{"id":2081,"date":"2017-09-13T11:08:38","date_gmt":"2017-09-13T15:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/news\/?p=2081"},"modified":"2022-06-05T19:27:16","modified_gmt":"2022-06-05T23:27:16","slug":"5-best-diy-blogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/5-best-diy-blogs","title":{"rendered":"5 DIY Blogs You Need to Follow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The need to be thrifty, coupled with a willingness to pick-up a hammer, prompted an explosion in the do-it-yourself (DIY) home d\u00e9cor market. The result is a new breed of DIY blogger that shows us that trendy doesn&#8217;t have to be a big-budget spend. That&#8217;s good news considering our Canadian obsession with home renovations.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Canadian real estate<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;consultants Altus Group, spending on home renovations has increased year after year, since 1998. In 2016, Canadians spent more than&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/datasolutions.altusgroup.com\/fast-facts-renovation-spending-canada\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">$71 billion<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;on home repairs and remodelling.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This preoccupation with renovating and redecorating, without professional assistance, also ushered in a new type of blogger: The expert DIYer. This new breed of bloggers is a mixture of people. Some are old hats at design and decor that started laying out their expertise via the keyboard. Others are inexperienced fans with a paintbrush&#8217;s innate ability and a hammer and pleasant way with words. No matter the background, they keep fans coming back for more ideas and advice.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So, why are some Canadian DIY blogs tremendous and others just ho-hum? What&#8217;s that &#8220;secret scent&#8221; that keeps faithful readers sniffing around for more? We&#8217;ve rounded up five of the best DIY blogs in Canada.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"#1.-<a-href=&quot;http:\/\/www.danslelakehouse.com\/&quot;&gt;dans-le-lakehouse<\/a&gt;\">#1. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.danslelakehouse.com\/\">Dans Le Lakehouse<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"232\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-8.33.33-AM.png\" alt=\"Dans le lakehouse\" class=\"wp-image-2486\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">One of the first things you\u2019ll notice about Tanya of Dans Le Lakehouse is that she is fearless. Sure, she admits there are some projects she won\u2019t take on, but come on, the woman&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.danslelakehouse.com\/2010\/12\/new-evidence-of-painting-charlie.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">painted a car<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">! And, yes, painting a car named Charlie does give you some serious DIY-cred.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What you\u2019ll probably notice is that Tanya is big on the colour blue. It literally dominates her projects, and she\u2019s struck a DIY nerve. Her&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.danslelakehouse.com\/2014\/06\/the-big-kitchen-reveal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">turquoise kitchen makeover<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;has been featured (and complimented) on Apartment Therapy, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living magazine, Good Housekeeping, Elle D\u00e9cor, HGTV, House Beautiful, Curbly and MSN Living, among others. The kudos don\u2019t stop there. Dans Le Lakehouse also makes several \u201cour-favourite-blog\u201d lists, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Canada Home Trends Magazine: Reno Blogs We Love<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Canadian House &amp; Home Magazine \u2013 Best Canadian Design Blogs, Design Sites We Like, Top 20 Blogs\/Websites Readers Love<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kijiji.ca \u2013 Listed among the site\u2019s Favorite Canadian Design Bloggers<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">View the lengthy list of Dans Le Lakehouse\u2019s ink (both digital and literal) on her&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.danslelakehouse.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">website<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The lake in the website name is Superior, and the home featured is the second transformation project that Tanya and Handy Hubby have taken on. The first was a 1970s townhouse in Ottawa, and the walkthroughs of both projects are fascinating and inspiring. Thankfully, her DIY tutorials are easy-to-follow (videos accompany many) and include before and after pictures.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Keep up with Tanya and Handy Hubby on&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/danslelakehouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DansleLakehouse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;and&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/townhouse_tanya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pinterest<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"#2.-<a-href=&quot;https:\/\/gardentherapy.ca\/about-2\/&quot;&gt;garden-therapy<\/a&gt;\">#2. <a href=\"https:\/\/gardentherapy.ca\/about-2\/\">Garden Therapy<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"449\" height=\"161\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-8.32.46-AM.png\" alt=\"Garden Therapy\" class=\"wp-image-2485\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Oh, how we love, love, love this blog! With so many DIY blogs dedicated to interior projects, this one\u2014dedicated to home exteriors\u2014really hits the right note.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stephanie, creator and head honcho of Garden Therapy, hit on the project as she was healing from an unnamed disability.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stephanie\u2019s journey to healing took her from gardening at home to branching out to community gardens, obtaining her Master Gardener certificate, and finally, joining a community outreach program at the&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/ubcfarm.ubc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">University of British Columbia\u2019s Vancouver farm<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;urban school kids learn about farming.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you\u2019re getting the picture that this is a woman who refuses to be held down by disease and considers giving back to her community as part of the healing process, you\u2019ve nailed it. This heart-of-gold wants nothing more than to be of value to others, and her blog proves it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At Garden Therapy, you\u2019ll learn not only how to switch your thumb\u2019s colour, but Stephanie shows us how to cook with what we grow, make DIY planters, accessories for fairy gardens, attractive houseplant arrangements and handmade gifts from the kitchen. It\u2019s truly a wonderland for anyone interested in gardening in Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With detailed tutorials and charming asides, it\u2019s hard not to succumb to the itch to get outside and get your knees dirty.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the author of four books and a colouring book, Stephanie has received accolades from Women\u2019s Day, Apartment Therapy, the Huffington Post, Stylelist Home, HomeTalk, Instructables and others.