We’re excited to announce that our book is finally arriving in early November — the official release date is November 6th, though it may vary by retailer. After more than three years of work, this project truly feels like a long, lovingly tended gestation. For those who have asked about pre-orders: you can pre-order from your preferred retailer, including local bookstores that can place special orders for you. Pre-orders often come with early delivery and can help authors by boosting initial sales.
Holding the 336-page mock-up for the first time was surreal. The book is packed with hundreds of home-improvement and decorating ideas designed for real people, not a high-end design audience. Think practical, affordable, and adaptable projects — some quick and inexpensive, others more involved. It’s essentially the blog in book form: 243 curated ideas, each with photos, checklists, tutorials, illustrations, sidebars, and our personality sprinkled throughout. We also included more than 200 photos and 100 illustrations that have never appeared on the blog. These are fresh, original projects photographed specifically for the book, not recycled posts.
The creation process had a clear timeline in our minds: signing with an agent, writing a 100-page proposal, pitching to publishers, drafting a full manuscript, shooting photos in our home, and editing and proofing through multiple rounds. It was intense and rewarding. Somewhere between the planning and the printing we kept pushing ourselves to add more useful content, and the final result is a comprehensive, approachable idea book that we’re proud of.
Two surprises stood out while writing and producing the book. First, the publisher changed surprisingly little about the content itself — the voice and the tips remained very much ours. Second, the publisher played a major role in shaping the cover and packaging. Authors typically provide feedback at that stage, while the publisher has final approval. We enjoyed a collaborative process with our editors and designers that honored the spirit of the book while bringing professional design expertise to the project.
Cover design went through several iterations. Initially we resisted the idea of being featured on the cover because we didn’t want the book to look too posed or serious. After trying multiple concepts — including awkward sofa shots we were glad not to use — the design team proposed a playful and modern direction that we grew to love. The final cover blends wooden letters, script elements, a stitched spine detail, and small homey touches like a paint can graphic and hanging keys. The palette leans toward a teal spine and bold accent colors for an energetic, coffee-table-friendly look. We appreciate how the design balances masculine and feminine elements while remaining warm and approachable.
During development some tips were converted to bonus items and reorganized to keep the book concise and accessible, landing at 243 core ideas — a number that feels meaningful to us. The subtitle was tightened based on feedback so potential readers immediately know what to expect: practical, doable home ideas for everyday living.
Inside the book, you’ll still find the familiar cast from the blog. Clara and Burger appear throughout the pages, adding personality and humor; Burger, in particular, contributes a running commentary that we think readers will enjoy. While the cover emphasizes the word HOUSE with wood letters to signal the book’s focus, the interior captures the blog’s tone and variety: DIY projects, tutorials, and plenty of before-and-after inspiration.
We’re eager to share more behind-the-scenes details as we count down to publication: camera-shot sneak peeks, a short video from the photo shoot, and forthcoming book tour dates and cities. For now, we just want to say thank you. The support and encouragement from friends, readers, and the community made this book possible. We’re thrilled to finally send this labor of love into the world, and we can’t wait for you to see it on your coffee table.
Note: earlier posts documented the book announcement, the publisher selection process, photo shoot preparation, and initial sneak peeks. Those moments helped shape the journey and brought us to this exciting finish line.