1 : 1 WORKSHOPS

Arrange a one to one workshop with Emily Rose Parris. I offer a wide range of workshops to suit all experience levels. There's also a discount code for buddying up with a friend.

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HIRE THE DARKROOM

Suitable for those with previous darkroom experience who are looking to hire the darkroom without tuition

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming group workshops, events, opportunities and news

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CYANOTYPE KITS

I make cyanotype kits to help you take your first steps into the magic of photography. Cyanotype printing is one of the earliest forms of photography dating back to the 1800's . It is suitable to explore without the need of a darkroom., from the comfort of your own home

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UPDATE - Feb & March availability

I’m almost fully booked for the nexts 2 months (Feb & March)

1:1 workshops:
Available on the following days (subject to change)
Mondays & Fridays
Occasion availability on Saturdays
If you’re already booked in, your date is secured.
If you were looking to book in, or use a gift card, the info above is for your reference
All bookings are taken on a first come first serve basis

Independent Darkroom Hire:
Good availability Tuesday-Thursday, Some Saturdays and most Sundays
See the live hiring schedule on my website to view and to book in

A huge thank you to everyone for keeping me so busy!

EXPLORING CYANOTYPE
Sat 21st March 12:30-3:30
📍 @creativecourseskent Faversham
Booking link found on my website “upcoming events”
Link in bio

What you can expect:
In this workshop you will learn how to mix cyanotype solution, and prepare your surfaces for printing. You’ll arrange objects onto your UV sensitive paper and expose it to sunlight. (If the weather is poor, we will be using UV lightboxes in place of the sun).

What you’ll take away:
• A set of your own unique cyanotype prints
• The knowledge and skills to continue making cyanotype prints at home

Suitable for: Adults of all skill levels; You might be a complete beginner, or looking for a refresher.

What is a cyanotype?
The cyanotype printing technique is one of the earliest forms of photography, invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel and made famous by botanist and artist, Anna Atkins, who used the process to create innovative and beautiful records of seaweed types.

A cyanotype print is created by exposing UV sensitive paper to UV light. First, objects are laid on top of the paper and exposed to UV light. Once the print has been exposed, the print is washed in water to fix the image to the page. The result is a striking blue & white silhouette image of the object you laid on top.

Look at this BEAUTIFUL cafenol print~ a print developed in a hand made coffee, vitamin C powder and washing soda solution! I loved working with Leura yesterday. We chatted about all things photography, our shared love of darkroom processes and finding like minded people.

Printing up some black and white 35mm photos from 2025 Summer weddings in the darkroom. Nothing makes me happier than printing, it’s where I spent all my time at university, I built a darkroom to continue my obsession & now 10 (11?) years on, I have taught hundreds of you how to bring your photos to life 🥹

A fab film developing workshop with Otto & Jasper a couple of weeks ago! Excited to scan in their negatives soon 🙏🏻

The LOVE that goes into hand developing your B&W wedding 35mm + 120 film ~ spent the afternoon catching up on some summer weddings yesterday and it was such a joy seeing these frames appear! 17 years in and I’ll never tired of using film. Can you spot your wedding? 👀✨🤘🏻

📷: @emilyroseparrisphotography
📍: @thedarkroombc
Wedding Venues: @turnercontemporary + more

✨ Happy New Year Lovely humans! 2026!!!!! To celebrate I’m running a sale over on my @etsyuk shop ~ save 20% this week + FREE P&P. 🩵🤍

Last few days to shop for Christmas! Get yourself over to @rockpaperscissorsbrand in Canterbury and @witofwhitstable to buy from local artists. There’s so much to choose from, whether you’re after one of my cyanotype kits for your creative friend, or wall art for your homely friend. There’s SO much to choose from and all make by artists and indie businesses. Shop local , shop in store 🤍✨

Glorious day over at UCA Canterbury yesterday ~ creating Cyanotypes with the students visiting from local secondary schools 🤍🩵✨

A gorgeous couple of days over at @beachcreativecic guiding the Cultural Ambassadors through the cyanotype process. Their final week of their fully funded 10 week course ~ funded by @unicreativearts

