Many people are surprised that our entire pool area is lit using only solar LED landscape lights. The sun charges them during the day, and at night they provide a soft, effortless glow—no plugs, no wiring, and no noticeable change to our electric bill. Today I’m sharing the three solar products we use so you … Read more

The excitement started yesterday when we went to the stone yard to view our granite slabs and reached a surprising turning point when we saw a massive slab of Blanc Noir. The petite sample we fell for months ago — white with delicate gray and black flecks — looked nothing like the much larger slab … Read more

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #15 of Young House Love Has A Podcast. In this episode we talk about college students whose over-the-top dorm rooms have gone viral, and we share where we stand on the debate. We also open up about our own college housing memories. HGTV designer Vern Yip calls in … Read more

Removing that section of the wall and the contractor felt like a big step, but there’s still a lot to do before the opening feels finished. Unless you think an exposed construction zone makes a beautiful dining room. Local readers have asked for the contractor’s contact, and since we were very happy with his work … Read more

Thank you for the encouragement this morning to finally write out my long-held memories of September 11th. It’s hard to put into words, but I want to have this recorded — both for myself and for Clara, when she’s older and I need to explain the magnitude of that day. It was a terrible day, … Read more

As moving week arrives, we wanted to take one last look back at the exterior progress we’ve made over the years. Before we share photos of the empty house and a list of what stayed with the property, here’s a final outdoor tour recap. We recorded outdoor video tours in 2011 and 2012, and the … Read more

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #11 of Young House Love Has A Podcast. What happens when partners have different design tastes? In this episode we talk about how we balance contrasting aesthetics at home, share strategies other couples can use to meet in the middle, and offer practical tips for decorating together without … Read more

Ever wondered if you could DIY a kitchen backsplash? It’s easier and more affordable than most people think. We installed this subway tile backsplash in my aunt’s kitchen using inexpensive tile sheets. The whole job took about two half-days and cost roughly $200. Why Add a Kitchen Backsplash? A backsplash adds style, protects your walls, … Read more

Before the Homearama show wrapped up this weekend, we slipped in on Friday with Teddy in our baby carrier (Clara was with the grandparents) to see the homes while visitors were still touring. It was great to chat with attendees, watch our pantry steadily fill with donated food, and even spot a sweet note left … Read more

Offices inevitably accumulate a tangle of wires and cables. Our home office was no exception. After building some under-desk storage, we still had an unruly mess beneath the workspace. With a baby on the way who would soon be crawling, we wanted to tidy that area for safety and aesthetics. We also had two practical … Read more