Last night fans from coast to coast toasted the return of their favorite Downton Abbey characters. We'd like you to actually get a taste of Downton for this week's 10-Minute Happy Hour.

• The Bittersweet Mr. Bates
  The Kitchn

Upgrading an old CRT television to a modern flat screen is a costly endeavor in itself, and it gets even more expensive when you consider some of the hidden costs of upgrading. For instance, if your old tube TV fit snug in a TV cabinet, you'll need to find a new furniture home for the likely larger new screen. Or, you could take a cue from this no-cost DIY project and transform an old TV armoire into something new. More

Blocks are often the most simplistic children's toy in your home and not only do they captivate and provide hours of imaginative and open play, they are easy on the eyes and ears of parents as well. While available for purchase at many stores, you can also create them yourself from 2x4 scrapes you probably have in your garage with just a chop saw and some sand paper. But did you ever think to add an additional step by making your wooden blocks into a canvas? More

I love IKEA butcher block countertops. They're so versatile, so beautiful, and so inexpensive — so what if they also tend to be a little lacking in a certain flair? Here's an idea: make this one-size-fits-all kitchen staple into a one-of-a-kind unique surface with just a few tools and a little bit of know-how. More

What's a parent to do when an existing platform bed is too attractive to the younger members of the family, who view it as "their own personal jungle gym"? If you're creative and handy with power tools, the solution is obvious — build a new custom bed for the master bedroom and give it a vintage look by artificially weathering the wood. More

What happens when crafty bloggy types post appeals for design help on Facebook? Their friends chime in with great suggestions, and when their friends are Ana White, they whip up plans for a fun and functional DIY project. More

There comes a time in toddlerhood where kids are too small for a tricycle or balance bike but are enamored with the idea of propelling themselves on something with wheels. The ride-on toy is the perfect fit for this stage of development. Here is a handsome one that you can build yourself and customize however you see fit. More

Whether building furniture or applying trim, there will come a day when you will want to break away from the right angles and get a little curvy. Arches can help to soften an angular room or piece of furniture and they are a sign to anyone who sees them that the builder was on top of their game. The trickiest part in doing arches is consistency between pieces and achieving overall symmetry. Here is a tutorial that will help you make it happen. More

I have a long sectional sofa in my living room, and although I love it, one challenge is that the sofa is too long to really use end tables. With a traditional sofa, end tables are the ideal place for a lamp, a coaster for your drink, a spot to put your phone while you curl up with a book… you get the idea. But what should all the in-between people on your super-long couch do? A console table is the solution! More

Wall paneling, called Wainscoting, is often found in today's home. Wainscoting was originally used as a means to clad the floor-to-ceiling interior of stone walls to help insulate the cold walls and minimize water infiltration. Now wainscoting can be used protect the lower third of the wall from nicks and scratches from everyday abuse, but is most often used as a decorative accent. More