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FEATURES SPRING 2021
46 START YOUR SEEDS! 66 GOOD BEDFELLOWS 86 TURNING TABLES

It’s that time of year. Give your Bring style and order to any bedroom Does the name Clint Harp ring a
seeds a head start before outdoor with one of five bedside table updates. bell? The Fixer Upper carpenter
planting season. transforms a hot-mess home into
72 BACKYARD BLISS a DIY-filled rental with plenty of
49 PLEASED AS PUNCH Builder-grade backyard. Check. woodworking “wows!”
We give our nod to needle punching Instant weekend upgrade. Check.
by sharing the basics along with This young couple customized their 94 DISH THE DIRT
updated projects to keep this space to live more outdoors. Find a pretty vessel, follow our
technique super fresh. plant picks and care tips, and enjoy
80 WALLS OF FAME some in-home greenery.
56 THE SUNNY SIDE Two talented ladies take to the walls
A rainbow of color—and some with quick treatment ideas for
achievable DIYs—radiates through every room in your home.
this adorable Utah home.
BHG.COM/DIYM A G A Z I N E DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021 1

66
49
14
p.104
DEPARTMENTS SPRING 2021
8 TRY IT 24 ON OUR RADAR 104 TREND SITING

Silver and gold ... and copper ... and Spring has sprung, and our roundup Is tie-dye back? Nope, because it
rose gold ... all the glitz with of tools, products, kits, and books never left, and these products are
these metallic-focused projects. keeps things fresh and fun. all the rage.
14 MEET THE MAKER 30 WHAT TO DO WITH . ..

These are not your average knots! Get the pushpins ready. These ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Lise Silva Gomes shows us it’s fit to colorful cork projects are as 4 EDITOR’S LETTER
be tied with her contemporary take appealing as they are easy! 6 BHG.COM
on classic knotting techniques. 102 RESOURCES + PROJECTS
38 HANDY GIRL UNDER $20
18 COOL TOOLS Use your time at home wisely with
ON OUR COVER
Man’s best friend deserves the Handy Girl’s recommendations for
PHOTOGRAPH ADAM ALBRIGHT
best—these tools cover all of your taking your home from blah to STYLING LACEY HOWARD
favorite pal’s needs. tip-top shape.
21 SEW EASY 42 ORDER IN THE HOUSE

Stitch an XL tote this Spring cleaning is simplified with
weekend—we give you the this outfitted, ultra-organized
full how-to. utility closet.
2 DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021

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BEFORE
FLIP MAGIC LEILANI SANCHEZ
@HU7AGIRL
Get inspired by these DIYers who Pattern up! A simple
took on @thebuilderschallenge white IKEA dresser gets a
textural facelift from three
to revive or restore furniture finds sizes of pine lattice laid
that truly inspire. Here are the out in intricate drawer-
makeovers that made us swoon. front designs accented
wi n n e r ! with leather pulls. That’s a

stylish-nursery win.
ERIKA COLEMAN @ERILEE.DESIGNS

It was all about playing up the grain for
this rustic-yet-modern makeover. Three
stain colors, 296 paint stir sticks, and black
accents brought out this dresser’s rich wood
tones and gave it a smoky edge.
LESLIE JARRETT
BEFORE
@WONDERFULLYMADEBYLESLIE
No glass, no problem. New cane
inserts, pine trim accents in place
of dated tile, and a fresh white
paint job rescued this abandoned
console and made it into an
entryway stunner.
BE FO RE BEFORE
w i n n e r ! BRANDY BROWN
@THEGRACEFILLEDNEST
Restoring this water-
damaged Mexican
equipale table took lots
and lots of hand sanding,
sealing, and a new
cowhide-rug top, but its
revival is so rewarding.
BEFORE
SUSIE DALEY
@LITTLEHOMEMAKERS
This midcentury modern
buffet’s great lines and rich
walnut veneer just needed its
inner beauty brought back
to life. Touches of black milk
paint and gold-tone accents
bring out a hip vibe.
BE FO RE
CAROLINE GIBSON
@LIVINGONSALTWATER
With a little reimagination,
teal spray paint, and a
natural wood top and
base, this industrial
hardware cabinet looks
refreshed and ready to
organize.
Feeling inspired?
If you’re a furniture flipper or just love seeing amazing
transformations, visit builderschallenge.com/ffc to learn more
about Season 1 winners and sign up to follow or participate in
Season 2. Additional seasons are planned throughout 2021.
FROM THE EDITOR
Well, hello, crocuses! I can’t

remember a moment when I’ve
been more ready to shake off
the old and welcome the new.
Spring has always been a time to refresh, but this
year I’m motivated to revise, repair, and reboot.
I’m eager to revitalize everything in my home and
yard—and, by extension, my life.
That’s why we’ve packed this issue with
projects and ideas to give your style a wake-up
call. Start with needle punch, one of the easiest,
most satisfying crafts Team DIY has ever tried. All
you need is a punch, yarn, monk’s cloth, and five
minutes of practice to begin creating texture-rich
pillows and rugs (“Pleased As Punch, page 49). Then
take a shine to the metallic trend with the latest
sprays, pastes, and foils that make old accessories
positively glow (“Try It: Metallics,” page 8). Because
few projects energize a room faster than painting,
we tour blogger Ashley Wilson’s rainbow-tinted
cottage (“The Sunny Side,” page 56). And what’s
spring without some growth? Sprout some flowers
and veggies right now with a seed-starting station
and our no-fail care tips (“Start Your Seeds!”, page 46).
So open a window—and your mind—to the
possibilities. A little new will do you good!
Brian Kramer
Editor, Do It Yourself ™
DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021 5

BHG.COM
FURNITURE
REFRESH
Try your hand at one of these unique
furniture updates this weekend.
FLEA
MARKET
DIYS
TRANSFORM YOUR
FLEA FURNITURE FINDS
WITH THESE CLEVER DIY
STORAGE IDEAS. BHG.COM/
FLEAMARKETSTORAGE
DISTRESS WOOD
Use our guide for all
the best tips and tricks
when distressing wood.
BHG.com/
DistressFurniture
MAKE OVER A DRESSER

Take a peek at some of our
favorite DIY rehabs and
pick one to try!
BHG.com/DIYDressers
STENCIL A CHAIR
A stencil and spray paint
are all you need for this fun,
fresh chair makeover.
BHG.com/
VinylAccentChair

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TRY IT
METALLICS
Bring shine and shimmer to
walls, pillows, lamps, and
more with metallic paints,
foils, and inks.
PROJECTS JODI HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLAS
GOURGUECHON WORDS NICOLE SHAPIRO
GLOW UP Use a wax metallic

finish to give an old lamp a
distressed look, this photo.
Choose a lamp base with a
raised pattern like our dotted
design. Use a rag to apply
the finish (ours is Amaco
Rub ‘n Buff in Gold Leaf) to
the surface, inset photo, then
rub it off the higher points
while still wet. Let dry.
POLISHED PILLOWS Put your
own metallic touch on plain
pillowcases, this photo, with
foil transfers and glitter gels.
FOR A PERFECT PATTERN, To add defined rectangles, as
SPRAY STENCIL WITH seen on the square pillow, cut
ADHESIVE AND SECURE strips of iCraft Deco Foil Hot
TO THE PILLOWCASE, Melt Adhesive and iron onto
THEN USE A GEL pillowcase. Let cool, then peel
SPREADER TO APPLY
off paper backing. Cut strips of
GLITTER GEL EVENLY
OVER THE STENCIL. iCraft Deco Foil Transfer Sheets
CAREFULLY REMOVE slightly larger than the adhesive
STENCIL AND LET DRY. sections and iron atop adhesive,
following package directions.
Peel off; foil will remain on the
adhesive. For the more abstract
look on the rectangular pillow,
use a medium paintbrush to
apply iCraft Deco Foil Transfer
Gel Duo to pillowcase (thicker
toward the edges). Let dry until
clear and tacky, then iron on
foil transfer sheets, following
package directions. Peel off;
foil will remain where
there is adhesive.
FOR ALL PILLOW

DESIGNS, WE
RECOMMEND
WASHING BY
HAND TO KEEP
THEM LOOKING
THEIR BEST.

DRIPPED DESIGNS Create
your own coordinated
collection of vases by
painting some you have
on hand or purchase
from a thrift shop. For
this melty effect, left, we
used Tim Holtz Alloy in
Mined, Foundry, Gilded,
and Statue from Ranger
Ink. Set your vase on a
thick piece of cardboard.
Shake the inks well and
drip around the neck of
the vase. Add blending
solution randomly to
blend. Let dry completely.
DO IT
BETTER
EASILY ADD
COORDINATING PIECES
TO YOUR COLLECTION:
WE COATED A $2 THRIFT
STORE FIND WITH
KRYLON COVERMAXX IN
GOLD METALLIC (GOLD
VASE, ABOVE).
TAKE IT IN A DIFFERENT
DIRECTION: SET YOUR
VASE ON ITS SIDE TO
PRODUCE HORIZONTAL
DRIP LINES, TURNING
AS NEEDED TO
SPREAD THE INKS.

WALL STARS Give your walls
a custom shimmery design
with stencils and metallic
paints, this photo. Start with
an all-over layer of primer.
Let dry, then add a coat of
metallic-hue paint and let dry.
Center stencil at the top of the
wall and use a level and pencil
to lightly mark lines straight
down to create guidelines for
resetting the pattern. Secure
stencil with painters tape;
check with a level to be sure
it’s straight. Apply white primer
to the stencil cutouts in a
circular motion using a stencil
brush (offload excess paint
first to avoid bleeding under
stencil edges). Repeat, using
the pattern’s registration marks
to reset the stencil, lining it up
with an already dry section to
avoid smudging.
ADD SPARKLE TO
THE BACK OF PLAIN
SEATING WITH SPRAY
PAINT. COVER ANY
PARTS YOU DON’T
WANT TO PAINT WITH
RAGS OR PAINTERS
TAPE, THEN SPRAY
OUTDOORS OR IN A
WELL-VENTILATED
AREA INDOORS.
MAKE A STATEMENT
Craft your own dazzling
message to put on
display, left. Print or
copy your design using
a laser printer (inkjet
won’t work). Trim an
iCraft Deco Foil Transfer
Sheet to cover the letters
or image you want to
foil, then sandwich the
printout and foil between
two sheets of paper and
send through a preheated
laminator. Peel off the foil
sheet; foil will remain
on the toner letters
or images.
DO IT
BETTER
LOOKING FOR A FRAME WORK Add gold
leaf to a picture frame
AN AFFORDABLE
LAMINATOR? CHECK for a shiny showpiece,
YOUR LOCAL BIG- above left. Working on
BOX STORES: TARGET, one side at a time, apply
AMAZON, MICHAELS, metal leaf adhesive and
AND MORE. sheets to your frame
(A), following package
instructions. The metal
leaf is very fragile, so it
will tear easily; repeat
as needed to cover any
cracks. Let dry.

PAINTED POTS To add a patina to your planters,
this photo, use painters tape to mark an even line
around the bottom of the pots. Apply metallic paint
in one direction using a foam brush. Use at least
two coats for porous surfaces like concrete, letting
the paint dry completely between coats.
FOR RESOURCES SEE PAGE 102.

MEET THE MAKER
SACRED
KNOTSFiber artist
Lise Silva Gomes
embraces history and
slow crafting with her
handmade creations.
WORDS RACHEL O’BRIEN
PHOTOGRAPHS MARTY BALDWIN
THE MAKER:
LISE SILVA GOMES
Sacred Knots not only sells its unique crafts, but also uses
its site to build community within the crafting world.
O : What inspires your work? take on as people making crafts—
these are community-oriented
A: A lot of my inspiration comes mediums.
from dreaming. I allow myself space
to close my eyes and meditate or
O : What’s the story behind using
the phrase sacred knots?
visualize things I want to make.
Inspiration sometimes can just
be an energetic thing. I like to
A: When I started to get into
knotting, I was discovering
surround myself with things that historical knotting practices around
inspire me on the highest level. It the world. On every inhabited
really invigorates you to become a continent, there were cultures that
AFTER EXPERIMENTING WITH creative powerhouse. had unique knotting practices. The
VINTAGE MACRAMÉ KITS, LISE
SILVA GOMES DEVELOPED
O : Why was creating a word I thought of was sacred, to
make ritual and special practices
community through your platform
HER OWN UNIQUE STYLE out of really practical, essential,
important to you?
OF KNOTTING. HISTORICAL basic things.
KNOTTING PRACTICES FROM A: I think community is so
AROUND THE GLOBE CONTINUE essential for our personal
TO INFLUENCE HER WORK. development, and also for the
elevation of the mediums we’re
working in. It’s the legacy that we
ALL TIED UP
With a focus on
slow crafting, Lise
Silva developed a
sustainable business
that creates custom
commissions,
jewelry, art prints, and
knotting kits. For an
in-depth guide to the
practice of knotting,
you can purchase
Lise’s instructional
guide Sacred Knots:
Create, Adorn, and
Transform Through
the Art of Knotting.
Check out her shop
at lisesilva.com and
her community
collaborations at
wovenutopia.com.

MAKE IT
KNOTTED
WALL HANGING
MATERIALS
• DIY Wall Hanging Kit (available at lisesilva.com)
• 18 feet of 1/4-inch diameter rope
• Sewing pins
• Needle and off-white thread
• 2 gemstone pendants
• Skein of yarn
• Cardboard, cut to 51/2×3 inches
Step 1 Lay an 18-foot piece of rope down, keeping

an arch at the top (or double up the rope to get the
look of final design, left). Pull the bottom of the left-
hand cord behind the right-hand side, following the
placement in image A.
Step 2 Take the cord on the right-hand side under
the entire piece and pull over and down, looping it
under the highlighted rope (B).
Step 3 Adjust the cord, making sure the right-hand
and left-hand sides of the knot are the same size,
about 7 inches across. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create
an additional double coin knot (C).
Step 4 Pin the knot intersections (a total of eight) to
hold them in place. Thread a needle with 14 inches
A B C D E of thread, triple knotting the end. Remove pins from
one intersection. Insert your needle into one of the
ropes and create a few stitches inside and between
the intersection, sewing the ropes together until the
intersection is firmly intact. Knot your thread and
clip the excess. Repeat to sew together each knot
intersection (D).
Step 5 Tightly sew gemstones into the middle section
of both double coin knots. Knot thread and clip the
excess (E).
Step 6 Make tassels by wrapping yarn 60 times
around the longer side of the cardboard piece. Cut
a 6-inch piece of yarn and double knot it tightly
across the wrapped yarn. Flip the cardboard over
and cut through the yarn, freeing your tassel. Repeat
ILLUSTRATION CHRISTOPHER MILLS
to make three more tassels. Trim rope ends to hang

2 inches below the knot. Sew tassels to the bottom
of the rope ends.
Step 7 Hang your finished piece by its top loop.

