A straightforward sink swap at the beach house’s en-suite turned into an unexpected adventure: a large hole in the wall and a surprising spray of water right into someone’s face. The cause was something we’d never encountered before and honestly one of the strangest plumbing surprises we’ve seen. Below we explain what happened, how we fixed it, and why those two upstairs bathrooms at home still haven’t been fully renovated. We also share a few things we’re loving right now—a fresh decorating show, a gadget Sherry’s using almost every day—and a weird little story about how our first book once sparked conversations with a ’90s rock singer and a couple of reality-TV personalities.
You can listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or stream it from the player on this page. Use the notes below to follow along with the photos and items we mentioned.
What’s New
- The photo above shows the wall in the beach house bathroom after the plumber repaired the hole we uncovered. We traced the source of the leak by cutting back a small portion of drywall and found a tiny nick in a pipe behind it. Fortunately the damage wasn’t an ongoing leak, and the plumber was able to repair everything before it became a major problem.
- In the photo above the new vanity is mostly installed. We still need to replace a short section of baseboard that runs behind it and plan to swap the tiny pulls it came with for new hardware that fits our style better.
- The single-hole faucet we chose helps maximize counter space and gives the small bathroom a cleaner look.
Vanity, faucet, floor tile, blue accent tile, toilet, mirror, and glass shower mentioned in the episode.
- We talk more in the episode about why we were ready to replace the old sink and how the new setup better meets the needs of a vacation rental space.
- Below is a before photo from the downstairs beach house bath that shows why we sometimes cut baseboard around a vanity to keep the fixture flush to the wall.
Downstairs vanity and lighting details referenced in the episode.
- We also shared a throwback photo from our first book tour when we met a few surprising celebrities. It’s a fun little reminder of how much technology and phone cameras have improved since 2013.
- Here’s a page from our first book that helped break the ice with a musician during that tour—proof that small personal details in a book can lead to unexpected conversations.
Listener Question
- The before-and-after photos above show what thoughtful Phase 1 improvements can do. Small changes—new fixtures, paint, and a few functional swaps—can extend the life and usefulness of a bathroom without a full gut renovation.
- One practical tip: extra-long shower curtains are a simple, inexpensive way to make seven- or eight-foot ceilings feel more intentional. We often use a 7-foot curtain and a matching liner in these rooms—it’s an easy styling trick that looks pulled together immediately.
- What began as a temporary Phase One update in one upstairs bathroom has lasted 4.5 years. We removed the bulky shower door, took down wallpaper, and added an uplifting paint treatment. It’s still functioning well, so we haven’t rushed into a full remodel.
- The hall bathroom the kids use followed a similar approach: paint, new fixtures, and a few targeted updates. It’s simple, functional, and suits our family’s needs for now.
We’re Digging
- We recently enjoyed a home-makeover show focused on optimizing vacation rentals. The combination of interior design and property strategy felt fresh and instructive—great for anyone thinking about short-term rentals or curious about how small investments can increase a home’s appeal and revenue.
- For lighter viewing, we’ve been watching a feel-good crafting competition that’s full of humor and creativity. If you like friendly contests and strong personalities, it’s an entertaining watch with lots of inspiration for simple DIY projects.
- On the wearable front, Sherry has been getting a lot of use from a compact fitness tracker paired with a stylish replacement band. It’s been helpful for daily step goals and tracking basic activity without being bulky.
If you’re ever trying to find a product or recommendation we mentioned on an older episode, we keep a running master list of things we’ve dug across past shows, plus a dedicated book-club page listing books we’ve discussed.
Finally, thanks to the sponsors who help keep the podcast running. Your support makes it possible for us to keep sharing projects, stories, and practical tips.
Thanks for listening and reading—your support means a lot!
*This post previously contained links to products and resources mentioned in the episode.*