Tomorrow is the big reveal: our porch makeover completed as part of the Better Homes & Gardens and Home Depot 48-Hour Challenge. We know you’ve been waiting, so here’s a small teaser to give you a sense of what’s coming. Consider this a quick preview before the full before-and-after gallery goes live. During the final … Read more

Doorless bathrooms, toilets behind glass walls, showers and tubs placed openly in bedrooms—these “open concept” bathroom trends are popping up more often. Some people find them exciting and modern, while others worry about privacy. In this episode we explore what’s driving this trend, where we stand on the bathroom privacy spectrum, and the practical trade-offs … Read more

We’re trading the mainland for island inspiration this week with a special giveaway. While we’re not literally relocating, Honolulu’s So’mace Lifestyle is offering a taste of Hawaii through a small design boutique that celebrates sustainable, thoughtfully made home goods. So’mace Lifestyle grew out of a design practice founded in 2004 by former New Yorkers Kaypee … Read more

Put a birdcage on it. That’s right — why stop at putting a bird on something when you can hang an entire birdcage? Better yet: why stop at one when you can hang three? Sidenote: some readers asked about the brown sheet on the daybed. We still haven’t bought new sheets for that bed; most … Read more

We decided to go for it: we tested two paint colors we already owned on the bedroom walls to see if a darker tone—something John has been advocating for months—would work better. Remember when we mocked up a version of the room a while back? Imagine that mockup shifted toward a brown-gray, more of a … Read more

Work on the deck continues (we’re hoping to have an update for you on Monday unless an inspection throws us a curveball), but to close out the week with a little Father’s Day cheer, here’s a belated recap many of you asked for. The day included a few home-related moments and some nice gifts, so … Read more

I always seem to start holiday house tour posts with an excited shout, and this year is no exception. Here’s how we decorated our home for Christmas while keeping things simple, cozy, and kid-friendly. After last year’s push to simplify, we focused on decorations that feel festive without being overwhelming or time-consuming to install and … Read more

We found these frames at a yard sale and talked the seller down to $10 apiece. We’ve been calling them our twig & berries pieces. Right away we thought the tall, narrow shape would be perfect above the bedside lamps on our temporary side tables (they’re too small and have no drawers) on this unfinished … Read more

When Angie sent in her simple, inspiring chair makeover, we loved the result so much we had to share it. Below is her note, edited for clarity and flow to highlight the process and the outcome. I adore your aesthetic and read your blog every day. A few months ago I discovered blogs and yours … Read more

Welcome to our 2025 Holiday Gift Guides — all compiled into one post to help you shop this season. These picks include gifts we’re buying for family and friends this year, items we already own and love, and finds from small businesses and larger retailers. Nothing here was gifted or sponsored; these are things we … Read more