The course ends with a celebration and exhibition at @beachcreativecic ~ 👀

#hernebay #thanet #margate

A couple of weeks ago @dannyboatboat explored FOMAPASTEL in the darkroom ~ the possibilities for this colour combo are endless 🥹

@foma.bohemia

THE NEW AND IMPROVED!
✨ Cyanotype Printing Kit ✨
After 5 years, I felt it was time for a refresh, with more information and references to the joy of ✨light✨

On Etsy, You can also find upgrades!
+ no frame or acetates £33
+ 1 A5 exposure frame £36
+ Acetate images and alphabet sets £38
+ 1 A5 exposure frame and Acetate images and alphabet sets £41
(P&P to UK included in all prices)

I’m so proud of these kits, here’s what you say about them!
💬
“Wow! Incredibly fast delivery, and the kit is exactly as described. Has absolutely everything you could need along with really clear instructions. It’s been raining here a lot so I’ve not tried it out yet but I can’t wait to! Everything looks so high quality, and the instructions make the process really simple and accessible to follow. Would absolutely recommend!” ~ Eli, 24th Nov 2025 via Etsy

“Perfect gift. Thank you for the speedy dispatch” ~ Saffron 24th Nov 2025 via Etsy

“Bought as a Christmas present, the product arrived as described. The gift wrapping was very professional, overall brilliant service would buy from this shop again” ~ Stacey 6th Jan 2025 via Etsy

“This was a great gift and the seller has so much helpful info about storing and using the kit. Highly recommend” ~ Cat 19th Nov 2025 via Etsy

THANK YOU! Yesterday you came out in hoards and supported me with the drop in the algorithm. Running a business is not easy. Running two is even harder! This year I’ve been growing my wedding photography business over at @emilyroseparrisphotography which has certainly taken some brain power. I’m pleased to say it’s going well! I’ve still been running workshops both onsite and offsite ~ traveling to Dorset, the Cotswolds and here in Kent too. If 2025 has taught me anything, it’s that I will ALWAYS juggle education & commercial photography, I just love them both. Education gives me the ability to share my skills and knowledge via tangible experience based learning. While wedding & family photography enables me to capture precious moments for you to enjoy for all time. Thank you for always being supportive, I have one more plea. This Christmas PLEASE try and support small businesses, we need it now more than ever. Use Etsy, direct business websites and boutiques.

How to support my small business this season 🎄
You can buy gift cards via my website.
✨ www.thedarkroomatbeachcreative.org ✨
🩵My cyanotype kits are stocked:
•on my website
• via Etsy thedarkroombc (25% off until 3/12/25)
• Not on the High street
• in store at @rockpaperscissorsbrand @witofwhitstable @clever_hands_creative

—-
#hernebay #kent #whitstable

Pretty please. Help me get back on your algorithm 😩 2025 has been an amazing year for workshops, 1:1 sessions and festivals! Sadly, the algorithm is favouring my posts less and less… I don’t think it’s because you care less, there is so much noise out there it’s hard to cut through. Shout out to my diehard people (hey mum & dad!) Please like and comment on my last few posts, it boosts all this hard work back into the viewers eyes. The gesture will be returns as I’m sure I’m not alone in the slump 🤪

📷 from @campbestival 2025. Can’t wait to go back for 2026!

So proud to be a sponsor for @kimwilliamsweddings Advent Wedding Challenge 2025!

Here’s what @kimwilliamsweddings says about the challenge

“What is #adventweddingchallenge you may ask?
Wedding suppliers posting every day in December, following the given prompts (see slide 2) and championing each other whilst we’re at it. You don’t need to be a photographer to play - anyone is welcome
- and this year I’m encouraging you now more than ever to connect with your local florists, celebrants, venues, painters, planners, coordinators, dog sitters, musicians, MUAs and the rest. When the world feels like it’s crumbling around us, the best thing we can do is cling onto community. So when you post, use the hashtag or join the community channel or FB group to actively seek out others playing along and hype them up in their commments.
If committing to posting everyday feels too much, try once a week, choosing ten prompts, posting every other day - there’s no pressure here, we do what we can 🧡”

