pretty handy girl in crawlspace with framing nailer extended over headHi, I’m Brittany Bailey (aka Pretty Handy Girl).

I am a licensed general contractor, artist, graphic designer, web designer, photographer, and lover of doing everything myself. I’m also a night owl who likes to sleep in on the weekends.

I despise stereotypes and am working hard to break down the stereotype that women aren’t handy. This site is for anyone who wishes they were handy and could make their own repairs, upgrades, or become a true do-it-yourselfer. You’ll find detailed tutorials (about home improvement, home repair, decor, craft, and sewing) to help you over the newbie hump. I’m also taking you along for the ride as I flip and renovate houses for fun.

How the heck did I get to be handy?

about prettyhandygirl.comI grew up in Northern Virginia, the oldest of three daughters. My parents added onto our home three times during my childhood. During renovations, my mom and dad let me swing hammers and “help” them build. They instilled in me a belief that I could do anything a boy could do — if not better.

How I Re-Built My Own Kitchen (after a leak) | Pretty Handy GirlIn 2001, my husband and I bought our first house in Raleigh, NC. Money was tight, so I learned how to fix things  — one broken toilet at a time. In 2013, a leaky pipe turned into a major kitchen renovation. We fired the contractors and I took over the task of building back our kitchen from bare studs by myself.

Over the years I’ve amassed quite a few power tools. I enjoy the surprised look on faces when I explain that they are actually my power tools and I don’t usually let my husband (affectionately referred to as Pretty Handsome Guy) touch them.

Want to know more about me? Read this post filled with oodles of mundane facts about the girl behind the blog.

A wish to empower

My mantra is that if someone can do it, then there is a 95% chance that I can do it too! Join me as I show you some of the accomplishments and pitfalls of doing it yourself!

about prettyhandygirl.com

I love to hear from my readers 

I enjoy answering questions, comments or getting feedback! I love getting random sweet notes in my inbox letting me know if I’ve encouraged you. Please, feel free to send me an email.

Brand Awareness Campaigns

I DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR LINKS. I DO NOT ACCEPT GUEST POSTS. I WON’T PUT YOUR LINK ON MY BLOG FOR FREE. Are you still reading? Do you want your product mentioned on my blog? Great! Let me ask you a few questions first. Is it DIY or home-related? Can I write a valuable post or tutorial around your product? Do you have a budget for sponsored posts? If the answer to all of these is YES, feel free to contact my agent:  whileyouwriteagent (at) gmail.com.

You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

PHGFancySign

You May Have Seen My Work In:

Pretty Handy Girl's Work has appeared in these magazines and websites.

146 replies
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  1. Karen
    Karen says:

    Dear Brittany, Thank you for your reply, regarding contact paper. I wiped down the surface and made sure they were very dry and re-applied the contact paper and it sticks much better.

    Sincerely yours
    Karen from Califorina

    Reply
  2. Rickls
    Rickls says:

    Your blog was just what I needed when I went to replace of three of those ugly Hollywood light bars in our master bath with a set of much nicer lights. I was quickly able to remove the bars and then it was time for sanding and painting :). Great blog and good on you for helping to break down the stereotype that woman can’t use power tools!

    Reply
  3. Heather C.
    Heather C. says:

    This is awesome. I just stumbled upon your website and I love it. I am a single mom with no real support system, and too much pride to ask a neighbor for help. Can you give me some tips or ideas on if I can remove the “wall” above my kitchen cabinets? It is blocked off and I was wondering if I can cut that drywall out and open it up so I can put plants or collectibles up there ? (Aren’t most upper cabinets attached to the wall studs rather than ceiling joists?) Thanks!
    Heather 🙂

    Reply
  4. Lisa
    Lisa says:

    Looking for someone like you and/or an interior designer to work with in Raleigh area. Not interested in buying a lot new but more of tweak what I have and accent with new. Hard to find good help with my budget in mind! I am new to area so thought I might ask you.

    Reply
  5. Teresa
    Teresa says:

    Brittany, am glad to hear everyone is okay. Praise God for watching over your family! and you are so right, material things can always be fixed or replaced, lives cannot! We thank God and we praise Him for bringing everyone safely through the storm. We serve an awesome God! Hang in there, the worst has passed!

    Reply
  6. Betty
    Betty says:

    What a fantastic concept for a website! Thank you so much for this. I love how you talk about “empowering” people, because that hits the issue right on the nose. I was never involved in my dad’s handywork and was expected to stay out of the way, even though he let my male cousin join in. Now I’m in my 30’s and I’m asking my boyfriend to hammer a nail into the wall to hang a picture because I can’t even do that myself. I want to shed the learned helplessness and be empowered to do these things on my own.

    This is so awesome. You are my hero!

    Reply
  7. Tania
    Tania says:

    Hello I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Google for something
    else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for
    a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added
    in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

    Reply

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  1. […] won’t bore you with the rest of the details about my life. But, I will tell you that my motto is “If a human being can do it, then there is a 95% […]

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