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PET TOOLS WITH

NEW TRICKS Man’s best friend—plus cats, rabbits, fish, birds—
deserve the best tools for their health, safety, and
welfare. (And a clean house for you.)
1. KONG ZOOM GROOM WORDS LINDSEY M. ROBERTS
NATURAL RUBBER BRUSH
Whether shampooing wet
coats or scrubbing on dry, 1
these pink or blue natural
rubber brushes collect loose
hair and stimulate with a
massage feel. $9–$10;
petedge.com
3
3. NAIL CLIPPER FOR CATS Sharp blades
on these nail clippers make for quick and
precise clipping on even the most squeamish
of kitties. $6; target.com
2. WHISTLE GO Lost pets

4. CAT SCAT MAT Let’s 4 get found with a snap-collar
keep those cats out of your GPS device that features real-
houseplants. Tell your cat time location tracking and
“no trespassing” with a mat escape alerts via app and text.
of flexible plastic spikes that Keep an eye on more than
anchors into place. The your pet’s location with fitness
78-inch-long by 11-inch- features, health monitors, and
wide mat can be cut into a food-portion calculator. It’s
pieces for planters inside waterproof and has a battery
and gardens outside. $15; life of up to 10 days. $129 +
gardeners.com annual fee; shop.whistle.
com

5
5. API EXTRA LONG

ALGAE SCRAPER FOR
GLASS AQUARIUMS
Instead of reaching down
into a tank or draining it to
clean, try an 18-inch algae
scraper. The double-side
scrubbing pad won’t 6
scratch the glass. $7;
chewy.com
6. GROOV TRAINING AID Help your pup not

hate the crate. A new training tool attaches to mesh
portions of the crate to offer a chewable surface
ideal for holding treats like peanut butter. It can
even be frozen. $32; diggs.pet
7. BURT’S BEES WATERLESS CAT
SHAMPOO A dry shampoo for cats? Yes,
please. This one sprays a mild pH-balanced
cleanser with vitamins, minerals, and
amino acids. $7; target.com 8
8. PETCHATZ Keep a virtual eye on pets from work or while

9. ONEPWR EVOLVE running errands with a greet-and-treat videophone. It has a two-
PET CORDLESS way chat function, treat dispenser, aromatherapy option, and sound
UPRIGHT VACUUM recording to track pet activity at home. $350; petchatz.com.
KIT Lift embedded dirt
and pet hair from carpet
and hard floors with a
cordless vacuum that 10. WELL & GOOD PROSTYLE
weighs only 9 pounds. It DOG DESHEDDING TOOL
includes a large-capacity It’s a dog’s life for owners of
tank, antimicrobial brush large to extra-large breeds who
roller, and pet odor filter. want less hair in the house. Two
$160; hoover.com kinds of teeth meet daily and
weekly needs for extracting only
loose hair—protecting a canine’s
undercoat. $34; petco.com 9 10
12
12. SPOTCLEAN
PET PRO PORTABLE
CARPET CLEANER
Take this portable,
stowable carpet cleaner
from car to living room
to remove pet stains,
spills, and odors. Tough
stains might require the
scrubbing 3-inch tool,
while liquid messes
require the stain trapper
tool. $170; bissell.com
13
11
13. PREVUE PET PRODUCTS MIMIC ME
11. REVOL DOG CRATE Easy BIRD VOICE RECORDING UNIT Polly want
to set up and take down—and it a cracker? If you’re tired of the usual phrases,
looks good too. Designed with record your voice and teach your bird fun new
diamond-shape mesh and a strong phrases, songs, and words. The recorder can
frame, the crate has a ceiling repeat messages 12 times and stop, or play
13
hatch and wheels. Puppy divider is messages 12 times every 10 minutes for two
included. From $245; diggs.pet hours. $17; chewy.com
14. FUREMOVER
EXTENDABLE PET HAIR
REMOVAL BROOM
Natural rubber bristles
14 attract and collect hair,
fur, dust, and more from
almost any surface:
clothing, furniture, carpet, 15
hardwood floors, tile.
The telescoping pole 16
extends from 36 to 15. SEACHEM COMBO
60 inches and includes ALERT PACK Without 16. COLLAR WALK KIT For a look that’s as stylish
a bonus squeegee. testing or chemicals, as your dog, consider this waterproof nylon option
$15; chewy.com determine whether a fish’s offered in seven colors. A color-matched collar, dirt-
environment has unsafe pH resistant leash, and poop bag carrier complete the
and ammonia levels. A sensor set. $108; wildone.com
attaches to the aquarium
and turns colors relative to
ammonia concentration.
$20; petco.com
17. WATERPIK PET WAND PRO DOG

SHOWER ATTACHMENT
Attach a bathing wand to a shower, utility
sink, or garden hose and always be ready for
a fast, easy, effective way to clean your dog.
The high-pressure comb water spray rinses
even thick hair. $33; chewy.com
17

SEW EASY
CANVAS
TOTE
Stretch your beginner sewing
skills to craft this impressive
(and handy!) bag.
PROJECTS LACEY HOWARD & SONJA CARMON PHOTOGRAPHS
MARTY BALDWIN & JACOB FOX WORDS LACEY HOWARD
YOU’VE GOT THIS

PROJECT IN THE
BAG! CHOOSE HARD-
WEARING CANVAS AND
FAUX NUBUCK FOR THE
EXTERIOR AND A FUN
COTTON PRINT FOR
THE INTERIOR OF THE
FINISHED 15½×15×6½-
INCH BAG.
A B
MAKE IT
CANVAS TOTE
MATERIALS
• ¾ yard faux-leather vinyl (handles, bag bottom)
• ½ yard canvas fabric (front and back bag exterior)
• 7∕8 yard cotton fabric (lining)
• 1¼ yards fusible fleece interfacing
• Fabric shears or scissors
• Sewing machine
• 90/14 heavyweight sewing needle C D
• Pins and clips
• Thread
• Ruler or sewing gauge
• Iron
• Ironing board
Step 1 Cut your fabrics (A). From the faux leather, cut
two 6¾× 22½-inch rectangles and two 3× 22-inch
strips. From the canvas, cut two 12½× 22½-inch
rectangles and two 1¾× 22½-inch strips. From the
lining fabric, cut two 18¾× 22½-inch rectangles with
22½-inch length parallel to the selvages. From fusible E
fleece, cut two 18¾× 22½-inch rectangles.
RATHER THAN TRYING
Step 2 Fit your machine with a 90/14 heavyweight TO FORCE PINS
sewing needle. Make handles by folding two long THROUGH THICK
sides of two 3× 22-inch vinyl strips to center, LAYERS OF CANVAS
overlapping slightly. Hold in place with clips. Sew AND VINYL, USE CLIPS
TO HOLD THE PIECES
seam in center (B), then stitch on either side of center TOGETHER. ALMOST
(C) for three rows of stitching total. ANY TYPE OF CLIP
Step 3 Make the sides of the bag. Lay one canvas WILL DO.
rectangle and one vinyl rectangle right sides together
and hold with clips. Stitch along one long side with
½-inch seam. Finger-press seam toward vinyl and F G
topstitch on front side of vinyl 1∕8 inch from seam (D).
Repeat for other side.
Step 4 Create the bag body. Lay the pieces created in
Step 3 right sides together, and clip (E). Stitch around
three sides: vinyl only (bottom) and two long canvas-
and-vinyl sides. Leave canvas only (top) edge open.
Step 5 Create a flat bottom for the bag. Align side
seam and bottom seam, clipping in place to create a
triangle at one bottom corner. Measure and mark
3¼ inches from point of triangle, drawing a line across
the triangle (F). Sew on the line and cut off triangle
¼ inch from seam (G). Repeat for other bottom corner. H I
Step 6 Attach handles. Turn bag body right side out.
Mark center on outside top edge of one side of bag
body. Measure 5 inches from center and clip on ends
of handle (H). Stitch handle ends to bag body (I).
Repeat for other handle on other side of bag.
Watch and learn! See this canvas tote

crafted start to finish: BHG.com/CanvasTote FOR RESOURCES SEE PAGE 102.

Step 7 Make the lining. Adhere interfacing to wrong side
of lining fabric following manufacturer’s instructions.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 (create bag body and flat bottom)
with lining pieces.
Step 8 Insert the lining into the bag body with wrong
sides together (outside of bag with handles on outside;
right side of lining facing in). Align side seams and
bottom corners. Pin around open top of bag (J) and
stitch top perimeter’s raw edges. Do not fold.
Step 9 Create facing for top edge. Press both 1¾× 22½-
inch canvas strips ½ inch along one long edge (K).
Stitch the two strips together at both short ends with
the ironed folds on top and bottom (L)—the ironed fold
is the wrong side—stitching flat the ironed fold.
Step 10 Align the facing piece’s raw edge with the raw
edges at the top of the bag with canvas right sides
together (M) and stitch with handles down against the
sides of the bag (N).
Step 11 Turn the folded edge of the facing piece to the
inside of the bag, pin, and topstitch with handles up (O)
to finish the bag (left).
J K
NEEDLE KNOWS
Sewing machine needles are available in a
variety of sizes and point types designed
for working with different kinds of fabric.
L M ALL AROUND
Grab a set of needles
labeled “universal” for
safe sewing on almost
any fabric. The numbers
and color codes identify
the diameter of the
needle and for what type
of fabric it is best suited.
2
HEAV Y DUT Y
N O Size 90/14 and
100/16 needles have
a strong, sharp point
and are intended for
denim and tightly
woven cottons
like canvas and
nonwoven material
like leather and vinyl.
BHG.COM/DIYM A G A Z I N E
STUFF WE LOVE
ON OUR
RADAR
Grow your garden, hobbies, and
knowledge this spring with
these tools and kits.
WORDS AMBER WAGNER PHOTOGRAPHS MARTY BALDWIN
Your drinks will ride in style on

these terrazzo coasters. Make
two custom creations in one of
three color fleck and two shape
options. Nontoxic eco resin is
easy to mix and pour in the round
or square molds. Once dry, simply
sand and seal your sturdy statement
pieces. Coaster Making Workshop
Kit, $42; badgerandbirch.co.uk
1. Ditch grimy sponges
and reach for a Swedish
dishcloth instead. This
Scandinavian sensation is
absorbent, compostable,
and can be tossed in the
laundry up to 200 times.
Replace both paper towels
and sponges with one of
the 50+ printed designs.
$7; threebluebirds.com
2. Safe spring cleaning
starts with natural
ingredients. Aunt Fannie’s
has harnessed the strong
but gentle power of
vinegar in a biodegradable 1
cleaning formula. Choose
from five essential oil-base 2 3
scents. Aunt Fannie’s
Cleaning Vinegar, from $7;
auntfannies.com
3. Six options in one tool
saves space and time. Snap
the interchangeable heads
on and off the QuikFit
handle with a click. Rakes,
hoes, and a broom are
available in the sleek line of
tool heads. Fiskars Quikfit,
from $15; fiskars.com
4. An interactive
exploration of color
using paint, A Field Guide
to Color: A Watercolor
Workbook will expand
your knowledge of
hues with an immersive 4 5
journaling approach
to color theory. Follow
prompts and guides to
learn how colors interact
and develop your own
personal color style. $28;
roostbooks.com
5. This chic vessel makes it
easier to extend the life of
your floral arrangements.
The bottom half of the
Amaranth vase twists off
for easy access to trim
stems and replace water.
Five gorgeous colors can
match your style. $60;
amaranthvase.com

6. The Subpod is above
par for composting,
but below ground for
optimum composting
with minimum effort.
No more bulky bins and
unsightly barrels. Worms
and microbes do the
heavy lifting while creating
black gold for your
garden. $199;
subpod.com
7. Make your own
mini masterpiece. DIY
Monstera Mosaic Kit
includes framework, glue,
and glass tiles. Whether
you hang the lovely leaf
on the wall or use it as
6 a coaster, this easy kit
is a great way to piece
7 8
together a fun project.
$27; mankamosaico
.etsy.com
8. Lower your energy bill
with a room makeover?
It’s possible with
Bisaten. This anti-mold,
antimicrobial, no-VOC
paint provides a thermal
barrier to keep walls fresh
and the temp comfortable.
Bisaten Thermal Paint &
Primer, $70 per gallon;
bisaten.us
9. Sugru is the do-it-all
DIY fix. Mold the claylike
glue to shape and in
30 minutes you have a
9 10 flexible, strong silicone
bond. Repair charging
cables, create jewelry,
and so much more. This
versatile kit will surprise
you with its possibilities.
$14; sugru.com
10. Give new life
to old news. Create
biodegradable newspaper
seedling pots with a tool
pretty enough to leave
on display. You’ll reduce
waste and transplant
shock by planting the
whole pot in your
garden. Heaven in Earth
Paper Pot Maker, $27;
heaveninearth.co

11. Picnics, camping,
art projects, and more
are mess-free when you
lay down the super soft
Everly Mat. Wipeable vegan
leather repels water, dirt,
and sand, so your mat
stays fresh through all your
adventures. From $89;
little-nomad.com
12. Can’t wait for that
antiqued heirloom
look? Dust of Ages from
Amy Howard will give
your piece a well-loved
look in seconds instead
of centuries. Dab the
powder on and finish
with a sealing wax. $17;
11
amyhowardhome.com
13. Navigate your world 12 13
hands-free with CleanKey.
This multifunction brass
key helps you open doors,
push buttons, and use
touchscreens without
handling a thing. It comes
with a retractable cord on
a carabiner for easy access.
$25; getkeysmart.com
14. Populate your plants
with an indoor menagerie.
Brass tags come in a
variety of styles to fit
your foliage. Plant
Animals, from $7;
another-studio.com
15. This apron will be your
best gardening mate! The
Joey apron features a fold- 14
15 15
16
up pouch to collect fruit,
weeds, or whatever keeps
your hands full. Just clip up
to stash things and unclip
to easily dump. Choose
from four colors. $35;
rooapron.com
16. Spruce up your patio
furniture without breaking
the bank. Outdoor Fabric
Paint from Rust-Oleum
sprays on easily and
dries with a soft feel. It’s
available in seven
UV-resistant colors.
$12; rustoleum.com
17. Give flowers the
royal treatment with this
arrangement kit from
The Floral Society. You
get instructions and tools
to turn even ordinary
blooms into something
extraordinary. Get one
kit or buy multiples
16 17 and have an arranging
party with friends. $86;
18 19 thefloralsociety.com
18. Give your creativity
some legs to stand on.
The Floyd Leg turns
almost anything into a
table—no tools necessary.
Clamp the 16-inch steel
legs to your desired
surface for instant
modular furniture that’s
uniquely yours. $179 set of
four; floydhome.com
19. Cleaning is hands-on
with the Heavyweight
Scrub Gloves. Slip on
the thermal-resistant
cleaning glove and get
to work without tools
or towels to easily reach
20
nooks and crannies.
Reduced finger fatigue
helps you tackle more
dirty jobs in less time. $25;
hwscrubgloves.com
20. The Protect collection
from Karen Pearse makes
strong and safe look
sophisticated. Microban
technology embedded in
the tile fights bacteria to
keep your spaces fresh.
From stone looks to faux
bois, you’ll find a design
for every style. Protect
Collection Tiles, starting
at $5/square foot;
kpgd.com

21. Never lose your
lists again. This reusable
notebook performs like
paper but pairs with a
clever app to digitize and
organize your scribbles.
A quick snap with your
phone sends hand-drawn
sketches and notes to your
chosen digital destination.
Just wipe away pen marks
to use over and over.
Rocketbook Core, $35;
getrocketbook.com
22. Perfect your pen skills
by scrawling script. This
kit has all the essentials to
help you master the craft,
including exclusive access
21 22
to online resources. Snail
mail, gift tags, and more
can benefit from a fancy 23 24
flourish. The Modern
Calligraphy Kit, $75;
thepostmansknock.com
23. Calm your mind while
crushing these 365 crafts.
Prompts to draw, cut, sew,
and photograph your way
through Your Keep Calm
Daily Craft Book keep you
amused. Each day is a
new challenge, whether
sketching your favorite
sweater or creating your
own postage stamp. $18;
flowmagazine.com
24. Here comes the
sun(catcher). Brewer and
Marr’s new kit will help you 25
get started in this art form.
Want to keep creating?
Purchase additional
supplies and designs for
only $50. Modern Glass
Craft Kit, $185;
brewerandmarr.com
25. CreativeLive proves
you’re never too old to
learn new things. Brush
up on skills, such as
cake decorating and
graphic design, taught
by instructors at the top
of their fields. Purchase
classes à la carte or invest
in a creator pass to access
hundreds of courses. From
$10; creativelive.com
WHAT TO DO WITH
CORK
Humble cork is for more
than thumbtacks and
memos. Explore the
possibilities of this textural,
eco-friendly material.
PROJECTS + PHOTOGRAPHS GAP INTERIORS
WORDS MARIA V. CHARBONNEAUX
MAKE THE CORK MEMO
BOARDS THE SAME
AS YOU WOULD THE
CLOCK—JUST DITCH
THE CLOCK KIT!
TIME WILL TELL Create your own clock, opposite, and mini memo boards, above,
from a 1∕2-inch-thick cork sheet cut into hexagons or other desired shapes (A). Tape off
geometric sections (B), and apply two coats of paint in a few colors, allowing drying time
between coats. (Paint sample pots are perfect for this project.) Once dry, remove the
tape. If desired, tape off and paint adjacent sections. Poke a hole at the center of one
shape, and install a clock movement mechanism, following manufacturer’s instructions.
Clock kits can be found online—look for one that’s compatible with the thickness of
your materials. Hang the shapes on the wall using adhesive hanging strips.