Head to @kimwilliamsweddings for more info about #adventweddingchallenge2025

Teaching slow shutter speed and motion blur always ends with me sneaking into students' frames at 1/60th of a second - wonder how many pics of me exist like this 🤣

Love this shot by Charlotte during our 35mm photo walk a few weeks ago. Charlotte then learned how to develop 35mm film and print from the negatives in the darkroom 💡

Yesterday I welcomed Isabelle and Otto to the darkroom to develop b&w film by hand. It was a joy to hear that they use a Canon A1, a camera close to my heart being the first ‘serious’ film camera I bought myself. If you’re ever stuck on where to start, a Canon A1 is the one 🎞️

The loveliest afternoon over at @thekingsschoolcanterbury yesterday ~ visiting their darkroom with my pinhole camera kits in tow! The students did really well exploring light & time in the last afternoon light. Fighting against the setting sun, they make some amazing prints varying from 30s-5min exposures

#hernebay #thanet #canterbury #margate #alternativephotography #altphoto #whitstable #analog #whitstable #pinhole #pinholecameras #pinholes #pinholeart #pinholephotograph #handmadecamera #diycamera #kingsschoolcanterbury #ashford #faversham #ramsgate

Absolutely beautiful morning with Caroline & Charlotte yesterday morning ~ printing up from the 35mm negatives we created a couple of weeks ago. 🎞️ 📷

Drawings + Photograms ~ a fab Sunday with the @beachcreativecic Youth Board, exploring their drawing skills and pairing it with photograms in the darkroom 🤍

#hernebay #thanet #canterbury #margate #alternativephotography #altphoto #whitstable #whitstablekent #analog #cyanotypes #photogram #darkroom #ilfordphoto

A lovely workshop at @catchinglives yesterday ~ we explored words and cyanotype as part of the @thelawsontrust Literacy fund. The participants paired images with words on their cyanotype prints, creating a selection of literacy related artworks

So lovely to have Danny back in the darkroom this evening, printing up these 35mm prints ✨ just a reminder that the darkroom is available to hire for just £35 per day. Take a look at the hiring schedule on my website to book 🤍

📷 @dannyboatboat

Who's ready to hibernate in the darkroom?
🍂 Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to get creative! I'm so grateful for regulars like Danny @dannyboatboat who created this print! who bring their passion and talent.
✨Cost: £35/day
✨ Location: Herne Bay, Kent.
✨Book now through my website!
✨ don’t see the date you’re after? Just drop me an email and I can update the schedule

✨2025 marks 10 years since I first got the keys to the darkroom. How time flies?! So much has happened in these 10 years… This winter I’m going to reflect on all the projects and activities and write an impact report.

💬I’d LOVE to hear your stories about our connection. If you’ve ever been to one of my workshops, events, bought a cyanotype kit, visited the darkroom or generally learned anything with me, please comment below, DM me or drop me an email. It would mean the world to me 🌍

💭For now I was to say a huge thank you to a handful of projects who have helped me on my early career journey

✨Thank you to✨
@beachcreativecic in particular Gill & Mandy
@unicreativearts
@threadskent
@rockpaperscissorsbrand
@catchinglives
@take.offcharity
@hernebayfest
@inaspacearts
@creativecourseskent
@thehorsebridge
@hernebay_arts_award_students
@future_foundry
@thekingsschoolcanterbury @juniorkingssch

Send your thoughts via comment, DM or email
Thedarkroomatbeachcreative@gmail.com

#hernebay #thanet #margate #canterbury #ashford #kent #eastkent #darkroom #darkroomphotography #darkroomprint #anthotype #cyanotype #chemigram #35mm #35mmfilm #35mmphoto #ilford #ilfordphoto #analog #analogue #analoguephotography #whitstable #communityart #communitysupport #arttherapy

A lovely morning with C & Caroline exploring using a 35mm camera and @ilfordphoto HP5 ~ the perfect weather with a mix of diffused cloud cover and bursts of sunshine. Looking forward to showing C how to develop film by hand next week 😄

@carolinedyal & @tuitionextra

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#hernebay #darkroom #darkroomprint #darkroomphotography #analog #analogue #analoguephotography #ilford #ilfordhp5plus #ilfordhp5plus400 #ilfordhp5

🤘🏻Talk about dedication! Morgan @mcampbell.media had a vision - to turn paving slabs into art using the darkroom. Fast forward to an A* grade at A Level! Morgan's passion for analogue processes shines through in every piece. What an achievement!

