The earth is coming alive. Beneath the oak leaves that I pile on my garden plot every fall, I am beginning to see the first sprouts of green. Garlic is […]
Home / Making
Inspiration for the crafty, projects for the practical, spaces for dreamers.
Browse all Home / Making stories below or dive into a topic:
THRIFT
Finding Charm in Things That Have Lived Past Lives
A new couch is nice, but secondhand finds still catch the eye
I recently bought my first-ever brand-new piece of furniture. It is a chartreuse sectional couch and I love it an unreasonable amount. I sit on it, I lie on it, […]
MEET THE MAKER
The Art of Darning
An artist and teacher finds meaning in mending frayed fabrics
We all have at least one piece of clothing that we can’t bear to let go of, even though its state of repair limits its public appearances. Mine is a […]
GALLERY
What’s Your Number?
House numbers reveal Provincetown’s style is its own
“Meet me at 517 Commercial St.,” we say, or “I work at 186,” without a second thought about the complexity behind the system of numbers that guides us though our […]
PLANTCRAFT
A Spa Day for Your Wooden Countertops and Cutting Boards
How to make your own natural butcher block wax
Though wood craftspeople often finish their handmade work with oils made from plants or seeds — linseed or tung — mineral oil is often recommended for ordinary people to use […]
GENTLE INTO THE NIGHT
Outdoor Lighting That’s Warm and Inviting
Steps for getting beyond the stake light
A home speaks to its visitors before they even cross the threshold. Coming around the corner or reaching for the front gate, we take in a multitude of details, the […]
IN MINIATURE
On a Countertop Farm, Greens Spring Eternal
How to grow sprouts and microgreens at home
While summer vegetable gardens lie in wait under mulch and snow, some people are busy planting and harvesting miniature crops indoors. It doesn’t take much effort, say the devotees, to […]
STAY-CATION
Color Me February
Turn a stroll into a scavenger hunt for a more joyful palette
February is a gray month — there’s no doubt about it. As the thrill of the first truly cold snap, complete with snow flurries, begins to fade, it can be […]
PLANTCRAFT
Plant-Printed Paper for Your Love Note
Longer-lasting than a bouquet, and just as pretty
The 1840s saw the introduction of the mass-produced valentine in the U.S. We can thank Esther A. Howland, known as the “mother of the valentine,” for that. But even with […]
BEHIND THE WHEEL
The Long and Winding Road to Restoring a Classic
Notes on bringing back one of the last of the muscle cars
For those of us who are pretty much swamped during the summer season, but not the kind to close up shop in the winter, this is no time to kick […]
GREAT OUTDOORS
The Accoutrements of a Cold-Weather Cookout
Set up strategically, build a big fire, and tell your pod it’s b.y.o. blanket
The drifts of snow last week confirmed the reality that is winter. And if there ever were a winter to dive under the covers and not come out until mid-May, […]
TOOLS
When Chefs Go Home, It’s Simplicity They Seek
Cooks share their hardworking, multitasking, real-life favorites
Those who work in professional kitchens have a multitude of tools to get them through the daily grind. Some are workhorses — a heavy-duty mixer or a deep stack of […]
POST-HOLIDAY HOW TO
The Art of the Handwritten Thank You
It’s like sending a hug with words
“Gratitude.” I feel like this word has taken on such power in recent times. I know I am not alone in trying to make being mindfully thankful a daily practice. […]
D.I.Y.
A Make-Believe Mantelpiece
This one’s not for knickknacks
“The fact that ‘hearth’ is synonymous with ‘home’ in so many tongues is sufficient argument for a fireplace,” writes Bradford Angier in his 1952 book How to Build Your Home […]
MEET THE MAKER
The Art of Doll Making
A doll’s eyelashes inspire devotion to duplicating antiques
EASTHAM — Dolls are a special holiday gift many children hope for. But dolls really had their heyday about 150 years ago. Those who are intrigued by antique dolls know […]
