How To

Repainting my windowsill made it onto my to-do list during the January Cure, and I decided to tackle it this past weekend. After a couple of hours of scraping and painting, my windowsill looks good as new.

Repairing medium to larger-sized holes in plaster and drywall isn’t quite as difficult as one might think. Wall and ceiling repair patches made from fiberglass and perforated aluminum are excellent solutions that help to get the job done in just a few simple steps. Did I forget to mention how easy they are to use? So easy. Upon moving into our new (very old) home, we noticed that almost every wall had a dent or large hole in it from constant contact with a door knob.

Laptops have become an indispensable part of life. With busy schedules and long commutes (and especially now that many things in life are virtual!) your laptop is likely your most crucial accessory. The MacBook has quickly risen to the top of the pack when it comes to laptops, but over time, the battery on your MacBook can suffer a shorter life than when you first purchased it. In this article, we’ll give you some tips and tricks for how to make the battery last longer on a MacBook.

Over 150 patterns and tutorials to make your own, adorable felt food.

It's easy, affordable, and renter-friendly — no spells needed.

This DIY takes just a few tools and a bit of patience.

An '80s-tastic makeover gives this simple shelf a whole lot of personality.

The real deal can cost thousands, but you can make this replica in a day.

This DIY took less than an hour, and you can probably do it with materials you already own.

Cats love trees. In fact, it’s most likely incredibly exciting for your furry friend to see you gussying one up with shiny hanging things on it for them to play with indoors. So it’s important to consider how to cat-proof your holiday evergreen before you end up with broken ornaments on the floor, with it falling over, or worse.Toppling over tends to be the biggest concern when it comes to owning a cat and a Christmas tree.

How often is necessary when it comes to replacing your air filter? Well, it depends on a few different things, starting with the type of filter you have.

This wreath will add some fright to your front door (in the best way).

This project is super simple but packs a big punch.

This easy four-step project adds instant spooky vibes to your front door.

These five projects bring the joy of Halloween outside, where friends and neighbors can appreciate them from a distance.

It involves at least one material you certainly have on hand.

A step-by-step guide to tackling this easy DIY that's fit for farmhouse modern decor.

One of the most efficient and fun ways to consolidate your leftover paint supply is to mix it up, literally.

How many can you confidently check off this list?

It's cheaper and easier than installing new tile—and with the right methods, your DIY job will have a pro look.

This easy four-step project is one that you can knock out in 15 minutes.

If mess has scared you away from DIYing your own tie-dye, we have just the fix.

I have always loved the look of an origami lampshade — the simplicity and graphic nature makes it a statement piece in any home. When my friend Erin showed me her new book Paper Parties, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to replicate one of these at home, for a fraction of the price you will pay in the shop, and you get to choose any pattern you would like!

Water-resistant, water-proof and life-proof cases can open up a world of freedom for phone addicts. But before the case ever makes the journey to the lake or the pool, it should be tested to ensure that the case and its seals are in working order. Inspect the case and seals for cracks, dust and dirt. Check that the seal or o-ring is clean an in place. Take a piece of paper, paper towel or anything else that will show when it gets wet, and close it inside the case.

My love affair with mudcloth is well documented. If you are unfamiliar with the stuff, mudcloth is a somewhat heavy fabric, sewn in strips, and dyed naturally with mud. It usually has a graphic pattern of geometric lines and dots, in high contrast black and white. Given the process of making it, it’s no surprise that the real deal is also somewhat expensive.

Ask any cat owner with an ounce of decor-savvy what is amongst their top “pet peeves” and litter boxes will likely be high up there (right next to surprise phantom hairballs). Most litter boxes aren’t much too easy on the eyes, and some are just crazy contraptions that forgo any apparent forethought about decor-friendliness (we did roundup our favourite cat litter boxes not that long ago, so all hope is not lost).

After spending four muddy days under flood water this mirror was on top of a pile of trash, destined for the tip. Then I got sentimental and retrieved it. It was too wet and filthy to bring inside so it spent the next 6 months outside before I finally decided it was time to make it work or let it go. I toyed with the idea of painting it bright yellow but in the end I couldn’t do it, so I kept it simple and tried to return it to its former glory.

Isn’t a huge piece of art such a daring focal point for a space? Not only does it highlight a favorite piece of art you might have, but it really shows you’re not afraid of being bold in your home. But when not incorporated well, an oversized piece of art can overwhelm, snatch up all of the attention and ruin an otherwise perfectly lovely room. So how do you play around with the scale of a canvas or framed art piece without things getting visually out of control?

Of all the problems associated with urban living, noise is the one that drives people the most nuts (For an example, watch this Italian clip). From the knocking pipe in the bedroom, to the upstairs neighbor’s rock’n’roll medley, to the bridge and tunnel traffic outside the window, noise can disrupt sleep, distract you when concentrating and stress you out after work when you need to unwind.

Cooler weather means wearing jeans frequently, and wearing jeans frequently means wearing jeans out more quickly than you ever thought possible. If your favorite pairs are ripping, fraying, or just showing more wear-and-tear than you’d like, these 10 DIYs will keep them functioning and looking fabulous all fall. If you want a basic fix without adding too many distracting elements (these are jeans after all), try this tutorial on how to add a denim patch inside your favorite pair.

It’s March, which means tulips are popping up in stores everywhere. Take advantage of the tulip season, and learn the dos and don’ts for making them last longer and look their best. Plentiful clean water is pretty important to these pretty little flowers. When you’re first arranging them in their vase, re-cut each one so water has the best chance to travel up the stems.

Your home tech uses electricity. And where there’s electricity, there’s a fire hazard—especially if you’re the type to hold on to tried, true and worn out devices. Speaking of—have you checked your fire extinguisher lately? It might be worn out. Here’s four things to check to know when it’s time to replace it.Now that we’ve taught you how to buy the right fire extinguisher, it’s important to keep it in working order.

You have to love a project that not only makes over a sad old chair but also reuses old coffee sacks. This creative re-use project not only features repurposed fabric but also looks great too! Check out the fantastic results after the jump.Many of you have seen similar chairs using grain sacks selling for a pretty penny, this step by step tutorial by Doesn’t Cost the Earth shows you how you can get the look for much less using organic coffee sacks.

I just bid farewell to our last task chair review sample, noting as much as I found this and other new models comfortable in different ways, my tried and true task chair I purchased way back in 2008 keeps proving to be the most comfortable. But after years of daily use, the chair has definitely seen better days.

Just call this your "forever bouquet."

And it only takes about an hour.