Home renovations rarely go exactly as planned. We’ve been living that reality during our duplex remodel, so in this post we’re sharing practical strategies we’ve adopted to stay positive when a project feels overwhelming, runs behind schedule, or encounters an unexpected setback. We also talk about bathroom trends that caught our attention (one surprised Sherry more than she expected) and announce the start of our no-TV challenge.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- If you missed our earlier mentions of the fridge delivery debacle, we first covered the initial delivery problems in Episode #126 and then discussed finding a dented door in Episode #127.
- Below is a photo of the scrape that the second delivery person noticed on the other fridge during our most recent trip. Don’t mind the tiny water droplets—Sherry was frantically trying to wipe the mark away. You can see how convincing and unsettling it looked, especially since the damage aligned with the handle screw, supporting the delivery person’s concern that a drill or similar tool may have scratched the finish.
- We finally had the countertops installed. They’re the same Silestone quartz in Pearl Jasmine that we used on the island in our beach house. We’ll share wider kitchen photos once each space is a little more settled, with a full blog post on the way.
- In last week’s email newsletter we explained in more detail why we chose these counters—three times over—so if you enjoy sneak peeks and extra context, consider subscribing to the newsletter to get those updates delivered weekly.
- Also, if you missed last week’s episode where we briefly mentioned our no-TV challenge, you can find that conversation in the episode that features our interview with Joshua Becker.
2019 Bathroom Trend Quiz
- We reviewed a selection of bathroom trends that were highlighted as ones to watch. Some of the notable items included warm “buttery brass” fixtures and off-centered tubs, which weren’t as alarming in photos as Sherry expected.
- Another trend was a bold tile statement wall. We tried a tile accent in our beach house hall bathroom a few years ago and still like how it turned out.
- We also installed a colorful tile feature in our showhouse project back in 2014, which remains one of our more playful bathroom choices.
- At the beach house, our shower uses a frameless glass panel that creates an almost invisible shower wall, allowing the consistent flooring to help the shower blend into the rest of the room.
- We also mentioned the oversized “statement mirrors” we purchased for the duplex powder rooms. They’re large, bold, and look terrific; we’re waiting for them to come back in stock so we can install them.
Listener Question
- If you want more ideas for combating renovation fatigue, boosting morale during long projects, or celebrating small milestones, we cover this topic in depth in Episode #90.
We’re Digging
- If you prefer shopping HomeGoods online, you can do that through the Home section of the TJMaxx site. Shopping online is particularly helpful when you need to locate multiples of the same item that you couldn’t find in-store.
- We also shared a roundup of items we liked from the online HomeGoods selection, which includes home accessories and small decor pieces that are easy to match across rooms.
- We picked up an outdoor smart plug for patio lights that was simple to set up and includes two independently controlled outlets—handy for separating string lights from other outdoor lighting. If you plan to use a smart plug outside, install a weatherproof “in-use” outlet cover so you can safely leave the plug connected.
- We’ve written before about our favorite smart home devices and how we use them, including dusk-to-dawn timers and sensors. Smart tech and timers have become a reliable part of how we make homes more convenient and efficient.
If you’re searching for a past product or topic we mentioned on the podcast but don’t remember which episode covered it, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve featured in the “We’re Digging” segment. We also keep a Book Club page with all of our recommended reads from the show.
Finally, a thank-you to our sponsor for this episode. New members who sign up with the sponsor’s introductory offer can receive a complimentary set of household items as a welcome gift—details were shared during the episode.
Thanks for following along and for listening!
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