Happy Halloween! No tricks here—just treats: the show notes for Episode 22 of Young House Love Has a Podcast. This episode tackles what to do when you hit a wall on a home project and can’t seem to find your momentum. We admit to one task that’s kept us stuck for months, share tips for pushing past procrastination, and talk with a special guest about renovating older homes. Along the way there’s a Halloween-inspired game, a small kitchen victory, and an unabashed celebration of cake stands (and cake).
Listen to Episode 22 on your favorite podcast app or search for Young House Love Has A Podcast. Below you’ll find highlights, links, product notes, and photos referenced in the episode so you can follow up on the things we mentioned.
What’s New
The photo below is an older summer shot, but it still represents how our workspace looks now. I’m considering a new set of workbenches that should finally help me get moving on stalled projects. Investing in the right tools and a functional workspace can make a huge difference when you’re trying to regain momentum on home improvement tasks.
Updates
- We revisit the Carats Double Old-Fashioned glasses from World Market and explain the story behind those three letters.
- If you missed our earlier episode about “fancy” dorm rooms, check Episode 15 for that conversation and the inspiration behind it.
- We also appeared on the Style Matters podcast with Little Yellow Couch—look up that episode if you want more design chat and behind-the-scenes stories.
What’s Not
Curious about odd holidays and fun little celebrations tied to specific dates? We mentioned a Weird Holiday list on the show. It’s a playful way to discover quirky observances for birthdays or special days and to create your own traditions if nothing exists for your date.
Guest: Nicole Curtis
We spoke with Nicole Curtis, host of the Rehab Addict series on HGTV and DIY Network. Nicole is known for rescuing and restoring old houses with a respect for original materials and history. In our conversation she discusses the challenges of working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the realities of being open with viewers and fans, and why thoughtful rehab work matters for preserving older homes. Her book, Better Than New, is a good read for anyone interested in practical restoration tips and the emotional ups and downs of DIY renovation.
We’re Digging
- Smart irrigation controller: We installed a smart irrigation controller and are impressed. It handles automatic watering schedules, adapts for rain, and even emailed me when watering was skipped due to rain. It’s a helpful upgrade for efficient lawn and garden care.
- Voice-command irrigation moments aside, the tech can integrate with smart home systems to streamline outdoor maintenance—useful for busy homeowners looking to save time and water.
Cake Stands (and Cake)
Sherry has been on a cake-stand kick—using a stand as a plant stand, dessert display, or decorative focal point can elevate a tabletop or dining room vignette. We showed our cake-stand-turned-plant-stand in a recent photo and listed a few styles and sources that caught our eye. Cake stands are easy to find at home goods stores, thrift shops, yard sales, and online marketplaces, and they’re excellent for styling small displays around the house.
Resources & Notes
- Episode highlights: tips for overcoming stalled projects include breaking tasks into tiny steps, scheduling focused time blocks, and clearing a small, dedicated workspace to reduce friction.
- On renovating older homes: prioritize assessing structural elements, preserving character features when feasible, and researching period-appropriate materials for authentic repair work.
- When shopping for styling pieces like cake stands, explore local home goods stores, thrift shops, and online marketplaces to find unique and budget-friendly options.
Looking for past episode recommendations? We maintain a master list of everything featured in prior episodes so you can quickly find the items, resources, and products we’ve dug across the podcast.
We also mentioned a vintage-style paint product line that inspired a small project—vintage tools and unique paint finishes can be a fun way to add character to furniture and trim.
*This post contains affiliate links and recommendations based on products and resources we used or mentioned in the episode.*