Much of our country is experiencing a heat wave, which means you may want to stay indoors this weekend—in front of an air conditioner, and a fan, with your feet in a bucket of ice water. Here are some projects, courtesy of Remodelista editors, that you can work on while you try to stay cool:
1. Give something old a new coat of paint.
Above: Julie is excited about a new collection of water-based, low-VOC paints from across the pond. We’re particularly fond of this color, Dried Kelp, from the line. See General Paints Group: An Irish Heritage Paint Line Comes to the US.
2. Freshen up your bedding.
Above: If you haven’t done so already, swap your heavy wool blanket for something more like this beautifully woven cotton throw from Brooklyn-based Five | Six Textiles. See Five | Six Textiles: From Côte d’Ivoire, ‘Mindfully Crafted’ Bedspreads, Throws, and More.
3. Plant a container garden.
Above: Beginner gardeners, too-busy-to-garden folks, and those with little or no outdoor space, listen up: Plant Package will deliver everything you need for a container garden. You can order a monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly subscription. How cool is that? Pictured is their summery mix of basil and berries featured in May’s Plant Package. You can learn more at Looking to Add Some Life to Your Space? Plant Package Makes It Easy.
4. Cover up an ugly A/C unit.
Above: If you have a window air conditioner unit, chances are, you don’t exactly love the way it looks. Once this heat wave is over, consider concealing it with this easy DIY Cover. Annie shows you how: DIY: A Simple, Easy Cover for an Ugly Window Air Conditioner (for $15).
Plus:
- 12 Ingenious Storage Lessons from the Shakers
- A Rising Star’s Spirited London Home: ‘Every Room Should Sing!’
- Kitchen of the Week: Shaker in the City
- Steal This Look: An Antique Dealer’s DIY Kitchen, Painted Checkerboard Floor Included
- Plot Twist: An 1899 Brooklyn Brownstone Re-Staged by a Designer on the Rise
- From Field to Furniture: The Three Oaks Collection from Edward Collinson