Full-time doctor, part-time DIY’er: Sophia
It’s definitely not easy juggling a demanding job and coming home to half-finished reno’s. Time becomes your enemy, and DIYs are permanently etched into your to-do list. Enter Sophia Kostich (@diydoctorat49), a multi-talented doctor here to guide us through it all. 
If anyone knows how to handle a busy lifestyle, it’s Sophia. Sophia’s life is a whirlwind of ever-changing shifts & endless renovation plans. Ever since making the plunge and purchasing her South London flat, Sophia’s been making time to transform her home into a haven. It's time to sit down and have a chat about all things lifestyle, motivation & inspiration.A spontaneous purchase
"My flat was actually a last minute purchase after I pulled out of another flat due to survey issues. It wasn’t particularly well planned or thought through, but despite the spontaneity, I’m so happy with it. One of the main things I wanted was an outdoor space – the balcony is perfect for that considering outdoor space is a bit of a premium in London, but it’s the perfect size for me to have a nice spot to sit in the sunshine without being too high maintenance.I also love open plan living for kitchen and lounge spaces, so the fact that my flat already had that structure was perfect for me. Lastly, I just love a fireplace and I think the one in my lounge is absolutely beautiful. I wanted a modern space but with period features and I think my flat has the perfect balance of these two things."Sophia vs Time
"Juggling work & reno's has been difficult! Last year I was working a 9 to 5 non-clinical role, which gave me a lot more free time and weekends to work on DIY projects. Since going back to a crazy doctor rota, it’s been much harder to find the time to dedicate to projects. I often get days off during the week in lieu of the weekend so I like to use them to work on DIY projects, as I see it as some enjoyable me-time to help clear my mind. When I’m DIY’ing I tend not to think about other things. I also tend to try and do small chunks at the weekend, but sometimes it can be frustrating as projects end up taking much longer than I plan due to ever-changing work schedules. I try to make sure I adjust my expectations of what I can achieve as well - I don't really give myself deadlines to help relieve some pressure and make sure I’m still having fun."
Words of advice
"To any up & coming DIY’ers with busy lifestyles, set realistic goals and have realistic expectations of what you can achieve and how long it will take you – just accept that things will take as long as they take! I’d also say make sure you give yourself breaks. As much as I love DIY’ing doing it all the time makes it a bit less fun for me - it feels like I must do it rather than I want to do it. I find doing it in small chunks or a day or a few hours here and there is more enjoyable for me."
A ‘soft contemporary style’
"Describing my style is a hard one for me, as I love so many different decor styles. My flat combines aspects of different styles, including elements of mid-century modern design, which I like to call a soft contemporary style. I’m not really sure what that is as I made it up, but I quite like it! It took me a really long time to figure out what my style is and what kind of things/look I really wanted. I'd say that if you’re looking to develop a style, be patient with yourself & try different things – it may take a few attempts to get things right. Go with your gut – If you see a style or an item that you really love just try and incorporate it. If you love it then usually you can make it work somewhere. And don’t be afraid to have slightly different styles in different rooms. It’s your home at the end of the day."
Sophia’s completes her IKEA drawer transformation with our LUDLOWs.
The ‘perfect finishing touch’
"I was inspired to upcycle my IKEA drawers after spotting some drawers online by the popular high street retailer, Oliver Bonas. I chose the LUDLOW Handle because I love how they’re simple but still have an interesting look. I love the combination of the straight top and the curved edges – for me, they’re the perfect finishing touch."
A rewarding achievement
"The main reason I DIY is because I love it and the sense of accomplishment and achievement that comes with it. When I DIY a room and I step back and see what I have created, it feels absolutely incredible. Not only have I come up with the idea, but I have also made it possible, and that to me feels so great. It can also save me SO much money. I have received some absolutely ridiculous quotes for simple jobs in my flat, which is part of the reason I started attempting DIY projects. I am also a bit particular about how things are finished and I'd rather finish them off myself as I don’t always trust builders!"A break for coffee
"I am an absolute coffee fiend. I always have a cup of coffee to hand when I am DIY’ing. I also love a piece of buttery toast – a quick and delicious snack if you ask me."Must-follow DIY’ers
"My top 3 Instagram accounts that I recommend are:Jen at @cracktheshutters is the queen for IKEA hacks and her house is absolutely gorgeous.Mel at @littleterracedhouse is the first DIY account that I ever followed when she was jazzing up her kitchen and stripping vinyl. I’ve learned so many great things from her account over the years.Christine & Jan at @littlehouseonthecorner are currently reno’ing their new house and it's actually incredible how much of it they do themselves. Again a fab account to follow for DIY tutorials and tips - I got all my floor sanding advice from their page!"
The go-to reno’ radio
“My backing track tends to vary a bit depending on what kind of mood I’m in. It's gone from drum and bass beats to musical soundtracks to more mellow pop. I absolutely love Spotify radio as I get to listen to other tunes that are usually similar to those I like. Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of songs by Haim and the Spotify radios for my faves which are The Wire and Don’t Wanna."A big thanks to Sophia for joining us for a TEA BREAK. Why not follow her renovation journey at @diydoctorat49?
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