This week we’re sharing a small but powerful kitchen change that made daily routines far more efficient — we’re honestly a little surprised we didn’t do it sooner. We also have an update on the recent appliance delivery snafu, plus three practical tips for book lovers who want their books to actually live on their shelves instead of being replaced by decorative objects. And because we can’t stop talking about it, there’s a new Netflix show that felt almost as transformative to us as Marie Kondo’s series — we loved it and discuss both here.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen via the player on our site.
What’s New
- Delivery day was more chaotic than expected, and we honestly didn’t get very many good photos of the appliance drop-off. The best visual we captured of the dented fridge was a quick screen grab, but the important part is that the refrigerators themselves fit perfectly and look great in the kitchen.
- We haven’t peeled the protective plastic off everything yet, so the range, washer, and dryer still look a little odd in place. Once they’re settled and the plastic is removed, we’ll take more photos to share the final look.
Updates
- Sherry is still loving the Court of Thorns and Roses series and is now on the fourth book, A Court of Frost & Starlight. After finishing that she plans to start the Throne of Glass series.
- Last week’s episode featured a great conversation with Stephanie Sikora about designing homes that are not just organized but genuinely efficient. That talk inspired us to rethink our kitchen drawer layout and make a small change that reduced needless steps.
- Originally our dishes and utensils were stored in drawers opposite the dishwasher, which felt convenient in the moment. After moving those items to the island drawers on the same side as the dishwasher and the upper cabinets that hold cups and mugs, unloading became much faster. No more crossing in front of the dishwasher — everything is now grouped logically by workflow.
Can We Just Talk About
- We discovered Instant Hotel on Netflix and couldn’t stop recommending it. The show is a reality competition centered on short-term rental hosts, blending entertaining personalities, design inspiration, and practical tips for anyone running or considering a vacation rental.
- The trailer highlights a selection of contestants and properties, but it doesn’t capture every standout host and home from the season. We found several ideas worth noting for anyone who cares about guest experience and memorable design touches.
Listener Question
- Many readers asked about our built-in living room bookcases. Over time we simplified their styling as part of a cozy minimalism phase, so they don’t always look book-heavy. That said, they were once packed with books and still work beautifully when fully stocked.
- Our office bookcases balance books, magazines, and a few decorative items so they feel lived-in but functional. Each shelf has a purpose: frequently reread or reference titles are easiest to reach, while less-used books can live higher or lower.
- One simple budget project we’ve loved in the past was painting the backs of shallower bookcases to add depth and contrast. In our current home we made sure the built-in shelves are deep enough to fit large hardcovers so books can be the primary focus rather than an afterthought.
- If you’re decorating with books and worried about trends like stacking spines inward, think about how you use your shelves: prioritize functionality first, then add visual touches. Episode #85 of our podcast dives into that conversation in more detail for anyone interested.
We’re Digging
- Marie Kondo’s Netflix series and the book that inspired it continue to influence how we think about home and possessions. The central idea of keeping items that spark joy remains useful as a guiding principle when decluttering and styling.
- On a more practical note, we recently added a wireless phone charger and mount in our car. It’s an inexpensive upgrade that makes daily life easier: phones slide into place and begin charging automatically without fumbling with cords. We have ours clipped to a vent, but it also works with a dashboard mount.
If you want to find items we’ve recommended from previous episodes, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been digging and a Book Club page with all the books we’ve recommended. Those roundup pages make it easy to track down products and titles mentioned on the show.
Finally, thanks to Annie Selke for sponsoring this episode. They recently released a new rug collection co-designed with Bunny Williams; be sure to check out their current collection. Use code YHL15 for 15% off qualifying orders.
Thanks for listening and reading — we appreciate you!
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