Jessica Yonker

"Now you're just some flokati that I used to know."

Jessica Yonker is a writer for HGTV.com and a professional glitter handler in training. She loves decorating her friends' homes without their permission and practicing for her inevitable appearance on Chopped. Like her mother, she's obsessed with lamps, mirrors and microfiber throws. Unlike her mother, she has an unexplained aversion to chalkboard paint.

Listen to the Home Survival Skills spring cleaning playlist.

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POSTS BY Jessica Yonker

Home Survival Skills: Spring Cleaning Playlist

by Jessica Yonker March 5, 2013 6 Comments

We love music in my household. In fact, my roommates and I have a speaker in just about every room of the house. They help us power through our chores whether it’s tackling piles of laundry, scrubbing the tub or vacuuming – we do a lot of vacuuming.

With March finally underway, I want to kick off spring cleaning season by sharing a couple of playlists to help you breeze through your household tasks. Categorized by cleaning mood with everything from today’s pop hits to ‘80s power ballads, you’re sure to find something to get you motivated.

You can listen to the entire mix here, or read on for the individual playlists.

More House Cleaning Music

Daily Delight: Terrarium Fever

by Jessica Yonker February 28, 2013 5 Comments

We’re expecting a few new little faces at HGTV headquarters, so it’s no surprise the Design Happens crew has caught a severe case of baby fever. Don’t get me wrong. I’m just as baby crazy as everyone else around here, but there is something else I’ve been fawning over lately: terrariums.

We're still loving terrariums at HGTV's Design Happens. Propeller Vine / Butterfly Aquarium
Ornaments / Pear Air Plants / Hanging Score & Solder

I could look at terrariums all day. And with no foreseeable end to winter, thanks to our crazy Tennessee weather, I plan to make a terrarium of my own to put some life back into my home while I wait for spring.

Learn how to make your own terrarium in less than 20 minutes >>

Daily Delight: DIY Doormat Headboard

by Jessica Yonker February 27, 2013 2 Comments

A headboard is your ultimate chance to make a statement, but it can run you hundreds of dollars if you buy one brand new. Luckily, you can make a headboard out of practically anything. Just take Kara Paslay, who loved the look of a Moroccan-style headboard from West Elm. However, she didn’t love the price so she made her own out of – yep, you guessed it – doormats.

Get the full instructions >>

Home Survival Skills: 7 Things You’re Forgetting to Clean

by Jessica Yonker February 26, 2013 13 Comments

Winter is undeniably one of my favorite seasons, but I’ve checked out early this year. In an attempt to coax spring into coming early, I’ve started the long and grueling process of cleaning my house.

Whether it’s deep cleaning or just tidying up, there are a few ways to go the extra mile and keep your home sparkling. During my spree, I uncovered dirty items around my home that I didn’t even realize were in need of my care. I cannot confirm or deny that I spent 30 minutes vacuuming a loveseat.

1. The upholstery. Vacuum couches, chairs, love seats, rugs and mattresses, then spot clean with a rag and warm water. Depending on the fabric, curtains and slipcovers can be tossed in the washing machine.

2. The walls. If you have kids or pets, this might be a no-brainer – those handprints (or pawprints!) add up. Wipe off any loose dust with a soft cloth, then gently scrub off any dirt with an all-purpose cleaner safe for your walls. (Test in an inconspicuous area first if you’re unsure.) Don’t forget the molding!

Clean Deeper

Daily Delight: Custom Wooden Wall Decor

by Jessica Yonker February 26, 2013 1 Comment

If you’ve been following closely, you know that I moved into an old house at the beginning of the year. Since then, I’ve been working to collect pieces to make my cozy cottage feel even homier. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered this super cute wooden state sign on Pinterest.

from The Pine Nuts

The Pine Nuts offers all states and has a selection of other fun shapes in 12 vibrant colors. Don’t see anything you like? No worries – The Pine Nuts takes custom orders, so you can be as imaginative as you want!

from The Pine Nuts

I’ll take one of each, please.

Daily Delight: Lantern Festival

by Jessica Yonker February 25, 2013 4 Comments

This weekend, millions across the globe turned their eyes to the sky for this year’s Lantern Festival. The Chinese holiday marks the Lunar New Year with three days of parades, food, fireworks and, of course, hundreds of beautiful lights and lanterns.

Extra: See More Stunning Photos From The Lantern Festival

Home Survival Skills: Clean Your Home After Illness

by Jessica Yonker February 19, 2013 4 Comments

Achoo! A couple of us down at HGTV Headquarters aren’t feeling so well. I spent last week in bed fighting what I’m convinced was the plague, armed with only a stash of home remedies and a few boxes of tea.

Unless you’re one of the lucky ones that never seem to get sick, you’re bound to catch a cold sometime. Keeping your home spic and span is one of the most important ways to ward away disease, and a thorough cleaning once you’re feeling better can prevent illness from spreading to your loved ones.

Start with the air. If you don’t remember the last time you changed the AC filter in your home, you’re cheating yourself out of good health. Harmful airborne particles like smoke, bacteria, pet dander, mold and allergens can build up in your home with a dirty filter. A quality pleated filter will only run you about $20 and last for 90 days.

