Man Made DIY

For years, I didn't think I liked a gin and tonic. Actually, for a while, I thought it was gin in general that I couldn't stand, but some wiser friends helped me learn with some really stunning gin-centric cocktails, and I quickly moved away from vodka in favor of gin's special aromatic and botanicals qualities. So, then I figured I just didn't care quinine-heavy tonic water, but that didn't make sense, since I'm particularly drawn to mineral and bitter flavors in cocktails and other beverages. Maybe it was the combo of the two, but by this point, I was already committed, so I was determined to figure out what was going awry, once and for all.… read more

The Open University, a YouTube channel devoted to providing free education to all, have a created a series of videos under the heading "Design in Nutshell," each sharing a cool ninety-second intro to design movements of the last two centuries.

As an added piece of discovery, the series includes a fun quick quiz to help determine your design "alter… read more

"Sear the meat to lock in the juices." "Only flip your steak one time." And so goes a list of steak-cooking commandments... And, as you might guess, a whole bunch of them are just… read more

In our Outfitted series, we hand-pick the style items and practical accessories you need to look your best.

When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle. - Elizabeth Howard… read more

French designers and paper artists Zim and Zou (Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann) handcrafted this amazing paper featuring all kinds of grilled goodies and outdoor dining… read more

Each Wednesday, I post some of my favorite can't-miss links, images, and otherwise mindblowing goodies from across the web. 

Inside the archives of the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, includes this interesting sheet of paper: a personal recipe for JFK's favorite dish:… read more

For centuries, burning wood and tinder were basically the only means of cooking food (and heating one's home, and boiling water, and all sorts of other stuff.) The wood served as fuel, generating heat, thereby turning raw ingredients into completed… read more

Like any true DIYer, designer and artist Ben Uyeda likes to have his tools on hand for quick fixes and tinkering. So, he came up with this original coat rack/storage project that incorporates a functioning set of screwdrivers into the… read more

Inside the rain forests of Costa Rica, there's an entire "neighborhood" of tree houses... a full community complete with a cafe, community center, and, oh yeah: a network of zip lines, which residents use to move among the tree top properties.… read more

These vintage suitcase shelves were created by Ki Naussauer, a designer known for her commitment to flea market pieces and upcycling. This wall is from her actual living room, which means: she made them herself, and you can too. Here's how it'd go:… read more