Today we’re sharing two recent “treat yourself” moments at our house that didn’t go exactly as planned, and what they taught us about when to splurge and when to take a step back. One of the stories involves a long-dreamed-about bathroom feature that sounds wonderful in theory but has been harder to justify in practice. We also share surprising results from our “Side Of The Bed” survey — nearly 11,000 responses gave us a clear picture of why people choose the side of the bed they sleep on. Plus there’s a new development in the Color of the Year conversation and a look at a small personal setback that still held a silver lining.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- The photo above gives a sneak peek at the wallpaper and board & batten treatment we’ve been installing in the middle bedroom of our beach house. We planned this project a few weeks ago and are excited by how wallpaper can add pattern and personality to a space when combined with molding details.
- We’ll post a full tutorial that covers installation of the wall treatment and wallpaper (both projects are achievable for a motivated beginner). We shopped multiple retailers to compare prices and timing, and found that deals can vary, so it’s worth checking a few sources before you buy.
- One big inspiration for this room was a Real Simple room we admired. That space used a Serena & Lily paper and proved how wallpaper can bring texture and interest even in a relatively small room.
- Sherry experimented with a homemade sore throat remedy the night before recording. The setup looked a little over-the-top, but it worked: she went from having almost no voice to being able to record the episode the next day.
- Her approach combined simple, familiar tactics (peanut butter, cough drops, warm salt gargles, lemon in tea) with some favorites like Throat Coat tea that contains slippery elm. She also tried a “medicine ball” tea from Starbucks, which felt soothing as well. While none of these are medical cures, the combination clearly helped her recover enough to record.
Updates
- Sherry was right in her Color of the Year hunch: this year’s pick leans toward a soft blush tone, something she predicted months earlier. That muted, warm pink feels versatile and calm in home palettes.
- We discussed our original color predictions in two recent podcast episodes, and noted that other brands picked similar soft blush tones for this year. If you like experimenting with paint, these gentle hues feel fresh without being overpowering.
- We also shared results from our Side Of The Bed survey. With nearly 11,000 responses, the breakdown revealed interesting habits and small quirks about how people position themselves and why. A chart in the episode notes visualizes the response patterns for anyone who loves data.
Splurging On Heated Floors
- One big debate for our bathroom reno has been whether to install heated floors. We looked at a popular electric radiant kit recommended by pros, and factored in the underlayment we’re already planning to use. A pro-installed solution can be costly, and even a DIY approach requires extra parts and the addition of a dedicated electrical circuit by an electrician.
- If you’re planning a similar project, consider the full scope: the heating coil or mat itself, underlayment, thermostat, wire-testing tools, and the cost of having an electrician install a dedicated circuit. For our roughly 140 square-foot bathroom and closet, the total DIY cost would likely be significant once all extras are included.
- On the flip side, the comfort of warm tile underfoot is undeniable. We weighed that feeling against budget and long-term value, and it’s been a helpful exercise in deciding what to prioritize in a renovation.
- Also on our wish list is a floor mirror that Sherry keeps adding to her cart. The arched top and brass finish would soften the space nicely, and she imagines flanking it with built-in closets for a custom look.
We’re Digging
- We had a minor car accident last week. Thankfully everyone is fine, and we’re grateful for that. We’re temporarily driving a rental while our Highlander gets repaired.
- As a family, we’ve been enjoying the songwriting competition show Songland. It’s a great look at the creative process and how songwriters collaborate with artists and producers. Listening to the finished songs gives a nice sense of how ideas evolve into radio-ready tracks.
If you want to find something we mentioned in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to open, we keep a master list of everything we’ve featured in our “We’re Digging” segments, plus a page that collects all the books we’ve recommended in our Book Club.
Finally, a thank you to our sponsor, Agility Bed, for supporting this episode. They’re offering a sleep suite giveaway and a discount code for listeners. We appreciate partners who help us bring the podcast to you while also sharing products we’ve discussed.
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