Three cheers for a quick $12 project that took only fifteen minutes and left us grinning. Sometimes a small, inexpensive change is all you need to lift the mood and refresh a room. We swapped out the old knobs on our dining room built-ins, and the result feels like a tiny, joyful makeover. There was … Read more

We finally found dining chairs at a price we couldn’t pass up, thanks to a Craigslist tip from our friend Sandra. She emailed the listing and it turned out to be exactly what we had in mind: Parsons chairs with simple lines and sturdy construction. The upholstery was a loud green and blue swirl that … Read more

And now a post about saving money—because the groceries we save on mean more budget for paint and projects. Since I recently shared my 2011 goal to learn coupons and save more this year, here’s a practical update for anyone else trying to turn paper clippings into real savings. I saved $53 at the grocery … Read more

What fun is a house without a little bit of weird? If your home could use a dose of character, charm, or just a few conversation starters, this week’s $250 gift card to UncommonGoods could be exactly what you need. UncommonGoods specializes in home decor that leans toward the unexpected: creative servingware, clever organizing solutions, … Read more

We took a short day trip last weekend to Farmville, a small town about an hour from Richmond that sits deep in rural Central Virginia. The main reason for our outing was to take a family bike ride on the newly opened rails-to-trails corridor called High Bridge Trail State Park, which has quickly become a … Read more

We’re in the middle of a big move right now. Boxes are everywhere, furniture is in flux, and our schedule is a little uncertain — we don’t yet know exactly when we’ll be able to check in with updates. The closing time for this afternoon could still shift, and there’s a chance the final move … Read more

Last Friday on this post we received a comment that sounded like a fun idea: “I love your videos and it’s crazy to see the difference in YHL style from the first house to this house! If you wanted to do a side-by-side of rooms past and present, I wouldn’t hate it :)” — Sarah. … Read more

This is the story of a door that became a desk and then a pint-sized activity table. When Clara caught the coloring bug a few weeks ago, it became obvious she needed a dedicated surface other than the floor. Tummy-drawing is fine, but sometimes a proper little table is nicer for crayons, markers, and paper. … Read more

Ok, we have a fun little craft for you, complete with an easy how-to and some festive photos. First things first: we finally got our tree decorated this past weekend. Each year we enjoy changing things up a bit with a loose theme or a few fresh ideas, but this year the theme was simple … Read more

Let’s talk about what Santa brought us this year. This Christmas felt extra special because, for the first time in seven Decembers together, we woke up in our own beds and opened presents under our own tree as a family. In past years we’d always traveled, so having that slow, cozy morning at home made … Read more