Rachel Elmkies

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A lover of all things related to home design, architecture, and city planning, Ms. Elmkies, a graduate of Hunter College with a degree in Urban Studies, formerly served as the Associate Editor ofBobVila.comand now continues her career as an associate withThe Center for New York City Neighborhoods. Rachel Elmkies onLinkedIn

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MAY 7, 2015 | THURSDAY
Genius! Turn Your Watermelon into a Drink Dispenser

There's more than one way to slice a watermelon, and more than one thing to do with it once you do! Sure, you can snack on juicy cuts any sticky summer day, but why leave it at that when ...

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APRIL 30, 2015 | THURSDAY
Genius! Prop Up a Pallet for Instant Shed Organization

Among shots of cats napping on windowsills and family vacations, there's a wealth of DIY ideas on Flickr. This one, shared by Nic Robinson, shows a perfectly simple addition for a shed th...

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APRIL 23, 2015 | THURSDAY
Genius! Hack This Old Appliance for the Perfect Fire Pit

This story starts out like many other tales of DIY savvy. While browsing the a trendy retailer store, Sarah of House and Fig fell in love with a particular product—a geometric steel fire ...

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APRIL 17, 2015 | FRIDAY
Genius! Unpack the Ultimate Picnic with This Suitcase Hack

A blanket works just fine for picnics—you know, in the way that candles worked just fine before electricity. But if you want to dine outdoors in style and comfort, Instructables author Ca...

8b15f391dc41b409f8f17cc0135ac0c7
APRIL 10, 2015 | FRIDAY
Genius! Instant DIY Hammock

We're always choosing between saving time and saving money. So when a DIY comes along that's both quick and inexpensive, people tend to take notice. That was certainly the case for the In...

466f9702fc9fec16c1620cc0b2b217f6
APRIL 2, 2015 | THURSDAY
Genius! Make a Candle with a Stick of Butter

Is it a MacGyver-style party trick or a practical skill for managing power-outtage emergencies? We're not positive, but we think it could be both simultaneously. Here's what you need: A s...

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MARCH 26, 2015 | THURSDAY
Genius! Shingles Made of Beer Cans

"Start drinking now if you plan to make this," writes Instructables user robbtoberfest, the genius behind this wonderfully offbeat backyard DIY project. For a 24" x 24"...

64f2157a4ff8180fc3659d9aff97d55b
MARCH 19, 2015 | THURSDAY
Genius! Boards and Brackets Create a Window Haven

Last year, Tiffany left her roomy rental house for a compact apartment closer to downtown. Though ideally located, the apartment offered limited space—not simply for stuff, but also for a...

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MARCH 18, 2015 | WEDNESDAY
How To: Clean a Shower Curtain

Though your shower curtain performs a valuable service, preventing water from cascading across your bathroom floor, you've no doubt noticed a paradox: The more showers you take, the more ...

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MARCH 9, 2015 | MONDAY
Quick Tip: Clean Windows with Coffee Filters

Everyone dreads at least one household chore. Many people's least favorite is cleaning the windows. Too important to ignore, window cleaning frustrates homeowners, because even though it ...