Bethany Beach, Delaware: Vacation Highlights & Travel Tips

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Last week we found ourselves singing the opening line of the song Starships—“Let’s go to the beach, each, let’s go get away”—because we actually went to the beach. It was our annual family vacation to Bethany Beach on the Delaware coast, a week we spend with relatives every summer. This year the trip coincided with … Read more

Moving Overload? Smart Ways to Manage Too Many Boxes

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We’ve seen box-filled rooms before, but this one takes the idea to a whole new level. The scene you’re looking at is what we affectionately called our “Box Graveyard” — the guest bedroom completely stacked with empty moving boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and other supplies. After days of carefully wrapping and labeling, there was … Read more

Peninsula Kitchen Makeover: Dramatic Before and After

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When Melissa shared photos of her sleek, modern kitchen makeover, we barely recognized the space. Her thoughtful updates and budget-savvy choices transformed a builder-grade condo kitchen into a bright, inviting cooking area. Below is her story in her own words, followed by our observations and tips inspired by her remodel. I love following your design … Read more

Holiday Decorating Traditions From Around the World

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After receiving hundreds of submissions from readers across Australia, South Africa, India, Colombia and many other countries, we collected some of the most delightful and surprising ways people decorate their homes for holidays around the world. From vibrant Diwali rangoli patterns to intricate Nativity scenes in Latin America, and from Advent wreaths to Hanukkah displays, … Read more

Make a Fabric Window Shade: Step-by-Step DIY Guide

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Surprise — we painted the guest bathroom this weekend: walls, trim, and even the ceiling. We went with a clean, bright white (Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore) to freshen the whole room. It feels much lighter and more open already. Why white? The previous paint looked dingy, and repainting was the simplest way to brighten … Read more

Stainless Steel Kitchen Hood: Design, Installation and Care

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After fifteen painfully slow days of impatient waiting, our kitchen remodel picked back up again this past Monday with the arrival of the replacement corner cabinet. It was a small moment that felt huge: the project finally moved forward after a frustrating pause, and the home began to look like the finished kitchen we’ve been … Read more

How to Paint Your Front Door Bright Yellow

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Here’s a little hint: y-e-l-l-o-w-d-o-o-r. I’m painting our front door a cheerful, rain-boot yellow. That’s my playful name for the swatch we selected — a glossy, sunny yellow that immediately lifts the mood. I wish I could share after photos already, but real-life prep took longer than I expected. The good news is the heavy … Read more

Tile Updates, Room Plans and a New Interior Door

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Back to the room that literally didn’t exist a few weeks ago. Excuse the all-caps excitement, but in our world this is major progress. (Side note: I dreamed last night about a newspaper column called “Shellac This!”—a daily feature about shellacking a different piece of furniture—and everyone was obsessed. It even turned into a movie … Read more

How to Seal Ardex Concrete Countertops

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Thanks for all the warm messages about Teddy’s arrival last week. We’re home now and finding our rhythm as parents to a newborn again (if anyone has tips for getting a baby to sleep between 10pm and 4am, we’re all ears). We’ll be keeping a lighter schedule for a bit, but one task we hurried … Read more

Build Sturdy DIY Garage Shelving: Step-by-Step Plans

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When we needed heavy-duty shelving for our new shed, we followed a clear, reliable tutorial from Ana White. These shelves hold heavy items—power tools, paint cans and bulky gear—and are remarkably simple to build, even for beginners. The design is sturdy, adaptable, and fast to assemble, making it a great option for garage or shed … Read more