Well, our new washer and dryer have arrived! We promised to share how the installation went, what we did with the floors underneath, and our early impressions. Over the years we’ve tried different laundry setups: in our first house we had front-loaders with a counter… In our second house we had stacked front-loaders with cubbies … Read more

A while back we promised a primer in contractor negotiation, so here it is. Negotiating with contractors isn’t as intimidating as it sounds, and getting multiple estimates is a great way to practice your skills while potentially saving money. Below are practical, time-tested tips for communicating with electricians, floor refinishers, landscapers and other tradespeople so … Read more

Q: First, I want to say that I love your blog! Your home seems so fresh and inviting! I love your style! On the other hand, I feel like I have so much trouble with decorating indecision. I think I have a great plan all laid out for a room but when I get to … Read more

We painted our exterior brick… but it’s not what you think. Many people ask if we would ever paint our little brick ranch. The truth is that although we seriously considered painting the exterior when we first bought the house, we’ve come to love the original brick and the low-maintenance life it offers. Brick ranches … Read more

We’re sharing the final tutorial from our recent R. Home column on reinventing thrift-store finds: how to paint terra cotta pots on a budget. You may have seen this makeover in the magazine, but below is a clear, step-by-step guide so you can recreate the look at home. This project is inexpensive, quick, and a … Read more

Happy Friday! We’re painting the foyer today (photos on Monday), but before we get to that I wanted to share two bathroom-related updates—one of them a rather large oops. Consider this your heads-up that DIY doesn’t always go perfectly, but it usually turns out fine. First up: the vanity. We decided to remove the little … Read more

We’re finally back on speaking terms with the basement. After a rough run-in with mildew during our first Drylok attempt, we feel accomplished having completed the first major step toward turning a cinder block insect shelter into a clean, functional storage area. If you remember, mildew broke through our first coat of white latex-based Drylok … Read more

On December 30th I realized we didn’t have our 2013 calendar ready. A few hours on New Year’s Eve morning and a couple more the next evening produced our fourth homemade calendar. As in years past, we’re sharing the file so you can download it and swap in your own photos and quotes to personalize … Read more

We’ve been on an organizing kick lately, so we invited professional organizers—Clea and Joanna from The Home Edit, who have helped organize celebrity spaces—to share their best tips. They explain common ways people unintentionally sabotage their organizing efforts, how to choose the right baskets and bins, and how to use labels without driving yourself crazy. … Read more

By sheer coincidence, our actual blogiversary (which fell last Friday) came just days before what we fondly call a “dogiversary” here at home. Burger’s birthday was this week—yesterday, in fact—and he turned four years old. Happy birthday, Burgmeister! Here’s the old man now in a little tribute inspired by his sister’s weekly photos: We celebrated … Read more