Keeping children safe at home is a top priority, and designing a house that looks great while remaining practical (and not too fragile) is the ultimate goal. In this episode we share realistic, tested tips for childproofing our home without buying every foam bumper and lock on the market. We also had the pleasure of meeting Vern Yip in person — he taught us several clever design tricks (including a new favorite term for choosing the right lighting) and had us laughing with behind-the-scenes stories about stretching a budget. We also discuss the rush to furnish our beach house while trying to add pieces that feel meaningful rather than just convenient.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or listen on the player embedded here on the original post. Use this page to find links, notes, and photos referenced in the episode.
What’s New
- We met Vern Yip at his Richmond event — and yes, we were the fans who hung around the signing table chatting until staff gently nudged us along. It was worth it.
- Vern previously joined our podcast to share design tips, and the event host shared useful fabric and upholstery advice on another past episode.
- Vern’s book, Design Wise, is a beautiful, practical guide packed with design insight for every room.
- We also learned a fun industry term about lamp selection, often called “lamping,” and enjoyed the many definitions and takes people have shared about it.
Updates
- If you missed any episodes we mentioned, here are a few highlights:
- Episode #61 — smarter pricing strategies for selling items online.
- Episode #64 — our journey to paying off the mortgage.
- Episode #68 — the iPhone “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature and how it works.
- Episode #69 — Sherry’s nervous-but-hilarious experience preparing for TV.
Quiz
- We mentioned a MyDomaine piece about nine traits common to stylish homes — a fun read if you’re curious about small changes that make a big difference.
Listener Question
- The baby gate pictured above was what we used at the top of our stairs for a couple of years; we had a different gate at the bottom of the stairs. Gates come in many styles — pick one that fits your stairway and latch securely.
- Outlet covers still show up in nearly every family photo we share. We prefer covers that match white outlets, are easy to remove when needed, and can clip to a cord so they don’t get lost while the outlet is in use.
- We also recommend anti-tip straps for furniture that doesn’t come with them, and covert cabinet latches for bathroom or kitchen cabinets to keep cleaning supplies and medications out of reach.
- We’ve written more about babyproofing in older posts, including tips for securing low-hanging frames with adhesive strips, anchoring large mirrors to the wall to prevent tipping, and protecting crib rails during teething.
- Many of these small fixes are inexpensive yet add significant peace of mind — from adhesive strips to furniture anchors and smart outlet covers.
We’re Digging
- Lighting update: we compared our longtime soft-white LED bulbs (great for enclosed fixtures) with a newer LED that mimics the look of an Edison bulb without the overly warm orange tint. It’s a modern LED with the pleasing glow of vintage filament bulbs — ideal for exposed fixtures where color and form matter.
- We also shared clothing notes from recent TV appearances and events, including a few affordable tops that worked well on camera and for meeting designers like Vern.
- If you’re looking for a summary of products and ideas we’ve recommended in past episodes, we maintain a running master list of favorites we’ve been “digging.” It’s a handy reference when you want to revisit a past find.
Finally, a big thank you to The Annie Selke Companies for sponsoring this episode. Use code YHL15 to receive 15% off many items, including bedding, rugs, and select home decor when shopping their site.
Thanks for listening and for following along with our projects — we appreciate the support and love hearing your tips and questions.
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