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How To: Make an Inexpensive DIY Reed Diffuser

by Chris Gardner

DIY reed diffuser tutorial

Inside: how to make a DIY reed diffuser to make your house smell amazing, fresh and clean.

You can pick up all you want, but the true indicator of how clean a home really is? The way it smells. During spring cleaning season, we wait for the days where it's warm enough to open the windows and air out the house, and do some serious scrubbing to get rid of the worst odor offenders. And when all's back to neutral, it's time to fill your home...

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Kitchen Cleaning Check List & Cheat Sheet

by Chris Gardner

Kitchen Cleaning Check List & Cheat Sheet

You know when your house needs cleaning. Your spouse or partner, kids, friends, or worst, mother-in-law, may have a different opinion, but you know how much dirt and disorganization your home can handle. One day, you'll walk into a room, and say "Yep, it's time to clean." Maybe once a day, a few times a week, or twice a month, but it'll happen.


Then, a question remains: Where to start? We're here to help. Every Wednesday in March, ...

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The Bedside Bookmark Abode...Or, How to Make a Tiny, Adorable Wooden House

by Chris Gardner

The Bedside Bookmark Abode...Or, How to Make a Tiny, Adorable Wooden House

There are a few things that simply seem to belong on a bedside table: a lamp, alarm clock, perhaps a pair of glasses, and a few magazines or books. Then, once you add a few personal items (mine usually include a crossword puzzle or two and a glass of water), and there's not a lot of extra space for any accessories or "decor" items.

So, I wanted to make something to add a little bit of fun and style, but that doesn't take up too much prime nightstand real estate or interfere with the other items.

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8 DIY Headboards You Actually Can Do Yourself

by Mod Home Ec Teacher

DIY Headboards You Can Actually Do Yourself

You don't have to ask me twice to talk about DIY headboards! The headboard is that very special piece of furniture that's up for anything, design-wise (in my opinion, anyway!). Whether understated or ornate, headboards can be painted, upholstered, woven, salvaged, taped on the wall - you name it. You can essentially make a headboard out of anything that fits behind your bed. Ahh, so much freedom, so little time. Let's take a look at some of my favorites and how you can get started.     

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How To: Calm Your Alarm Clock's Display and Sleep Better for 25 cents

by Chris Gardner

How To: Calm Your Alarm Clock's Display and Sleep Better for 25 cents

I'm a terrible sleeper. I struggle with falling asleep, and staying asleep. I got it from my dad, and I've tried meditation, different levels of mattress and pillow softness, earplugs, heavy curtains, and everything I can think of. And I've learned a few things over the years of trying to feel rested: I need a little bit of distraction to occupy my mind to fall asleep, and once I'm there, I need an absolutely black and silent room to stay that...

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How to Take an Almost Free Tropical Getaway

by DIY Maven

Translucent Waters Cook Islands

A friend of mine is suffering from a major case of the winter blues, which isn't so unusual this winter. Last week I suggested she take a tropical stay-cation. The idea sounded so appealing, my boo and I did just that last Sunday. It was super fun and just what we needed to break the winter doldrums. Besides that, it cost us next to nothing, we weren't subjected to security pat downs or

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On the Set: Get the look of "The Big Bang Theory"

by DIY Maven

Big Bang Theory,Jim Parsons,Johnny Galecki,Kunal Nayyar,Simon Helberg,The Boyfriend Complexity

One of the most interesting sets on television today is Sheldon and Leonard's apartment. Every time I watch an episode of TBBT, I invariably notice something I hadn't seen before. I've now found myself actually looking for details I might have missed. This 'Where's Waldo?' type game can be played when viewing all the characters' living spaces, but most particularly when watching hijinx unfold at Sheldon and Leonard's. SO...today I decided to...

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How to: Make Large-Scale Inspiration Boards on the Cheap (My Total Office Makeover)

by Chris Gardner

How to: Make Large-Scale Inspiration Boards on the Cheap (My Total Office Makeover)

Welcome to our newest blog series, My Total Office Makeover, in which Curbly's editor-in-chief, Chris Gardner, realizes that as a full-time design and craft blogger working from home, he'd better transform his second bedroom into an inspiring space where work can actually get done.

created at: 01/26/2011

Part VI: Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration As a design writer and maker, I spend my days swimming in a sea of image heaviness: photos of incredible rooms, beautiful handmade objects, clever logos and typography, and just awesome looking goodies. For my new office space, I wanted an opportunity to have an ever evolving and changing collection of images, allowing me to curate, add, and reorganize as necessary. So, immediately I thought "corkboard!" and upon checking out the prices at the office supply store, immediately I thought "DIY!" (Seriously, $45 bucks for a bulletin board?!)

So, I did a little research, and came up with a solution that allowed me to create attractive and HUGE pushpin-able surfaces for under $5.00 each, allowing me to cover all of my walls for less than $20.00.  

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How to Make a DIY Adjustable Drafting Table from Any Desktop

by Chris Gardner

How to Make a DIY Adjustable Drafting Table from Any Desktop

Welcome to our newest blog series, My Total Office Makeover, in which Curbly's editor-in-chief, Chris Gardner, realizes that as a full-time design and craft blogger working from home, he'd better transform his second bedroom into an inspiring space where work can actually get done.

created at: 01/16/2011

Part V: The DIY Drafting Table Having figure out adequate storage solutions, a media workstation, and an all-purpose desk for general work, the last major furniture solution loomed: I needed a large work surface for art and craft projects: sewing, fabric-cutting, drawing, papercrafts, design and layout, etc. It'd have been awesome to have a dedicated cutting table and an drafting table, but I wouldn't have the room. A large drafting table would work, but they're often very large, and the support trestles can take up a lot of space, and I didn't have any to spare.

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