Can the colors, furnishings, and accessories we choose for our home actually make us measurably happier? In this post we explore the science of joy and how a few reliable design choices can influence daily mood—plus practical ways to make the chores we dislike feel a bit more pleasant. We also point out the subtle touches that have already added joy to our house, note a few areas that could use improvement, and share a lesson about holding on to furniture for too long (and one big dollhouse fail).
What’s New
- Many of you noticed a new coffee table in the Instagram photo above. It gives the room a different focal point and practical function, with two white poufs that tuck neatly underneath the ends.
- From the other side of the room you can see the X-base design and the little storage nooks at each end—handy for our daily flow and kid-friendly traffic.
- The finish of the table isn’t perfect up close, but it’s already functioning much better than the old ottoman did in its last months. We’ll share any refinishing or topping ideas if we decide to tile or further refinish it.
- For context, the table replaced a big leather storage ottoman that served us well for nearly a decade. It finally started to show wear—the faux leather flaked in spots and left little white dots around the house.
- We dug up a candid photo from last year that shows the bare spots and the “ottoman confetti” strewn on the floor—proof that some things really do reach an end-of-life moment where replacement improves daily quality of life.
- Sherry also mentioned the guest room headboard that’s actually the back of a wicker headboard we picked up used. Small secondhand finds like that add personality without breaking the bank, and we talk about that approach in our second book, Lovable Livable Home.
That’s Embarrassing
- Here’s a photo of the Sweet Shop dollhouse project in progress—dozens of tiny pieces that were supposed to transform into a miniature candy store. Note the paper fan blades in the foreground that were intended to become a ceiling fan. Spoiler: that didn’t happen.
- Sherry pulled everything together just in time for the holidays, and our daughter absolutely loves it. It doesn’t exactly match the box photo, but the joy it created matters more than accuracy.
- If you missed our earlier dollhousing episodes and posts, we covered the first makeover and follow-ups in previous posts and podcast episodes that describe the process and lessons learned.
“Joyful” Decor Discussion
- We discussed the book Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, which influenced how we think about everyday design choices that boost mood.
- Examples we referenced include the DIY fabric-covered wall in our daughter’s closet and removable wallpaper murals we recently installed at the duplex—both small, surprising touches that change how a space feels when you open the door.
- When you start looking for joyful elements—round objects, soft lighting, small celebrations like string lights—you realize how many subtle cues affect how you feel at home. We have round forms throughout the living room, soft salt-lamp glows in the kitchen and bedrooms, and patio lights outside that feel celebratory at night.
We’re Digging
- Sherry found a gleaming brass grasshopper figurine—what we jokingly call a “brasshopper”—that adds a whimsical moment on a shelf. Small unexpected pieces like that create delight when you notice them.
- We also picked up a colorful Paymaster painting from a listener who paints while listening to our show. It’s cheerful and echoes the round shapes we keep spotting around the office.
- Sherry rounded up a list of small, whimsical items that make us smile—novelties, little art objects, and found pieces that can be added without a major renovation.
- We also referenced an earlier podcast episode where we first discussed getting our driveway paved—an example of a practical upgrade that made daily life better, especially during a surprise warm spell last week.
- And on the family front, a portable basketball hoop gifted by grandparents arrived in pieces but assembled into plenty of active playtime—another small source of household joy.
If you want to revisit things we’ve “dug” in past episodes, we maintain a master list of favorites and a Book Club page with all the books we’ve recommended. These resources make it easy to find inspiration and repeatable ideas for adding joy to your own spaces.
Thanks for reading and for listening!
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