apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm a diy whore! Did 98 percent of the installation of the ikea kitchen in my current home, including plumbing, electrical, flooring, and drywall installation. I've actually gotten really good at drywall repair - I recently patched a 3 foot by 5 foot hole in the ceiling (caused by roof leakage) of my bedroom, and everyone has told me that the repair is seamless, i.e., you can't tell there was ever was damage to the ceiling.

I have installed glass tiles in the kitchen, which I subsequently removed after I decided I hated the look.

I enjoying doing these tasks. Also, i enjoy saving money.

My next project: steel stair and balcony railing with cable. It should cost me less than $500. . . hopefully.

I did replace two toilet a a year ago, and I will NEVER EVER do that again. I would hire that out - it was the grossest thing. Sticking your hands down that hole to screw the flange in, etc. I was gagging the whole time.

In my first place it was pretty much turn-key and everything was done very well, so I did not have a chance to DIY more than paint. In my new place, it is a little rough around the edges and has allowed me to get my hands in some DIY stuff and I love it!

We have been in the house and so far I have painted, installed garage door openers, installed (some) new switches and outlets, hung a ceiling fan and put up gutter guards. The amount of satisfaction you receive is really amazing. The money you save in the process is just gravy.

It was actually funny, last night I was doing some electrical work and picked up a multimeter at Home Depot. You should have seen me, I was like a kid Christmas morning, reading about it and using it for the first time. I was so excited!!

I have absolutely NO diy ability. I don't know why, but I screw up even the simplest tasks. I really envy all of you who can diy it up. Luckily my father is very skilled in that area, so he does it all for me. It's a little pathetic.

I replaced all of the light switches and light fixtures in my apartment, painted and installed shelves. I have had my share of complete disasters though, like the metal desk that I sanded and painted, twice, only to figure out that the paint just wouldn't stick once it had been assembled.

The anticipation of a DIY project is overwhelming to me and I will put things off for ridiculous amounts of time. I do get some things done and am terribly proud of those moments, but the fretting beforehand... It's just so much cheaper when you can do it yourself, but oh the emotional cost. I have the Home Depot DIY book, which I consult frequently, and there's tons of DIY instructions on the web.

That said, my next project is to fix up an old cabinet I recently bought. I found it rather dull and mousey looking once I got it home, but decided to work with it. I'm using Restore a Finish and Howard Feed and Wax (I think it's those two products), which I read about here more than once. I got one of those products for a darker color than the cabinet to see if I could darken it. Also, I'm adding door handles and legs. Wish me luck!

... a bit off topic, but did you pay for the corbis photo above? if not, you're clearly violating the user-agreement of the stock photo site and essentially cheating the photographer out of royalties by using it on this very public, advertising-funded site. boo.

I just ripped out some ugly paneling from the 70's that was on the closed in porch of my 30's house renovation project. I have been cleaning away sawdust, old carpet and scraping the floor and am learning how to lay tile with the installer. Now it is lunch time.

me and my husband installed laminate flooring, a new patio, changed all light and electrical switches, changed the kitchen sink, put in a mini dishwasher, painted...and hopefully will be putting in a ceiling fan and maybe a new bathroom faucet.

I'm with jooly - I have no DIY ability either. I have big dreams, but no skill or inclination to really make it happen. So I envy all of you DIY-ers, too! About the most DIY I get is hanging pictures! Thank goodness I have a sweet boyfriend.

I think people that can do this stuff are gods.

BE REALLY REALLY CAREFUL!!

There is expected in the next 10 to 20 years to be a rise in Asbestos related deaths and illnesses due to the DIY trend. Be super crafeul when remodelling and ripping out cupboards and walls. You never knows what is made of asbestos!

So far I've hung shelves, mirrors and art, and I'm getting ready to paint in the next few weeks...does that count? If so I'm totaly into diy!

We DIY everything in our home. We redid our kitchen, including new countertops and a sink, new light fixtures, our landscaping was all done ourselves, and we even put in a french door where there wasn't a door before.