Design hotel Klaus K has transformed it's two areas, restaurant Ilmatar and  the most of former nightclub Ahjo, into one holistic space called The Livingroom (nightclub Ahjo still exists, it's just significantly smaller and is located behind the curtains, in the back). Due to the renovation most of the interior decor of the area was demolished and replaced. While I was walking around photographing the construction site to document the process a certain cushion-like covered pilar caught my eye. I asked hotel manager Marc Skvorc if the panels of the cover would be removed and thrown away - he said "yes". I thought it was such a shame! Too often materials are thrown away instead of reusing them. I told Marc I could make it into a headboard for my bed and asked if I could have it. I didn't want it to take too much time or effort from the construction workers that were already on a tight schedule. Marc promised to look into it, whether or not it could be removed without it getting torn. 
 A few months later, last Friday, I was excited to carry the piece into a taxi van and finally take it home. I have now adopted a piece of a pilar from a former nightclub - how cool is that?! A pretty pieceful retirement home for this lucky pilar panel turned headboard after 8 years of partying!

 This piece has cost me 15€ so far (transportation by taxi) - not bad! It still needs to be lifted off the floor and properly attached to the wall.  

 Hopefully other hotels and public spaces will follow the lead! 

 

A photo by Klaus K of former Ahjo. You can spot the pilar behind the bar counter. 

I introduced a technique on how to transform a t-shirt into a ball of thread earlier in my blog. Find instructions and read the post HERE. I also promised to share an idea on how to put that thread into use. 

 

I decided to crochet a huge rug which measures 2 m x 2,2 m. Since I was impatient and wanted to utilize all the material I could get my hands on, I mixed all kinds of colors together to create a bright, happy colored rug which I think, gives it some character! Adding white thread here and there makes it look fresh and black thread gives it some depth.

If you want to avoid getting knots in your rug, you can either sew the thread together or buy packs of different colored jersey from your local fabric store. Don't invest in expensive kinds, you can find real bargains on sale since each piece doesn't have to be that big! If you're in Helsinki I suggest you check out what Eurokangas stores have to offer, they usually have hideous colored jersey in their sale department, which is a good thing! Remember, with this DIY project you're allowed to go over the top! 

 

Finally this place starts to look like a home! Just in time for the Holiday Season! It feels great! Friends have also had a chance to enjoy the new arrangement. The biggest accomplishment was indeed the installing and assembling of our new Ikea Pax wardrobe with the help of an uncle. Altogether it took eight hours to get the piece together and steadily attached to the wall.

Even our ceramic rhino head got it's very own spot on the wall, it had been bubble wrapped since August, waiting for this glorious moment. I decided to decorate it for Christmas, covering one of its horns with a festive hat. 

We got everything done by the 20th, just two days before throwing a lovely Christmas party for a bunch of good friends. One thing is for certain. Drilling a rock wall, as noisy and terrible it might sound like, has never sounded so good! The sweet sound of getting things done!

A highly unpractical, tall vase, bought a few years back from a sale got a new life. I was on the verge of throwing this piece away, numerous times, since it's only purpose seemed to be collecting dust in a corner. The assortment of Christmas tree baubles look great in it, like it was meant for this use all along!

This might seem superficial for some, but finally getting a place to both look and feel like my own, has a much deeper meaning. Something to be truly grateful of and cherish every day. For the first time in my entire life, a place actually feels like home. And boy, does it feel phenomenal! Hopefully no one takes that mutual feeling for granted.