Check out more of Morgan’s vision here @mcampbell.media 👀

——-
#alevel #darkroom #analog #analogue #analoguephotography #analoguepeople #liquidlight #lightsensitive #darkroomprint #altphoto #alternativephoto #alternativephotography #hernebay #thanet #margate #whitstable #canterbury #kent #eastkent #alevelart #hernebaykent

Hey! Thought I’d share this lovely day in August with you! Kindly funded by @hernebayfest and @beachcreativecic - this cyanotype workshop was made FREE for the participants! We had so much fun! If you’d like to learn more about cyanotype printing, I run 1:1 workshops at my darkroom here in Herne bay, amongst many other workshops.

🔗Have a browse on my website - autumn is the perfect time to get booked in 🤍
Www.thedarkroomatbeachcreative.org

#cyanotype #cyanotypes #cyanotypeprint #ashford #newforest #canterbury #darkroomprint #darkroomphotography #sunprint #sunprinting #altphoto #alternativephoto #whitstable #alternativephotography #kent #eastkent #darkroom #ukholiday #hernebay #margate #thanet

So magical to have Alla using the darkroom yesterday~ we started the day by developing 35mm film together, with a mini negative printing session. Alla then bravely spent the afternoon printing and navigating the ups and downs of analogue printing. Learning all about light & time 📷 @alla_photographer_ukraine a joy having you 🩵

Sunday 12th October ~ 12:30pm-3:30pm at @creativecourseskent in Faversham

Join me for an experimental experience, exploring Chemigram printing. Chemigram printing is a unique printing process using light sensitive photographic paper, continuous daylight exposure and everyday substances such as honey, glue or soap. We will use photographic chemicals to push the process to new places, creative abstract mark marking, exploring light & time.

Booking via @creativecourseskent website

Friday was incredible with Elle, discovering darkroom techniques and fine-tuning her digital camera skills, just before the Year 11 start. I value the time with each client, especially young people from a digital generation. Darkroom techniques broaden their understanding of photography, and I'm thankful to be booked. ✨ 1:1 sessions can be browsed via my website, and booked to suit your schedule ✨
Www.thedarkroomatbeachcrearive.org

So fab to share Art Town with these strong women at @campbestival
✨Tiaras and self portraits with @gemma_longworth_diy
✨ funky flags with @artlabrtry
✨ paper marbling and collage with @erin.l.hughes
✨ cyanotype printing with @thedarkroombc
& my helper Cat Day 🤍
Dream team!

#cynaotype #cyanotypes #cyanotypeprint #campbestival #canpbestival2025 #analog #analogue #analoguephotography #solarprint #solarprinting #sunprint #sunprinting #papermarbling #collageart #ukfestival #femaleleaders #communityart

Had the best time with my pal Cat, over at @campbestival 🩵🤍 we made 100’s of prints, every day! Thank you to everyone who came to make art, have a chat and made the festival as fun as possible! All our workshops were FREE for adults and children to explore the wonders of cyanotype!

So excited to be back at @campbestival this week! I’ll be very much off the grid, immersed in cyanotype workshops, music and fun! See you on the other side!

—-
#campbestival #dorset #campbestival2025 #campinguk #ukfestivals #cyanotype #cyanotypes #cyanotypeprinting #sunprint #sunprinting #cyanotypeart #cyanotypeartists #southcoast #england #jurassiccoast #lulworthcastle #lulworthcove #lulworth #hernebay #thanet #margate #kent #eastkent

Hey! 👋🏻 I’ll be off grid at @campbestival
30th July - 4th Aug
Then likely needing time to recoup 5th - 8th August
Safe to say, don’t expect replies to emails or DM’s for a little while
If you’re booked in for a 1:1 in August, these are going ahead but comms might be slower than usual
Lots of love
Emily

👋🏻 Life as a creative in July is chaotic! While I love having a packed schedule, it's hard to maintain the momentum. Luckily, I got to unwind and explore Hythe and 35mm film with my friend Georgie and little Isaac! More of this please 🤍

