Removing Stumps and Painting a Metal Building – Plus: The Legacy of William Morris

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, host Dan Hansen tackles projects both practical and inspiring. First, he breaks down affordable and effective DIY methods for removing stubborn tree stumps and roots—covering hands-on techniques, chemical options, and safety tips. Then, he answers a listener’s question about calculating paint for a metal building when there’s no running water on site. Finally, the show shifts gears to explore the life and legacy of William Morris, the visionary behind the Arts and Crafts Movement, and how his ideas on beauty, honesty in materials, and dignity in craft continue to shape the way we design and decorate our homes today.Resources MentionedWilliam Morris Wallpaper ProductionEpisode Breakdown00:00 – Introduction and show overview00:28 – Why tree stumps are such a problem01:49 – Hands-on DIY methods for stump removal08:33 – Chemical and alternative removal options12:00 – Answering listener emails12:51 – How to prep and paint a metal building without water on site18:08 – Who was William Morris?18:36 – His early life and influences21:53 – Founding Morris & Co.23:33 – Five ways William Morris changed design23:41 – 1. Rebellion against fakery27:59 – 2. Design as morality30:39 – 3. Transforming wallpaper33:51 – 4. Making beauty accessible36:58 – 5. Sparking a movement38:53 – Morris’s lasting legacy39:34 – Closing remarks