FOUND ON
WEBSITES LIKE ETSY,
CORK LEATHER IS
AVAILABLE IN MANY
PATTERNS, COLORS,
AND TEXTURES—
EVEN WITH METALLIC
FLECKS.
PASSING NOTES Cork leather, also known as cork fabric, is lightweight, pliable, and perfect for a notebook
cover, above. Cut a piece about 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller than your notebook. Wrap the cork around
the notebook’s spine, leaving about 1∕2 inch at the top and bottom and 1 inch on each side to fold as flaps
over the cover. Leave the cork unattached like a book jacket or hot-glue it in place. Tape off and paint
shapes on the notebook cover, if desired
LET’S COAST Resistant to
water, heat, and slipping,
cork is a natural choice
for coasters and trivets.
This time it gets top
billing, this photo, instead
of playing a supporting
role on the underside.
TO SPEED THINGS UP,
We painted geometric FIND CORK THAT’S
shapes similar to the ALREADY CUT INTO
clock and mini memo HEXAGONS, CIRCLES, AND
boards, page 31, but you OTHER SHAPES AT
could get creative with CRAFTS STORES.
clever sayings, stenciled
patterns, or other designs.

A
HANG WITH IT We’re hooked

on the rustic style of this simple
jewelry rack, right, made from
reclaimed pallet wood and
repurposed wine corks. To prep
the boards, remove any staples
and nails, sand rough edges,
and paint (if desired). Once dry,
stagger the wood lengths and
connect them from the back by
placing lightweight, inexpensive
balsa wood scraps perpendicular
to the boards and attaching
them with wood screws (A). Dip
wine cork ends in paint; let dry.
Measure and mark where you’d
like the hooks to be on your
rack. Using a bit that’s smaller
than your screw shafts, drill pilot
holes through the marks on your
wood and into the wine cork
centers. Working from the back DO IT
of the rack, drive 21/2-inch-long
screws through the small holes BETTER
THESE CORK HOOKS ARE
in the boards and into the corks PERFECT FOR LIGHTER
to secure. Add picture hangers to ITEMS LIKE JEWELRY,
the back to hang. SMALL KIDS’ COATS, OR
DOG LEASHES, BUT SKIP
THE HEAVY PURSES
OR BAGS.

SHELF HELP Thick cork trivets become
the shelves of a trendy hanging planter,
this photo. Drill small pilot holes at the
corners of each trivet, and then thread
a 4-foot length of rope through each
hole, adding wood beads as you go.
To hold the shelf in place, tie knots
in the rope directly above and below
the trivets. Repeat the process to add
a second shelf about a foot below
the first one. Secure rope ends with
gathering knots at the bottom and
top of the unit.
TO CREATE A
DECORATIVE HANGER,
SECURE METAL CHAIN
OR STRONG ROPE
TO THE BACK OF THE
FRAME AND HANG
FROM A HOOK.
FRAME IT If you can get your hands on a

cool vintage frame from a thrift store or
flea market, put a cork in it, this photo.
Remove the glass, art, and backing, and
paint the frame in your desired color.
Trace the backing onto a cork bulletin
board, and cut it to size using a crafts
knife and metal straightedge; insert it into
the frame. Hang and happy pinning!

ABOVE THE MANTEL Cost-effective cork wall tiles add texture, interest, and a
landing spot for seasonal decor. Place them over a fireplace mantel, this photo,
in a niche, or even on a whole wall for eye-catching interest. Lay out several
tiles to plan your desired size. For rounded corners on the 1/4-inch plywood
backing, trace around a cup at each corner and cut using a jigsaw. To add extra
detail, trace around the cup at the top center of your board. Using a bit about
as wide as your jigsaw blade, drill through the center of the traced hole, and
then carefully cut out the circle using your jigsaw. Mask around the perimeter
and the center hole to add a painted frame.
DO IT
BETTER
TO HANG CORK WALL TILES,
APPLY THIN BEADS OF FAST-
ACTING CONSTRUCTION
ADHESIVE, SUCH AS LIQUID
NAILS FUZE-IT. APPLY
PRESSURE USING A
HAND ROLLER.
DIY Q&A
HANDY GIRL
Get your house in working order with Handy Girl’s advice
for helpful home hacks.
WORDS KELLY ROBERSON ILLUSTRATIONS ANKE REGA
FRIENDS,
STAYING HOME IS
WONDERFUL—
but it can be hard. So we’re focusing
on little fixes that can help you be
less exasperated. That way, one
day in the future, when you leave
for work, vacation, or school, you’ll
come home again with ease.
SO YOU NEED A SHOP VAC

IT’S A DIY TOOL WITH LITTLE EQUAL. IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, IT’S A WORTHWHILE
INVESTMENT. WHY? BECAUSE IT WORKS FOR BOTH SPILLED WATER AND CONSTRUCTION
DUST AND DEBRIS. IF YOU’RE READY TO MAKE A PURCHASE, THINK ABOUT . ..
1 2 3
Tank size. The bigger the tank— The overall weight. Don’t just Its power and power source. Just
generally 2–14 gallons—the more consider it when it’s empty, but also like a car, the more horsepower,
you’ll be able to scoop up before when it’s full; you’ll have to lug the more suction your shop vac will
you have to empty it. it around. have behind its hoses. And while
most must be plugged in, some
operate on a battery.
REGULARLY CLEAN YOUR SHOP VAC. THAT INCLUDES THE TANK AND
THE FILTER; BOTH GENERALLY CAN BE SCRUBBED WITH WARM WATER.
Q: I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Start with the right kind of carpet tile. Look for
AND THE LIVING ROOM IS peel-and-stick options; you can remove and replace
as you like.
TILED WITH REALLY AWFUL
2. Get out your calculator. Measure the width and
LINOLEUM. I WANT TO DO length of your room; that equals the square footage.
Divide that number by the surface area of a single tile;
SOMETHING THAT GOES that’s how many tiles you need. Hint: Buy a few extras,
just in case.
WALL TO WALL. ARE CARPET
3. Thoroughly clean the floor. I’m assuming you’d
TILES AN OPTION? rather these be temporary or semipermanent; if you
wanted a totally permanent solution you’d have to
make sure the floor was completely level.
A: IN A WORD: YES! THE SUPER SECRET OF
CARPET TILES IS THAT THEY CAN BE TEMPORARY 4. Find the center point of the room. That’s where you
want to start, with four tiles meeting at the center point
OR PERMANENT. TO BE HONEST WITH MY DEAR (you’ll have a giant square); think of the final layout as
READERS, WHEN WE LAID CARPET TILES IN MY having four sections. To make it easier, you can draw
DAUGHTER’S ROOM, WE DIDN’T PERMANENTLY chalk lines to mark the sections; that also gives you a
ADHERE THEM. SHE LIKES TO CHANGE COLORS straight line to work from.
FREQUENTLY ENOUGH THAT IT’S EASIER TO SWAP
OUT A FEW SQUARES FOR A PUNCH OR PATTERN. 5. Lay out the tiles, working out toward the walls or
room’s edges—but don’t adhere them yet. Use the
manufacturer suggestions to get the look you want.
For example, if you orient the pile of every tile in the
same direction, you’ll have a uniform feel akin to
traditional carpet. If you turn some tiles 90 degrees,
you’ll create a pattern.
6. Cut pieces to fit your edges. After you get to the

point where you can’t lay full tiles anymore, take out
a sharp carpet knife. Trim tiles to fit against the edges
of walls. Since these tiles aren’t permanent, you don’t
need to remove base trim.
7. Start to adhere the carpet tile, section by section.

Finish one section before moving on to the next. Here’s
a helpful trick if you want to max out the “temporary”
aspect of your new floor: Use the peel-and-stick
adhesives simply to attach the tiles to each other, not
to the floor. When it comes time to pull them up, you
just have to pull the tiles apart.
8. Once all are adhered, firmly press each tile down

again, and vacuum the whole floor.
TIRED OF TV WIRES?
ME TOO! SO THIS YEAR WE DID SOMETHING I SOMETIMES LOVE TO WANDER THE AISLES OF
ABOUT IT, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, HANDY HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES FOR ALL THAT’S
GIRLS, THE RESULTS ARE AMAZING. NEW, COOL, AND KIND OF AWESOME.)
WE HAD SOME REPAIR WORK TO TACKLE ON THE TWO DRILLED HOLES LATER, WE WERE ABLE TO
WALL WHERE WE HANG THE TV. ON THE HUNT FOR SNAKE THE CORDS INTO THE WALL. WE DIDN’T
ACCESSORIES TO HIDE OUR CORDS, WE FOUND AN EVEN NEED TO USE THE EXCUSE OF FIXING THE
IN-WALL CORD KIT (ABOUT $40 AT YOUR LOCAL WALL. THE KIT COMES WITH PLASTIC PARTS THAT
HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE), AND IT WAS A EUREKA ALLOW ROOM FOR PLUGS TOO.
MOMENT. (IT’S ALSO A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE WHY
IT’S CORD ZEN, MY FRIENDS.

THIS MIGHT BE MY FAVORITE NEW TOOL
HANDY GIRLS, I BOUGHT MY FIRST REAL OSCILLATING MULTITOOL
AND I LOVE IT. HERE’S WHY.
It’s not bulky. All those options—sawing, scraping, You can do weird, tricky things like remove grout
sanding, grinding—fit nearly in the palm of one or caulk.
hand. And there are loads of extra attachments
you can buy. You can cut all sorts of shapes with ease, including
in cabinets or drywall.
It lets you cut into trim that’s on a wall or into a
floor. Say you need to notch out a spot for an It cuts nearly every material in your home,
outlet. Those precise cuts are easy. including metal and wood.
It can remove paint in tight corners.
Secure that
bookcase!
It’s easy for any DIY skill
level. Just look for a kit
at a home improvement
store. The kit, sized to the
weight of your shelf unit,
should include everything
you need to attach to both
the bookcase and the wall.
Make sure you secure the
kit to a solid section of the
bookcase and into a stud in
the wall. That’s it!
SLIP-SLIDING RUG SOLUTIONS

I HATE IT WHEN MY RUGS DON’T STAY PUT. IT IS ANNOYING,
AND WHEN RUGS BUNCH UP, THEIR EDGES CAN START PEEL-AND-
TO GET ALL WONKY. IF YOU HAVEN’T PUT ONE OF THESE STICK TILES?
SOLUTIONS TO WORK UNDER YOUR RUGS, NOW IS THE THEY ARE A GREAT WAY
TIME TO START. TO MAKE OVER A ROOM
WITHOUT A WHOLE LOT OF
TIME AND DOLLARS. GET A
• CARPET TAPE. Skip it if your floors are wood or very delicate. Otherwise,
HOW-TO HERE: BHG.COM/
use along the edges and diagonally across the body of the rug to help
PEELSTICKTILE
keep it in place.
• A RUG PAD. Trim it to fit, and choose the thickness based on traffic level
in the room (higher traffic = thicker rug). Material options include rubber
and felt (the latter may have rubber backing so they stay in place).

SHOULD YOU RENT
OR BUY A TOOL?
BUY IT … I F YOU’LL USE IT
MORE THAN TWO OR THREE
TIMES.
I’ve got a great reading nook and want to hang an BUY IT … I F YOUR USE
overhead light—without the mess and fuss of drilling holes FREQUENCY PLUS THE
and snaking in wires. Help! RENTAL COST IS MORE THAN
IT WOULD COST TO BUY.
A: There’s a super easy, super fun answer: Hang a plug-in pendant. RENT IT … IF IT’S A ONETIME
The cord or chain that holds the light makes it easy to adjust the
height. You’ll need the fixture, a stud finder, a drill, and a ceiling pan USE TOOL.
and screws OR light fixture hook and screws.
RENT IT … IF YOU DON’T
• Using the stud finder, find a joist in the ceiling near where you HAVE ROOM TO STORE IT.
want to hang the pendant.
• Attach either the ceiling pan or hook to the joist.
• Hang the pendant from the pan or hook. If using a pan,

attach a canopy. Secure cord along ceiling line and down to
outlet using U-shape hardware to minimize.
ORDER IN THE HOUSE
UTILITY CLOSET
Upgrade a tall kitchen cupboard into a tricked-out
utility closet with these simple solutions.
PROJECTS MOLLY REID SINNETT PHOTOGRAPHS JASON DONNELLY WORDS CHELSEA EVERS
DRAWER SCORE With five 15-inch-deep drawers crafted

from solid steel, this cabinet is a utility superstar. A
label holder and sturdy handle on each drawer make it
easy to sort and access small household items. Bisley
Blush 5-Drawer Cabinet, $100; containerstore.com
STYLISH STASH Keep

oft-used cleaning
supplies, linens, or
laundry necessities in this
wide-woven metal bin.
Wood handles make it
a sophisticated, sturdy
solution you won’t mind SPACE SAVER Free up valuable junk drawer
seeing on the counter space with this effortless organization
on cleaning day. Tosca idea: Install dividers inside the drawers
Slim Storage Basket, $35; of a small cabinet, then sort frequently
theyamazakihome.com needed items like office supplies, batteries,
and postage stamps into each space. Add
labels to drawer fronts for easy access,
and swap them out as contents change.
HACK IT MAKE IT BUY IT

FLAT PACK Utility items that are
usually relegated to the garage
find a home in this closet when
they can collapse flat for storage.
Design your ideal space by
arranging items like a collapsible
bucket, folding stool, and floor
sweeper to fit neatly on the inside
of your cabinet door, then hang
low-profile hooks to hold each
item. Store accompanying supplies
like mop pads and cleaning
solutions on nearby shelves to
make everything easy to retrieve.
CLEAN SCENE Create your own
custom cleaning schedule—with
weekly, monthly, quarterly, and
yearly chores—and tack it inside
a cabinet door to keep home
maintenance on track. Make
notes about special seasonal
tasks, needed supplies, or
homemade cleaning solution
recipes on large dry-erase sheets
mounted next to the schedule.
HANDY HELPERS Half the battle

on cleaning day is gathering
the right supplies for the
job. Make your life easier by
keeping everything you need
in one place—a collapsible
bucket, rags, and floor cleaner
stowed in this cabinet-
turned-closet (ideally near
the sink) takes the headache
out of precleaning prep.

