Painting our brick house white was only the beginning of our exterior refresh. This week we’re sharing more of the projects in progress — including one that’s proving far more complicated than we expected. We also have an exciting announcement about a color collaboration we’ve been developing, along with another installment of one of everyone’s favorite segments: design norms from around the world. That includes everything from bomb shelters and frost lines to a curious regional feature known as a “witch window.” Plus we tried a surprising subscription mystery box that felt a little like being cast in a crime drama.
What’s New
- Spring has arrived, so here’s an updated photo of the house we painted white last fall, now blooming with a white-flowering dogwood in the front yard.
- Below is an image of the awning we’re planning to order from a UK maker. Its gentle swoop is a detail we tried to replicate locally without success, so we did the extra legwork to source the original.
- If you haven’t seen the full story about our masonry paint color collection with Romabio, we shared a detailed post recently explaining why we chose that paint, how we selected the palette, and how we used it on our own home after extensive testing and reader recommendations.
- There’s also a dedicated page with the full color collection and extra tips on pairing colors with existing roof and trim choices, plus door color suggestions. You can find options to purchase the products through common retailers.
Updates
- If you missed our initial discussion of global design norms, check out the earlier episode where we explored regional habits and surprising building traditions. It remains one of our favorite conversations.
- We also followed up in later episodes to share listener feedback and examples, including a great photo from a hotel in Copenhagen that shows how two individual duvets can be made neatly on a single larger bed.
- One of the more whimsical design features we mentioned is the so-called Vermont “witch window.” We shared an example image and encouraged listeners to read about the local lore behind these angled windows that appear in some historic New England homes.
- On a more serious note, we discussed Singapore’s bomb shelter requirement for new apartments. That rule shapes how residential buildings are planned there and has produced some strikingly practical — and sometimes surprising — spaces. We highlighted reporting that features interviews and many photos from residents who live with those shelters.
We’re Digging
- We’ve been trying a two-part mystery subscription box that delivers a layered narrative with physical evidence and clues. Below is a photo of some of the items we received so far. To avoid spoilers we blurred a few elements, but the image still gives a sense of how elaborate and immersive the package is.
- Although we couldn’t locate the promotion that first got us a free box, there is typically a discount available for new subscribers; the vendor often provides a percentage off first boxes for listeners and readers.
- For something more family-friendly this week, we’ve been playing the classic card game SET. It’s quick to learn and wonderfully brain-stretching. Below are three examples that demonstrate how sets work:
- The top example shows three cards that share color, shape, and shading, with the only difference being quantity. That combination makes a set.
- The middle example has the same shape and quantity across all three cards, while color and shading differ; that too forms a valid set.
- The bottom trio features entirely different numbers, colors, shapes, and shadings — and that diversity also qualifies it as a set.
- There’s a junior version of the game aimed at younger players if you’re looking for an easier introduction for little ones.
If you’re trying to remember which episode featured a particular recommendation, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been “digging” across past shows. We also keep an updated Book Club page with every book we’ve recommended on the podcast.
Finally, a big thank-you to our episode sponsor, Social Print Studio, for supporting the show. They often offer a discount code for first-time customers — check the current episode notes for details if you want to order prints, gifts, or photo products.
Thanks for listening and following along as we tackle these updates — from paint and awnings to curious global design details and immersive mystery boxes. Your questions and suggestions always help shape what we try next.
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