Table of contents for Summer 2016 in Do It Yourself

Use wood glue to layer the three wood pieces into a block; clamp together until the glue dries. Use sandpaper to smooth edges and slough off any dried glue. To tint the wood, apply food coloring with a clean rag. (For a food-safe version of walnut-tone stain, we used 4 drops of red, 10 of yellow, 1 of blue, and 4 drops of water.) Seal with a few coats of coconut oil, applied with a clean rag. To attach the plexiglass, drill holes the full width of the screws in the four corners of the plexiglass panel. Drill pilot holes into the wood. Slide a finishing washer between the plexiglass and the wood to allow space for the knife blades. Place another finishing washer under the screwhead for a decorative…

CLIMB TIME STURDY CUSTOM TRELLISES INVITE FLOWERING VINES INTO THE BREEZY SPACE WHILE ADDING PRIVACY AND AN ARCHITECTURAL TOUCH. RAINDROP SW6485, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS; SHERWIN-WILLIAMS.COM HOLD IT KEEP REFRESHMENTS CLOSE WITH A HANDY CUP HOLDER ATTACHED TO THE ARM OF YOUR SWING. WE PURCHASED THIS ONE ONLINE, PAINTED IT TO MATCH, AND INSTALLED. PICTURE THIS DRY-FITTING A MOSAIC DESIGN BEFORE ADHERING HELPS ENSURE SUCCESS. ARRANGE SEA GLASS UNTIL HAPPY WITH THE DESIGN. BEFORE REMOVING, SNAP A PHOTO TO USE AS REFERENCE LATER. SUNNY- SIDE UP A TRIO OF HANGING POTS LENDS COLOR AND CURB APPEAL TO THIS BUNGALOW. SELECT PLANTS APPROPRIATE FOR THE LOCATION —THESE PETUNIAS NEED A LOT OF SUNLIGHT TO BLOOM FULLY. 3 DIY IDEAS TO STEAL Let these handy helpers start your porch projects off on the right foot.…

FINISHING TOUCH The right frame takes art from good to great. Metal frame options felt cold and impersonal around this cubist painting that my partner, Dennis Atherton, created. The wood version we cut, stained, and assembled took less than two hours to complete—and the result is warm and one-of-a-kind! THRIFTY PICK WE USED PINE LATTICE MOLDING TO BUILD OUR FRAME. THIS VERSATILE TRIM OPTION IS AVAILABLE AT MOST HOME CENTERS FOR LESS THAN $5 PER 8-FOOT PIECE. “It’s The Little Things You Do Together ...” Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics from the musical Company come to mind as I survey this issue’s array of perfect-size projects. Bit by bit, these small, smart efforts combine to produce big results. In an afternoon, you can create a water-color inspired tabletop (“Color Wave,”page 78), pair…

SOLID GOLD Make industrial-chic baubles from scratch! Mix and pour lightweight concrete into jewel molds, apply gold leaf, and affix jewelry findings. Find everything you need at Darby Smart to make a treasure trove of earrings, necklaces, and pins. $52 for all items needed; darbysmart.com 1 How does your garden grow? Now you can find out without dirtying your shoes. These 36-inch-long wooden walkways roll out in seconds, preventing lawn damage and wheelbarrow ruts. $40 for two; improvementscatalog.com 2 Grow organic basil, cilantro, sage, and dill right on your windowsill. Drainage holes aren’t needed thanks to biochar in the potting medium, which prevents overwatering and increases nutrient absorption. $24 for a four-pack; backtotheroots.com 3 Rotating dual chucks on the Switchdriver 20V cordless drill/driver means you can always have a bit…

DEAR HANDY GIRL, We invested in a new gas grill last year. What’s my yearly maintenance to-do? DEAR READER, For year-round ease of use—a little summer cooking even in the middle of winter—nothing beats a gas grill. Guard your investment in this pricey outdoor appliance by following these steps yearly. ONE Inspect the fuel line for holes, bends, and cracks; replace as needed. Then check it for invisible leaks: Brush a really soapy mix of water and dish soap onto the line. Turn on the gas, then brush more soapy mix onto the line and watch for bubbles, which are a sign of a gas leak. Replace as needed. TWO Look at the propane tank for damage and replace as needed. THREE Test the ignition. Disconnect or turn off the…

LEARN THE ESSENTIAL EMBROIDERY STITCHES: BHG.COM/STITCHBASICS THIS PHOTO Customize a wall—and add valuable storage space—by giving a set of shutters a floral finish. Paint the shutters (we used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White) and let dry. Search for pretty botanical prints in vintage botany books, on calendars, or on Etsy (ours are from the Old Age Botanicals shop). Photocopy or print botanicals onto white paper, enlarging as needed. Cut out the designs and arrange on the shutters. Brush matte decoupage medium onto the back of each design, stick in place, and smooth out air bubbles and wrinkles. Apply decoupage medium over the designs to seal. When dry, organize your essentials with S hooks, small wire containers, and mini clothespins. LET THE FLOWERS FLOW RIGHT OVER THE SHAPE OF…

