The Interior DIYer
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Crow-globe

My favourite time of year is here – autumn. There’s a lot about this time of year that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside – weather getting colder, crunchy leaves, scarves, cuddles and hot drinks. Aside from all the above, the next thing I love about autumn is the impending Halloween tinted decorations. 

I gave myself 10 minutes in TK Maxx over the weekend [yes, I actually have to give myself a time limit], and when I got to the top of the escalator, there sat their Halloween section. A plethora of Halloween themed snow-globes obstructed my line of vision. Some were a bit naff [ugly skeletons, bad-weird pumpkins], but then there was this crow snow-globe. Or as I like to [yell while I’m shaking up all the black glitter], CROW-GLOBE. I mean, seriously. Black. Glitter. And this is a legitly solid piece, no flimsy seasonal decoration. And I’ve always wanted a crow as a pet. Is that weird? I just think I’d look so mysterious. 

Crow-globe is a welcome addition to our living room and I should state, he will be present all year round, not just the autumn months. Pro creepy.

Also featured – Bill Murray print
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Teal obsession: I’m cheating on my favourite colour

This isn’t going to seem like a big deal to most of you. I see so many pictures through social media of people’s colourful lives. And I really wish I could be so bold. For me, colours are a big deal. In the past, I’ve tried to introduce many colours into our home. But the truth is, it drove me IN.SANE. I hope that doesn’t sound rude? I’m well able to appreciate when people share they’re colourful homes and if anything, I’m jealous. But I just can’t do it. Call it DOCD – design obsessive compulsive disorder.

But that all changed a couple of weeks ago. It’s really lame, but it started with a hoodie my husband bought in H&M. It was a really dark teal. Oh. It was nice, and that freaked me out. But no, this isn’t a dark berry colour, so just no. But the more I thought about it this new hue, the more I realized it might actually go really well in our home. So I tested it out with an easily disposable item – candles. I headed to my local Tiger store and picked up two teal candles for €1.

They pretty much sealed the deal. Last week while I was doing my lunch time charity shop route I spotted two particularly interesting gems. Both of which were within range of my new colour obsession. First I saw this Achill Pottery bud vase. I’d seen a few of them before in charity shops here and there, but never had I seen one in this colour. The bottom half is pushing it with the brightness factor, but I like the top half so it makes it okay. It’s a rather cute little wobbily vase with different sized holes in it for buds and off-cuts. 

I then spotted this picture frame in the same charity shop. While I know it itself is not teal, the thick wedge of glass on it glints teal whenever I walk past it. I should say this frame was in a very sorry state in the shop. It had a massive old sticker across the glass, rendering it pretty severely gross. But I saw past the ugly. I steeped it in warm soapy water, and laughed a menacing manner at all those who disregarded it. 

CONFESSION: we have no photos in our home. Now that I think of it, ever since I moved out from my parent’s place close to 8 years ago, I haven’t had one photo printed and framed. Not even one from our wedding, which was almost 2 years ago. So I’m hoping that now I have this pretty little number, it might encourage me to get my ass in gear.
xx A
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Blogiversary – Hydrangea Girl turns 4!

This day four years ago I sat on our couch, wanting to create one of those blogs I had heard so much about and seen so many neat and inspiring things on. At the time I was working as an assistant in a finance department by day and studying for my BA in Interior Design at night. I was looking for an outlet for all of my creative ideas and musings so a blog seemed to fit the bill. I wish I could tell you what was going through my head when I chose the name for my blog because nothing conjures thoughts of interior design quite like the words ‘Hydrangea’ and ‘Girl’ … Massive fail on my behalf. But oh well, I suppose it’s too late to change it now. 

I casually mentioned to husband last week, “so my blogiversary is coming up and I may need like a little cake or something to you know, photograph. For my blog of course“. That message was recieved loud and clear. Husband came home the next day with a black forest gateau that would feed a medium to large family. Unfortunately, we got so carried away that I forgot to take blogiversary pictures with it and WE ATE THE WHOLE THING IN ONE DAY. Round two – four tiered mini pavlova with four cherries on top. I thought it best to snap this picture with Mozart doing what he does best because if I take one. more. picture. of the shelf above our TV, I wouldn’t blame you if you unfollowed me.
So happy birthday, Hydrangea Girl. You’ve opened a lot of doors for me and took me well and truly out of my comfort zone. xx A

p.s. If you’re particularly bored this Tuesday afternoon, you can check out my nerdy collection of images on evolution of the design of my blog. It’s equal parts cringe and what exactly was she thinking.