DIY Life

Sure, herbs smell great and taste even better --- but have you ever considered decorating with them? Kelly Edwards has the scoop:



Why should you decorate with herbs? It's easy --- not only are they super functional when cooking, but they happen to be gorgeous and smell fantastic. Plus, they last longer than flowers, which is great for someone who always forgets to throw away their dead plants (hanging my head in shame over here...).

Want some fresh (pun intended!) ideas on storing and displaying your own little interior herb garden? Try placing a few small herbs in a teacup or mug for an unexpected look. Or, double up on functional storage by placing a potted herb in an ice bucket when not in use. Even better? A cake stand doubles as a decorative element to create a circled montage of your favorite herbs. The possibilities are endless!

Thanks, Kelly!

My Rubbermaid containers have lived through one too many pasta casseroles and are starting to smell like it, too. Naturally, I researched a few options on how to take the scent out of plastic and stumbled upon a great solution that I can't wait to try on my next set of Rubbermaids.

Turns out that if you sprinkle a bit of salt in an empty airtight Rubbermaid container before you store it, you'll keep the smell at bay. Go on --- give it a shot and report back. ;)

And yes, I realize we're talking salt yet again here at DIY Life, but honestly --- can you ever get enough of the kitchen hacks? I certainly cannot, and just to show you how necessary a bit of sodium really is, here's another handy (and salty!) post to whet your whistle:
-Make Your Own Toothpaste (YES! With salt!)

Convinced?

By now you should realize how much I love a good kitchen hack, especially when it includes items and ingredients I already have around the house. One of my favorites? Forget harsh detergents and solutions when scrubbing grease spots off your cast-iron cookware. Instead, grab a pinch of salt and a paper towel to create a salty solution that works wonders!

Proof that sometimes the most natural ingredients are the best DIY lifesavers.

Want to know some other ways a pinch of salt can make your life easier? Read on, right here at DIY Life:
Find out the various uses of your average table salt: The Many Uses of Table Salt
Spice up your beauty routine with salt: Make Your Own Salt Scrub
Salt for your green thumb: Epsom Salt in Your Garden
And, lastly, salt in the kitchen (of course!): Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Your Microwave

I love DIY hacks in the kitchen. One of my favorites is this easy secret about cutting onions. To prevent the waterworks show when slicing this potent vegetable, simply hold your tongue on the roof of your mouth (but don't breathe through your nose!). You'll still be able to breathe, don't worry, but you won't have to explain to your guests that really, nothing's wrong -- it's the onions.

Of course, there are a ton of other onion hacks for the kitchen, and most can be found right here at DIY Life. Let's take a look, shall we?:
-For an instructional video including 5 tips for slicing onions without crying like a baby, visit How to Dice an Onion.
-Sure, onions are full of flavor, but did you know they could juice up your iPod (literally?). Find out more at Charge Your iPod With an Onion.

Clearly, onions just got a whole lot sweeter.

Keeping tomatoes and citrus fruits in the fridge is a big no-no. Besides the fact that I hate cold tomatoes, their shelf life will be so much longer if it's not refrigerated. But did you realize that you should be storing them as far away from the refrigerator as possible? It's true --- keep tomatoes and citrus fruits away from the fridge (preferably on a sunny window's shelf) for the longest shelf life possible.

I don't know why it works, but it does. You should see your fruit's shelf life almost double if you test the theory. Plus, your fruit will be juicier, which means it will taste yummier. Bonus!

Want more kitchen hacks for smart food storage? Read on, friends:
-Like to buy in bulk? You need a vacuum in the kitchen! Make an 'Alvin' Vacuum Sealer.
-Want to know how to store cheese (and yes, there's a special way!). Cheese: There's More to it Than You Think.

Wow, that sounds a lot more harsh than necessary. Did you realize that you can remove the scent of onions and garlic from your fingers by gently sliding the face of a stainless knife across them? Sounds like a joke, but it's true! Gently is the operative word, guys -- unless you'd like to get a bit bloody for Halloween this year.