📷: @georgie_kiernan 🤍

#hythe #35mm #35mmfilm #35mmfilmphotography #ilford #ilfordhp5 #analog #analogue #analoguephotography #kent #eastkent #northkent #ashford #ashfordkent #faversham #canterbury #margate #westgateonsea #whitstable #hernebay #darkroom #altphoto

Morning! Just a quick hello as I know I’ve been posting on here less and less. I’m still working away. I have lots of lovely events coming up
• @campbestival (I’ll be away 30th July - 5th August)
• more workshops being announced soon at @creativecourseskent Faversham
• @hernebayfest (cyanotype workshop now fully booked)
• some 1:1 sessions booked in throughout August
• weddings and events with @emilyroseparrisphotography

It’s safe to say that I’m a busy bee! Thank you for being here and supporting my small business 🤍 I was lucky enough to visit @atthelovebooth in Ramsgate, @barbicancentre for their sound exhibition & @designmuseum for Splash! An exhibition on the history of swimming 🩵

Spent a lovely afternoon at @catchinglives exploring Cyanotypes and literature, made possible by their literary fund grant. We began with a word association exercise focused on "light", a fitting theme given cyanotype printing's reliance on UV light. Thank you @thelawsontrust for funding this project

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#Catchinglives #hernebay #thanet #canterbury #margate #alternativephotography #altphoto #whitstable #analog #cyanotypes #cyanotypeprint #cyanotypeprocess #sunprinting #communityart #communityproject #communityarts

We had a fantastic afternoon over at @creativecourseskent in Faversham yesterday. Thank you to everyone who came along to explore the joys of cyanotype printing! We were lucky with bright sunshine and occasional cloud, and even lucky enough to have use of Megan’s air conditioned studio at @creativeframeskent ! ~ I was joined by @jessbootesphotos who recently completed an artist residency at @thedarkroombc
Jess took these fantastic photos of the workshop, she also helped the participants throughout the workshop. A heart felt thank you to Jess for all your support on the day, and to Megan for inviting me along to teach. I’ll be back!

—-
#hernebay #kent #faversham #cyanotyoe #cyanotypes #cyanotypeprint #cyanotypeprinting #canterburykent #eastkent #northkent #altphoto #alternativephotography #sunprint #sunprinting #analog #analoguephotography #femaleleaders #femalebusinessowner

Amazing to see so many creatives in one space! Pop in to see at @witofwhitstable ~ grab a cyanotype kit while the weather is hot!

Finally had some time to recap on the Adults cyanotype workshop over in the Cotswolds a couple of weeks ago. Thank you endlessly to @broadwayartsfestival for inviting me along, it was so fun, as you can see in the reel 🤍

#hernebay #thanet #canterbury #margate #whitstable #alternativephotography #altphoto #analogue #analog #cyanotypes #cyanotype #cyanotypeprint #cyanotypeart #sunprint #sunprinting #sunprintkit #cotswold #thecotswolds #cotswoldsartist #cotswoldslife #broadwaycotswolds #cyanotypekit #etsyuk #etsygiftideas #etsyselleruk

It’s my birthday! & my mum’s on Sunday. So special to celebrate our birthdays so close together, with my twin and inspiration ✨ in my 33rd year, what have a learnt? I’ve finally learnt how to have work / life balance! Part of that comes from grafting for 10 years to get my businesses off the ground and running, and the graft is still very much there. But the balance is key to making it sustainable. I’ve also learned to embrace all of what life brings. The ups & downs. They all have value. Recently I was reflecting on how I used to handle (or not handle) uncertainty, and yet here I am age 33 and most days are uncertain. Most of the time I walk into jobs having never met the people or worked in the space, and somehow, I thrive. Life is forever a learning journey, my guiding light for the last few years is “do it scared”. That’s where the magic happens ✨ thank you for everyone who has even been a part of @thedarkroombc so far. There’s more to come, and I can’t wait to see you 🤍

So nice to take some time to reflect on the children’s cyanotype workshop over at @broadwayartsfestival last Saturday ~ such a magical arts festival 🤍🩵

