Episode 20 — wow, what a milestone. In this installment of Young House Love Has A Podcast we talk about a trend that shows up everywhere: white walls. They photograph beautifully and often dominate blogs and Instagram feeds, but do they feel as welcoming in real life as they do on screen? We bring two bloggers into the conversation — one who loves white walls and one who’s not convinced — and weigh the practical pros and cons. We also share an update on a new outdoor project we’re starting, Sherry braces for a personal “renovation” she isn’t thrilled about, and we report back on our ongoing efforts to reduce unwanted mail.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn Radio, or listen on your favorite podcast player. Below are the show notes with links, images, and resources we mentioned in the episode.
What’s New
- We’ve begun Operation Irrigation Installation and wanted to share a sneak peek of the process and progress. Installing irrigation can save time and water long-term, and we’re documenting the steps as we go.
- And in case you were hoping for embarrassing dental photos — Sherry vetoed that. Her exact words: “Nobody needs to see that.” Consider it censored by mutual agreement.
What’s Not
- We mentioned a Mental Floss piece about home improvement trivia: “14 Sturdy Facts About Home Improvement.” It’s a fun read if you like odd or useful tidbits related to renovations and projects.
- Also, a throwback popped up in our Facebook memories: a playful Photoshopped image from a childhood friend celebrating our first book tour. It reminded us how much can change over the years — including Sherry’s hair.
Listener Question
- If you have a question for the show, leave a voicemail at 571-4-YHL-HAP (571-494-5427). We enjoy answering listener questions on air.
- On this episode we chatted with Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess and Katie Bower from Bower Power about white walls and how they function in different homes and styles.
- We also referred to our guide to the 12 best white paint colors and why pros often recommend them. It’s a helpful starting point if you’re choosing a neutral palette.
- Below are two rooms in our house that use white walls but still feel colorful thanks to painted ceilings and accessories. First is our daughter’s room, then our living room — both examples of how white walls can act as a backdrop for bolder accents.
- We also highlighted our Showhouse tour, which features a lot of white walls used in a variety of rooms. Using white can unify disparate spaces and make architectural details stand out when paired with contrasting trim or ceilings.
- For more details on paint colors, furniture, and decor in our home, check our Shop Our House page where we list sources and choices for many rooms.
We’re Digging
- Sherry’s current favorite read is Dan Harris’s book — she’s been quoting it out loud and enjoying it a lot.
- I’ve been focused on staying organized and avoiding unnecessary renewals, so we shared the magazines we currently subscribe to: Real Simple, Runner’s World, House Beautiful, HGTV Magazine, Southern Living, Wired, Mental Floss, Better Homes & Gardens, Martha Stewart, Entertainment Weekly, and House & Home. Listing them helped us decide what we actually use and what to cancel.
Psst — If you’re trying to find something we’ve recommended in a past episode, we have a master list of everything we’ve been “digging” across prior show notes. It’s a handy resource for tracking down favorite products, books, and tools we’ve mentioned.
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