1. TOTALLY TUBULAR To make the metal orbs on page 69, invest in a tube cutter made for cutting small tubing (HDX Junior Tube Cutter, $8; homedepot.com). We used ×36-inch round aluminum tubes ($8 for five tubes; hobbylinc.com) for our orbs. 2. FLOWER POWER Fast-growing Easy Wave petunias in ‘Pink Passion’, ‘Burgundy Velour’, and more offer blooms throughout the growing season without needing to be cut back. They’re a reliable way to add a shot of dense color to your garden. Prices vary; wavepetunias.com for retailers. 3. CUT IT OUT The Cricut Explore Air ($300) cuts more than 60 types of materials, writes, and scores using Bluetooth technology. Upload designs, or choose from the library available in the Design Space online software. It also works with all Cricut cartridges. To…

1 AN ALFRESCO AFFAIR Homeowner Jen Harrison takes full advantage of her home’s wide wraparound porch, outfitting it with multiple seating areas—complete with rugs and throw pillows. The wood chair frame was $2.50, the carved screen came from a local flea market for $20, and the shell hangings are vintage finds from flea markets. 2 IT’S A WEAVE The settee was purchased for $25—for the wood frame only. “I looked at it, checked the sturdiness, and wondered how I was going to make it work,” Jen says. Her eureka idea was to create a woven back and sides from upholstery cording and add a plywood seat and off -therack cushion. Meet Jen! JEN CREDITS HER THRIFT-SAVVY MOM AND CARPENTER DAD FOR HER DIY STYLE. “I ALSO HAVE A VERY PATIENT…

How to Make a F Lowerpot Birdhouse MATERIALS • 7-inch-diameter terra-cotta pot • Drill and drill bit • ¼ ×2 ½ -inch carriage bolt • Two 1¼-inch fender washers • ¼-inch nut • 6-inch-diameter round wooden plaque • 1¼-inch hole-boring drill bit • Sandpaper • Outdoor acrylic paint • Sponge brush Step 1 Gather materials (A). Drill a hole in a fence, wall, or other surface (B) to mount the birdhouse. Step 2 Slide a washer over the bolt, then push the bolt through the pot’s drainage hole (C) and the fence (D). Slide a washer over the exposed end of the bolt; twist the nut onto the bolt and tighten it to secure the pot. Step 3 Drill the 11∕4-inch-diameter entry hole in the wooden plaque, about 1. inches…

1 Self-adhesive backing on this 150×108-inch Watercolor Cactus wallpaper mural makes for easy removal. $399; anewall.com 2 Add charm to crafts and home decor projects with this 10-meter roll of washi tape. $4; mandiekuo.etsy.com 3 Needle-felt your own cactus with one of these kits, which includes wool, needles, a felting board, pot, glue, and directions for one plant. $24 each; themagiconions.com 4 Send eight handpainted postcards to pen pals near and far—or frame them for yourself. $18/set; scoutmob.com 5 Handmade with natural linen and leather, this lined tote is screenprinted with nontoxic ink. An interior pocket is perfect for holding a phone or wallet. $95; ameliemancini.com 6 A three-pack of live 21∕2-inch cacti is perfect for small spaces or favors (planters not included). $9; darbysmart.com 7 Made from steel, this…

COASTAL DAYDREAM Create the soothing look of sea glass by coating glass bottles in dyed decoupage medium, above. (We stocked up on inexpensive bud vases and oil decanters from thrift stores.) In a disposable container, mix . cup of matte decoupage medium with 2–3 tablespoons of liquid fabric dye (we used Rit dye). Use just one dye color, or mix them to make custom shades. Brush a thick layer of dyed glue onto a glass bottle, and let it set for five minutes. Ball up paper towels to dab away the glue (A). The more you remove, the lighter the color. When you’re happy with the color, allow the remaining glue to dry completely. Apply a final coat of untinted decoupage glue as a protective finish. Place fresh flowers in…

LICKETY SPLIT USE CONSTRUCTION SCREWS TO ATTACH SHELVES TO RUNGS. THEIR DESIGN PREVENTS THE WOOD FROM SPLITTING WHEN DRIVEN CLOSE TO THE SHELF EDGE. OPEN CONCEPT Ladder sections take sides when you build this freestanding shelf. Cut a wooden ladder into two equal sections using a circular saw; sand the raw edges. Cut 1×12 pine boards (ours are 30 inches long) for the shelving. Sand, prime, and paint all sides. Lay both ladder sections flat. Measure and mark parallel points 4 inches to the right and left of the center on each rung. Drill holes at the marks using a countersink drill bit. Lay one ladder section on its side, center a shelf next to the top rung, and attach through the holes using 3-inch construction screws. With a partner’s…