—
#hernebay #thanet #canterbury #margate #whitstable #alternativephotography #alternativephotography #altphoto #altphotography #cyanotype #Cyanotypes #cyanotypeprint #cyanotypeprint #cotswold #Cotswolds #broadwayartsfestival

Had so much fun visiting my pal in Warwick! We attempted making some cyanotype clothes ready for our visit to @campbestival this summer! It was a challenge working on her lovely narrow boat, and the blazing sun! But we made something! And most importantly had a blast problem solving together 🥹

Yesterday! An unforgettable day at @broadwayartsfestival in the Cotswolds! I've got a ton of things to share, but first, time to recharge with a cuppa ~ ☕️

If you have a little group of pals, get in touch to discuss Private group bookings. These can include
- cyanotype printing
- pinhole cameras
- chemigram printing
- photogram printing & many more photographic techniques.

Location: can be onsite at @thedarkroombc if the darkroom is needed, or various locations for Cyanotypes and chemigrams. Today’s workshop was at @beachcreativecic on the ground floor. Access and additional support needs can be factored in.

Ps didn’t mean to leave the original video audio in this reel but at least I’m saying lovely positive things 🥹😂

Day 2 of the artist residency with @jessbootesphotos ~ taking place here at @thedarkroombc funded by @cccuphoto @cccu_artsandculture

Jess has been exploring darkroom techniques and developing new skills during this residency. Some amazing outcomes so far, but most importantly Jess has been having lots of fun! I popped by today to capture some of Jess’ journey, and some headshots which could be useful for Jess’ future career.

Day 1 of the @cccuphoto residency here at @thedarkroombc ~ the selected artist in residence , @jessbootesphotos , is in the studio based at @beachcreativecic for the next 3 days. I can’t wait to see what Jess explores during her time in Herne Bay and the darkroom. Watch this space!

This 3 day artist residency has been funded by @cccuphoto @cccu_artsandculture - the open call was exclusive to CCCU photography students and aims to provide a studio space within the local community to continue their student projects and professional studies. The residency is not outcome driven, rather focusing on the artist’ personal development, networking opportunities and technical and creative exploration.

A wonderful afternoon in the darkroom with Logan. I’ve known Logan since he was about 5, he’s now 12! Where does the time go? It’s a joy to teach young people these analogue skills, taking hands on creative skills into a digital era. My 1:1 sessions are bookable on myself website, and can be scheduled at a time to suit you. Have a browse! Link in bio, or
Www.thedarkroomatbeachcreative.org

Coming soon! Cyanotype Postcard Sets ~ these will be available to buy from @rockpaperscissorsbrand soon. Each set contains 4 hand printed original cyanotype postcards. Each set will vary as I print using seasonal plants. The postcards are great as a little set of artworks to frame, or write on the back and gift to someone. New sets will appear as I get creative, watch this space 👀

♻️Packaged in compostable sleeves. All plants used are foraged mindfully and only taken when the plants are in abundance.

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What you're saying

Exploring 35mm camera photography and negative printing was fascinating to me as I loved the creativity of manually producing the outcomes and taking images as we couldn't completely predict the results, it was like a surprise.The detail in the outcomes also made this my favourite technique as it created more atmosphere in the images. I also really enjoyed photogram printing since it was exciting to organise the objects together and to see the surprising detail in each outcome.

Participant

Photography Summer School

2024

I enjoyed having the space and environment to experiment with processes as it provided me a break from the pressures of University and just focus on image making purely for my own personal joy.

Participant

Artist Residency 2024

Great item, with speedy delivery. Perfect for my nephew as a 'fun yet educational' gift that his mother requested on his behalf!! Would recommend *****

Cyanotype Kits via Etsy shop

2022

Emily has provided amazing workshops at Take Off charity. We have done a variety of activities including photograms and cyanotype printing! We had so much fun!

Take Off Peer Support Worker

2020

1 : 1 WORKSHOPS

HIRE THE DARKROOM

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming group workshops, events, opportunities and news

CYANOTYPE KITS

I make cyanotype kits to help you take your first steps into the magic of photography. Cyanotype printing is one of the earliest forms of photography dating back to the 1800's . It is suitable to explore without the need of a darkroom., from the comfort of your own home

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