This shop in Marblehead, MA is an example of classic New England style.
By Linda Merrill, Networx

As a New England design blogger, I've done my share of posts about my local environment and all that makes this region special. As a professional interior decorator, I've also certainly done my share of projects that feel very "New England-y". The funny thing is that so many of my projects and posts have featured very different looking homes and interiors. And yet, they still maintain the language and feel of a traditional New England design style.

The region is blessed with both coastal, rural and mountain regions which heavily influence the style. Added to that is the historical significance of Colonial settlers followed by the formal elegance of Boston's first neighborhoods in the early post Revolutionary years; all of which was heavily influenced by English architecture and the fascination in England and young America with classical Greek design.

And finally, laid out on top of this is a stubborn "Yankee" ethos of Puritan thrift. This mix of old

wall craftMiddle school teacher and blogger Jane Yoo used wooden shims to create this decorative mirror. She started her blog, UrbaneJane.com, in 2010 to chronicle the renovation of their first home outside of Toronto, Ontario. "We needed furniture, but didn't have much money, so we refurbished thrift store finds," she says. "I had no idea how fun it would be-or how handy my husband was!" Photo by: Alison Gootee/Studio D; Craft styling by Molly Fitzsimons; Prop styling by Matthew Gleason

Materials:

17 packages of 8" shims (Small wood wedges used to level objects. There are 12 per package; you need 190 total.)

Wood glue

Medium-grit sanding block

Primer (optional)

Orange and red latex paint (We used Benjamin Moore 2013-30 Jeweled Peach and 2010-10 Tomato Red.)

2" paintbrush

12" round wood panel

Pen

Newspaper

Hammer

Nails

Picture hanging kit

10" round mirror

Instant-bonding glue
Related: Discover 15 clever uses for household items.

Losing a tooth is a huge milestone for your little one. A fun way to celebrate this momentous occasion is with a tooth fairy pillow. These 8 darling examples are fabulous ways to keep that baby tooth safe and sound, until the tooth fairy has had a chance to exchange the goods! - By Jennifer Hadfield

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If your home is in need of a quick update, look towards your lighting! What other way to brighten up a room than a revamped lamp? You can easily bring a boring, basic lampshade to life with the help of a few home projects. So shed a little light in your room with these 8 illuminating solutions! - By Jennifer Hadfield

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Now that you have decided you are going to makeover your room, it would be a good idea to review what the paint department has to offer. Here are some useful tips to make sure your home project doesn't only achieve the best look, but also the best effect on your walls.

Though there is an array of paint choices to choose from such as; alkyd, latex primer, stain-blocker, satin, eggshell, flat paint, enamel, gloss, and semi-gloss - there are really two main types, which are: latex and alkyd. Every other type of pain is just a variation.

Here is a list of facts concerning latex paint:

• 1. Latex is accountable for about 67 percent of paint sold in the United States according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• 2. Latex paint used to contain rubber, but now most manufactures use resins and acrylic.
• 3. Latex paint is water base - which makes it easy to clean up!
• 4. Latex fumes are a lot less than alkyd fumes, but it still does contain toxic chemicals.

These great plants stand up to coastal conditions beautifully.

Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

Actually from Madeira, this plant produces wonderful spikes of blue-purple flowers along the coast in poor soil and with practically no extra water. Bees love it.

Canna 'Tropicanna'

Bright orange flower and big, purplish, banana-like leaves links seaside gardens with the tropics. Just don't plant it where wind will shred the leaves.

Shore pine (Pinus contorta contorta)

This Northwest coastal native makes a terrific windbreak, and takes well to shearing (like Japanese pines).

Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie'

Has grassy leaves and elegant orange flowers with a red eye. Multiplies and spreads from corms with little care beyond occasional weeding.

Salvia uliginosa

This 5-foot tall, 4-foot wide perennial produces its sky-blue flowers from summer through fall with little care. Spreads by rhizomes.

Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum