In this week’s episode we go behind the scenes of a home-makeover show with Candis and Andy Meredith of Old Home Love. They share how they landed their HGTV opportunity, the surprises they encountered during filming, and their deep passion for restoring historic homes. They also offer practical tips for adding character to any house, no matter its age. Sherry discusses recent staging work she did for neighbors preparing their house for sale, I explain a simple way I made one of our least-favorite chores easier, and we both reveal how we saved hundreds of dollars on a beach house update. Plus: why is it so hard to cut the cable cord?
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen on the podcast player. Use this page to see photos, notes, and links referenced in the episode. Note: if you’re reading in a feed reader you may need to click through to the post to view the player.
What’s New
- First up: the before-and-after photos from our friends’ house that we helped stage. Their home sold within 12 hours. We’ll begin with the master bathroom, which shares a layout similar to ours. The first photo shows the old green double vanity during demo. The following photo shows the new vanities and the faux shiplap treatment we recommended — a quick, affordable way to add texture and charm.
- Next, the kitchen before-and-after. A fresh coat of paint and a new butcher-block counter for the island made a dramatic, budget-friendly improvement.
- The dining room also received a light, modern update. After removing striped wallpaper above the chair rail, crisp white trim, neutral wall color, a simple light fixture, a large rug, and a good secondhand table made the space feel bigger and fresher without a large budget.
- We suggested board-and-batten for the hallway as an “extra credit” idea, and they did an excellent job executing it. The vertical trim adds classic detail and visually lifts the ceiling.
- For dingy foyer grout, grout paint is a surprisingly affordable fix that delivers big results for little cost. We recommended a product that refreshed grout lines quickly, improving curb appeal for showings.
- Also mentioned in the episode: Kroger’s ClickList service, which has been helpful for our grocery shopping and time savings.
What’s Not
- We discussed a MyDomaine article about a single home-decor element that many spaces are missing. The piece prompted a useful conversation about small changes that make a big impact.
Old Home Love
- Candis and Andy Meredith share their restoration projects and inspiration through their website and social channels. They’ve also published a book called Old Home Love that collects their stories and lessons learned while renovating older homes.
- Their work on HGTV and DIY Network demonstrates ways to preserve original character while updating homes for modern living. Their approach is practical, budget-conscious, and full of respect for architectural details.
We’re Digging
- We’re using a Roku 4 box to stream much of our TV content, primarily Netflix and PBS Kids. It has performed well for our needs. We’re still experimenting with the best, most affordable ways to replace cable — especially how to bundle internet and phone service for the lowest cost. If you have tips on cutting the cord, please share them via social media.
- On the kitchen front, apple cider vinegar remains one of Sherry’s go-to pantry staples. It’s inexpensive, versatile, and useful for cleaning, cooking, and general household tasks.
Psst — looking for something we recommended in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to check? Here’s a master list of items we’ve featured across past episodes to help you track them down.
Check out the range of Delta Faucet products and innovations at DeltaFaucet.com/YHL.
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