My friends and family are all really excited about the launch of Amplify, so I thought I'd round up the troops at 9 am on bank holiday Monday to make some real progress with the painting.  Even my dog Fudge came along!  We pulled up all the old carpet tiles ready for the new flooring, took out the walled seating to be re-upholstered and completed one coat of the wall space and ceiling.  The room is 120 square meters, so I'm not sure I'll still be smiling by the end of the second coat!

The main studio room housed three large AND VERY HEAVY snooker tables that had barely been used in almost 10 years!  Over two days, I helped package them up for storage to reveal the soon to be dance space.  I couldn't help but do a skip, hop and jump across the room once it was empty.  It really is a fantastic space for performing arts, which on a more challenging note means a huuuuuge space to decorate.

Not even my birthday is a day off.  I arrived at the studio in my painting gear, ready to finish the second coat in the reception area.  But low and behold this room had already been finished!  I had absolutely no idea that my boyfriend had been secretly finishing this room and couldn't have asked for a better birthday present.  What a transformation, the floor is perfect and black contrast to the cream walls really gives a professional vibe.  So after this amazing surprise, I gave myself the rest of the day off...AFTER noting down the next plan of action for renovating of the main studio room.

Second Sunday afternoon decorating at the studio and the reception area is already looking much fresher!  Lick of paint on the walls, doors and skirting and we're almost ready to lay the floor in this room.  By starting with this little space, I knew it would act as a motivator to tackle the huge 120 sq meter studio.   They say big journeys begin with small steps don't they!

I was once told "your dreams aren't big enough if they don't scare you" and funnily enough the next thing I know, I'm appearing on one of the biggest programmes on TV.

I'm a performer, so I wondered how to upstage that amazing experience?  By launching my dream of course!!  I've always loved the arts and helping people realise they are talented so I'm really excited about Amplify.

I'm so excited, I'm smiling while getting my hands dirty and mucking in with the refurb.