Donna Boyle Schwartz

Contributing Writer

Highlights

Specialties: Home furnishings
Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University
Other work: Family Media Group, Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, LDB Interior Textiles Magazine, New York Spaces Magazine, Woman’s Day Special Interest Publications, Robb Report, Home Textiles Today, Furniture Today, Home Accents Today, HFD/HFN, and the Newburgh-Beacon Evening News

About

Donna Boyle Schwartz is an avid writer with years of experience covering the home and garden beat in addition to out-of-home topics such as sports and local events. These days, she researches and writes editorial and advertising features on a vast range of home-related topics, including housewares, furniture, home fashions, flooring, remodeling, construction, antiques, art, garden, collectibles, and color/design trends.

Best DIY Advice

“Plan the dive; dive the plan.” As an avid scuba diver since 1990, Donna has learned that you always need to be ready for the unexpected—and the same advice applies to DIY projects. Always come up with a written plan of action in the beginning, including a budget. Then, go over your plan step-by-step and ask “what if?” about every conceivable angle. Chances are you won’t think of everything, but it will at least give you a good starting point and help you avoid a lot of unpleasant surprises along the way.

About

Experience

Donna launched her professional writing career in junior high school, where she covered sports, school events, and local community news for her small town weekly newspaper, The Raymond Herald. In the years since then, she has become a well-known home furnishings writer and editor with leading magazines and newspapers, including stints as lifestyle editor and news editor for the Newburgh-Beacon Evening News and as managing editor of Home Furnishings News (HFD/HFN). With her husband, David, she has owned and run a successful independent media and marketing consulting firm since 1986.

Education

Donna earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Illinois while also working as a staff writer for the Northwestern University Alumni News and a public relations assistant at Forest Hospital in Des Plaines, Illinois.