A STEP ABOVE Easily reach the
top shelf with a handy flat-folding
step stool. Made from high-
impact plastic, it features a built-in
handle and supports up to 300
pounds. Black Easy Folding Step
Stool, $13; containerstore.com
IN THE CLEAR Find

what you need at
a glance with clear
stacking storage bins,
perfect for finicky items
like assorted lightbulbs WRINKLE IN TIME This low-profile
and miscellaneous broom-and-dustpan set is as
cleaning supplies. Make sleek as it is functional. Inspired
identification even by French design, the set features
easier with simple shelf a dense horsehair brush and solid
labels that keep closet beechwood handles—plus swoon-
contents neat and tidy. worthy leather straps and matching
hanging hooks to boot. Vintage-
Inspired French Hanging Dustpan
& Brush Set, $91; food52.com
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START YOUR SEEDS!
Get a jump start on the gardening season with a mobile station for
nurturing seedlings and stashing your green-thumb gear.
PROJECTS + WORDS KATE CARTER FREDERICK PHOTOGRAPHS JACOB FOX
MAKE IT
SEED STATION
MATERIALS
• 48×72×18-inch five-tier shelving unit
• Four 4-inch industrial casters
• Seed-starting trays and domes
• Seed-starting soilless mix
• Seeds
• King-size heating pad
• Two 48-inch shop light fixtures
• Four 40-watt fluorescent bulbs (2 warm, 2 cool white)
or full-spectrum grow-light bulbs
• Electrical timer
• Waterproof trays
Step 1 Following manufacturer’s directions, assemble the

shelving unit where you will use it, such as a basement
or other heated room. Add casters so you can easily
reposition it to add trays or make watering easier.
Step 2 Fill the seed-starting trays with the soilless seed-
starting mix; plant seeds. Plant two or three seeds per
cell; not all will germinate. Cover the trays with the clear
plastic domes to retain moisture. Place a heating pad,
turned to a low setting, under the seed-starting trays to
create gentle bottom heat that speeds sprouting.
Step 3 Put together both shop light fixtures. You can use
40-watt fluorescent tube bulbs, combining one cool
white and one warm bulb, to provide a full spectrum of
light (shown), or go with more expensive LED grow-light
bulbs that best mimic sunlight.
Step 4 After inserting the selected bulbs, suspend the
fixtures from the bottom side of two shelves, adjusting
the fixture chains. Hang the lights so they will distribute
the light as evenly as possible from the center of the
flat to the edges. The amount of distance between
the lights and the plants will depend on the bulbs’
DO IT intensity. In general, hang fluorescent bulbs 3–12 inches
BETTER
TO ENSURE GOOD AIRFLOW
above the seedlings. (LED bulbs vary widely, so follow
manufacturer’s directions.)
AROUND SEEDLINGS, Step 5 Install a timer to turn the lights on and off.
POST AN OSCILLATING FAN
NEAR YOUR SHELVING UNIT
Seedlings should receive 14–16 hours of light daily.
FOR BROAD, CONTINUOUS Step 6 Line each shelf or seed-starting flat with a
COVERAGE THAT WILL watertight tray to prevent moisture from dripping onto
MINIMIZE FUNGUS
AND PROMOTE
the floor or the heating pad. Water plants from the
STRONG ROOTS. bottom to promote healthy growth and to keep the
seed-starting mix damp but not soggy. When two sets
of “true” leaves appear, thin out any weak or crowded
seedlings so the remaining plants will have enough
room to grow.

KEEP YOUR SEED PACKETS AND
FOLLOW ALL GROWING DIRECTIONS.
THE PACKET WILL LIST THE BEST
TIME TO START EACH TYPE OF
SEED SO THE SEEDLING WILL BE
READY TO BE TRANSPLANTED INTO
THE GARDEN WHEN THE SOIL
TEMPERATURES ARE WARM ENOUGH
FOR IT TO THRIVE IN YOUR REGION.
WATER WISE Use waterproof trays, above, so you can water the
seedlings from below for even watering and to reduce the chance of
mold or mildew from developing. Fill the tray about a quarter to a third
full of water to keep soil mix moist (avoid overfilling). After seedlings leaf
out, start applying a water-soluble fertilizer once a week.
DO IT
BETTER
A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE YOU
WANT TO PLANT THE SEEDLINGS
OUTDOORS, PREPARE THEM BY
HARDENING THEM OFF. TAKE THEM
KEEP ‘EM WARM Help seeds germinate by placing OUTSIDE TO A PARTIALLY SHADED
a heating pad on low under the seed-starting LOCATION TO SOAK UP THE
trays, above. Another option—pick a heating SUNLIGHT EACH DAY (TOO MUCH
SUN RIGHT AWAY CAN BURN THE
pad designed for seedlings, which will raise the
LEAVES). INCREASE THE OUTDOOR
temperature 10°F–20°F beneath the tray to speed TIME ABOUT AN HOUR PER DAY
germination by several days. FOR A WEEK OR TWO, UNTIL IT’S
TIME TO PLANT.

pleased
AS
PUNCH
Modern twists on this classic
craft pack a design wallop.
PROJECTS + WORDS AMBER WAGNER
PHOTOGRAPHS JASON DONNELLY & JACOB FOX
STYLING KATE MALO
FRINGE BENEFITS Light up the room with a boho take on a traditional
shade, this photo. Create this punchy piece with monk’s cloth, yarn, and
a plain drum shade. Determine the amount of monk’s cloth needed by
rolling shade across fabric and marking the length and height, then add ½
inch to all sides before cutting. Transfer the punch needle design template,
available at BHG.com/PunchNeedle, to reverse side of fabric. Secure fabric
in embroidery hoop, then punch needle. For tassels, pull 3 inches of each
punch loop through fabric and hold as you punch the next loop. Tuft lines
by trimming loops with scissors after punching. Attach punched fabric to
lampshade rim with hot glue. Fold vertical edge of punched fabric under
itself at seam and glue to shade. Finish at top and bottom by gluing ribbon
over raw edges inside the shade.
MATCH TASSEL LENGTH

BY ATTACHING THE
SHADE TO YOUR LAMP
AND USING A RULER AS
A CUTTING GUIDE TO
TRIM EVENLY.
PUNCH NEEDLES COME
HOW TO IN VARIOUS GAUGES. BE

SURE TO MATCH YOUR
YARN OR STRING SIZE
PUNCH TO YOUR NEEDLE. YARN
SHOULD SLIP EASILY
NEEDLE THROUGH THE TIP.
With just a simple tool

and yarn, you can turn
everyday objects into
textural works of art.
EASY IN Trace or draw
pattern on reverse side of
project. Secure section to be
punched in an embroidery
hoop and make sure fabric
is taut. Thread punch needle
with yarn. Working from the
reverse side of project, push
needle through fabric up to
the handle and pull back out,
keeping the tip as close to the
fabric as possible.
PUNCH IT UP Outline designs

first, then fill in by working
in rows or circles. Repeat as
needed to fill the design. Stitch
frequency depends on yarn
thickness, but punching each
or every other hole in the
grid weave of the monk’s cloth
is best.
FACE TIME Check the face

side of the project frequently
to be sure your stitches are
staying put and there are no
bare spots. To finish a project
or to switch colors, clip the
yarn and pull the cut end
through to the front side of the
project and trim.
LOOSE ENDS You may need to

tidy the design when complete
by trimming yarn and tucking
stray loops into place. An iron
at steam setting or a fabric
steamer work well to remove
wrinkles or smooth edges on
your finished project. GET A FEEL FOR IT Achieve a variety of punched looks with a few easy
techniques. Create tufting by trimming loops once completed. Make long
tufts, tassels, or loops by holding the yarn loop while you pull the needle out.
A sleek, low pile like the tan and yellow punching on the far right hoop is made
by punching from the right side of cloth instead of the reverse. Hang your
embroidery hoops after practicing your techniques by trimming excess monk’s
cloth and hanging on a nail.

A
DO IT
BETTER
INSTEAD OF RETHREADING
THE NEEDLE FOR EACH
COLOR, CUT THE YARN
ENTERING THE NEEDLE AT
5 INCHES, KNOT IT TO THE
END OF THE NEW COLOR,
AND PULL YARN THROUGH
THE NEEDLE TO THREAD.
SEEING STRIPES Simple stripes take a woven blanket from ordinary

to extraordinary. To get this reversible look, above and opposite,
use reverse-punched polka dots to accent a diamond pattern of
straight punched lines. Draw lines connecting opposite corners of
the blanket to make one large X. Measure and mark the edge of
the blanket at the halfway point between each corner and connect
the marks, creating one large diamond over the X. Next, secure a
section of the blanket in a large embroidery hoop. Punch needle
each line two to three rows wide, depending on yarn thickness and
desired line width. Repeat until all lines are punched. Draw three
rows of 1-inch-diameter circles at regular intervals on the right side
of blanket. Place each circle in a small embroidery hoop and punch
needle. Repeat until each circle is filled.

PUNCH BOWL Treat your plants to a cozy home, this photo. Punched fabric
wraps a plain-Jane wastebasket to become a chic plant pot. Determine
the amount of monk’s cloth needed by rolling container across fabric
and marking the length and height, then add 1 inch to all sides and cut.
Fold top and bottom edges over 1∕2 inch and press. Fold ½ inch again,
press, and straight-stitch along edge. Transfer design, found at BHG.com/
PunchNeedle, to reverse side of fabric. Place fabric in a large embroidery
hoop and punch needle. Once complete, join ends with a French seam (A).
Make cover secure but removable by using adhesive hook-and-loop strips
to attach punched fabric to piece.
HAND- OR SPOT WASH

BLANKET TO PREVENT
SNAGGING THE DESIGN
IN THE WASHING
MACHINE.
TRIM LOOPS ON BACK
OF REVERSE PUNCHED
SECTIONS TO REDUCE
YARN BULK.
PUNCH LINE A few simple punches transforms plain pillow

covers into patterned perfection, this photo. Lay a square
pillow cover on a single layer of monk’s cloth and trace
edges. Add 1 inch to all sides and cut. Transfer punch needle
pattern, available at BHG.com/PunchNeedle, to reverse
side of monk’s cloth and place fabric in embroidery hoop.
Begin punching one yarn color at a time and repeat until the
pattern is complete. When design is complete, fold cloth
edges 1 inch and press. Hot-glue all edges, then glue to
pillow cover front. Alternatively, straight-stitch seam edges,
then blindstitch punched fabric to the pillow cover.

WRITE OF PASSAGE Greet your feet with this friendly rug, above. A small
punch needle, embroidery floss, and a woven rug are all you need to
tackle this simple script. Transfer pattern template, available at BHG.com/
PunchNeedle, to reverse side of rug with a pencil or acetone transfer
method. Thread a 2.2-mm punch needle with embroidery floss and
begin punching along design in a single row. Double the punches for a
bold line, or vary the width for an inked look. The fabric is too bulky for
embroidery hoops, so just hold the rug taut as you punch. Prevent snags
by dabbing hot glue on back of rug to secure loose ends.
DO IT
BETTER
LOVE OUR PATTERNS? DOWNLOAD
THEM AT BHG.COM/PUNCHNEEDLE.
THEN USE ACETONE TO TRANSFER
THE DESIGNS TO FABRIC. PRINT
TEMPLATE WITH A LASER PRINTER
AND PLACE FACEDOWN ON BACK
OF FABRIC. USE HEAVY PRESSURE
TO RUB THE BACK OF THE
TEMPLATE WITH A PAPER TOWEL
DAMPENED WITH ACETONE
TO TRANSFER.

THE
Sunny
SIDE ASHLEY WANTED
ART CENTERED ON
THE SOFA, BUT ALSO
WANTED DRAPES, SO
SHE FOUND A HAPPY
MEDIUM BY INSTALLING
AN EXTRA CURTAIN
BRACKET ON THE WALL
(LOWER THAN THE
ROD) AND HANGING A
FRAMED PRINT FROM IT.
Decorate with what you love so
your house reflects who you are,
goes the design maxim. This
colorful Utah home shows off
its owners’ cheery disposition
through playful wallpaper,
glamorous accents, and rainbows
in almost every room.
WORDS SARAH WOLF HALVERSON
PHOTOGRAPHS ADAM ALBRIGHT
STYLING LACEY HOWARD
ASHLEY WILSON KNOWS WHAT YOU’RE

THINKING. AQUA BLUE KITCHEN
CABINETS, A PINK REFRIGERATOR,
TIGER-PRINT WALLPAPER, AND STAIR
RISERS SWABBED WITH EVERY COLOR
OF THE RAINBOW?
“People always ask me what I’m going to do when I sell
the house, and the answer is, ‘I don’t care!’ ” she says. “The
beauty is that I get to have a house that’s designed for our
family rather than live in a beige house.”
There’s certainly nothing beige or blah about the Wilsons’
two-story Victorian built in 1905 in Logan, Utah. Each wall
and surface radiates with Ashley’s signature girly-glam style,
which combines happy vibes and statement wallpaper with
modern light fixtures and glamorous gold accents. “What is
my formula?” she asks. “I like white painted walls because
that balances out the crazy colors. I do a lot of pink, and I
like to add whimsical touches—lots of little animal accents,
for instance. I love a good wallpaper, and rainbows are big
for me. The colors and gradation are just so pleasing.”
Clearly, Ashley is a big proponent of you doing you. That
even extends to tackling projects herself when she can’t find
what she wants out and about. She and husband Preston
have installed bookshelves, painted canvases, revamped
countertops, and tiled walls, all to make the house suit their
sunny style.
SOFT FOUNDATION Ashley’s decorating plan often starts

with a single element she adores, and she builds from
it. For instance, the living room, left, started with the
rug—“it was the very first thing we had in this house,”
she says. “It’s a nice wool rug, and I love how the pattern
includes pink.” That meant she could pluck that tone
from the rug for the tasseled curtains and repeat it on
the large rainbow canvas she painted herself. A sofa in
rich cognac leather is a more masculine choice than
she normally makes, “but it grounds the other light
accents,” she says. It’s also ultra comfy and durable.
DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021 57

SNUG AND SWEET With just a slip
of space for an eating area, Ashley
and Preston Wilson ushered a small
bistro table, two pink chairs, and a
bench into the kitchen for family
meals. They revamped the rest of
the room by eliminating the upper
cabinets, replacing them with shelves,
and covering the old backsplash
with peel-and-stick marble-look
tiles. “If you can use scissors, you
can install them,” Ashley says. “It’s
as easy as applying a sticker.”
TO COMPLEMENT THE
COLORFUL STEPS,
ASHLEY HUNG ART ON
THE WALL IN SIMILAR
COLORS, FROM PINK
AT THE BOTTOM TO
BLUE AT THE TOP. SHE
FOUND ALL THE PIECES
ON MINTED.COM.
PERFECT BACKDROP Preston, Ashley, and Don, age 5,

smile from the steps of their Utah home, above. Once
red from top to bottom, the stairs now beam with every
(pastel) color of the rainbow. Ashley picked out the
paint in just a few minutes by opting for three hues on
the same color strip (pinks, yellows, greens, and blues)
“so they all flow,” she says. As soon as she posted the
photos on her blog (athomewithashley.com), she was
overwhelmed with readers’ responses. Soon she got word
that other people had painted their stair risers too. “All
over the world there are rainbow stairs,” Ashley says with
awe. “This is my legacy!”
DO IT
BETTER
“CAULK CAN SAVE ANY
PASTEL PALETTE The kitchen, above, previously was dreary and PROJECT,” ASHLEY WILSON
overcast, with oak cabinets, dark brown tile, and moody green SAYS. SHE SPENT FIVE HOURS
walls. “I spent months painting it because it was so dark!” Ashley APPLYING CAULK TO FILL
GAPS IN THE OLD, CREAKY
says. The walls and a few upper cabinets went white, the base STAIRS. “IT TAKES A PROJECT
cabinets are awash in dazzling aqua, the refrigerator blushes with FROM LOOKING LIKE YOU DID
rosy pink, and the tile countertops now mimic marble, above. IT YOURSELF TO LOOKING
Ashley tackled the paint job over time because “I didn’t want to pull PROFESSIONAL.”
apart my whole kitchen and not be able to function,” she says. “I did
this area first, and two months later when I got up enough energy, I
did another section.”

