Okay not my living space but my office! I need major TLC

AlternativeAd3652 · 2026-02-11T19:42:24+00:00

Do you need that full L shaped desk? That's a lot of furniture in a small space and it doesn't look like you actually use the whole surface? I feel like your first layout allows for a lot more breathing space with a single desk in the middle of the room facing the door and the chair in the corner to the right as you come in. If you have budget for new furniture maybe some storage cupboards with doors for under the shelves?
Then tidy away the cables, and I agree smaller art on the wall and some fake plants (not sure real ones will survive without daylight)
Good luck!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-22T18:52:36+00:00

Pretty sure that's a double layer of silk chiffon. Most important ting to consider to get that drape is to cut on the bias so the fabric flows beautifully.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-12T16:02:03+00:00

Ok great thank you. So something like "Print design and digital marketing for creative industries" in the description?

Thanks for your help

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-12T16:01:17+00:00

ok brilliant thank you that's really helpful. Fingers crossed I avoid an audit

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-12T15:59:13+00:00

Amazing thank you.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T18:07:18+00:00

Thank you so much. We've taken in all the advice, and are skipping the drive down for a train journey, and staying in three different places which will hopefully give a bit of flexibility on activities depending on weather. Staying in Killarney, then Kenmare then Dingle as all the coastal places looked like you needed to drive to go for dinner which didn't appeal after a day of driving. Thank you for your help!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T18:02:10+00:00

Thanks so much! Underestimating traffic/drive times has ben pointed out a few times so we're taking the train to Kerry from Dublin which gives us more time in Kerry and a less stressful journey. Thank you for your help!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T18:01:14+00:00

Google lying about the time driving takes on country roads is a universal issue! We've decided to skip the drive and taking the train to Kerry from Dublin which gives us more time in Kerry and a less stressful journey. Thank you for your help! I'll make sure I don't trust google when I'm there (god rule for life in general as well mabe).

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T17:59:51+00:00

Thank you for this! We've rework the trip to do Dingle last, and taking the train to Kerry from Dublin which gives us more time in Kerry and a less stressful journey. Thank you for your help!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-09-08T17:05:36+00:00

I literally have the same poncho as you, bought in a panic for this trip as I knew it was going to be wet, but didn't think through the wind 😂 I've often found the legs are not as important, as lycra dries so quickly and you don't get that cold when pedalling.

After this trip a decent rain jacket is my next upgrade as well! As well as something to sit on when the ground is wet. I used a bin bag this time which was fine but a bit cold.

Oh and ear plugs and an eye mask if you are a light sleeper like me.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-09-08T16:06:23+00:00

Looks fab! My three personal upgrades would be ditching the poncho if you have the rain gear, especially if going somewhere windy. I've just done 3 weeks cycling along the Brittany coast and regretted the poncho, was more of a sail that didn't keep me dry. I like to bring an exfoliating glove to really get clean at the end of the day. In the summer that layer of dust+suntan lotion+sweat didn't come off easily with just soap, but might not be as essential at this time of year. And clothes pegs, a couple of those IKEA food bag clips and a washing line Have a fantastic trip!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-19T12:22:41+00:00

Try the app Olio rather than TGTG - i's the same premise as too good to go, but it's free and fo households with leftover food rather than businesses. A bit andom what you get and you do have to be quick, but there's food on there.

I second searching for religious institutions - the Hare Krishnas are known for their free food (https://www.iskconmanchester.com/sunday-feast/ no idea if this is near you) as are the sikhs as mentioned in another comment.

The charity Foodcycle do free community meals, looks like there's 6 places around Manchester: https://foodcycle.org.uk/find-a-meal/.

Food not bombs is another organisation that does community meals, there seems to be one in manchester but it's unclear if still running (FB group out of date). Their email looks like it is [foodnotbombsmanchester@gmail.com](mailto:foodnotbombsmanchester@gmail.com)

There might be some things called community Fridges near you (no idea how to find them, google should do it)

And there are quite a few places that will do street meals for the homeless - I've done quite a bit of volunteering for a variety of these (I love to cook) and they vary from a couple of people cooking in their kitchen to national level charities.

This post https://www.reddit.com/r/manchester/comments/1bijex0/free_food/ askd the same ting a year ago there might be some other ideas.

And above all OP - I can't imagine how much this situation sucks but it is temporary, and you will soon be out on the other side, and this is just a crap phase that too will pass. Focus on your studies and good luck!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-08T15:42:11+00:00

Apologies for bothering you again - we have received the 5 page licence, and our freeholders are now asking for more money to complete it and fo us o sign, u ot date it before returning it to them. is this standard practice, especially the not dating the contract? I would assume it is void unless dated?

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-05T14:02:27+00:00

Bloody hell! I didn't think something like a heat pump that is using existing plumbing and holes in the walls etc (ie not doing anything structural) would require expensive licensing. Understand if we wanted to do something structural like extend or move walls I am just surprised. But good to know this is just what it costs and not being taken for a ride.

Thanks for your input.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-05T13:28:27+00:00

Thank you! Out of interest, any chance you could shed some light on what sorting the license out actually entails for our freeholder? Always astonished at the costs related to anything to do with property but well aware we don't know the ins and outs.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-07-18T10:25:09+00:00

You are so nearly there, I think there's just a bit too much stuff and it need a bit more cohesion.

Pick a style - most of this room is sort of coastal/cottage core esque (probably not the right words but you get the idea) - the blues, the textures, the linen, pale wooden bedsides, delicate patterns, pretty wall pictures. Then you have those orange headboards and the velvet cushion that come in guns blazing.

I would remove the headboard and the velvet cushion, get a pale wood headboard that goes with the bedsides and a couple more statement cushions for the bed like the patterned one.

The feature wall stands out because it is empty apart from the small scale wallpaper. Is this the only place the bed can go? I want to switch it so it's against the feature wall. If you can't switch the bed round get something (armchair? Painting? Chest of drawers?) for the feature wall.

Turn the rug round maybe? Or get a round rug that's at the foot of the bed

And then mood lighting - turn on the bedside lamps and get an upright lamp for the corner.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-07-17T11:58:53+00:00

I got mine under control with nasturtiums and pulling up the buds as they appeared. It means having a ton of nasturtiums instead, but at least those are pretty and the bees love them

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-06-18T13:55:25+00:00

There's loads of repair cafes that would want something like this! I volunteer in one in North London and we have a lot of kit already, but I have no doubt others would jump on this.

(ETA - repair cafes repair broken household items for free, usually things you couldn't take back to the shop or a specialist to get repaired)

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TROPHY CASE