People often ask whether we ever argue, especially with all the home projects we tackle together. The short answer is yes. Our recent disagreements while installing the beach house kitchen are a perfect example: small snags turned into a few heated moments. Here we explain what we argued about, how we resolved it, and who ended up being right. We also share another major change coming to the kitchen (hint: it involves the island), and we debunk a commonly repeated “real estate deal killer” that may not be as frightening or expensive as people make it out to be. Plus, we offer our opinion on the current popular “it” room to include in your home and a fast trick for getting holiday cards out the door.
You can download the episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or listen on your preferred podcast platform. This page gathers links, notes, and photos we mentioned during the show. If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to open the full post to see all images and resources.
What’s New
- Above is a photo of our fridge “compromise.” Ignore the patched hole and the missing cabinet drawer for now — those will be fixed. Our full-size fridge for the pantry will be delivered tomorrow, which we’re excited about.
- We decided to convert the breakfast nook into a pantry to gain usable storage space and accommodate a separate appliance area. That choice helped us save on appliance expenses and lets the main kitchen feel less cluttered.
- Our new island installation is delayed by a week or two. We chose a Silestone quartz countertop in the Pearl Jasmine color. On the podcast we shared ways we trimmed the cost without sacrificing the look, so if you’re shopping for quartz that episode could be useful.
- You can spot one of Jeremy’s handcrafted wooden bowls in the photo. It’s become one of those small details that adds warmth to a fresh space.
- If you missed our talk at the Bristol event — where we covered ten years of lessons learned in decorating, running a business, and refining our style — check out Episode #73 for that full conversation.
Quiz
- The image above shows our so-called “Pajama Lounge,” a relaxed bonus space we finished recently. It’s designed for cozy mornings and late-night chats rather than formal entertaining.
- We also shared a snapshot from House Beautiful that we loved — props to them for using the charming word “newfangled.”
- For a recent project, we helped friends rework a formal living room into a more functional, neutral space. That makeover illustrates how small updates can refresh a room without a full overhaul.
Can We Just Talk About
- Earlier this year we had to strip a large portion of the beach house down to the studs and rebuild it from the foundation up. The rebuild was necessary because, beyond a failing foundation, the siding was rotten in places, portions of the roof had collapsed, and there were multiple structural concerns. Rebuilding was the most responsible and cost-effective path forward.
- The rebuilt section now contains all three bathrooms, the mudroom, the pantry, and an upstairs bunk room. It feels great to have that part of the house functional again and built to modern standards.
We’re Digging
- We’ve been trying out new holiday card designs this year and narrowed in on several favorites. Ordering early and choosing a trusted printer saved us time, and this year our order arrived within 48 hours without paying extra for rush services.
- To speed up addressing cards, we use complimentary address printing when it’s offered, and sometimes a self-inking address stamper for quick application — that simple tool saves a surprising amount of time when you have a long list.
- One of our favorite gifts to make is a personalized page-a-day calendar. It’s a simple, meaningful present full of family photos that people actually use every day. We already collect photos to make batches for extended family each year.
- Our kids enjoy taping their favorite calendar pages inside the mudroom doors. Watching that little gallery grow throughout the year is one of those small joys worth preserving in a memory box once the year ends.
If you’re trying to remember a product or idea we mentioned on a past episode, we maintain a master list of topics and items we’ve recommended across shows. That list makes it easier to find the things we’ve been digging over time.
Finally, thank you to Cardboard Safari for sponsoring this episode. They offered a special discount for first-time customers, which many listeners found useful for unique, educational cardboard toys for kids.
Thanks for listening and for following along with our projects. We truly appreciate your support and the ideas you share with us.
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