Take off your shoes. Your shoes are a breeding ground for bacteria. Millions of harmful microorganisms can be tracked across the floor – a major problem only multiplied if you have kids that like to play on the floor. Take your shoes off at the door and politely ask guests to do the same.

Read the Rest

Home Survival Skills: 15 Amazing Uses for Spices and Herbs

by Jessica Yonker February 5, 2013 9 Comments

The spice cabinet is by far my favorite part of the kitchen. The aroma of cinnamon and red peppers, the endless flavor combinations waiting to be discovered . . . I could go on for days.

Perhaps you remember all the great ways you can use vinegar around your home. You’ll quickly find that herbs and spices are no different, offering natural solutions for both you and your home. Plus, it’s likely you already have several of these super-spices at home – probably more than you know what to do with – making them a practically free cure-all.

The Spices

Cayenne Pepper: An easy to grow hot pepper great for adding a kick to any dish, cayenne pepper is a powerful sinus-cleanser (as many hot-sauce aficionados may know) and also great for getting rid of pests.

Cinnamon: One of the most commonly used spices, cinnamon smells good and is good for you.

Garlic: Garlic isn’t actually an herb or a spice, but a member of the lily family – making it kin to other bulbs like onions, shallots and chives. Besides its numerous uses in the kitchen, garlic can do everything from clear up acne to protect your pet from parasites.

Ginger: Ginger root has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes such as treating digestive problems or a nasty cold.

Ginseng: Like ginger, ginseng is harvested for its healing properties and can also help you feel more energetic.

Mint: The mint family actually covers a wide range of plants that includes basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme and sage. Mint is versatile and used in cleansers, can deter pests and can also soothe a tooth or tummy ache.

Other beneficial spices include – but certainly aren’t limited to – turmeric, parsley, saffron, nutmeg, cloves and countless others.

Tricks to Try

Home Survival Skills: Host a Super Bowl Party

by Jessica Yonker January 29, 2013 4 Comments

Football reminds me of lazy Sundays with my dad, so even though I only know enough about football for people not to groan, I’m always excited for the Super Bowl.

For those of you who have been out of the loop this season, allow me to catch you up to speed: this Sunday’s matchup of the Baltimore Ravens versus the San Francisco 49ers is interesting because it pits head coaches Jim and John Harbaugh against each other. Yes, you read right – Jim and John are brothers!

The Super Bowl is the ultimate football fan holiday, and no holiday is complete without a party full of good friends, delicious food and drinks, of course. If you’re looking for ideas for a fun Super Bowl party, look no further – we have everything you need to keep the cheer going until the final touchdown.

The Colors

Designers, from left to right: Brian Patrick Flynn / Brian Patrick Flynn / Cortney and Robert Novogratz / Meg Caswell / David Bromstad / Emily Johnston Larkin / Judith Balis / Greta Goss

Nothing says fanfare like decking out your home in team colors. Conveniently, brothers serving as head coaches aren’t the only two things tying these teams together. The Ravens and the 49ers also share glitzy gold (our January Color of the Month) as one of their team colors, but are divided between violet for the Ravens and scarlet for the 49ers. What’s great about these color combos is that they look good all year, so feel free to make your Super Bowl decor a little more permanent.

Touchdown-Scoring Party Ideas

Home Survival Skills: How to Fake a Closet

by Jessica Yonker January 22, 2013 5 Comments

It’s true that keeping a closet neat and organized is a difficult task, but life with no closet or a small closet may feel like you’re just perpetually shifting things around.

Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. I wrapped up my holiday season by moving into an old house with two close friends. The house was built in the early 1900s, has beautiful hardwood floors and a mantel in the living room and two of the bedrooms.

The only problem is that my lovely new home has no closets. It also didn’t take too long for my roommates to realize that dorm life had spoiled me – I was the proud owner of no furniture, mismatched, collapsible hampers and a mountain of clothes and shoes.

There are plenty of ways to fake an organized space if a traditional closet just isn’t possible. You can make or buy an armoire or chifferobe, build your own custom closet or repurpose items to create a storage nook.

Unwilling and unable to purchase an expensive armoire or go custom, I chose the latter option and invested in a freestanding wardrobe. I plan to strip the cloth cover (the fabric resembles a reusable shopping bag) and hang sheer curtains in its place – an easy first step since the wardrobe is held together by metal rods. To hide my always-growing shoe collection, I’ll place a shoe organizer inside. I also want to get a wood pallet cut (almost any home improvement store will do this for you) to sit on top, leaving me space to stash baskets of scarves, socks, hats and other accessories.

It sounds like a bit of a hassle at first, but I certainly wouldn’t trade the time I estimate the project will take for living out of a suitcase again. I’m also pretty sure my roommates want their coat rack back.

How do you deal with a lack of closet space? Tell us how you battle clutter in the comments below and for more creative storage solutions, visit the links below:
Storage 101: A Closet Makeover
12 Steps to Your Dream Closet
8 Revamps for Your Closet
Declutter the Closet
Repurposing Household Items for Closet Organization
Kids’ Room Storage Solutions
Maximizing Storage in Your Walk-In Closet
Make Your Closet Resemble a Chic Boutique