 
Also from IKEA, I nearly d.i.e.d. when I saw their new Angenam collection. Just what my dining table needed. It’s quite a deep bowl, so I pop a candle in there so at night it shimmers and is all romantical and whatnot.
And finally, what has had my attention for the past week or so, my new phone. Hubby and I treated ourselves to swank new phones, and I must say, mind = blown. We’re new to smart phones, so decided to go all out. I can blog from my phone? Why the face.
I hope you have something fabulous going on this weekend! Now that the nights are getting darker and colder, I feel the gravitational pull increasing towards knitting needles and crochet hooks. But for now, I’m heading out into the great outdoors to do some painting. All will be revealed 🙂
xx A