Oh, DIY? Yeah, I’m totally a pro. I mean, who needs actual skills when you’ve got Pinterest moodboards and a shopping cart full of overpriced “essentials” that scream I have my life together? Those €50 soap dispensers? Absolutely necessary.
Because nothing says “luxury spa day” like washing your hands with a dispenser that costs more than your dinner. It’s basically a five-star resort experience in your bathroom, right? Who cares if I can’t build a shelf? I can dream about it while scrolling through 47 tabs of Scandinavian minimalist decor. DIY is just a state of mind, people. A very expensive, state of mind.
Blogulcăutat: Well, hello there, cool kids—thanks for accepting my invitation to this little digital shindig.
Andreea & Tristan: Thank you so much Norina, we are really excited for this.
Blogulcăutat: Can you tell me a bit about yourselves as individuals? Who are you behind the social media and the DIY projects?
Andreea: Oh, that’s a good one! I’m actually quite an introverted person, even though it might not seem like it. Social media has actually helped me open up more—I used to avoid responding to messages because I didn’t know how to keep the conversation going. But now, I’m much more comfortable being vulnerable and putting myself out there.
Tristan: I’m the opposite in some ways—I love meeting people and having conversations. But social media? Not my thing. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes guy. I’m happy to support Andreea in whatever she wants to do, but I also want to make sure I’m doing something that makes me happy too. It’s not just about following her lead—I need to feel like I’m contributing in a way that’s true to me. We balance each other out, though. She’s the dreamer, and I’m the one who helps bring those dreams down to earth.
Blogulcăutat: Since returning to Romania, I’ve been asked this a lot: “Why did I came back to Romania?” How do you typically respond to that?
Andreea: It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t lived it. Yes, Romania has its struggles, but it also has freedom—the kind of freedom that comes with slowing down, with choosing how you want to live. In the UK, I was always rushing, always donating money but never having time to physically be part of anything. Here, I’m planting trees, working with kids, actually engaging with the world around me.
Blogulcăutat: Why did Romania ultimately become the place you chose to settle in?
Andreea: It wasn’t necessarily our first choice at the beginning, but when we really thought about it, Romania made the most sense. It offered us the comfort and flexibility we were looking for. Plus, it’s home for me, so there’s that emotional connection too.
Tristan: Romania gave us the opportunity to reset and build something new. And honestly, COVID was the final push—it forced us to sit down and really think about what we wanted. We had spreadsheets, plans, and backup plans, but in the end, Romania just felt right.
Blogulcăutat: Big moves like this aren’t easy. Was there a moment when reality really hit—that “Oh wow, we’re actually doing this”moment?
Andreea: Oh, absolutely. It was the moment I started packing. You know that feeling when you clean out a drawer, and suddenly you’re reminiscing over old receipts and wondering if that half-melted candle holds sentimental value? Now imagine that, but with your entire life.
Tristan: Yeah, it was like a game of Tetris, but the prize was a complete ‘move over’. 😉
Blogulcăutat: Tristan, you seem like you handled it more… smoothly?
Tristan: That’s because I was still working while Andreea was drowning in bubble wrap and tough decisions. In fairness, moving wasn’t new to me.
Andreea: It was heavy. You tell yourself, Oh, it’s just stuff. But then you find an old photo or a random souvenir from a trip, and suddenly you’re reliving entire moments. It wasn’t just a physical move—it was saying goodbye to a version of ourselves.
Blogulcăutat: So, no second thoughts?
Andreea: None. We wanted a different life, and we made it happen. The stress, the fear, the doubts—they were all part of the process. But once we made the leap, we never looked back.
Tristan: Well… maybe once or twice. But only to check if we forgot anything.
Blogulcăutat: So, I know from Tristan that you are together since..forever. I want the juicy story behind it. So Andreea, what made you notice Tristan?
Andreea: Oh, I didn’t! (laughs). We worked together, and we had this older colleague—such a sweet woman—who one day just turned to me and asked, Do you like that guy? And I panicked! He was sitting right next to me, and I couldn’t exactly say no to his face.
Tristan: And then she turned to me and asked me the same question.
Blogulcăutat: So, sparks flew immediately?
Andrea: Not exactly! He didn’t even ask for my number. I waited. And waited. And then I got annoyed—so I walked right up to him and gave him my number.
Tristan: Smart move, really. She knew I was slow.
Andreea: And the rest is history. We went on our first date, and something just clicked. It wasn’t just romance—it was friendship from the very beginning. We built everything on that.
Blogulcăutat: That’s ridiculously sweet. Tristan, how’s Romania treating you?
Tristan: Honestly? I love it. It’s so different from what I knew, but in a good way. The people here—they actually want to help. Back in England, if someone helps you, you almost feel like you owe them something. Here, people just do it because… that’s how they are. No expectations. Just kindness.
Blogulcăutat: But it hasn’t all been easy, right?
Tristan: Oh, of course not. We’re building a house, and let’s just say, construction delays are an art form here. And then there’s the language.
Blogulcăutat: Right! How’s that going?
Tristan: Sighs. Well… I’m trying! But here’s the twist—I’m actually learning Hungarian because we live in Transylvania.
Andreea: He’s downplaying it—his Romanian accent is actually really good. Some days, he surprises me with entire sentences, and I’m like, Where did THAT come from?!
Blogulcăutat: That’s impressive! But do you get a lot of opportunities to practice?
