Pretty Handy Girl

As a licensed general contractor, artist, graphic designer, web designer, photographer, and DIY enthusiast, I enjoy tackling a variety of projects. I tend to stay up late and appreciate leisurely weekends where I can sleep in. I have a strong dislike for stereotypes, especially the notion that women are not skilled with tools. This website is designed for anyone who dreams of being more hands-on and wants to learn how to make their own repairs and upgrades. Here, you’ll discover comprehensive guides on home improvement, repairs, decorating, crafting, and sewing to help you navigate the early stages of your DIY journey.

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How to Make a Sub-Irrigation Garden Bed

1 week ago | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

Welcome to the next level in low maintenance gardening! If you came here from my raised garden bed tutorial, let’s make your new home garden even more amazing by installing a sub-irrigated planter system. Don’t let the name fool you, sub-irrigation is a fancy term, but it’s easy to create. Sub-irrigation (sometimes called SIP system) garden beds are a type of raised bed that waters plants from the bottom up, rather than the top down.
How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with Arched Trellis

1 week ago | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

Gardening is a passion of mine and I’ve built several garden beds in my life. But, I’ve always dreamed of building a vegetable garden that could keep the deer, rabbits, and other critters out. I also wanted garden trellises that my climbing plants wouldn’t outgrow. Finally, I wished for a garden that could survive without being watered for a week or more while we were on vacation.
DIY Reupholster Chair Tutorial (Re-Cover This End Up Chair)

1 month ago | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

This DIY reupholster chair tutorial features a This End Up chair. You can follow the same basic steps to recover and renew similar chairs. As a parent of two elementary school students, I always ask my kids’ teachers if they need anything for their room. Usually the answer is markers, wipes, or snacks. But, my kindergartner’s teacher knows about my secret identity after having taught my older son for a year.
45 Ways to DIY your College Student's Dorm Room or Apartment

1 month ago | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

Ready to upgrade your college student’s space? These 45 DIY dorm room decor ideas are fun, affordable, and full of personality!DIY Dorm Room Decor ProjectsHeading off to college is a big transition, and creating a cozy, comfortable space can make all the difference for your student’s well-being and success. With a few clever DIY projects, you can help transform a basic room into a functional and personalized retreat.
Are You Sure You're Ready to Take on a Home Renovation?

Mar 3, 2025 | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

There comes a time in any homeowner’s life when they contemplate taking on a home renovation. Today I want to help you answer if you are sure you’re ready to take on a home renovation? Are You Ready to Take on a Home Renovation? Today I wanted to approach a subject that is often on the minds of homeowners who have lived in a house long enough to wish for more space or a space that is renovated to their needs and desires.
Asbestos Removal - Everything You Wanted to Know and More

Mar 2, 2025 | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

This is the post that I’ve been putting off writing. Why? I was still dealing with the shock of it all. The gist of it is, if you think your home is safe from asbestos, you could be dead wrong! I thought our home was in the asbestos-free time frame, but I was sorely mistaken. Background: What started as a small leak turned into a massive gut of our kitchen. The disaster restoration team came in and started assessing the damage.
How to Convert a Hard-Wired Light to a Plug-In Lamp (and add a roll switch)

Feb 19, 2025 | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

Today I’m going to show you how to convert a hard-wired light to a plug in. And I’ll even show you how to add an on/off roll switch. If you’ve been following the Pretty Handy Girl blog, you will recognize this copper wall sconce from the reading nook post. It was a $5 find at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore!The sconce was a wall mount hard-wired lamp that had already been converted to a plug-in style. However, it needed a longer cord, I wanted to ditch the brown cord, and add a switch on the cord.
How to Install Trim and Casing Moulding on a Casement Window

Feb 19, 2025 | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

Hello Friday!!! It’s been a chaotic week here, how about yours? I’m excited to be sharing more tutorials from the kitchen renovation. I hope you’ll excuse me as we jump back and forth in the renovation process. I’ve been trying to get the most relevant tutorials to you as soon as I can. Speaking of relevant, I understand there are a lot of under-dressed windows out there that need trim or could use a little more “WOW Factor”! Is that your case—ment? Hahahaha.
Unique DIY Valentine's Day Wreaths

Feb 12, 2025 | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

Trying to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit? Need to inject a little romance into your home? Yup, me too! Here are several unique Valentine’s Day Wreaths to help you decorate for February 14th. Unique DIY Valentine’s Day WreathsHave some downed tree branches in your yard? Make this Valentine’s Day rustic tree branch heart. This upcycled book page rose wreath is the perfect addition to any house. Train some ivy vines around a copper pipe to make this beautiful heart shaped topiary.
How to Keep Your HVAC System Running Smoothly

Jan 29, 2025 | prettyhandygirl.com | Brittany Bailey

No one wants their heating to die in the winter, or their air conditioning to stop cooling in the summer. For that reason I have several tips to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. Too long, don’t want to read this whole article? Well, if you only do one thing to prolong the life of your HVAC unit, it would be to change the filters regularly.