Better Homes and Gardens BH&G Farmhouse Do It Yourself 2023

AS A CHILD, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT MY GRANDPARENTS’ FARMHOUSE. The small, white home hosted Christmas dinners, Mother’s Day picnics, and family-run threshing shows, and it became the spot where grandkids ended up on days off from school. Recently, at a cousin’s wedding, a few of us reminisced about those no-school days—playing with kitties in the barn’s hayloft, driving toy tractors through the freshly cut lawn, nibbling an afternoon vanilla ice cream cone from Grandma (even if we had picked at our lunch). The home, which now overlooks a housing development, was built in the 1940s—my great-grandparents lived in it first—and hasn’t received many upgrades other than the occasional new appliance when the old one breaks down. My grandma’s garden, nestled near the side of the house, isn’t filled…

CENTERPIECE ELEMENTS Serve up charming displays that work for both special occasions and daily decor. 1. FOUND OBJECTS Employ wood spoons, opposite, vintage treasures, or a collection to create a playful pattern on the wall. Secure with hot glue or attach to painted plywood to hang. 2. ROPE Sisal twine pairs well with smooth glass to make an affordable tablescape, above. Wrap rope around a glass candlestick or hurricane, securing with hot glue every 6 inches. 3. LEATHER Fashion folksy candlesticks, right, from thrifted belts and wood pieces. Screw a 1-inch-diameter dowel onto a 3-inch wood round; finish as desired. Glue 3-inch-long leather belt strips around the dowel. Tap a 2-inch finish nail into the top of the dowel, snip off the nailhead, and push a candle onto the nail. WALL TREATMENTS Give your space country-inspired…

For Resources see page 93.…

Here are material lists and step-by-step instructions for projects featured throughout the issue. See the page reference with each project to flip back to where it was featured. TILE PLANTER SLEEVE Page 16 MATERIALS • 1½×36-inch square dowels (need about 8, depending on planter size)• Chop saw• Wood glue• Pin nails and nailer• ½×36-inch square dowel (need about 10, depending on planter size)• Sandpaper• Exterior primer• Exterior paint• Paintbrush• 3×5-foot cement backer board panel• Jigsaw or carpet knife• Straightedge• Exterior construction adhesive• Tile• Tile saw (optional)• Outdoor-rated tile adhesive• Notched trowel• Grout• Grout float• Grout sealer• Pots• Potting soil• Plants Step 1 Determine the size of your planter based on your tile measurements. (Our large rectangular planter is 16¾×16×33¾ inches.) Cut 1½-inch square dowels for the long edges (four at 30¼ inches), short edges (four…

SUZY QUILTS What started as a place for Suzy Williams to sell her quilts turned into the Suzy Quilts blog. “Whenever I posted a quilt for sale, people only asked about where they could buy the pattern,” Suzy says. “I figured, why not write them myself?” The website blossomed into a vibrant brand and social media community that shares tutorials, project ideas, sewing tips, and modern quilting patterns. “The longer I design quilts, the more I think about those who will make them,” says Suzy, who’s expanded into a small team of creatives—all moms with young kids. “We like to think of suzyquilts.com as a friendly place to hang out.” “I want quilters to not only enjoy the sewing process, but also be set up for success when they pick fabric. If…

SOON AFTER GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE, MEGAN ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, CLAYTON, BOUGHT A 100-YEAR-OLD FIXER-UPPER AND DISCOVERED THEY ENJOYED BUDGET-FRIENDLY RENOVATIONS AS A SHARED HOBBY. Megan worked in a small homeware shop owned by women, who helped her become more confident in her design and DIY abilities. Three years ago, the couple sold that home and relocated to the Midwest, where they bought another 100-year-old fixer-upper. Before they moved in, they completed much of a kitchen remodel, painted the walls, and hired professionals to refinish the original wood floors. Now in their late 20s with three kids under 4 years old, the couple chip away at home improvements whenever they can. Megan fits in projects while the kids nap, and she and Clayton work on tasks together after the kids’ bedtime. “Our strengths and…