SPLASHED WITH ORANGES
AND LEAVES AND TIGERS
(OH MY!), THE FANCIFUL
WALLPAPER WAS THE
SPRINGBOARD FOR THE REST
OF THE PLAYROOM’S DECOR.
TIGER WALLPAPER, FROM $89;
ANEWALLDECOR.ETSY.COM
INTO THE WILD With the wall a wild cacophony of color and
movement in the playroom, Ashley wisely kept the furniture and rug
neutral and subdued, this photo. The cabinet keeps Don’s toys tidy
behind closed doors, and the dollhouse was a lucky thrift store find.

JUST FOR KIDS What was once a small, awkward spot at
the top of the staircase is now Don’s playroom, this photo.
One wall features riotous paper, so Ashley repeated the
background hue (a minty blue) as an accent and otherwise
washed the walls, trim, and door in clean white paint. The
space is outfitted with a kid-size kitchen crafted of old
cabinets, a faucet, and a bowl standing in as a sink. A vintage
basket hung on the wall displays Don’s artwork.
NESTLED AGAINST
THE SLOPED
CEILING, THIS SHELF
HOLDS BOOKS AND
A ROLL OF WHITE
PAPER, WHICH DON
CAN PULL DOWN
FOR DRAWING AND
DOODLES.
SHELVING SPECTRUM The master bedroom
is sizable, with slanted ceilings on two sides
and a fireplace front and center, this photo.
It has such capacity for coziness, and “this
wall needed to be a bookcase,” Ashley
says. Four days and $300 later, it is! Ashley
carefully planned the shelves to include a
center section so she and Preston could use
shorter, standard-length lumber (nothing too
long and pricey). The shelves on the right
are cut at an angle to match the ceiling. To
fill them with her signature rainbow of hues,
Ashley scoured shops for accessories and
books on home decor.
DO IT
BETTER
THE BOOKCASES ARE
INSTALLED SO THE
BOTTOM SHELF IS AT THE
SAME HEIGHT AS THE
BASEBOARD—A BRILLIANT
MOVE FOR MAKING THE
SHELVES SLIP SEAMLESSLY
INTO THIS NOOK.
SIZED RIGHT The bed snugs against a low wall
aflutter in a bird-pattern paper in the master
bedroom, left. This paper, covering two walls,
sparked the color scheme of pinks, golds, and
teal blue. “I wanted the blue for my husband,”
Ashley says. “It was tricky to find a bed because
we couldn’t go too high in this room—this was
the tallest bed we could have in this space.” The
bed is dressed in mostly white linens for a clean,
hotellike retreat, with pink pillows for accents.
Another set of built-in bookshelves and a window
seat pile on even more coziness.
PEEL-AND-STICK
WALLPAPER IN
A LARGE-SCALE
TERRAZZO PATTERN
CROWNS A THIN SHEET
OF BRASS STRETCHED
ON THE WALL BEHIND
THE VANITY FOR
AN INEXPENSIVE
AND ATTRACTIVE
BACKSPLASH OPTION.
OVER THE RAINBOW

This laundry room
makes a run for
the highlight of the
home, right. With
multicolor stripes
painted on the floor,
large subway tiles
sheathing part of the
wall, and boisterous
wallpaper covering
the rest, it creates
quite the view when
passing from kitchen
to backyard. A brass
finishing strip gleams
where tiles and paper
meet—a glamorous
exclamation point.

SOFT SURROUNDINGS
Ashley claimed one
of several sheds on
the property as her
very own spot for
garden-related gear
and activities, left and
opposite. “The more I
looked at this one, the
more I could tell that
someone put a lot of
time into it,” she says. It
was already electrified,
ASHLEY PUT ONE for instance, and it had
PORTION OF THE
SHED TO USE AS a pea gravel floor. “This
A GARDENING is the one space where
GETAWAY, AND I painted everything
SHE COVERED THE pink, even the trim and
DOORWAY TO A the electrical outlet,”
LESS-ATTRACTIVE she says. The color
PART WITH A
SHOWER CURTAIN wraps the space in
SHE HAD ON HAND. cheer and charm.
PAINT FOR JUST REMOVABLE WALLPAPER PEEL-AND-STICK TILE

FAST FIXES ABOUT ANYTHING Subtracting paste from Another self-adhesive
Sometimes all you need Never underestimate installing wallpaper means product in Ashley’s armory,
the perfecting power of the paper can be easily these tiles can be cut
is a makeover—rather paint! Ashley is fearless applied in almost any with scissors and stuck to
than an overhaul—to when it comes to painting room. Plus peel-and-stick almost any clean surface
refresh a room. Here anything, including tile and paper can be moved or to hide dated elements
faucets. High-traffic areas even removed if the mood and refresh a room. There
are Ashley Wilson’s need a little extra love to strikes—or if something are also peel-and-stick
go-tos for redoing a keep them looking new. isn’t right. options for flooring.
space on a small budget Painted countertops, for
example, got a few coats
and tight timetable. of polyurethane so they
don’t show as much
wear and tear.

THIS WIDE SHELF WAS
BUILT FROM 1×10
LUMBER AND METAL
BRACKETS ASHLEY HAD
ON HAND. A SWEEP OF
PINK PAINT PUTS THE
FOCUS ON THE SHELF’S
CONTENTS.
PINK TO THE BRINK Ashley

ramped up the shed’s cuteness
quotient by installing shiplap,
shelves, and hooks on the walls,
this photo. A white potting bench
provides a work surface for taking
notes about her rose garden and
for potting plants—soil and pots
hide in galvanized bins behind
the curtain.
FOR RESOURCES
SEE PAGE 102.
GOOD
bedfellows These dramatic
nightstand alternatives
will have you dreaming
about a bedtime makeover.
PROJECTS LESLIE POYZER
PHOTOGRAPHS JASON DONNELLY, BLAINE MOATS
WORDS BETH ESLINGER
MAKE IT
VERTICAL WOOD SHELVES

MATERIALS
• 1-inch-thick birch plywood
• Table saw
• Fine sandpaper
• Nails
• Nail gun
• Wood filler
• Semigloss polyurethane
• Cordless drill
• Screws
• Wall anchors
Step 1 Measure and cut wood to size. Cut three vertical

pieces 15×96 inches. (These instructions are for standard
8-foot ceilings; if your height is different, adjust the length.)
Cut seven pieces measuring 15×15 inches and three face
frames measuring 11/2×96 inches (or your alternative
height).
Step 2 Sand all pieces using fine sandpaper. Lay out left-side
shelf components, placing three shelves to form four equal
spaces. Install shelves by nailing from the outer sides of the
vertical pieces.
Step 3 Lay out the other components, dividing into five equal
distances. Nail through the center vertical support and the
outside of the right-hand piece.
Step 4 Nail the face-frame pieces into place on the front of

the vertical boards. Fill nail holes with wood filler; when dry,
sand smooth.
Step 5 Working in a protected, well-ventilated area, seal with

polyurethane; let dry.
Step 6 Install by driving screws into the side wall and using
wall anchors for the back wall; secure anchors to wall studs
to support the weight of the shelf.
THOUGH IT LOOKS
COMPLICATED, THIS
SHELF IS AN EASY
BEGINNER PROJECT VERTICAL APPEAL Set amid the intense blue-green wall
AND A GOOD (Benjamin Moore Dollar Bill Green 2050-20), the natural
INTRODUCTION wood shelving provides architectural interest and ample
TO USING A TABLE
SAW AND NAIL GUN.
storage for books, art, plants, and other accessories,
RENT TOOLS IF opposite and above left. Provide a light source by screwing a
STORAGE AND COST wall-mount fixture to the side of the unit. The yellow pillows
ARE CONCERNS. and throws complement the warm brass of the fixture.

MAKE IT
TIE A TIGHT KNOT
AT THE TOP OF THE
BEADED STRUCTURE.
AS YOU START
BEADED BEDSIDE
THREADING BEADS,
MAKE SURE TO SNUG TABLE
THEM UP TO THE
KNOT FOR A CLEAN • 1-inch-thick maple plywood (4×4-foot sheet)
LOOK FOR YOUR
PROJECT. • Saw
• Drill and 1/2-inch drill bit
• Fine sandpaper
• Clear polyurethane
• Paintbrush
• 5/16-inch-thick cotton rope: 50 feet for 8-foot
ceiling height
• Masking tape
• Natural wood beads (we used 11/4" and 7/8" sizes)
• 18-gauge florists wire and wire cutters (optional)
• Ceiling hook that can hold up to 15 pounds
Step 1 Cut two plywood 15×24-inch shelves, and drill

a hole 2 inches from each outer corner. Sand and
top with clear polyurethane.
Step 2 Fold two 25-foot lengths of cotton rope in
half; fashion a loop at the top for hanging the shelf.
Step 3 Wrap the four rope ends with masking tape.
On one of the lengths thread a small wood bead
12 inches from the top; knot below (A). Repeat with
the remaining ropes, spacing each bead 6 inches
down from the previous.
Step 4 Draw ropes together another 6 inches down
and tie together.
Step 5 Separate the ropes and start threading beads—
four small beads and one large bead, then eight
small beads and a large bead. Add eight small beads
and one large bead, then eight more small beads on
each rope as shown. Tie knots to secure.
Step 6 Thread each rope through one shelf and tie
a knot to secure. Thread two small, one large, and
another two small beads on each of the ropes and
tie knots below. Place second shelf and repeat knots.
Step 7 Finish the ropes by placing two small beads
and a large bead, four small and a large, four small
SWINGER A twist on
A and a large. Finish with two small beads on each
macramé, this beaded
strand.
hanging table clears floor
space and tucks neatly beside Step 8 Draw rope ends together and tie. Trim the
your bed, above. To support tassel to desired length. If desired to better hold the
the weight of the structure, form of the ropes, thread florists wire into the end of
make sure to hang it from a each rope and snip with wire cutters.
hook secured to the ceiling Step 9 Screw ceiling hook into joist, and loop rope
joists (use a stud finder onto hook to hang table.
to locate).

TURNING THE TABLES Flip the switch on a
towel rack by hanging it as your new bedside
essential, this photo. Spray-paint four wood shims
to match the color of your towel rack (this one is
from Lowe’s). Glue the shims to the back of the
rack at the primary shelf intersections. Using a
level, determine placement of the rack and mark
in pencil (it hangs upside down). Attach using
wall anchors or drill directly to the wall studs.
Top one of the shelves with a cutting board or
painted board to serve as a sturdy surface for
your phone or glasses.
CREATE SPACE
BETWEEN THE
RACK AND
YOUR WALL BY
GLUING PAINTED
WOOD SHIMS
TO THE SHELF
INTERSECTIONS
WITH
POLYURETHANE
ADHESIVE.
SCREW INTO
WALL ANCHORS
TO HOLD THE
WEIGHT OF
YOUR NIGHTLY
ESSENTIALS.
DO IT
BETTER
THE SLATTED RAILS MAKE
FOR VERSATILE STORAGE IN
ANY ROOM OF THE HOUSE.
TRY MOUNTING IT UPSIDE
DOWN IN THE KITCHEN
AS AN AFFORDABLE
PLATE RACK AND HANG
TEA TOWELS FROM THE
BOTTOM RAILS.
BACK TO SCHOOL An old student
desk serves as a perfect petite bedside
table, this photo. Creating this project
is so easy, you’d spend more time
shopping for a similar item online.
Search for a vintage metal child’s desk.
You should be able to find several
retro-color bases such as this one.
Measure the width of the desk and
shop for a wood cutting board to fit as
a shelf. Glue or drill the wood board
to the metal base. Use fabric-covered
storage bins as easy-access drawers.
DO IT
BETTER
WANT A LESS BUSY LOOK?
SOLID ORGANIZERS HELP
CORRAL KID CLUTTER
WITHOUT BEING A TOTAL
EYESORE. FIND A GOOD
ASSORTMENT OF OPTIONS
AT CONTAINER STORE,
POPPIN, OR TARGET.
UP THE WALL Perfect for a kid’s

room, this quick wall organization
system, left and above, starts
with IKEA’s twin-size bed rail.
Using a level, determine the best
placement and height of the rail
(it’s a two-person job). Mark the
top with pencil. Attach to the wall
at the top and bottom with screw
anchors and screws (drill pilot holes
first), or drill directly into wall studs.
Hang accessories from S hooks.

BACKYARD BLISS
Small-scale projects net a huge transformation in this
young family’s tiny townhouse backyard,
providing the at-home lifestyle they’ve dreamed of.
WORDS LACEY HOWARD PHOTOGRAPHS STACY GOLDBERG STYLIST ANNA MOLVIK
BRITTANY GOLDWYN MERTH’S

HAPPY PLACE? HER OWN BACKYARD.
DESPITE LIVING IN A TOWNHOME
DEVELOPMENT WHERE shared walls and
neighbors within literal reach might make privacy seem
unattainable, Brittany and her husband, Mike Merth, have
made their 25×25-foot space into a mini retreat just beyond
their Frederick, Maryland, back door.
With the help of Brittany’s dad (a professional contractor),
the couple created a whole lot of something out of nothing.
“One of the first orders of business right when we moved in
[in 2016] was building the second-story deck because there
was just a sliding door to nowhere,” she says. But that left an
uneven patch of grass and mud below. So in the spring of
2018, Brittany, the blogger behind By Brittany Goldwyn, got
to work designing a space worthy of spending time with her
hubby and then-infant daughter, Ramona. The entire project
included installing fencing around the couple’s small plot and
SAVING SPACE Homeowner Brittany Goldwyn Merth, building an 8×12-foot deck at ground level, below the existing
above with husband Mike, designed an outdoor living upper-level deck. Brittany built furnishings for the space and
space for their townhome. “DIY is a great way to go even a slatted screen to hide the air-conditioning unit.
because most outdoor furniture pieces don’t cater to The result? Paradise. “We spend a lot of time out there,”
smaller spaces.” With limited floor space for furnishings
she says, “whether it’s just hanging out after work or on the
and her beloved plants, Brittany turned to vertical
options, opposite. “We hung painted clay pots along our weekends or with a glass of wine after Ramona goes to bed.”
deck posts to make more space for high-sun herbs and The outdoor living addition came at an opportune time. “I’ve
flowers,” she says. “And I have at least seven hooks for also been spending a lot of time out on the deck since I’ve
hanging baskets and one plant that vines up a corner been working from home,” Brittany says. “It’s been a really nice
deck post. This helps fill in the space with greenery.” change of pace from my makeshift office inside!”