And yes, it's kitchen hack week here at DIY Life. For more fun and inventive ways to make things easier for you in the kitchen, check out a few of my favorite DIY Life articles below!:

1. Out of cleaning supplies and no time to re-stock? Clean your entire kitchen with one lemon.
2. Have an extra towel rack laying around and collecting dust? Turn your IKEA towel rack into a condiment spice shelf.
3. Learn your freezer know-how: 20 Foods That Freeze Surpisingly Well... and 20 That Don't.

I looove salt, but my husband likes to keep it at a minimum. Of course, any time I do the cooking (which I'll admit is totally rare), there's always too much salt added for the husband. Instead of adding a little bit of everything to even things out, I learned a bit of a trick to tame the salt: toss in a peeled potato while the dish is still cooking.

Surprisingly, it works like a charm. Want to know a few more additional tips and tricks you can use the trusty potato for? Some of these fun kitchen hacks will surprise you!:
-Change a Broken Light Bulb with a Potato
-Use a Potato Chip to Light a Fire While Camping

And, of course, just for fun --- you can make lasagna in your dishwasher. How's that for a kitchen hack? Now if only my oven could do the dishes for me...

My husband and I put an offer on a fixer-upper (ahhh, the agony of moving yet again!) this past weekend and if our bid is accepted, it looks like we'll be facing a super intense kitchen makeover. Of course, helpful tips like Kelly's rolling kitchen cart makeover will come in handy when it's time to tackle that kitchen island.

The best part about this easy-to-do tutorial? It uses a basic side table as its main material, and we all know how many side tables are scattered among garage sales and thrift shops. Why not keep your eye open for a side table next time you're out and about? Chances are, you can score one cheap and splurge on a nice countertop material (I'd love white marble or slate!) and caster wheels.

Another option? Cover your side table with stainless steel sheet metal for a sleek, modern look. You'll get a few more scrapes and dents in the island, but hey --- isn't that the definition of character?

Eggs are one of my favorite foods; perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and of course, in between). Scrambled, fried, over-easy... any way, any how. Of course, the little trick I'm about to share is a Godsend for someone as egg-crazy as myself, so I'm committing it to memory as I write this.

Did you know that expired eggs float, rather than sink? Grab a bowl filled with cold water and let a few eggs soak in the bowl for two minutes. The freshest eggs will stay at the bottom, and any expired eggs will rise to the surface. Eggs should stay fresh for up to three weeks when properly stored.

Easy enough, right? And don't worry -- for all of you egg lovers, I've scrounged up one of my favorite (and healthy!) recipes: the skinny omelette. It's not only delicious, but super easy to make. Especially with our new floating egg trick! Go forth and cook, DIY-ers!

With fall around the corner, I'm shopping for more autumn appropriate tableware, specifically table runners. But after seeing this video, it looks like I won't be using my table runner for entertaining...


Smart, right? Don't worry -- if a valance isn't your thing, there are many uses for table runners that don't even involve sewing. A few of my favorites?:

1. Wall Hanging
Hang either vertical or horizontal for an unexpected dash of textiles in an otherwise bare space. The look is beautiful, whether framed or unframed. I'd go with a pattern or embroidery-inspired table runner to make the most of the aesthetic.

2. Gift Basket Lining
The perfect hostess gift always includes something for the table. Why not line your basket with a table runner for a re-usable and inventive way to welcome your neighbor to a new community? Include fresh flowers, fruit and seasonal teas for a wonderful, creative gift that any hostess will love.

Table runners aren't just for the kitchen anymore; get creative and mix things up... you'll be thrilled with the result.

When my contractor recently asked how I wanted my new tub finished off, my immediate reply was: "Subway tile. Plain. White." Don't get me wrong. I'm fairly adventurous with color in the home, but I figure going conservative for anything difficult and expensive to upgrade – like tile – will earn me good karma with my home's future owners.

Fact is, a white tiled bathroom can always be decorated around. Unusual colors, patterns and textures cannot. At least, they are hard to disguise once they begin looking dated -- as this week's DIY Disasters slideshow, "Terrible Tile: the Bad and the Ugly," demonstrates!

I can't tell you how disappointed I am when I visit a friend that oozes with creativity and see that their backsplash is the same brown granite as anyone else's. Kitchen backsplashes are so often overlooked as something mundane, unnoticed or unnecessary. And the truth is? The backsplash, in my opinion, is one of the more important design elements of the kitchen. Aside from appliances, they can make a massive impact when done right.

