how-to

Simple Furoshiki Cloth Becomes a Carry Bag, Apron, Kitchen Towel, Scarf…

This useful little video and chart demonstrate ways of using furoshiki cloths — large multipurpose squares of cotton fabric — to make carry bags, aprons, more…

Simple Effective Way to Dampen Irritating Vibrations

Our ever-awake world is full of machinery creating disturbing vibrations (and sleepless nights). After much trial and error, here’s the most effective way we found to dampen them..

How to Stretch Those Too-Tight Shoes You Love (Really Works)

I got so many raves about my tried-and-true method of stretching too-tight shoes, that I’m publishing it again, five years later.

Draped Linens and Drop Cloths Transform Furniture in a Chateau (and Your House as Well)

For need-of-a- refresh sofa or chairs, we take a cue from this chill 12th Century château in France transformed with the artful use of draped cloth.

Hang a Book By the Bed or Loo (or Anywhere) for Quick Access to Illumination

How charming (and easy) to hang a small book of essential reading by the bed, or, as we imagine, anywhere. You can take the book off the cord to read it in a moment and just as quickly hang it back up. Here’s how.

A Strong Sugru-like Adhesive You Can Make

Designer Stephen Johnson’s colorful adhesive dough prototype will bond all sorts of materials, including wood, glass, stone and metal and is strong enough to bond furniture parts together. We wondered if we could make some ourselves…

Playing in Frigid Times: Ice Lanterns and Globes

Massive blasts of arctic air across the US have people staying in or scurrying through their day bundled up and rushing to warmth. As I do the same, I’ve been wondering what I can MAKE out of the bitterly cold temperature. Can it become a sort of art material?

Write Guest’s Names On Their Glasses (And Save Your Sanity)

One of the simplest, hottest tips for holiday entertaining can be done with what you’ve got on hand and will cut down on busy work and stress.

Annals of Everyday Invention: Magnet Pin Cushion Sculpture

Sometimes tiny inventions happen by seeing the possible solution out of the corner of your eye.

Sugru Will Fix Your $300 Headphones + Other Stuff You Love

After trying a number of materials, the truly miraculous (and fun!) Sugru proved the only one to fix the $300 noise-cancelling headphones I rely on to calm my super-sensitive nervous system. It has become a staple in my arsenal.

How to Experience the Eclipse By Doing Practically Nothing

We haven’t gotten it together to get truly-safe-for-your-eyes eclipse viewing glasses ourselves. So we’ve figured out lazy-dog, last minute strategies for experiencing this once-in-a-blue-moon cosmic wonder…by doing practically nothing.

Good DIY Ideas for Your Inner Gardenista

We were happy to find a lot of do-able, you-don’t-have-to-have-a-million-dollar-estate projects in Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces. We used our x-ray vision to cool ideas applicable to all sorts of venues.

Splotches, Spots and Spatters for Art and Personal Decoration

I’ve long collected examples of artist’s works based on splotches, spots, drips and splatters, with the idea of applying the patterns to walls, floors, fridge, clothes, shoes. Here’s how.

Cheap + Stylish: Painted Natural Fiber Rug (Ikea)

The best idea we found among the design blogs came from designer Fay Toogood’s installation using Ikea products during Milan Design Week. Dig what she did to an inexpensive agave rug.

Anthophilous? Explode a Big Bouquet into MANY Joys

Whenever I receive a flower arrangement, I use this trick to expand its effect throughout my space. Its a great way to deal with not-great bouquets as well, whether from a florist or deli.

A Cheap Chic Black Bag to Rival Ikea’s and Balenciaga’s Tote

After the designers at fashion house Balanciaga knocked off Ikea’s iconic big blue 99-cent tote (in leather for $2,145), frequent contributor Susan Dworski jumped into the fray with a chic, cheap black bag that we hacked to perfection.

10 Ways to Stretch Your Condoms

The AP reports that Cubans who make their own wine employ condoms as inflatable gauges that indicate when the wine is ready. That got us wondering about other uses for the common, incredibly useful material.

HomeMade Modern: Smart Stylish DIY with a Mission

We’re smitten with HomeMade Modern’s stylish, DIY-able home goods — from beds to planters — and really smart, detailed designs that empower you to improvise.

The BEST Ways to Register Your Opinion with Congress

Like many people, we are wondering what the best way is to let Congress know what we think. We found New Yorker ‘What Calling Congress Achieves’ hugely helpful in understanding how different kinds of correspondence is received. Here’s what you need to know about the most effective way to petition the government.

Snow Globe Windows (Spencer Finch) + Colorforms

Artist Spencer Finch transformed a hospital’s visitor’s waiting room by creating a feeling of being in a snow globe. He used what seems like a simple, do-able approach…

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