We've found endless uses for washi tape in the home, but this easy DIY from Bri at Design Love Fest is not only cute, it also keeps the cord clutter in check.

Southfanning was working from the dark recesses of a basement home office when he decided it was time to emerge from the subterranean confines and build himself a new place to work. He wanted a place free from distractions and noise inside the house, where privacy and quiet and would reign supreme with a better view. What he wanted was a backyard office...a shed workspace he dubbed, the Shoffice!

Now this is a home office DIY I can handle. When the materials list is just three items long and the first step is "drink milk," you know this craft is just perfect for a quiet afternoon. Even better, you'll have a perfect little organizer and smartphone dock to set up on your desk the next morning.

There was the time I decided to make my own mosaic mirror, and broke enough mirrors to guarantee bad luck for life. Or the time I decided to tackle the small task of repainting my bathroom and ended up peeling off the bubbling, existing paint in huge sheets for days before I could even get started.

If your home is small (under 1000 square feet) and cool (of course it is!) then you know what to do. We invite you to inspire us - and impress our new-for-2013 judges panel - with photos of your compact home along with your real-life tips for living well in stylish small spaces. 

We're constantly amazed at the ingenuity of making something out of almost nothing. Recently faced with a fruitless search for a desk at a thrift store, I gave up. But I should have turned my sights around to the seemingly endless assortment of bar stools, like these creative craftsmen who decided to DIY their desks from the reclaimed seating.

The recent discovery of aphids camped out on the big rose bush in my backyard got me Googling "organic pest control." While I read about many different methods (beer, ladybugs, strong sprays of water), I was intrigued by this spray concocted by the editors of Organic Gardening.

Old schools chairs like this are kind of inherently cool. But not many have survived that are in good enough condition, without rust and wear, to use as is, especially around kids. Kate found a few of these chairs in her Grandfather's garage and decided to give one a makeover as a gift for her niece. Check it out...