I’ve been a DIY enthusiast for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was young, I’ve had a love for all things home and interiors. I spent countless evenings glued to Changing Rooms and my summers alongside my Granda Patsy, helping him with “homers,” as he called them. There was nothing more exciting to me than stripping wallpaper or painting skirting boards—I was hooked from the start.

Now, together with my husband Seamus, we’re pouring that same passion into our forever home: a beautiful 1876 Victorian manse that once housed the ministers of Hill Street Church in Lurgan. It sits on an acre of land and is steeped in history—a true labour of love. I’ve been restoring it room by room, one project at a time, bringing back its original charm while adding a bit of my own along the way.

The house’s story fascinates me. From what I’ve learned, the land was gifted to the church by Lord and Lady Lurgan, and the house was originally built for £1200. It stayed in church hands until the 1960s, then passed to a member of the congregation, and eventually, it came to us. As the newest custodians, we’re doing our best to lovingly revive every corner—inside and out.

The garden is a whole project in itself—classic Victorian, full of mature trees and tangled shrubs. I’ve been clearing brambles, shaping borders, planting new trees, and slowly bringing it back to life. Bit by bit, it's becoming something really special.

My goal is to share practical, honest advice on creating a beautiful home on a budget—with a power tool in one hand and a plant in the other. I’m a proud thrifter, always on the hunt for second-hand treasures, and I love breathing new life into old furniture. I truly believe you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your home feel like you.

When designing a space, I gather inspiration from everywhere—TV, Pinterest, books, magazines—and I always create a mood board before diving in. Sometimes I’ll pin fabrics and samples to a board, other times I use free digital tools like Canva to visualise the whole look. I always give it a few days to sit before I make any final decisions—if it still excites me when I come back to it, then I know I’m on the right track!

Old homes are full of charm… and challenges. There’s often a mountain of prep before you even think about picking up a paintbrush. Whether you're working with an older home or a new build, preparation is everything. The more time you spend getting the foundations right, the easier it is to bring your vision to life.

We’ve faced our fair share of setbacks—our "good room" was nearly lost to fire damage and later infested with dry rot. We had to take down ceilings, strip the walls back to bare stone, pull up the floors, and even deal with a leak we couldn’t fix for four months. It felt impossible at times, but we kept going, ticking one job off at a time.

My best piece of advice for any renovation? Make a list. Break down the work into small, manageable tasks. Don’t try to do everything at once—it’s a marathon, not a sprint. But if you keep showing up and doing a little each day, the transformation will come.

Thanks for stopping by—I’m so happy you’re here. I hope this space inspires you to pick up a paintbrush, plant a garden, or tackle that project you've been dreaming of.

And if you ever fancy saying hello, sharing your own DIY wins, or chatting about a possible collaboration—I’d absolutely love to hear from you!

Love,
Aislinn xx 💚🔨🌸