Just like last year’s roundup of budget-friendly holiday gifts, we’re back with this year’s favorite finds. We visited three well-known stores that are widely accessible (or available online) and photographed thoughtful, affordable items that won’t break the bank. Most picks cost only a few dollars and nothing in this selection exceeds the low $20s. Many … Read more

Hope you all had a great Labor Day. We split the day between family time and tackling some house projects, which is honestly our ideal mix. This week is shaping up to be busy with book-related commitments nearly every day, but we managed to finish a few things to share here. We hope to be … Read more

For anyone wondering where the April Superlatives went—here they are. Last week was all about organizing, and somehow we weren’t organized enough to publish this on time. Oops. Before May gets too far along, here’s a yearbook-style roundup of the projects and moments we checked off our to-do list in April. We even included a … Read more

A lot of you have been asking what I picked up from Target for Nate’s big weekend debut. I’m a devoted fan (remember that almost-touching-moment?) and was determined to be first in line. Even though we’d just returned from a trip the night before, I was up early Sunday and at Target the moment they … Read more

A few readers spotted the small white object on the floor at the left side of the photo of our new salt lamp and asked what it was. It isn’t a stray sock or a piece of decor—it’s Burger’s little food and water station, cleverly tucked behind the media stand so it stays out of … Read more

When we decided more than two years ago to number every tip in our book, we hoped one day to offer an online place where readers could share their versions of the projects by referencing the project number. That day has arrived. This page will collect reader submissions tied to specific projects, and over time … Read more

Installing drywall doesn’t have to be intimidating—you can do it yourself. I managed to drywall our entire laundry room, including the ceiling, in one day without an extra pair of hands. In this guide I’ll walk you through the tools, techniques, and the one tool that made the job possible. Drywall Installation Tools & Materials … Read more

Note: This post grew out of an updated Before & After page that some readers had trouble finding, so we’ve turned it into a standalone chronological post to keep a permanent snapshot of our progress. We’ll continue updating the live Before & After page over time, but this post freezes a moment in our renovation … Read more

Have you heard of the Furniture Free movement? It caught my attention, so Sherry and I decided to give it a try for seven days (Sherry agreed—reluctantly). What does it mean to live furniture free, and how might it change our daily routines and the way our home feels? Will it make us happier, or … Read more

We finally made the call: the old floral curtains had to go. They’d been hanging for years, charming in their own way, but they no longer fit our style. After a few jokes about celebrity looks and a bit of hesitation, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work removing them. At first glance … Read more