DO IT
BETTER
BRITTANY GOLDWYN MERTH’S
TERRA-COTTA POTS (SPRAY-
PAINTED SATIN BLACK) HANG
ON DECK POSTS WITH “THESE
AMAZING THINGS CALLED POT
CLIPS,” SHE SAYS. WATERING
IS EASY BECAUSE EACH POT
DRAINS INTO THE NEXT,
SAVING WATER
AND EFFORT.
LIVING LARGE Brittany

wanted an easy-to-
maintain space to “bring
my houseplants for
the summer, hang out
after work, and let our
daughter play,” she says.
When she looked for
inspiration, the internet
did not deliver. “A lot of
the design ideas were for
much larger spaces and
wouldn’t work scaled
down to our backyard,”
she says. “Because of this,
a lot of things were trial
and error.” She hopes her
blog will “show people
that you can create a
beautiful, functional
space even if you can’t
hire a professional
landscaper or don’t
have a big yard.“
FUR-FAMILY AFFAIR Brittany furnished the space with
retail finds—seating from an end-of-season sale at Target
and an outdoor rug atop the gray composite decking.
Blanche, one of the family felines, is a fan, above. “Our
cats are indoor kitties, but we let them come out onto
the deck with us while we are out there so they can
sniff around, chase flies, and sunbathe,” Brittany says.
DO IT
BETTER
BRITTANY’S COFFEE TABLE IS A
SIMPLE BOX BUILD TOPPED WITH
THREE CONCRETE PAVERS. SHE
FINISHED THE BASE USING VARATHANE
WOOD STAIN IN KONA AND MINWAX
HELMSMAN SPAR URETHANE IN
SATIN. “I DECIDED NOT TO SEAL TABLE FOR TWO Brittany made the matching coffee and side tables,
THE PAVERS SO THEY ACT AS above. “I designed them with 2×2 pine for the bases and 12×12-inch
COASTERS WHEN YOU SET concrete pavers for the tops,” she says. “I needed a really slim coffee
A DRINK ON THEM,” table to fit the space. The pavers were cheaper and easier than
SHE SAYS. pouring a concrete top.” The tables, she says, are small and narrow,
“but they have been enough for us in the space,” functioning as a
surface for drinks and snacks, a plant stand, an ottoman, and extra
seating when needed.

ROCK LANDSCAPING
AROUND THE
DECK AND AC
COMPRESSOR MAKES
IT ALL SUPER LOW
MAINTENANCE—NO
MOWING, WEED
WHACKING, OR
TREATING REQUIRED.
THE BIG SCREEN Brittany built the L-shape screen, above, that masks the air-conditioning unit beside the
deck using 2×4s as vertical posts and 1×4s as slats. The screen, stained to match the tables she built, sits
on pavers rather than being anchored to the ground or fixed to the house “We can easily slide it out of the
way if we need to access the unit,” she says. Surrounded by plants, it hides in plain site. Visit Brittany’s blog
at bybrittanygoldwyn.com for step-by-step instructions on building the screen and the tables.
CORNER GARDEN
A pair of DIY raised
beds (approximately 11
inches deep, 81 inches
long, and 35 inches
wide) produce cherry
tomatoes, pickling
cucumbers, and
peppers in one sunny
corner of the backyard,
left. “I love plants and
really want to instill
that in my daughter
as well,” Brittany says,
“so I love taking her
out there to ‘help’
me plant, water, and
pick things from the
garden.”
MAKE IT EASY TO CHOOSE SCALED- sun sets. “I love how it feels

SMALL MAINTAIN Composite DOWN FURNISHINGS On at night when you plug in
deck boards promise to Brittany’s list of must-haves the hanging lights and sit
SMARTS retain their finish and not for the deck was “a place on the deck surrounded by
Blogger Brittany show wear from weather to relax comfortably— plants pretending like you
as wood does. To keep even though we couldn’t aren’t also surrounded by
Goldwyn Merth inspires the area around the deck fit a sectional,” she says. other houses!” she says.
those of us with limited free of weeds, “Mike and I Instead, she scored a love
square footage with her dug up the grass and laid seat and pair of chairs at UPGRADE OVER TIME
landscaping fabric and a an end-of-season sale. Brittany says her space
space-smart ideas and simple black landscape The small-scale pieces continues to grow with
projects. Her backyard edging to create a nice fit the 8×12-foot deck new projects and ideas.
is no exception. Here clean border,” Brittany without overwhelming it, “We’ve changed things as
says. “I filled this with a partly due to their open- our needs have evolved—
are a few keys to her pretty river rock that we weave sides that allow like removing the baby
small-space success. got from a local nursery. light to pass through. swing and building a
I also added some basic pebble play box for
concrete stepping-stones ADD AMBIENCE String Ramona and removing
in a few sunny spots lights hung from the rafters the outdoor curtains and
where I wanted to put of the upper-level deck replacing them with roller
potted plants.” give the lower living space solar shades when our
a magical quality after the budget allowed.”

STORE MORE The
shed, this photo, was
Mike’s project, Brittany
says. “It’s 6 feet tall
and sits on a simple
platform we made
by fastening into the
fence. It’s just big
enough to store the
things we need for the
yard,” she says.
BRITTANY LOVED THE BEHR

OPAQUE STAIN AND SEALER
USED ON THE SHED SO
MUCH THAT SHE USED IT
ON FURNITURE THE COUPLE
MADE FOR 3-YEAR-OLD
FOR RESOURCES RAMONA.
SEE PAGE 102.
WALLof
FAME
Where there’s a wall, there’s
a way. With paint and a little
imagination, you can step up
a room’s wow factor without
breaking the bank.
PROJECTS SAVANNAH KOKALIARES & MALLORY NIKOLAUS
PHOTOGRAPHS JAY WILDE
WORDS MARIA V. CHARBONNEAUX
STYLING JESSICA BRINKERT HOLTAM
FIND INEXPENSIVE
ROUND WOOD
PLAQUES AT YOUR
WANDERLUST CRAFTS STORE IN THE
WOOD CRAFTING
T17-12, AISLE. THEIR
BEHR; BEVELED EDGES ADD
BEHR.COM TRADITIONAL STYLE.
JUST A TRIM Deep blue boldly envelops Savannah Kokaliares’ master bedroom, while monochromatic trimwork adds
subtle sophistication, opposite and above. For this focal wall, Savannah used 4- and 5-inch-diameter round wood plaques
and half-round polystyrene molding cut into 131/4-, 181/4-, and 281/2-inch lengths. Using a level, she first marked the
vertical center of the wall. To begin creating this fretwork-style design, she cut a 5-inch plaque in half, centering it on
the center line at the ceiling and attaching it with a brad nailer. She then worked in square sections with 4-inch-diameter
circles placed at a square’s center and corners and 5-inch circles placed at the center of each side. The 181/4-inch lengths
connect the circles horizontally and vertically, while the 131/4- and 281/2-inch lengths connect them diagonally. To prep for
paint, fill all holes with wood filler using a putty knife. Then paint using an angled brush and a small roller.

SAVANNAH KOKALIARES
(RIGHT) OF CLASSY CLUTTER
PAINT LIKE
AND MALLORY NIKOLAUS OF
MN HOME AND MONARCH
SAVANNAH AND MALLORY
HOME GOODS BOTH LOVE
A GOOD DIY. FRIENDS You’re no stranger to an accent Mallory: My favorite paint techniques
SINCE HIGH SCHOOL, THE wall. How do you know when a room include using flat/matte paint on the
BLOGGERS HAVE SHARED calls for one? walls and semigloss paint on doors and
THEIR MUTUAL PASSION
trim to add subtle contrast and interest
FOR CREATING—AND THEIR
CLEVER HOME PROJECTS—
A: Savannah: I love accent walls to to a space.
create a focal point in the room or when
WITH ONLINE READERS
I’m inspired by a print or an idea that What tools do you find yourself
FOR OVER 10 YEARS, OFTEN
would be too busy on all four walls. reaching for again and again for painted
LENDING A HAND AND
MORAL SUPPORT TO ONE
Mallory: My favorite accent walls include wall treatments?
ANOTHER ALONG THE WAY.
Sharpie Paint Pen designs or using a wall
TO FOLLOW ALONG AS mural to create a focal point. A: Savannah: The paint edger is such a
THEY IMPROVE THEIR game changer. I’ll admit that paint prep is
HOMES ROOM-BY-ROOM— What are some of your favorite paint not my favorite, and this tool is a painter’s
SAVANNAH IN MESA, techniques you’ve tried on walls? best friend!
ARIZONA, AND MALLORY IN Mallory: My go-to paint tool is the
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE— A: Savannah: Over the years I’ve Wooster Shortcut paintbrush. I buy them
FOLLOW SAVANNAH AT done several striped or dash walls with in bulk and NEVER complete a project
CLASSYCLUTTER paint that create such fun, interesting without one.
.NET AND MALLORY AT patterns—and it’s cost effective.
MALLORYNIKOLAUS.COM.
A RANDOM
APPLICATION IS
KEY FOR A MORE
BELIEVABLE LOOK.
SPIN YOUR BRUSH
EVER-SO-SLIGHTLY
AS YOU DAB PAINT.
“I ALWAYS
RECOMMEND
TESTING YOUR
COLOR IN YOUR
SPACE. THE
SAME COLOR OF
PAINT CAN READ
DIFFERENTLY FROM
ROOM TO ROOM.”
SAVANNAH KOKALIARES, DESIGNER
STROKE OF GENIUS Inject fashion-inspired style into a small

space—and get a wallpaper look for less—by hand-painting trendy,
cheetah-inspired spots, above. Using 1-inch round crafts brushes,
Mallory Nikolaus blotted dots of black latex paint randomly on the
white walls in her dressing room. Once dry, she layered dabs of
metallic gold paint over and next to the existing black spots.

DRAW THE LINE Grab a $5 gold Sharpie oil-base paint marker
and a straightedge to level up your white walls in less than an
afternoon. In her kids’ game room, below, Mallory drew a series
of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines to create a geometric
wall mural that goes up much more quickly than wallpaper. Use
a long level to ensure your lines are straight and parallel with one
another when necessary. A medium-tip paint marker shows up
well while still maintaining a modern look.
DON’T CONFUSE A
PAINT MARKER WITH
A REGULAR SHARPIE.
THE LATTER IS MUCH
HARDER TO PAINT
OVER WHEN IT’S TIME
TO CHANGE
THE LOOK.
DO IT
BETTER
DEFINE LARGE SECTIONS
BY MARKING A FEW LINES
THAT SPAN THE WALL, THEN
FILL THEM IN WITH MORE
CLOSELY SPACED LINES TO
ADD PATTERN. IF YOU’RE
HESITANT, START WITH A
PENCIL AND THEN TRACE
OVER WITH MARKER.
84 DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021 FOR RESOURCES SEE PAGE 102.

EMBRACE
IMPERFECTIONS.
SPACING THAT’S
SLIGHTLY OFF,
LINES THAT AREN’T
EXACTLY STRAIGHT,
AND VARYING
BRUSHSTROKES ARE
ALL PART OF THE
CHARM.
BLACK
EVERGREEN
MQ6-44,
BEHR;
BEHR.COM
GOING FREESTYLE With a 1-inch angle brush and a quart of paint, you can achieve an adventurous accent
wall without breaking the bank. Before freehand-painting this high-contrast pattern in her son’s bedroom,
above, Savannah first mocked up a mix of dashes, dots, and zigzags in Photoshop. With a loose game plan,
she got to work, starting at the top and working her way across and down the wall. To avoid drips and
achieve varying color density, she loaded very little paint on her brush each time.
WELL GROUNDED “We kept the floors anywhere they
weren’t rotted or destroyed by animals, and those
were few and far between,” says Clint Harp of the
renovated home in Waco, Texas. He patched, sanded,
and stained them to reach their original beauty.
TURNING
TABLES
One man’s trash is another man’s ... TV show? Yes, at least when
it came to this former Waco, Texas, dilapidated farmhouse—
polished into a true treasure by HGTV’s Clint and Kelly Harp.
WORDS KATHRYN O’SHEA-EVANS PHOTOGRAPHS NATHAN SCHRODER STYLING LAUREN RAMIREZ
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A VISIONARY TO FIND

VALUE IN REFUSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE
RUBBISH IN QUESTION IS A TUMBLEDOWN
HOUSE SO HAIR-RAISING THAT RATS AND
SQUIRRELS HAVE TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN
THE WALLS. Consider this Waco, Texas, abode, purchased for
$10,000 by Clint and Kelly Harp, who moved to town in 2011.
“This two-story white farmhouse had turned basically into a crack
house,” says Clint, who spotted it across the street from a woodshop
he’d been renting from Habitat for Humanity, where he was
volunteering while Kelly was in grad school. “It looked like it was
going to fall down.”
With Kelly in school and Clint not finding much work as a
carpenter, the couple was almost broke. They’d decided to fill up
their gas tank one last time when a minor miracle occurred: Chip
Gaines pulled up alongside them in his truck, long before HGTV
was a glimmer in his eye. What a difference that tank of gas made.
Clint began making furniture for the couple who would go on to
host Fixer Upper. (Clint became a fixture on the show, and he and
Kelly hosted their own show Wood Work for the DIY Network.
Clint will soon be hosting his own show on the upcoming Magnolia
Network, Restoration Road, with Clint Harp.)
When they decided to buy the eyesore and do a gut remodel,
A TRUE FIXER UPPER Clint and Kelly Harp, above, and
they discovered teamwork really does make the dream work: Chip
their kids—Holland, Camille, and Hudson—on the
porch of the home they lived in for two years and and Joanna chose the house for an episode of their then brand-new
now run as an Airbnb rental. They saved money by show. “It was so infested with rats and junk we had to tear it all out,”
creating a short (rather than long) front porch and Clint says, who remembers filling three or four roll-off dumpsters
gave it more prominence by adding a top railing above with trash they pulled out of the home. Still, within weeks, the
using 2×6s and 2×4s, squaring the rounded edges. couples reworked it into the showpiece it is today (the Harp
family lived there for over two years, and now rent it as an Airbnb
property). “It’s very scary to buy a property where everything has to
be redone, but on the other hand, it’s kind of better—you don’t have
as many surprises,” Kelly says. The biggest bombshell? Just how
beautifully it turned out.

OYSTER
PEARL
CLARK & KENSINGTON,
ACEHARDWARE.COM
DO IT
BETTER
“WE LOVE TO DO A BIG ISLAND
WITHOUT ANYTHING IN IT—NO
SINK, NO STOVE TOP,” KELLY
HARP SAYS. IT IS CHEAPER TO
BUILD, PLUS IT BECOMES AN
IDEAL SURFACE FOR ROLLING
OUT CHRISTMAS COOKIES OR
STAGING THE BUFFET WHILE
ENTERTAINING.

SIMPLE WHITE SUBWAY
TILE MAKES A TIMELESS
BACKDROP FOR THE
WOOD ACCENTS.
WHEN BUILDING AN
ISLAND, CLINT AND
KELLY RECOMMEND
LEAVING ONE SIDE
OPEN TO AVOID THE
HASSLE OF BUILDING
DRAWERS AND DOORS.
BONUS: EASY ACCESS
TO TABLEWARE.
THRIFT SHOPPERS “We were on a

major budget, and a great option is
to get unfinished wooden cabinets
and paint them,” Kelly says of the
kitchen cabinetry, left. “We went
to a warehouse surplus store for
our cabinets.” Clint built the island
from reclaimed pine and topped
it with hard-wearing marble. “A
piece of marble fits in both a Texas
farmhouse or New York loft because
it elevates the style,” Clint says.
JOANNA GAINES
GIFTED THE COUPLE
THIS DISTRESSED
BLACK METAL GLASS
RACK, AVAILABLE ON
MAGNOLIA’S WEBSITE.
“PUT YOUR
MONEY INTO
THINGS THAT
REALLY MATTER;
YOU DON’T WANT
TO CHANGE THEM
LATER. IF IT’S
A QUESTION
BETWEEN A WHOLE
BUNCH OF FANCY
HARDWARE AND
KNOBS OR AC,
GO WITH AC.”
–CLINT HARP, HOMEOWNER
DIP INTO DIY “I know

a lot of people look
at my stuff and think
‘Oh, I can’t make that,
it’s so complicated,’
and I get it,” Clint says.
“The bigger point with
DIY stuff is just to try
it.” He recommends
dipping a toe in DIY
waters by buying a
cheap coffee table
and making a new
wood top for it. The
dining table, right,
can be found at Clint
and Kelly’s company
Harp Design Co.
(harpdesignco
.com). The couple
installed a tall row
of 12-inch-deep
cabinetry along one
kitchen wall, far right,
to serve as pantry
and china cabinet.

