Derek is a writer and teacher living in Seattle, Washington. He has previously written home content for The Spruce, covering a range of topics that include: lawn care, leather restoration, tools and hardware, interior and exterior paints, tiny houses, and more. He also writes about kitchen appliances for The Spruce Eats. Much of his work has focused on buying guides to help homeowners purchase high-quality items that they can trust. He consistently tests items on his own before writing about them and interviews field experts for their insight.
One of Derek’s interests is DIY crafts and decor that add a personal touch to the home. He finds lawn mowing, weed whacking, and stacking firewood among the utmost therapeutic tasks. In the past, he's taken on various odd jobs that have expanded his knowledge of home services, from pool cleaning in high school to running social media for a window treatment company. When he’s not writing, you might find him tending a shared garden with his neighbors in Seattle.
