Home Improvement and Decor
I spend a lot of time on DIY home decor and home improvement projects. Most of what I make starts with a simple problem: I can’t find exactly what I need, or I need something custom—so I figure out how to make it myself.
Many of these projects come from real-life needs. When IKEA discontinued the blinds we loved for our sunporch, I recreated them from a single sample. The result was a set of custom window treatments that look great and actually block out the strong Southern sunlight.
I’ve also taken on projects like reupholstering a chair I found at ReStore. With the right fabric and a little patience, it turned into a durable, updated piece that added color and style to the room.
Other DIY home decor projects—like a custom sofa slipcover and handmade throw pillows—helped bring more texture, color, and personality into our space.
This section of the blog shares practical, real-world home decor solutions, including how I approach materials, measurements, and construction. If you’re looking for DIY home decor ideas, custom solutions, or simple home improvement projects you can tackle yourself, you’ll find inspiration and step-by-step guidance here.
How I Finally Won the War Against Porch Pollen
We have a great screened porch. It’s one of those spaces that should be perfect—ideal for working, relaxing, or having people over. But there’s a...
IKEA Emmie Roll-up Blind DIY
When we bought our house in July, 2014, we found window treatments for our newly renovated sunroom. We were looking for a beach feel, and discovered...
Making Piped Throw Pillows
I have tackled making many different types of throw pillows, but one of the most intimidating (at first glance) is the piped throw pillow. With some...
Making or Recovering Outdoor Throw Pillows
Several years ago, we bought an outdoor furniture set that came with throw pillows. They were nice pillows covered in Sunbrella fabric, but we left...
Making Simple Zippered Throw Pillows
Simple throw pillows can be very expensive to purchase. But they are ridiculously simple to make. Adding a zipper adds a bit more complexity, but is...
Altered Net Curtain for a Smaller Gazebo
We recently purchased a 10’ x 10’ gazebo for our deck. Unfortunately, when we tried to purchase fitted mosquito netting, the only netting I could...
Reupholstering a Chair
I had been wanting to teach myself to reupholster a chair for a while. Then I found this chair at Habitat for Humanity’s Lawrenceville, GA...
Restoring Outdoor Furniture
Recently, the plastic wicker on our outdoor furniture had begun to break and fray, making the furniture look old and ratty. That's when I decided to...