TAKE A SEAT Clint built a bench for
the entryway using wood left over
from another project—he simply
sanded it, oiled it, and screwed
on hairpin legs. “It’s so welcoming THIS CLOCK—AND
right when you walk in—I want MANY OF THE PIECES
to sit next to those pillows and THROUGHOUT
THE HOUSE—ARE
take my shoes off!” he says.
FROM CLINT AND
KELLY’S COMPANY,
HARP DESIGN CO.
(HARPDESIGNCO.COM)
11
MASTER CLASS The home’s
formerly railroaded upper
level practically demanded
that the couple split it
into three rooms and
one large master suite,
this photo and opposite.
“Having a sitting area in
your master is so great,
and for Airbnb provides
another living space,” Kelly
says. The pecan wood
coffee table with a live
edge was made in the
Harp Design Co. shop.
DO IT
BETTER
THE COUPLE SELECTED
ONE PAINT COLOR—A
SOFT GRAY—TO USE
THROUGHOUT THE
PROPERTY. “EVERY WALL
WAS ONE COLOR—NO WAY
COULD WE THINK OF A
DIFFERENT ONE!,”
KELLY SAYS.

FRAMING VERDANT
23
FOLIAGE—EITHER
A PRINT OR DRIED
SPECIMEN—GIVES
A FEELING OF
FRESHNESS THAT
WILL NEVER FADE IN
A UTILITARIAN SPACE.
WEIGHTY ISSUES “When we moved into

that house, having a claw-foot tub was
the most luxurious thing I could think
of,” says Kelly, who calls it sculpture for
the bathroom. “I was very committed to
it being real cast iron and not acrylic.”
She searched and searched to find one
within budget and found the freestanding
versus built-in tub option to be the most
budget-conscious after all. “It was a
whole package, including plumbing, and
ended up being cost effective when you
consider all the plumbing pieces and tile
that you’re not needing to pay someone
for,” she says. (Just be sure your floors
can handle the weight of a cast-iron tub.)

DISH
THE DIRT
Easy-to-create container gardens
brighten every area of your home.
Simply plant, water, and enjoy.
PROJECTS JESSICA THOMAS & SCOTT JOHNSON
PHOTOGRAPHS CARSON DOWNING
WORDS BECKY HOSCHEK

FOUND OBJECTS Repurpose a variety of mugs, bowls,
and saucers for a playful display, this photo. Choose
pieces with a similar color scheme and style to unify
the look. This assortment of vintage Mexican pottery
holds a mix of tropical houseplants—a great option as
almost any will work. Shown here clockwise, from top
DO IT
left: Schefflera arboricola (dwarf umbrella plant), Alocasia BETTER
SHALLOW CONTAINERS USED
(elephant ear), Calathea vittata, Hypoestes (polka dot
AS POTS LACK DRAINAGE
plant), cushion moss, variegated spoonleaf peperomia, HOLES, SO WATER WHEN
Plectranthus ‘Limelight’, and Peperomia caperata. SOIL IS DRY. PLACING
GRAVEL AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE CONTAINER PROMOTES
HEALTHY ROOTS.

LET THERE BE LIGHT Natural
light streaming through
windows creates an ideal
habitat for cultivating these
plant varieties indoors.
Some plants thrive in rock
and soil, while others can
be grown hydroponically,
this photo. Shown here,
left to right: hornwort,
water lettuce, marimo balls,
Cabomba caroliniana, Baby
Tut papyrus, snake plant, and
pitcher plant (on bench).
ROOTING SANSEVIERIA
(ALSO KNOWN AS
SNAKE PLANT) IN
WATER IS ACTUALLY
QUICKER THAN
ROOTING IT IN SOIL.
HOUSING THE
CUTTING IN A GLASS
VASE EXPOSES
THE INTRICATE
ROOT SYSTEM.
ASIAN IN APPEARANCE,
THE EXOTIC MING
ARALIA’S DELICATE
BRANCHES GROW
STRAIGHT UP TO
SUPPORT FEATHERY,
FERNLIKE FOLIAGE.
ITS SIGNATURE LOOK
MAKES IT A GREAT
CHOICE FOR A SINGLE-
PLANT GARDEN.
LIVING ARTWORK A wood trough housing an intricate

and striking arrangement of succulents becomes a piece
of art thanks to thoughtful composition and choice of
vegetation, above. Shown clockwise from top right:
Agave ‘Quadricolor’, Echeveria ‘Estrella’, earth star,
Echeveria ‘Blue Curls’, desert rose, and Sempervivum.
DO IT
BETTER
WOODEN TROUGHS ADD
AN ORGANIC, RUSTIC FEEL
TO A CONTAINER GARDEN. MINIATURE LANDSCAPE Playing with proportions when choosing
ONLY PLANTS THAT LIKE garden elements can create a statement piece that mimics a realistic
DRY CONDITIONS, SUCH AS landscape. The height of the variegated Ming aralia juxtaposed
SUCCULENTS, SHOULD BE
against the large rock in this stone-filled bowl, above, nods to a
PLANTED IN WOOD POTS TO
PREVENT ROTTING. lone tree rooted next to a boulder. Placing the arrangement atop a
stack of offset tiles adds height, color, and visual movement.

BABY BONSAI
Carefully trimmed
to expose its branch
structure, this bonsai
ficus set in spike moss
resembles a sprawling
tree growing out of
the grass. The ficus
does not require much
water, but the moss
needs misting a couple
of times a week.
PRUNE THE FICUS
A FEW TIMES EACH
YEAR WITH A
FOCUS ON CLEAN
BRANCH LINES
AT THE BOTTOM
LEADING THE EYE
TO ROUND
FULLNESS AT
THE TOP.
BASIC NEEDS Make sure Check the tags to see plant UPRIGHT PLANTS
PLANTS the plants you combine size information before Norfolk pine, papyrus,
share similar requirements buying. sansevieria, ficus, umbrella
FOR DISH for water, humidity, and plant, Calathea vittata,
GARDENS light exposure. A few of our faves to

mix and match:
false aralia, variegated
Ming aralia
VARIETY VIEWS For
Put a little thought interest, choose plants MOSS
that vary in height, texture, BLOOMING PLANTS Cushion moss, Selaginella
behind your dish shape, and color. Kalanchoe, begonia, mini (spike moss), Dicranum
garden picks and cyclamen, African violets scoparium (broom
you’ll have a stunning LOW RIDERS Stick with forkmoss), reindeer moss
succulents and cacti for a TRAILING AND LEAFY
arrangement— garden of all low plants. PLANTS SUCCULENTS AND CACTI
that lasts! Ivy, parallel peperomia, Sempervivum, Agave
GROWTH PLAN Give the pitcher plant, water lettuce, ‘Quadricolor’, Echeveria
plants plenty of room to variegated spoonleaf ‘Estrella’, desert rose, pink
grow so you don’t have to peperomia blush aloe, lithops, prickly
repot after a few months. pear cactus

THE JUNGLE LOOK Lush foliage nestled below
towering false aralia mimics the wild of the rain forest,
this photo. Here, the “understory” of this statement
piece includes ‘First Blush’ rex begonia, Calathea
lancifolia, and Tradescantia.
SAUCERS FROM LARGE

POTS REPURPOSED AS
SHALLOW DISH GARDEN
CONTAINERS ARE THE
PERFECT HEIGHT FOR
COUNTERTOPS AND
COFFEE TABLES.
AIR PLANTS ARE
UNIQUE IN THAT
THEY CAN SURVIVE
WITHOUT SOIL. THEIR
SPECIALIZED LEAVES
OBTAIN THE WATER
AND NUTRIENTS THEY
NEED TO THRIVE
SOLELY FROM THE AIR.
A SPRITZ OF WATER
HERE AND THERE—AND
THEY ARE GOOD DESERT DISH This assemblage of
TO GO. petite succulents, mini cactus, and
a scrap of driftwood points to the
signature structures of a dry oasis,
this photo. Shown left to right: pink
blush aloe, Sempervivum, lithops, and
prickly pear cactus.
NORFOLK PINES
ARE PETITE AND
SLOW-GROWING,
MAKING THEM THE
PERFECT CHOICE
FOR TABLETOPS,
SHELVES, AND
DESKS. OFFERING
A DYNAMIC BURST
OF GREEN TO
ANY SPACE, THEY
ARE A VERSATILE
YEAR-ROUND
HOUSEPLANT,
THRIVING IN BRIGHT
LIGHT AND EVENLY
MOIST SOIL.
FRAMED FOREST Norfolk pines elevate the eye in this display case of vegetation, above. Setting the garden
container within an open-sided wood crate adds dimension and frames the tiny trees teamed with cushion
moss, mini cyclamen, and parallel peperomia.

RESOURCES
SHOPPING GUIDE
Here’s where to find building materials, furnishings, and accessories shown in
Do It Yourself ™ magazine. We cannot guarantee the availability of items or services.
SEW EASY: CANVAS TOTE shade—Lamps Plus; 800/782-1967;

PAGES 21–23 lampsplus.com.
[P] Paint Color Because of the magazine
PAGE 21 PAGES 52–53
printing process, paint colors depicted on
Bag lining Peonies Canvas in Cream by Rifle Can white cylinder trash can—The Container
our pages might vary slightly from
Paper Co., bag lining in how-to Peonies in Store; 888/266-8246; containerstore.com.
manufacturers’ colors. Use paint color
Dusty Blue by Rifle Paper Co.—Bobbie Lou’s Blanket Berkshire cotton blanket—Bed Bath
names or numbers, when provided, as a
Fabric Factory; bobbieloufabric.com. Striped and Beyond; 800/462-3966;
starting point. To get a color as it appears in
rug, basket—Hobby Lobby; 800/888-0321; bedbathandbeyond.com.
the magazine, take the page to a paint
hobbylobby.com. Yoga mat Gaiam in Jade PAGES 54–55
retailer for matching.
Salutation—Amazon; amazon.com. Shoes— Plain pillowcases beige woven pillow cover—
Walmart; walmart.com. Water bottle—Target Hobby Lobby; 800/888-0321; hobbylobby
[T] To the Trade Contact a design Stores; 800/800-8800; target.com. .com. Unbleached rug Sortsö—IKEA; 888/888-
professional to find more information about 4532; ikea.com.
this product or service. WHAT TO DO WITH: CORK
PAGES 30–37 THE SUNNY SIDE
All images provided through GAP Interiors; PAGES 56–65
ON THE COVER gapinteriors.com. Visit Ashley Wilson’s blog:
Wall paint Behr Ultra Pure White 1850—Behr; athomewithashley.com.
800/854-0133; behr.com [P]. Cabinet paint ORDER IN THE HOUSE: UTILITY CLOSET PAGE 56
Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Furniture Paint in Sea PAGES 42–45 See On the Cover sourcing information (left).
Glass, Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Furniture Paint PAGES 42–43 PAGE 57
in Fluff, refrigerator paint Dixie Belle Slick Cabinet Bisley Blush 5-Drawer Cabinet, Wall color Behr Ultra Pure White 1850—Behr;
Stick Adhesive Primer, Dixie Belle Chalk Finish divided turntable iDesign Linus Divided Lazy 800/854-0133; behr.com [P]. Sofa Paladin
Furniture Paint in Soft Pink, countertop paint Susan, stackable bin iDesign Clear Linus Deep Leather Sofa—Downeast; 800/337-3076;
Dixie Belle Slick Stick Adhesive Primer, Dixie Stackable, stool Black Easy Folding Step Stool, downeastbasics.com. Drapery panels
Belle Chalk Finish Furniture Paint in Fluff, Dixie basket Tosca Slim Storage Basket, box Favori Opalhouse Velvet Curtain Panel with Tassels—
Belle Chalk Finish Furniture Paint in Driftwood, in Mint, under-shelf storage rack Tosca— Target Stores; 800/800-8800; target.com.
sconces 360 Lighting Mendes Down-Light Yamazaki; theyamazakihome.com. Collapsible Drapery hardware Ivilon Drapery Window
Plug-In Wall Lamps, faucet Kingston Brass bucket Sammart 2.6 gallon—Amazon; amazon Curtain Rod End Cap Style Design, lamp
KS3792AXBS Restoration Kitchen Faucet .com. Command hooks, Swiffer, braided Brightech Montage Modern Floor Lamp,
Sprayer—Amazon; amazon.com. Floating hooks—Target Stores; 800/800-8800; turntable Crosley Cruiser Portable 3-Speed
shelves, cabinet hardware Project 62 Bar Knob, target.com. Vacuum 12V Max Dustbuster Turntable in turquoise—Amazon; amazon
Project 62 Bar Pull—Target Stores; 800/800- AdvancedClean+ Cordless Handheld Vacuum— .com. Rug Loloi Zharah Indoor Area Rug—
8800; target.com. Sink Elkay Quartz Classic Black+Decker; blackanddecker.com. Standing Hayneedle; hayneedle.com. Large golden
W Drop-In Kitchen Sink—Wayfair; 844/950- broom similar available as vintage-inspired metallic plant stands, pink chair HomePop
1133; wayfair.com. Backsplash Wallpops French Apartment Broom—Food52; food52 Modern Swoop Accent Chair, chandelier
Hexagon Marble Farmhouse Peel and Stick .com. Cleaning supplies Mindful collection and Kichler Lighting Rumer collection 4-Light Mini
Backsplash Tile NH2359—D. Marie Interiors; Elevated Home collection—Pure & Peaceful Chandelier—Overstock.com; 800/843-2446;
etsy.com/shop/dmarieinteriors. Wallpaper in LLC; pureandpeaceful.com. Steamer in basket overstock.com. Artwork hanging on drapes
back of cabinet A-Street Ainsley Pink Boho Cirrus No. 2 Handheld Steamer—Food52; Ava Canvas—Christie Adelle; christieadelle.com.
Floral—The Home Depot; homedepot.com. food52.com. White pillow with thread loops 3R Studio—
Table Renee Marble Bistro Table—Grandin PAGES 44–45 Macy’s; macys.com. Acrylic shelves holding
Road; 866/668-5962; grandinroad.com. Pink Dry-erase dots Wall Pops—The Home Depot; turntable Peekaboo Acrylic Rolling Two Shelf—
chairs Angelo:Home Hermosa Dining Chair, homedepot.com. Wine holder iDesign CB2; cb2.com.
banquette bench Palmetto Entryway Bench, Stackable Wine Holder—Williams Sonoma; PAGE 59
banquette back Vant Wall Panel System— 877/812-6235; williams-sonoma.com. Baskets Toaster Smeg—Smeg USA, Inc.; smegusa.com.
Overstock.com; 800/843-2446; overstock with handles Nordic Basket in medium and Stairs paint Beloved Pink S130-1, Shy Smile
.com. Rug Alexis—rugs.com. large—The Container Store; 888/266-8246; S130-2, Ballet Rose S130-3, Coral Fountain
containerstore.com. Dustpan Andrée Jardin MQ4-3, Lamplit MQ4-11, Corn Stalk M290-3,
TRY IT: METALLICS Vintage-Inspired French Hanging Dustpan and Frittata M290-2, Frosted Sage N400-2,
PAGES 8–13 Brush Set—Food52; food52.com. Spring Reflection MQ6-13, Country Weekend
PAGES 8–9 MQ6-40, Cascade Green MQ6-36, Serene
Golden lamp, art behind bed, basket— START YOUR SEEDS! Breeze M440-2, Watery HDC-CT 26—Behr;
HomeGoods; 800/888-0776; homegoods PAGES 46–48 800/854-0133; behr.com [P].
.com. Rust-color pillow—Cost Plus World Shelving five-tier chrome-finish shelving unit, PAGES 60–61
Market; 877/967-5362; worldmarket.com. casters 4-inch industrial casters—Lowe’s; Wall paint Spring Reflection MQ6-13, Ultra Pure
White quilt—Target Stores; 800/800-8800; 800/445-6937; lowes.com. Seed-starting White 1850—Behr; 800/854-0133; behr.com
target.com. equipment—Gardener’s Supply Co.; 800/876- [P]. Wallpaper Tiger Clementine Mural—Anewall
PAGES 10–11 5520; gardeners.com. Seeds—Renee’s Garden; Décor; etsy.com/shop/anewalldecor. Rug
Chair, concrete planters, table runner—Target 888/880-7228; reneesgarden.com. Parampara Medallion Flower Border Green Sea
Stores; 800/800-8800; target.com. Small white Weed Indoor Area Rug, chest on wallpaper wall
vase—The Salvation Army; salvationarmyusa.org. PLEASED AS PUNCH Hamilton Polar White Console Table, love seat
Fabric napkin under vase—Cosdst Plus World PAGES 49–55 Home Decorators Collection Gordon Natural
Market; 877/967-5362; worldmarket.com. THROUGHOUT Linen Loveseat, starburst on chest Litton Lane
PAGES 12–13 5-mm punch needle—Punchy Stuff Studio; etsy Abstract Starburst Aluminum Sculpture—The
Small golden frame on mantel—Michaels; .com/shop/punchystuff. 2.2-mm punch needle Home Depot; homedepot.com. Leather
800/642-4235; michaels.com. White frame Boye Punch Needle Embroidery Set—Walmart; animals holding books Zuny Series Bookend,
on mantel, table with plant—HomeGoods; walmart.com. Lion and Elephant—Amazon; amazon.com.
800/888-0776; homegoods.com. Planters in PAGES 50–51 PAGE 62
window—Target Stores; 800/800-8800; Monk’s cloth—Jo-Ann Stores; joann.com. Vanity/desk Bodo Desk—Grandin Road;
target.com. Lampshade white cotton small drum cylinder grandinroad.com. Green-and-gold stool
HomePop Rectangle Ottoman Velvet Tufted