Andreea: Not really, because we live in a small village. We don’t have the kind of daily exposure where he’s forced to speak Romanian. Our community is tight-knit, and most of our focus is here.
Blogulcăutat: What kind of community work are you doing?
Andreea: Oh, this part makes me really happy. We do a lot of volunteering—teaching English to kids, fitness classes, even dance lessons. It’s all unpaid, but it gives back so much more than we put in.
Tristan: It’s a whole new way of life. Slower, but in the best way.
Blogulcăutat: So, Andreea, Tristan—you’ve built this beautiful new life, but your core income still comes from design and renovation, right?
Andreea: Yes, that’s our main work, but honestly, what really transformed our experience here is the community. From the moment we started volunteering, everything just seemed to click—work, friendships, even just feeling at home here. I always knew I wanted to give back, but I had no idea how much it would give me in return.
Blogulcăutat: What’s your process like when working with clients on their spaces?
Andreea: Oh, it’s all about them! First, we have a chat—remote or in person—and I always tell them, Don’t clean up! I want to see how they really live because that tells me what solutions they need. We’re not about chasing trends or making things Instagram-perfect. Nope, it’s about creating comfortable, functional spaces within their budget. Plus, we focus on upcycling and renovating what they already have—it’s sustainable and personal. I mean, why throw away something with memories when you can give it new life?
Blogulcăutat: What’s been the biggest challenge so far in working with clients and bringing their visions to life?
Tristan: Oh, where do I start? (laughs) I think the hardest part is when Andreea and I have different ideas about how to approach a project. She’s all about the vision, and I’m more about the logistics, so sometimes our plans don’t align perfectly.
Another huge challenge is sourcing materials here. In the UK, DIY stores are everywhere, and you can find anything—paint strippers, custom paint colours, you name it. Here, it’s like a treasure hunt! Even something as simple as finding the right paint color can turn into a mission. I’ve started relying on Facebook groups to ask, Hey, where can I find this? and thankfully, people are super helpful.
Blogulcăutat: Do you think your work can help change the mindset around recycling and upcycling in Romania?
Andreea: Absolutely! That’s one of our big goals. In Romania, the culture of recycling and upcycling isn’t as strong as in places like the UK or Germany. People here are more used to just buying new things, and the idea of repurposing old items can feel foreign to them. But we’re trying to change that, one project at a time. We’ve even had feedback from clients saying we need to educate people about this. And they’re right! It’s about showing that you don’t need to throw something away just because it’s old or doesn’t fit the current trend. With our platform and social media, we’re hoping to raise awareness and inspire younger generations to think differently. It’s a slow process, but we’re getting there!
Blogulcăutat: So, spill the beans—what’s the dream for your new place? Are we talking eco-friendly or cozy family vibes?
Andreea: Oh, it’s a bit of both! We’re going full-on eco-friendly with solar panels and rainwater collection, so the house practically takes care of itself. No more bill stress! And size-wise? Think just right—not too big, not too small. Our last place in the UK was like a storage unit for stuff we didn’t need. This one’s all about cozy, open-plan goodness, perfect for family gatherings and friend boarding game nights. It’s not just a house; it’s our little slice of home.
Blogulcăutat: What advice would you give to someone planning to move to a new country, especially if they’re feeling overwhelmed by the process?
Andreea: Take it one step at a time. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the stress of everything at once. Just focus on what you need to do today, then tomorrow, and trust that it’ll all work out. I truly believe that if you want something enough, you can make it happen. But you have to give yourself permission to move slowly and not rush the process.
Tristan: Yeah, and don’t underestimate the value of community. Join groups—whether it’s on Facebook or elsewhere—where you can connect with people who’ve been through the same thing. When we moved, I didn’t really think about how much support I’d need, but finding someone in a similar situation was a game-changer. They gave us practical advice that made everything so much easier.
Blogulcăutat: You two are handling this move like pros. But let’s talk about the real challenge—traveling with the cats.
Andreea: Oh. My. God. Imagine shoving two highly opinionated creatures into a moving vehicle for hours on end. Maggie still managed to let us know how deeply unhappy she was. Nonstop meowing, judging us from behind the bars like a tiny, furry dictator.
Tristan: We came prepared—we got medication from the vet, made regular stops, even got a dog crate just to keep them from tearing each other apart.
Blogulcăutat: Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Andreea: I’d love to see our design and renovation projects grow into something bigger. Maybe even a small business where we help others create homes that reflect their personalities, not just trends. And who knows? Maybe I’ll finally convince Tristan to let me add that rooftop garden I’ve been dreaming about.
Tristan: I hope we’ve built a reputation for creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional, and maybe even inspired a few people to think differently about how they live. But most importantly, I want us to be happy, healthy, and still laughing at each other’s jokes.
Blogulcăutat: Any words for our readers?
Andreea & Tristan: If there’s one thing I’d want readers to take away, it’s this: don’t be afraid to chase what feels right for you, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Life’s too short to stay stuck in a routine that doesn’t bring you joy. And hey, if you’re thinking about making a big change—whether it’s moving countries, starting a new career, or just renovating your home—take it one step at a time. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away.
Blogulcăutat: One final question—where can people find you online? Which social media platforms are you active on?
Andreea & Tristan: Mostly Instagram and YouTube—Instagram for sharing snippets of our projects, before-and-afters. YouTube is where we dive deeper into the process, like how we built our sustainable home or turned an old table into something completely new.
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