To DIY or Not to DIY

These hard economic times call for some city girl resourcefulness. That’s when your creativity and sense of style become you’re greatest assets to avoid feeling deprived of the pretty little things we love.

But there are really only two times that it’s appropriate to make it yourself. And that’s when you either can’t find it or can’t afford it.

If you can find it and afford it, it’s best to buy it. This will help you avoid the pitfall that some crafty people fall victim to when they fill their house or wardrobe with awkward creations of their own design. Think macaroni wreath.

On the other hand, if you’ve searched high and low for the perfect bedroom curtains, and they are impossible to locate, measure the window and visit a fabric store. Any tailor can sew simple panel curtains for you–or better yet sew them yourself.

One exception to this rule is when a personal touch adds more meaning. For example, you can, of course, afford and locate a birthday card for your BFF, but a home-made card is very sweet.

By making it yourself, you can bring your own vision to life or copy a style from the Pottery Barn catalog–either way, it’s a smart way to get the look you want without spending too much or settling on something that’s not quite right.