Cushion and Gold Metal X Base—Target Stores; acrylic mail holder Grey Trim Mod Acrylic “Game On” letters by Heidi Swapp—Amazon;
800/800-8800; target.com. Rug Lima Sechin Mail Holder, magnetic hooks Stainless Steel amazon.com. Carpet Lifeproof—The Home
Opal Area Rug—The Home Depot; Magnetic Swivel Hooks—The Container Store; Depot; homedepot.com.
homedepot.com. 888/266-8246; containerstore.com. Lamp, PAGE 85
PAGE 63 (top) wall art—HomeGoods; 800/888-0776; Wall paint Black Evergreen MQ6-44, wall paint
Headboard Skyline Furniture Caribbean Velvet homegoods.com. Speaker lightbulb LED+ accent color Ultra Pure White 1850—Behr;
Tufted Bed, nightstands Harper Blvd. Campaign Speaker—GE Lighting; gelighting.com. 800/854-0133; behr.com [P]. Rug—rugs.com.
3-Drawer Accent Chest, Safavieh Raina Three Headboard—Pier 1 Imports; pier1.com. Sofa—Article; 888/746-3455; article.com.
Drawer Greek Key Night Stand, lamps Safavieh Bedding—Target Stores; 800/800-8800; target Basket holding plant—HomeGoods; 800/888-
Lighting Kingship White/Gold Table Lamp— .com. Accent pillow—West Elm; 888/922- 0776; homegoods.com. Black-and-white
Overstock.com; 800/843-2446; overstock 4119; westelm.com. Rug—Tuesday Morning; striped accent pillows—Classy Clutter Home;
.com. Wallpaper Tropical Birds—Milton & King; 800/457-0099; tuesdaymorning.com. classyclutter.net. Cream accent pillow—Target
miltonandking.com. Alarm clock The Emily & PAGE 71 Stores; 800/800-8800; target.com. Disney’s
Meritt Bunny Alarm Clocks—Pottery Barn Teen; Platform bed Knox Upholstered Platform Bed Matterhorn framed art—BFF Print Shop;
pbteen.com. in gray from the Better Homes & Gardens bffprintshop.com. National Park framed art—
PAGE 63 (bottom left) Collection®—Walmart; walmart.com. Slatted Etsy; etsy.com. Flooring—The Home Depot;
Floor paint Porch & Floor Paint in light bed base Luröy, white containers Sunnersta homedepot.com. Pendant—vintage.
gray—Glidden; glidden.com [P]. Art hanging Container, white hooks Sunnersta Hook,
on wall in corner “Taffy Waterfall” by Alison stainless hooks—IKEA; 888/888-4532; TURNING TABLES
Jerry Designs—Minted; minted.com. Art on ikea.com. Black wire baskets Design Ideas PAGES 86–93
counter—Jennifer Allevato; jenniferallevato Sutton Desktop File Holder—The Container For additional information about Clint Harp:
.com. Light fixture Kichler Lighting Silberne Store; 888/266-8246; containerstore.com. Harp Design Co.; harpdesignco.com.
collection 3-Light, floating shelves The Gray Letterboard Room Essentials Letterboard, PAGE 86
Barn Waggoner Mahogany Short Floating turquoise ottoman—Target Stores; 800/800- Coffee table—Harp Design Co.; 254/230-2054;
Wall Shelf—Overstock.com; 800/843-2446; 8800; target.com. Light cord kit Porcelain harpdesignco.com.
overstock.com. Wallpaper Euphemia 5—Milton Plug-In Pendant Light—Color Cord Co.; PAGES 88–89
& King; miltonandking.com. Tile Imperial colorcord.com. Speaker lightbulb LED+ Stools, runner—Cost Plus World Market;
Bianco Gloss Ceramic Subway Wall Tile—The Speaker—GE Lighting; gelighting.com. 877/967-5362; worldmarket.com. Cutting
Tile Shop; tileshop.com. Washer and dryer boards on counter, cake stand on island,
Samsung—The Home Depot; homedepot.com. BACKYARD BLISS fruit bowl on island, blue floral art, dish towel
PAGE 63 (bottom right) PAGES 72–79 at range—Harp Design Co.; 254/230-2054;
Door paint Frosted Sage N400-2—Behr; Visit Brittany Goldwyn Merth’s blog: harpdesignco.com.
800/854-0133; behr.com [P]. Wallpaper bybrittanygoldwyn.com. PAGE 90
Terrazzo by Holli Zollinger Custom Chairs, sofa, tray on table—Target Stores; Vintage glass holder—Magnolia; magnolia.com.
Printed—Spoonflower; spoonflower.com. 800/800-8800; target.com. Pillows—IKEA; Dining table, candlesticks on table—Harp
Metal backsplash Brass Sheet 260-H02— 888/888-4532; ikea.com. Stain for base Design Co.; 254/230-2054; harpdesignco.com.
onlinemetals.com, floating shelf 23-inch of coffee table, side table, raised beds, PAGE 91
Wood Shelf with Metal in Rustic Gray from air-conditioning unit screen Kona Finish Hairpin leg bench, pillows on bench, shiplap
the Better Homes & Gardens Collection®— with Minwax Spar Urethane—Rust-Oleum; clock—Harp Design Co.; 254/230-2054;
Walmart; walmart.com. Light fixture Kichler rustoleum.com. Paint for shed and trellises harpdesignco.com. Round side table—Target
45685NBRLED Indeco Vanity 2-Light—Amazon; Harbor Gray Waterproofing Stain and Sealer— Stores; 800/800-8800; target.com. Rug—
amazon.com. Behr; 800/854-0133; behr.com. Cost Plus World Market; 877/967-5362;
PAGES 64–65 worldmarket.com.
Wall paint Beloved Pink #S130-1—Behr; WALLS OF FAME PAGES 92–93
800/854-0133; behr.com [P]. Light fixture PAGES 80–85 Headboard, flower print above bed, coffee
Copper Grove Choisy 6-Light Chandelier— Interior design: Savannah Kokaliares and table in sitting area—Harp Design Co.;
Overstock.com; 800/843-2446; overstock Mallory Nikolaus, Classy Clutter; classyclutter4@ 254/230-2054; harpdesignco.com. Pillows,
.com. Stool HomePop Square Plaid Counter gmail.com; classyclutter.net. throw—Cost Plus World Market; 877/967-5362;
Stool—Hayneedle; hayneedle.com. Sign Love PAGES 80–81 worldmarket.com.
Grows Here—Curious Timbers; etsy.com/shop/ Wall paint Wanderlust T17-12—Behr; 800/854-
curioustimbers. 0133; behr.com [P]. Wood rounds for wall
treatment—Hobby Lobby; 800/888-0321;
GOOD BEDFELLOWS hobbylobby.com. Half-round trim molding for
PAGES 66–71 wall treatment—The Home Depot; homedepot
PAGES 66–67 .com. Bed frame, bedside tables, chandelier—
Sconce Brass Nook Adjustable Wall Sconce, Overstock.com; 800/843-2446; overstock
golden pillows, baskets—Cost Plus World .com. Pink velvet accent pillows—Classy
PROJECTS
Market; 877/967-5362; worldmarket.com. Clutter Home; classyclutter.net. Lamp, pink UNDER $20
Gray-and-blue pillow—West Elm; 888/922- vase, pink blanket, cream coverlet, pink linen
4119; westelm.com. Gray knot pillow—Hobby accent pillow—Target Stores; 800/800-8800; Metallic pillows 9
Lobby; 800/888-0321; hobbylobby.com. target.com. White coverlet Love At First White— Metallic vase 10
Throw—Nordstrom Rack; 888/966-6283; Beddy’s; 801/753-9050; beddys.com.
nordstromrack.com. Area rug Sureya, baskets— PAGE 83 Metallic wall stencil 11
HomeGoods; 800/888-0776; homegoods Wall and chest of drawers paint Ultra Pure Metallic-painted chairbacks 11
.com. Wall art in shelves—Prints Miuus Studio; White 1850, black wall accent, black trim paint Metallic planter 13
etsy.com/shop/printsmiuusstudio. Carbon N520-7—Behr; 800/854-0133; behr Metallic pot 13
PAGE 68 .com [P]. Golden wall accent paint—DecoArt; Cork clock 30
Wall paint Meander Blue SW 6484—The 800/367-3047; decoart.com. Overhead light
Sherwin-Williams Co.; 800/474-3794; sherwin- fixture, sconces—Wayfair; 844/950-1133; Cork memo boards 31
williams.com [P]. Bedding—T.J. Maxx; 833/888- wayfair.com. Flooring Pebble Beach—Garrison Cork notebook 32
0776; tjmaxx.tjx.com. Clock London Clock Collection; 800/556-9003; garrisoncollection Cork coasters 33
Co. Mini Desk Clock—The Container Store; .com. Pink jewelry holder, oval vanity mirror— Framed corkboard 36
888/266-8246; containerstore.com. HomeGoods; 800/888-0776; homegoods XL corkboard 37
PAGE 69 .com. White jewelry holder—At Home; athome
Towel rack Filigree Bathroom Collection 2-Tier .com. Black velvet necklace stand—Amazon; Embroidered lampshade 50
Iron Wall Mount Bathroom Shelf—Lowe’s; amazon.com. Round mirror—Target Stores; Embroidered circle art 51
800/445-6937; lowes.com. Bedding—Target 800/800-8800; target.com. Vanity shelf—IKEA; Dowel wall treatment 81
Stores; 800/800-8800; target.com. Pillow 888/888-4532; ikea.com. Cheetah-spot wall treatment 83
shams—West Elm; 888/922-4119; westelm PAGE 84 Geometric wall treatment 84
.com. Wall art, ottoman—HomeGoods; Wall paint Frost 57—Behr; 800/854-0133; behr
800/888-0776; homegoods.com. .com [P]. Gold paint pen Sharpie—Michaels; Tribal wall treatment 85
Throw—Nordstrom Rack; 888/966-6283; 800/642-4235; michaels.com. Chess Assorted dish gardens 95
nordstromrack.com. set—The Crowded House; facebook.com/ Galvanized dish garden 101
PAGE 70 CrowdedHouseAZ. Table—Living Spaces;
Drawer organizer inside desk Linen Cambridge, 877/266-7300; livingspaces.com. Chairs,
Better Homes & Gardens is a registered trademark in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Better Homes & Gardens marca registrada en México. © Meredith Corp. 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2). NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Do It Yourself, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508. In Canada: Mailed under
Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069223. Canadian BN 12348 2887 RT. Your bank may provide updates to the card information we have on file. You may opt out of this service at any time.
Do It Yourself™ (ISSN 1075-1033), January (Spring) 2021, Volume 28, No. 2. Do It Yourself is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October by Meredith Corp., 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA
50309-3023. Periodicals postage paid at Des Moines, IA, and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $19.97 per year in the U.S.; $23.97 (U.S. dollars) per year in Canada and overseas.
1
1. Blue hues for you and

the family pooch with these 2
stylish bandannas. Tie-Dyed
Cotton Bandana, $14 each;
scarletdarter.etsy.com 2. Adorn your walls
TREND SITING with this bohemian chic
statement piece made
TIE-DYE
with hand-dyed wool
for a relaxed, beachy
vibe. Large Dip Dye Yarn
3
Wall Hanging, $296;
kathomestudio
What goes around comes around! .etsy.com
This throwback trend revisits an
iconic style by imbuing it with
a modern twist.
3. Sip your way to serenity with this
WORDS PATRICIA RICHARDS
delicious rooibos-blend loose leaf
PHOTOGRAPHS MARTY BALDWIN
tea featuring tie-dye sprinkles. Par
Avion Tie Dye Tea, $17 for 2 ounces;
paraviontea.com
6
5
6. These planters really pop!

Add green space to your home
with patterned pots made from
recycled plastic. Eco-Friendly
Tie Dye Planter, from $30;
amalueleith.etsy.com
5. Bring new life to

old fabric with a
bespoke tie-dye kit. 7. Resilient silicone pint
Perfect for a night in glasses can handle even
with pals or a weekend the most precarious of
with the kids! Mrs. situations, making them
4. The soft pastels used in this Shine Tie Dye Kit, $29; perfect for the pool, the
stick-on wallpaper create the mrsshine.com.au car, or the kids. 16-ounce
perfect canvas for your next gallery Original Pint Glass in Hippie
wall. Ocean Surf Tie Dye Wallpaper, 7 Hops, $11; silipint.com
from $68; accentuwall.etsy.com

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20 IDEAS

SMALL SPACES HELP YOU

Hi Lionel, welcome back

I don’t feel well and may I’d like to speak to a

© 2020 Synapse Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

46 START YOUR SEEDS! 66 GOOD BEDFELLOWS 86 TURNING TABLES

BHG.COM/DIYM A G A Z I N E DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021 1

8 TRY IT 24 ON OUR RADAR 104 TREND SITING

14 MEET THE MAKER 30 WHAT TO DO WITH . ..

21 SEW EASY 42 ORDER IN THE HOUSE

2 DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021

MEREDITH NATIONAL MEDIA GROUP

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wi n n e r ! with leather pulls. That’s a

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10 DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021

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FOR RESOURCES SEE PAGE 102.

BHG.COM/DIYM A G A Z I N E DO IT YOURSELF Spring 2021 15

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