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Follow Stephanie and Garden Therapy on&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GardenTherapy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/garden_therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/garden_therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pinterest<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/garden_therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"#3.-<a-href=&quot;http:\/\/www.poppytalk.com\/&quot;&gt;poppytalk<\/a&gt;\">#3. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.poppytalk.com\/\">Poppytalk<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"828\" height=\"238\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-8.31.43-AM.png\" alt=\"Poppytalk\" class=\"wp-image-2484\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Based in Vancouver, Jan Halvarson and Earl Einarson, the brains and talent behind Poppytalk, have booming voices. Loud enough to attract more than 9 million people.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With backgrounds in communication and media design, it\u2019s a given that the content is stellar. But it\u2019s their ability to see the uniqueness that earns them a place on this list. Others obviously agree with us, as Poppytalk has features on Wired, Design Sponge, IKEA Family Live, House and Home, Canadian Living, InStyle and Inside Out magazines.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In 2014, Jan\u2019s influencer status nabbed her an agreement with Target to design a limited-edition \u201cglamping\u201d (short for the combo of glamour and camping) outdoor party collection. Jan\u2019s collection then caught the eye of&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/melissaharrison\/target-poppytalk-glamping-collection?sub=3344652_3193201&amp;utm_term=.awQ3NqDwM#.oqgqpmMGL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Buzzfeed\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;Mellissa Harrison, who said the \u201cNew Glamping Line Looks Like A Real-Life Pinterest Board.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">No, Poppytalk is not a DIY blog, per se, but it serves up heaps of inspiration for the do-it-yourselfer, from ideas on how to hang art to gardening inspiration and even&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.poppytalk.com\/search\/label\/ikea%20hack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ikea hacks<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Follow Poppytalk on&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/poppytalk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/poppytalk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pinterest<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCDDcLVq_skGkGAdDc62LUOQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">YouTube<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;and&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/poppytalk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"#4.-<a-href=&quot;http:\/\/www.ramblingrenovators.ca\/search\/label\/diy&quot;&gt;rambling-renovators<\/a&gt;\">#4. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ramblingrenovators.ca\/search\/label\/diy\">Rambling Renovators<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2483\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-8.30.47-AM.png\" alt=\"rambling renovators\" width=\"988\" height=\"331\">As gardening freaks, we\u2019d like to bow at the feet of Jen, creator at Rambling Renovators. The blog includes plenty to keep an interior decorating DIYer happy, but Jen also offers an entire section of patio and garden DIY ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jen began chronicling her (and husband Sean, also known as \u201cHandy Man\u201d) DIY adventures in 2007 as they worked on their circa 1950 digs in Toronto. Fast-forward to late 2016 and we find the couple (and child, Chloe) updating a 1960s house \u201cbursting with charm,\u201d complete with pocket doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jen\u2019s touchstone, in all of her projects, is her meticulous attention to detail. You\u2019ll notice it in the photography, the brilliant tutorials (yes, you will learn <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ramblingrenovators.ca\/2017\/03\/wallpaper-hanging-tips.html\">how to hang wallpaper<\/a>) and in the fact that she realizes we may just want to copy what she\u2019s done so, she provides a \u201cshop the look\u201d section on her site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow Rambling Renovators on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RamblingRenovators\/\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ramblingreno\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/ramblingreno\/\">Pinterest<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ramblingreno\/\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"#5.-<a-href=&quot;http:\/\/www.recapturedcharm.com\/&quot;&gt;recaptured-charm<\/a&gt;\">#5. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.recapturedcharm.com\/\">Recaptured Charm<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"291\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-8.28.58-AM-1024x291.png\" alt=\"recaptured charm blogger\" class=\"wp-image-2481\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you\u2019re addicted to Pinterest, you will love Recaptured Charm\u2014a Pinterest-Esque foray into repurposing furniture. Ontario\u2019s lovely Lisa DeNardi Galati is at the helm of the projects. Recaptured Charm is a blog for every person, with tips and tricks on how to transform cast-off furnishings into serviceable, attractive pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What we love about Galati is that, although she harbours a preference for the \u201crustic, antique look,\u201d she isn\u2019t opposed to thinking outside of that box and also offers up contemporary solutions for ratty, old furniture.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Anyone that can make old tires look charming and create adorable wreaths out of coffee filters deserves her time in the spotlight. Lisa and Recaptured Charm have features in&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/homes\/decorating\/recaptured-charms-diy-vintage-dresser-makeover\/wcm\/6c39d8fb-d662-4ec6-bc71-ce0b01d3541b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">National Post<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Ristrutturare, Flea Market Style magazine, Apartment Therapy, Remodelaholic and others.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Follow Recaptured Charm <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/recapturedcharm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pinterest.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the last decade, there\u2019s been an explosion of DIY home decor blogs in Canada. Here are 5 bloggers you need to know about<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":16638,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[14507,14509,14508],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-2081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-improvement","tag-decorating-blogs-canada","tag-diy-blogs-canada","tag-diy-home-improvement-blogs"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2081"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21167,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2081\/revisions\/21167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2081"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=2081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}