WHERE DO I START? Trust your instincts. Collect imagery you adore and will want to gaze at the moment you walk into a room. To ensure your images hang together visually, place them side by side, editing for common theme, color, and style. Arrange and rearrange these pieces on the floor until you find a composition that feels pleasing, rhythmic, and balanced for both you and the space. Then follow along here as we answer your most challenging questions for mastering the art of display in your own home. Q WHAT DO I HANG IN THE EMPTY SPACE ABOVE MY BED? A A symmetrical grouping, right, is eye-catching yet neat and tidy—perfect for a tranquil bedroom space. Because multiple frames create mass, the grid provides the scale and feel of…

1. WALL CLIMBER Each element of these vinyl rose decals—stems, thorns, leaves, and buds—comes separately, so you can adjust the design to suit your space. Art by Ilan Dei and available in black or white. $60; whatisblik.com 2. FLAT-OUT PRETTY Preserve flowers with this 6×9-inch press. Adjustable straps secure around two wood slabs and 12 reusable blotter sheets. $20; arnoldgrummer.com 3. DISPLAY PRO Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring demystify the art of flower arranging and share their favorite creative container ideas for vintage, eclectic, and modern displays. $23; chroniclebooks.com 4. FLOSS BOSS Stitch up a beautiful bouquet with this embroidery pattern set featuring 14 streamlined flowers. Choose iron-on transfer pattern ($5) or downloadable PDF with color guides ($3.50). sublimestitching.com 5. STAMPED ELEGANCE The Rose Terrace rubber stamp produces an eye-popping…

ARTISTIC TOUCH SPRAY A COTTON PILLOW COVER UNTIL DAMP, THEN PAINT FLOWERS AND LEAVES WITH WATERCOLORS, LETTING THE PIGMENTS BLEED INTO THE FABRIC AND SOFTEN NATURALLY. LET DRY AND SPRAY WITH A COLOR FIXATIVE. THIS PHOTO This ombré wall finish requires just two paint colors. You achieve a graduated effect by adding water to the paint as you work your way up the wall. Start by pouring two colors of paint in separate foil baking pans, above. (We used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Aubusson Blue and Provence, but latex paint yields beautiful results, too.) Mix a small amount of water with the darker shade and start painting at the bottom of the wall in wide, arcing motions using a brush. Continue thinning the paint as you work your way…

1. ABSOLUTELY PRESIDENTIAL Invite a few historic figures to your walls with prints of official portraits. Starting at $40 each for 9×12-inch giclee prints; art.com 2. SOFT EDGES Jen’s collection of pillows and textiles hails from around the world. The Hunted’s Wool Multistripe Pom-Pom Pillows have a similarly global feel and are available in black, pink, yellow, blue, turquoise, green, gray, and orange. $85 (18×18-inch pillow); $95 (20×20-inch pillow); shopthehunted.com 3. FEATHERED FIND An African Juju hat makes a showstopping art piece in Jen’s dining room window. Artisanmade headgear is available online in a variety of colors and sizes. $235 for a 30-inch-diameter piece in off-white; oldworldshoppe.etsy.com 4. ART UNDERFOOT Canary Lane Designs is one of Jen’s go-to shops for rugs. Start your own collection with a one-of-a-kind Belleza kilim.…

FIND CLICKABLE LINKS TO ALL THESE SOURCES IN THE DIGITAL EDITION OF THIS ISSUE. BHGSPECIALS.ZINIO.COM [P] Paint Color Because of the magazine printing process, paint colors depicted on our pages might vary slightly from manufacturers’ colors. Use paint color names or numbers, when provided, as a starting point. To get a color as it appears in the magazine, take the page to a paint retailer for matching EDITOR’S LETTER PAGE 7 Stain for frame Classic Gray— Minwax; 800/523-9299; minwax.com.ArtworkPaperwork by Dennis Atherton—represented by Moberg Gallery, Des Moines; 515/279-9191; mobergeditions.com. TRY IT PAGES 8–13 Pages 8– Dyes for bottles and table runner Evening Blue, Teal, Kelly Green, Golden Yellow, design of table runner Ellen Highsmith-Silver— Rit; ritstudio.com/author/ellenhighsmith-silver.Sealing product for bottles—Mod Podge by Plaid; 800/842-4197; plaidonline.com.Plates—Tale of the Cod, Chatham, Massachusetts; 508/945-0347;…