As you might imagine, I'm sorta of lease-limit pusher. I mean, I do read them. I do take their advice to heart, and sometimes, when I'm breaking it, I do recall, "Oh, yeah. I think I'm specifically not supposed to do this."
But those moments are rare. See, I try to find ways to customize my space that aren't direct violations of my lease. Whereas it does say, "Don't paint," it does NOT say "Don't Mod Podge hundreds of little paint samples to the wall." So, I did. (See above)
See, what my landlord's don't seem to understand (they're an elderly retired couple, not a corporation) is that this is my home. It's an investment to you, but I live here. I work here. I entertain here, have holidays here. And while it might be funny to you that I had to pull everything two feet from the wall so you could "treat for pests," [read: have a 6.5 ft tall 80-year-old man spray some Raid around] and then tell me you'd do it again two weeks later, only to change your mind and not come for 13 more days, my entire life was shrunk by 65% for nearly a month...
What was I saying? Oh, right. There are lots of things you can do to customize your rented space without violating your lease. Except, ingnore the holes in the wall thing. All can be fixed. Email me if you don't know how. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com
from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://ift.tt/2ccOWvj
via IFTTT
Bringing a bit of green into your office looks good and can really spruce up the space. Here's how to make your own. … 
It's always satisfying to burn your initials or insignia (or 
So the first thing to know is that, yes, there is such a thing as the Shed of the Year. It's a (literal) giant crown of an award for the best shed in the UK given during the final episode of Channel 4's Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year. This year's finale had a record-breaking 2,825 entries and 12,292 public votes, and was described as, "nail-biting" and I can honestly understand why... … 
If you're getting serious about working with metal, an anvil is an essential part of the shop. Here's how to use an old piece of train track to make your own. … 
We all have a small collection of something in our lives. It's a hobby and can be fun, but what happens when it grows into a lifelong journey? Meet a guy with 4500 cameras. … 
Have you been cooking with cast iron lately? A skillet is definitely worth the investment with it's durable versatility. Take a look at these 7 ways you can make a meal with yours. … 
Cornhole is the perfect backyard game. It's got a leg up on other lawn games like croquette since it's you can play it one-handed with a drink in the other, without ever having to actually leave your conversation. On the other hand, it also lets you to get as competitive as you want with it (unless you're me and your brother-in-law has to limit how excitable you're allowed to get for the onlooker's sake)... … 
I developed pretty intense insomnia during my junior year in college. Admittedly, I was a way-too-involved workaholic at the time, but even when my life chilled out a bit more, I still had lots of trouble sleeping. Like, intense months of sleep issues. So I've spent a lot of time investigating ways to improve my sleep schedule and here are some of the top tips I've found… … 
Guys guys guys-- did you know Walt Whitman published a fifty-thousand word serialized guide to "
This weekend, I made a mess. A cover-the-entire-room-in-tiny-little-scraps-of-paper and a get-out-every-marker-and-cutting-tool kinda mess. It's still on the floor, on my office chair, on the main work table, on the computer desk, on my cutting mat, and its trail has seeped into the hallway. See, I've always been the kinda of maker that gets all the requisite tools and materials out … 
Taking up a pen for many of us means a few sentences in a notebook. But for Miguel Endara, it means a few million dots to create an incredibly detailed self-portrait. Take a look. … 
The plain white T-shirt (with accompanying pocket) dates back to the Spanish-American War but was popularized in the post-WWII period as GI's brought the habit of wearing said undergarment back to the states. Shortly thereafter it became an icon of working-class masculinity as the Everyman sought to embody the virility of such matinee idols as Marlon Brando (a la 
I'm a fan of animated shorts. They're moving and inspiring, and usually just long enough to give your brain a rest without checking out entirely. So click here and check 'em out. … 
Looking for a way to keep the fun going when the sun goes down? A firepit is the perfect post-BBQ gathering point for a bit of warmth, some roasted marshmallows, and conversations well into the night. I wanted to build a place where we could keep… 
We're betting there are plenty of places a great looking side table would fit in your house. Here's a simple and sturdy design that's plenty strong, and easy to whip up in a weekend.… 
As an ancient sport dating back some 64,000 years, the bow and arrow's construction has understandably undergone some manufacturing changes. But not for 
I don't think any rec room or local pub worth its dinged up bar top is completewithout a simple dart board in it. Here are a few tips to make a classy board set that will give that room some serious character. 
This August 11th and 12th will be the peak of what is traditionally the biggest meteor shower of the year known as the 
Looking for something beyond burgers and dogs to toss over the coals and infuse with the flavors of summer? How about grilling up some seriously tasty oysters? It's easier than you think. … ![Created Succulents via [http://ift.tt/2aGYgse]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tY2QkDRM35cAdkYANKq9Wbr1BYoRNNemA-13JIsvQRuJiFoTA_Qyo_5UUJGCgvzvk1ERvEOG6iiw=s0-d "Crated Succulents")
