Your DIY Buddy and author of Nailed It!
Laura Deller
My story began when…
I stopped working in 2019 to look after my two little ones, who were born 19 months apart. We had recently moved out of a comfortable new build house into a 1970’s house that we knew would require a complete renovation. I had done no DIY at this point, and I didn’t even attempt to decorate, I held the ladder and made the tea!
Discovering a love of DIY
Frustrated with the slow pace of our progress, I decided one day during my son’s nap time to attempt to put up a peg rail that had been lying in its packaging for weeks. It was my first attempt and not disastrous by any stretch. From that moment I decided to use nap times for the house – upcycling, decorating and eventually as my confidence grew, attempting IKEA hacks and storage-built ins.
The moment I put up a peg rail and lifted coats off the floor, I felt such a sense of accomplishment. Watching projects slowly come together gave me real satisfaction, and patience.
Sharing my projects on social media, especially during lockdown, and hearing from other women in the same boat made it even more meaningful.
My goal is to show that creating your dream home is doable.
Feeling like you can do it and giving it a go should be celebrated.
From hobby to career…
After returning to teaching part-time, my social media following grew to around 100k. I was signed by a management agency, which opened my eyes to the possibilities beyond treating it as a hobby. Brand partnerships, public speaking, and eventually my book deal followed – which I’m incredibly proud of.
I still teach Science, but I love the contrast between the classroom and creating DIY content, as well as supporting people one-to-one who want to start projects but don’t know where to begin.
Nailed It! is the book I wish I’d had when I started my DIY journey. It breaks down tools and jargon, covers core techniques, and walks readers through projects step by step – from prep and decorating to basic builds, panelling, upcycling, and renter-friendly hacks.
Work With Me
Email Amy at fARQ for Enquiries.