Be inspired with Mayo's woman's Home With a Twist

IF you want some inspiration on home improvements during lockdown, look no further than Mayo mum Lorna Heneghan.

Lorna's Instagram page is called Home With a Twist and while it's a hobby for now, it's easy to see how this is an activity that could progress further.

Like so many others, Covid saw Westport-based Lorna with time on her hands, with her job on hold with the hospitality business shutdown.

So she's been tapping more into her creative side, upcycling furniture, with some very impressive pieces. That she's into photography too means she can really do justice to her finished pieces and her showcase of her work really draws you in.

Fact is, after a quick glimpse at her Instagram page, where she shares her home journey projects, you'd be very happy to let Lorna lose on your home.

And with 1,640 followers of what is just a hobby, this crafty woman who finds joy in creating things certainly has her fans.

For the painting tips alone, Lorna's page is worth checking out in advance of tackling that room that needs a facelift in your home. There's glitter paint and spray paint - for those of us who live in a world defined by magnolia emulsion - and there's handy hints, like wiping down the skirting boards before going anywhere near a wall with a brush full of paint. We've all been there.

The woman behind this upcycling tour de force is Lorna's own mother who she credits with inspiring her to 'pick up a paintbrush and upcycle everything I own!'

She really got into upcycling and redecorating since lockdown started, and has found it very helpful during these uncertain times.

One of her most recent projects involved a cabinet - a 'vintage beauty' - being given a new lease of life (pictured above).

To many of us, this particular piece of furniture would have been viewed as a sad relic of a different day. After Lorna's magic touch, you'd be hard pressed to argue that point.

“I wanted to keep some of the mahogany wood so I created a two-tone effect,” she explained of the transformation. “I also did a bit of sanding to mix the wood and black together. And then it finished off with a varnish.”

For everything from console tables to family photo tiles, and creating little pom pom flowers, get logged into Lorna's Instagram and you too could get some real inspiration to add some very nice twists to your home.