When I was about 12 years old I wanted to redecorate my bedroom. My bedroom had pink shag carpeting which had become unacceptable to me. Little did I know that later in life I would have a desire for shag carpeting in my living room.

I’ve always been a doer. Never waiting around for instructions. Impatient for results. So at 12 years old I proudly marched downstairs and announced that I had ripped up the pink shag carpeting in my bedroom and area rugs on the hardwood floors was now what I preferred. I’m not sure my parents were as excited as I was. But nonetheless, they always encouraged my desire to create. Even if it was building war ship models from kits. Choices were limited for girls like me in the seventies.

With the shag carpet gone and the seventies in full swing I created a hipster jungle motif with brown walls, wicker headboard, hanging spider plant and tiger print bed cover. The rush I felt! Thankfully, not my best work to date but the beginnings of my quest to try to perfect my living space.

People wonder why I do it. What drives me. Well, to me, there is no greater thrill than conquering a physical task others would have walked away from. Figuring out a way to do it for less. And standing back proud as a peacock and admiring well balanced and beautiful design.

So, can I share this with you?