This weekend we helped John’s sister and brother-in-law move into the beautiful new house they designed themselves. Between the inevitable sore muscles and the nonstop carrying, we picked up some reliable, time-saving moving techniques. Since they worked so well, we wanted to pass them along. But first, here’s a shot of their stunning kitchen: Moving … Read more

Step right up to a wall of playfulness! After we moved Clara’s crib out of her room and shifted the dresser to the old crib wall, the area to the right of the bed was left completely bare. That empty white expanse begged for some personality, so we decided to turn it into a lively … Read more

Cork Flooring Complete in the Kitchen and Laundry Room Hooray — the cork floor in both the kitchen and the laundry room is installed. While there are still a few finishing touches left (shoe molding, thresholds and sealing), the majority of the work is done and we finally get to see how the space comes … Read more

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