Even better? They don't necessarily have to carry a huge price tag. Here I've rounded up a few of my favorite creative DIY backsplashes to both inspire and remind you that a backsplash doesn't exist solely for functional purposes...

1. Wallpaper
Wallpaper is great for adding an unexpected dose of pattern to any space, and the backsplash is not to be excluded. Try the look by bolting a thin sheet of glass over the wallpaper to prevent peeling or discoloring of the paper itself. Other ideas inspired by the wallpaper look? For a kid-friendly and educational kitchen, try placing your child's artwork or old, typographic report cards behind plexiglass. I'd love to see some vintage alphabet flash cards in a family kitchen's backsplash, as well. The possibilities are truly endless with a sheet of glass to protect from stains!

2. Ceramics
No, we're not talking tile here. Why not line up a few plates for a backsplash that adds a fun, decorative architectural element to the room? Plate hangers are both inexpensive and perfect for switching out decor quickly and easily. I think the look would be gorgeous in a country-inspired kitchen or even a more modern setting. (I'd love these Thomas Paul melamine plates in a stark, black and white kitchen!)

3. Chalkboard
Your elementary school teacher would be so proud. Simply add a few coats of chalkboard paint to the space above your sink and under your cabinets for an instant, schoolroom-inspired aesthetic that is super easy to maintain. Bonus? You'll never lose that to-do list again; just grab a piece of chalk and let the fun begin!
Hint: You can even learn how to make your own chalkboard paint right here!

Promise me you'll ditch the granite, OK? There are far too many great ideas to waste away with a brown marble look-alike!

So, your cutting board is antique, beautiful and a family heirloom... but incredibly blemished. After all, it's been through countless salads, pastas and dinners and once hosted your aunt's prize-winning ham. Now that you've finally got it in your kitchen, your can lighting has revealed quite a few nicks from the years. Don't worry; here's a quick tip for covering any unsightly dings. And you'd never have guessed the surprising fix is in your pantry...

Split a walnut or pecan in half and rub it directly onto any wooden surface with dings and/or nicks. Feel free to snack on the remaining half while the oil from the nut absorbs into the wood. Your wood's blemish will disappear right before your eyes, making the original, pesky nick virtually nonexistent.

How's that for a snack? Boosting your protein and making over your cookware -- all in one step? Those are some pretty brilliant nuts.

Cleaning the fridge is my most dreaded task when it comes to the kitchen, and I'll admit -- I often designate it as my husband's job. Something about unearthing hidden treasures at the bottom of the produce drawer really gets under my skin, not to mention the length of time it takes to really clean your fridge.

Until now. Here's a time-saving tip next time you tackle the jungle that awaits you on the other side of the fridge door...

After you clear out the contents of the fridge, remove your drawers and trays and place them in a hot, sudsy tub. No more fussing over the kitchen sink one at a time --- the bathtub will clean each piece simultaneously, leaving you time to focus on more important things (like throwing at that science expirement you formerly called yogurt).

Genius, right? For more ways to tackle those tedious chores, check out Lightning fast ways to speed-clean your kitchen. Enjoy!

Every kitchen has a few eyesores, but what do you do when your appliances (read: focal points!) are embarrassingly outdated? Take a cue from our ShelterPop friends and cover those blemished babies with Easy DIY: Updates to Old Appliances.

One of my favorite ideas is Danny Seo's refrigerator makeover with a handy can of chalkboard paint. What was once a retro embarrassment is now both fun, functional and incredibly easy on the eyes (and the wallet!). His tips for re-creating the look?:

1. Lightly sandpaper the refrigerator for a few minutes.

2. Paint a light coat of chalkboard paint directly onto the fridge. (Hint: Danny warns that this coat is going to look UG-LY, but not to worry. Every good project takes patience.)

3. When the first coat has completely dried, tackle a second coat. Let dry, and repeat. Third time is the charm, as your refrigerator will be miraculously transformed into a message center by coat three.

4. Prep for scribbles by rubbing chalk over the entire paint surface after dried. Wipe down with a damp washcloth and you're ready to play!

An instant, family-friendly makeover that you can do in a weekend. Fantastic!