Marrit de Lang
Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Based in Leeuwarden, in the north of The Netherlands, Marrit de Lang is a talented photographer and a DIY blogger. Her passions afford her the opportunity to express myself creatively and to give readers insight into the world through her eyes.
Tell me about yourself (What do you do? What are you passionate about? What city, country are you based in?)
My name is Marrit de Lang and I live in Leeuwarden, in the north of The Netherlands. I am a photographer and interior blogger on www.donebymyself.nl. My professional life is all about photographing and interior, my two biggest passions. They give me the opportunity to express myself creatively and to show people how I see my world.
I love that your blog is all about doing things yourself. Why do you think it is important for people to be able to DIY?
Interior should be personal, which means it should reflect the personalities of the people living there. You can’t create that by buying all your furniture in one store, it should be a combination. I love combining new items with vintage ones that have a history and tell a story. And by adding DIY items, it just doesn’t get any more personal. When I share a DIY on my blog I always try to encourage my readers to make their own version of it. Use colors and materials that suit their lifestyle.
What advice would you give readers who are shopping for furniture at a thrift-shop?
Be patient, that’s my best advice. My second best advice is to keep an open mind. Scroll the store not looking for a specific item, but look at every item and see if it works for you. I’ve scored some of the best items by not looking for them.
I love my local thriftshops and here in The Netherlands we also have an online marketplace, where you can sell the stuff you don’t use anymore. I love browsing that as well. Another tip is to buy designer items secondhand, it can save you a lot of money.
What is one message you want to tell readers who are struggling to create the perfect workspace?
I love to keep my workspace neat and organized - just my laptop and an agenda to keep up with my to-do list. Everything else just gets me distracted. To add a bit of coziness to the area I always add flowers. Its not home without flowers! Keep the workspace simple, buy good furniture that’s comfortable enough to work on and locate yourself at a place where you feel comfortable.
What is one item everyone should have in their office/workspace?
I couldn’t do without my laptop. While I love having a separate workspace, I always want to have the option to sit wherever I want. If I want to get comfortable on the couch, I can. Perfect!
What are some items you love?
photo: www.donebymeself.nl