We’ve now been in our new house for a month, and some things have unfolded exactly as we imagined while others surprised us. In this update we share which projects were easier than expected and which parts of settling in took unexpected turns. We also explore the history behind several enduring design trends—like the true origins of subway tile and the long-running popularity of fiddle‑leaf figs—along with a curtain-rod trick that was secretly tested for a year and a few amusing stories about voice assistants mishearing commands.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, or Spotify.
What’s New
- Furniture settled into place faster than we expected. You can see many of the pieces and the layout in our recent post about the downstairs kitchen area. This week we’ll share a similar look at how the upstairs living space is shaping up, and how items moved in with surprisingly little fuss.
Updates
- We’re reposting a map from a previous episode to remind everyone that we now live in the Central Time zone. We still get messages asking whether we’re sure we’re not in Eastern Time. The answer is yes—we’re certain. The Florida panhandle is wide and crosses into Central Time.
- On a lighter note, a recent quiz show clip sparked a debate about state geography and time zones, which made us laugh and validated our claim that time zones don’t always line up with coastlines the way people expect.
The Story Behind Some Popular Design Trends
- We discussed a thoughtful article about persistent design trends—why subway tile, fiddle‑leaf figs, and rattan continue to appear in homes, and how trends like kitchen islands, string lights, and macramé have resurged in popularity. The piece sparked a conversation about why certain styles remain familiar and comforting over time.
- We also referenced additional resources that delve deeper into the natural history of fiddle‑leaf figs and the origins of subway tile, both of which helped shape our discussion about how trends start and why they endure.
- We revisited a past episode with a guest who helped one of us become a true plant enthusiast. That conversation introduced practical plant-care tips and convinced us to bring more live plants into our home, which has made a noticeable difference in how the rooms feel.
We’re Digging
- The photo above shows our curtain rods after we removed the finials. That small change subtly modernized the look in person, even though it’s less obvious in photos. We also show them with the ball finials reattached for reference, so you can see the difference a tiny detail makes.
- In practice, removing or swapping out finials proved to be a fast, high-impact tweak that updated the room without buying new hardware. It’s an easy trick to try if you want a fresh look without a renovation.
- Below are the curtain-rod styles we’ve used in the house, plus a few other minimal-finial options that come in multiple finishes. Choosing a simple silhouette allowed us to keep a consistent, understated look throughout the rooms.
- We also discovered a playful gift idea: miniature candy-filled piñatas that ship ready to gift. They arrived exactly as expected and were a hit with family members who received them.
If you want to revisit things we’ve recommended in past episodes, we compiled a master list of all the items we’ve been digging over the years, plus a separate page listing books featured in our Book Club. Those collections are handy if you’re looking for a specific product idea, a resource we mentioned, or a recommended read.
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