The beach house is finally feeling like a real home. After more than a year of slow progress, we now have working appliances, a kitchen island, and even a functioning sink. Small victories feel huge — like the day we discovered the clawfoot tub was fully plumbed. That first soak didn’t go exactly as planned, but the plumber fixed the issue and we can now report peaceful, stress-free baths. This post covers that little plumbing saga, tips for mixing wood tones so a room feels curated rather than chaotic, the holiday decoration we’re loving this year, and the return of a fan-favorite segment as our holiday gift to you.
You can download the episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen using the player below. Use this page to find any links, photos, or notes we mention. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader you may need to open the post to view the player.
What’s New
- That photo was the calm-before-the-storm snapshot Sherry texted while I was at the hardware store. She was about to enjoy a relaxing bath — until a plumbing hiccup turned the moment into a mini-disaster. Fortunately the plumber sorted it out quickly, and she finally had a peaceful, panic-free soak over the weekend.
- We attended the Cape Charles Holiday Cookie Trail, a free community event where locals and visitors toured B&Bs and private homes while sampling cookies. It was fun to explore the town and see holiday decorations up close — including a beautiful Bed & Breakfast that’s visible from our house.
- The owner told us this house once sheltered a family of ten children, which makes it even more impressive that many original details remain intact — like the stunning staircase window featured above.
- We also toured several renovated bungalows. One in particular had a charming pink exterior that caught our eye — you know we have a soft spot for a good pink house.
- Another house on our walk wasn’t part of the tour, but it’s one we’ve admired for years. The kids were thrilled to see it all dressed up for the holidays, which highlighted the variety of architectural styles around town.
- We mentioned a rope railing on the podcast — here it is. Steel clips secure the rope to the underside of the rail, and it snakes up the stairs in a flowing S-pattern that’s both functional and decorative.
- At the top of the stairs there was a finished attic converted into a kids’ bunk room. Each bed was tucked into its own cozy nook — four full beds in all — and the setup was impossibly charming.
Quick Tip
- We discuss mixing metals in more depth in Episode #37 of the podcast. That’s a great listen if you want practical guidance on balancing finishes.
- The photo below demonstrates how to mix wood tones so a room feels collected instead of busy. Notice the lighter wood finish on the chairs, which is echoed by the marble-topped side table, the blinds, and a few small accents like frames and a wooden box. The medium wood TV console ties into the woven baskets and the hardwood floors. The darker gray side tables aren’t wood at all, but because there are two of them and they coordinate with the sofa and the rug’s darker hues, they help the room feel cohesive.
We’re Digging
- We’ve been using cordless LED streetside window candles for two holiday seasons and just added them to the beach house. They’re a big upgrade from plug-in candles: no cords, no nightly unplugging, and they run on an automatic schedule once you turn them on for the season. It makes bedtime so much easier when you don’t have to walk around the house turning lights off half asleep.
- If you prefer listening on Spotify, we’re now available there as well — you can find our show and stream episodes through the Spotify app.
If you’re trying to find a past recommendation we mentioned on the show but can’t remember which episode it was, check our master list of “We’re Digging” items from previous episodes. It compiles everything we’ve recommended so you can find it quickly.
There’s no sponsor this week — instead we’re dedicating the episode to you. As we all slow down to enjoy holiday food, family, and festivities, we want to say how grateful we are that you listen and spend time with us. Thank you, truly.
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