This morning, while Clara was occupied with another task, I decided to finish a small bathroom repair that had been waiting for attention. The job was straightforward but necessary: A few days ago I applied spackle to several small cracks and uneven spots in the bathroom walls. Even though we were thrilled with the big … Read more

Who doesn’t want more money and fewer financial headaches? In this episode we speak with personal finance expert Tanja Hester about how value-driven spending and creating a clear “money mission statement” can help you achieve even your loftiest financial goals. Whether you’re saving for a home in a particular neighborhood, planning a major renovation, or … Read more

It’s time to open every cabinet, drawer, and door to show how we organized our smaller kitchen after a slow renovation over the last two years. This walkthrough highlights how much more functional the space has become since we first shared our storage solutions nearly two years ago. We also made a video tour that … Read more

Who wants to refinish a table? You? Great — we refinished two dining tables using elbow grease, zero chemical strippers, and a lot of sanding. It’s proof that an old thrifted or hand‑me‑down piece can be refreshed without a huge budget or complicated products. Why Refinish A Table? We needed two dining tables for our … Read more

Every time we share a photo that includes the framed collage above our living room console table, we get the same question: where did the big P print come from or how did we make it? The answer is simple, inexpensive, and totally do-able—it’s just a blown-up initial taken from a magazine. Here’s how it … Read more

Who remembers that old furniture-and-pillow hoard at the end of the hall we used to call “the storage room”? We ended up sacrificing a corner of it to create our laundry room, which left the remaining space more rectangular and easier to access thanks to the new glass door we installed at the end of … Read more

When Jen sent us photos of her stunning kitchen makeover all the way from England, we were excited to share the transformation. Below is her note describing the project and how she pulled it together. I absolutely love your blog and find your style so inspiring. I wanted to share my latest project with you … Read more

You already know we like to keep all our extra decorating pieces together in one cabinet we affectionately call the Decor Store. That way new arrangements and mini makeovers are easy and free whenever the urge strikes. When I wanted a fresh look for the dining room table, I rummaged through that collection. The table … Read more

Over the years of writing about home projects, readers sometimes ask about my family — how many siblings I have, what my childhood was like, and so on. I’ve always described it as an unconventional childhood, in the best possible way. I was raised by my mom and dad, who separated when I was very … Read more

“I’m Blue Da Ba Dee Dabba Da-eeeeee” (anyone remember that song?). Picture us maniacally singing it while priming and painting trim for days. We’re slowly losing our minds, but we’re having fun doing it. If you want to hum along vicariously, go ahead — it makes the process feel less solo and a little less … Read more