This weekend we spent a few hours sorting through things we already owned and making a quick run to Target and Michael’s for a few inexpensive Halloween accents. Our goal was simple: decorate three areas of the living room—console table, coffee table, and dining table—without going overboard. We don’t usually go all out, but buying … Read more

Delivering The Washington Post was my first real job — what 6th grader wouldn’t enjoy waking up at 5 a.m. every day? So it felt surreal and full-circle when this blog ended up featured in that very paper. My dad, who was my delivery partner back then, was understandably proud. We didn’t expect such a … Read more

We finally painted our brick house white last week — hooray! The transformation was thrilling, but it wasn’t without the behind-the-scenes stress leading up to the big day. In this update we’re sharing the realities of taking on a major exterior project: the decisions, the small panics, and the doubts about what comes next. We’ll … Read more

I’m back to share this month’s bouquet—a thoughtful little Christmas present from my husband that has brightened our sunroom. Instead of buying a standard grocery-store bunch, we skipped the $3–$5 option and clipped a few white lilies from the backyard. They’ve been arranged in a mix of vases and repurposed beverage and wine bottles (some … Read more

Mini Makeover: A Cozy Gift-Wrapping and Letter-Writing Station Today I squeezed in a small but satisfying mini-makeover. John stayed home, feeling under the weather, so while he rested I quietly swapped a seldom-used reading chair for an old kitchen table that had been tucked away in the basement. The result is a bright, functional card-writing … Read more

Last week’s post about our floating CB2 vases prompted a reader to ask for more vase styling ideas beyond the grasses we had on display. So, here’s a fresh, contemporary take on how to use those same floating vessels to bring a clean, green look into your home. One of the simplest and most effective … Read more

Family Room Before and After: 1960s Step-Down Makeover When Anna sent photos of her family room remodel, we were excited to share this dramatic before-and-after transformation. Her project took a 1960s step-down family room from dark and dated to fresh, bright, and much more livable. Below she describes the changes and the simple updates that … Read more

Our neighbor recently asked me to help install a drip irrigation system for their new garden. My previous experience installing a DIY irrigation system felt overwhelming, so I approached this project cautiously. It turned out to be the opposite: simple, fast, and affordable. The whole setup cost roughly $75 and took just a few hours … Read more

Warning: the following project may look deceptively simple but is incredibly satisfying. Reader discretion is advised. We’ve now built two large DIY hook rails, and both projects delivered big benefits for little effort. These rails get used constantly. The first lives in our garage (featured in our second book, Lovable Livable Home) and the second … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** This might be my favorite giveaway name yet. It sounds like a band or a Pixar movie, but it simply sums up the two prize choices this week: RHINO or ROCKET. Cardboard Safari, the maker behind these clever designs, creates whimsical animal trophies and imaginative objects from interlocking, … Read more