Ashley Tate

About

Designer, carpenter, engineer, and DIY content creator known for her interior design, home renovation, and woodworking projects shared under her Smashing DIY and Handmade Haven accounts and brands. She is especially known for appearing on Making It Season 2 in 2019 and for winning HGTV's Battle on the Beach Season 3 in 2023. 

Before fame

She graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a degree in computer science and worked as an engineer for several years before fully transitioning into design and DIY. She purchased her first home in 2013. Her DIY journey began in 2016 when she wanted a custom dining table but could not find one she liked at an affordable price. She decided to build one herself despite having no prior woodworking experience and purchased tools and began learning through trial and error. Her first project led to the creation of her YouTube channel and Instagram accounts Handmade Haven. Her work quickly gained attention and by 2019 she was cast on NBC's Making It in her first major television appearance.

Trivia

She won Battle on the Beach Season 3 in 2023 by completing a full beach house renovation in six weeks with a $90,000 budget. She has collaborated with major brands such as The Home Depot and has been featured in sponsored DIY and design content.

Family life

She was born in Currituck, North Carolina, before eventually moving to Oklahoma.

Associated with

She appeared on Making It in 2019 hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. She worked closely with Ty Pennington during Battle on the Beach Season 3.