The Question: I’d love to build a chicken coop in my yard so we can have fresh eggs, but I’m afraid of rats — not to mention foxes, coyotes, and […]
Home / Making
Inspiration for the crafty, projects for the practical, spaces for dreamers.
Browse all Home / Making stories below or dive into a topic:
GALLERY
Roadside Finds That Fit a Small Space
Setting the scene in 700 square feet
Saudade is a Portuguese word that roughly translates as “yearning for a lost time.” Marisa Felton uses the word as she describes gatherings at her childhood home in Provincetown, now […]
GALLERY
Wallpaper for Drama or for Charm
In Provincetown, John Golden’s artistry is appreciated
“I hang the wallpaper — I don’t take it down,” says John Golden, who has worked in Provincetown […]
DIY
Upcycle Your Favorite Old Tees
A tote that makes the most of your knot-tying skills
If you have a T-shirt obsession like we do, the truth is you probably have too many of them. They stack up, they multiply, but it’s really hard to let […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Adding Color, Carefully
Be bold with no regrets; paint your front door
The question: It’s February, and I’m tired of seeing gray. I’d love to add some color to my house, and I love turquoise. I’m considering painting the trim in a […]
GALLERY
At Home With Geometry and Light
The art of Grace and Budd Hopkins in a space by Charlie Zehnder
Grace Hopkins and her daughter Gigi moved to Wellfleet from Portland, Maine in 2012 after the death of Grace’s father, the artist Budd Hopkins, one of the founders of the […]
PLANTCRAFT
Winter Salve From the Sleeping Garden
A homemade balm to protect skin against the elements
Outside my window, the garden is asleep, the trees a tangle of brown against the gray sky. Yet signs of life appear in colors muted by winter’s breath. The lavender […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Plan to Build With Less Stress
Advice from the builders of the Outer Cape
The question: We’ve been looking for the right house for a long time and just can’t find something that satisfies everyone in the family. Now we are thinking of building. […]
CRAFT
Making Bayberry Candles
Look to the leaves for inspiration from the past
Myrica pensylvanica, also known as bayberry, candleberry, and wax myrtle, is a native species that has long grown across the dunes and woods of the Outer Cape. Unfussy, it tolerates […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Taking the Landscape Into Account
Advice on sitework from Thomas and Chad Edwards
The question: We renovated our modest cottage in Wellfleet to make it our year-round home. But now that the job is done, we are wishing we had thought more about […]
craft
Once a Boy With Toys, Now a Master Metalsmith
Lucas Burnley’s ‘Cypops’ benefit local tots
ORLEANS — You’re 16 years old, into metalwork, and a fan of “Rambo.” Choosing your first project at welding school is easy. “You make a knife,” says Lucas Burnley of […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
A Golden Rule for Your Old Windows
Advice from Outer Cape builder Raymond Roderick
The question: Now that the weather has turned and the wind picked up, a lot of people notice that their casement windows are getting older. Cranks are tough to turn, […]
dovetail joint
Can We Carve Out Space Without Adding On?
Advice from the builders of the Outer Cape
The question: We have two grandchildren and a third on the way, so we are thinking of adding a playroom space to our home. The problem is, we can’t add […]
dovetail joint
What’s Wrong With the Weathered Look?
The Independent’s Q&A with the builders of the Outer Cape
The question: When we had our deck built, we were told it would last forever. But each year a few more boards crack or rot and they’re expensive to replace. […]
