Today we’re talking about a small space at the duplex that’s got us brainstorming rental ideas, and we’d love to hear which option your family would pick. We also share how our daughter’s unexpected Christmas request set us off on a house-related scavenger hunt, and how that led us to discover a handy 4-in-1 repair tool that now lives in our junk drawer. Plus, we tackle fun questions like whether your astrological sign can actually influence how you decorate your home.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen to the player below. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to access the player.
What’s New
- That photo shows the dollhouse we built in 2012 for our daughter when she was two. It was a labor of love and a project we documented in detail — from construction to finishing touches — and it lived in her closet for years before we traded it for the desk she requested.
- We recently uncovered a couple of older, more intricate dollhouses and tucked them away in the attic until Christmas morning. One of them is the smaller of the two and needs a fair amount of restoration, but for $20 it’s a fantastic find: arched windows, original shingles, and a charming staircase that we can’t wait to rehabilitate with our girl. We’re planning to add working lights and a frosted pantry door as part of the refresh.
- We also collected a handful of past podcast episodes you might enjoy while we take a little break. Highlights include Episode #12 (a fun conversation with Jenni Pulos), Episode #14 (what quitting our blog taught us), Episode #36 (reflections on rejection with Joy Cho), Episode #39 (house-cleaning tips from a pro), Episode #60 (organization advice from The Home Edit), and Episode #87 (lessons from the set of Hoarders). These shows span practical tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and guest interviews that still resonate.
- We mentioned an article about designing your home based on your astrological sign — a playful take on decorating that can inspire fresh color, pattern, and furniture choices depending on what appeals to you. We also linked to an episode where Sherry talks about her longtime interest in rocks and crystals, which influences some of the accents she brings into our spaces.
We’re Digging
- Sherry recently used a 4-in-1 Patch Plus Primer to fix a cluster of nail holes in our living room wall. For smaller touch-ups, it worked really well: convenient, quick, and tidy. For larger repairs you’re better off with a traditional tub of spackle and a putty knife, but for light, surface-level fixes this combo product felt like money well spent.
- On the reading front, I just finished a creepy new mystery that we added to our Book Club page. It’s a follow-up from a well-known author and surprised me in a good way — the kind of page-turner that’s perfect for a long weekend. If you like suspenseful, twisty reads, you’ll probably enjoy it too.
- We’ve also made the Book Club page more visual, so you can easily browse books we’ve loved over the years, from thrillers to design and memoir picks.
If you’re trying to remember which episode mentioned a specific product, tip, or book, we put together a master list of everything we’ve been digging across past shows to make it easier to find what you want.
A quick thank you to The Citizenry for sponsoring this episode. They curate handmade goods from artisans around the world — a great source for unique home accents — and offered a listener promotion for first-time buyers.
Thanks for listening and for following along with our projects, discoveries, and the little moments that make a house feel like home.
*This post contains affiliate links*