Islands are a common feature in modern kitchens, but this week we’re talking about why they aren’t always ideal. We share why some homeowners dislike them, and even point out a downside we discovered in our own beach house kitchen. We also walk through a recent backsplash project that reminded us how important preparation, patience, and accepting imperfection can be. John offers a new technique for choosing paint colors, Sherry highlights a favorite beach accessory, and — of course — there’s Chad.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or Spotify — or listen using the player on the original post. Use this page to find any links, notes, or photos we referenced. If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the audio player.
What’s New
- Below are photos of our beach house kitchen backsplash as they appeared when we recorded. We finished grouting last week and will share photos of the completed wall soon.
- We used an inexpensive 15-cent subway tile from Floor & Decor and a simple mastic to adhere it directly to drywall after scuffing it with sandpaper. Including grout and a new trowel, the whole backsplash cost roughly $200 — a very budget-friendly refresh.
- If Floor & Decor isn’t local to you, the same style of white subway tile is often available at other big-box stores. We chose the supplier that had enough stock at the time.
- We followed a clear step-by-step approach for this install: planning, mock-ups to choose the layout, careful adhesion, and then finishing with grout. Taking time with each phase made a big difference.
- Photos and mock-ups helped us visualize how the backsplash would look before we committed. A few iterations saved us from making costly mistakes and gave us confidence in the final design.
- We also discussed a Wall Street Journal piece critiquing kitchen islands and shared photos comparing the island setup at our beach house to the one at our main home. Islands can be practical, but they’re not universally ideal — layout, traffic flow, and appliance placement all influence whether an island helps or hurts a kitchen’s function.
Chad Rohde (aka John’s Doppelgänger)
- Chad and Travis from Rohde Construction in Dallas dropped by and provided plenty of laughs and practical insight. Their work is professional and thoughtful — the finished projects speak for themselves.
- We shared some side-by-side photos that highlight how similar Chad and John look in certain poses. The comparisons sparked a lot of funny messages from listeners and became a lighthearted part of the episode.
We’re Digging
- To help choose a paint color for duplex shutters, we used Spot On removable paint decals. They’re easy to apply and remove, and while they looked a bit textured on louvered shutters, they would appear smoother on a flat wall. We marked each sample with small initials to track color choices.
- For beach gear, we tried compact inflatable floats that fold down small for travel and inflate quickly. They’re practical for families who want convenience without sacrificing function. We’ve also used smaller versions for the kids and found them very handy at the shore.
Finally, a big thank you to Room & Board for sponsoring this episode. Their furniture and design consultations are a helpful resource for anyone updating a home. Thanks for listening — we appreciate you tuning in and following along with our projects.
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