In this episode we discuss the sometimes-unspoken rules about what women “should” or “shouldn’t” keep around the house (Sherry admits she’s guilty of at least one). We also dig into the hot topic of metal finishes: do all the metals in a room need to match? Should finishes be consistent throughout the whole house? Is the brass trend finished, or is it here to stay? Along the way, listeners call in with their own hilarious and unexpected house quirks, and we share the best and most cringe-worthy moments from our trip to Palm Springs.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or listen to it on your preferred podcast platform. Use this page to find links, notes, and photos we referenced in the show.
What’s New
- Above is the eye-catching, colorful exterior of The Saguaro Hotel, where Alt Summit was held. Below is the less-photogenic bathroom from our room—fluorescent lighting didn’t do the bold colors any favors compared to daylight.
- We mentioned several people we met at the conference—there were far too many to name—but here are a few we singled out: Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook; Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom (founder of Alt Summit); and Jaime Derringer of Design Milk, whose deadpan humor we loved.
- We also ran into Mandi from Vintage Revivals and finally saw her trailer, “The Nugget,” in person. It’s even more impressive up close.
- We didn’t get to explore much of the town in daylight, but can we just appreciate how lovely the Palm Springs airport is—so much of it is outdoors, which feels special.
What’s Not
- We discussed a provocative article titled “13 Things a Woman Should Never EVER Have in Her Home,” which sparked some strong opinions on the show.
- For a more practical take, we also referenced lists about sensible items every woman might want in her home—useful, everyday recommendations rather than sweeping rules.
House Quirks
- If you want the full conversation about the odd little things we keep in our house, check Episode #32, where we talk about the stuff we don’t normally show.
Listener Question: Mixing Metals
- We showed a photo of our kitchen to illustrate mixing metals: polished nickel appears on faucets, cabinet pulls, and many light fixtures; stainless steel is on the appliances; and warmer gold tones appear in smaller, less-permanent accessories. The result feels layered and intentional rather than chaotic.
- Our son’s bedroom is another example. Several elements are oil-rubbed bronze—door hardware, curtain rod, and built-in pulls—while the ceiling fan and some frames are brushed nickel. Each finish appears in multiple places, which anchors the scheme.
- An older photo of our hall bathroom demonstrates how two finishes can coexist: brass mirrors paired with polished nickel hardware and lighting create contrast while still feeling cohesive.
- We also mentioned recent lighting designs that intentionally mix finishes—brass combined with matte black or polished nickel for a layered, updated look.
- As we discussed on the show, the rule of thumb is not to match every metal perfectly. Repeating each finish a few times throughout a room helps it read as intentional. Balance warm and cool tones, and use accessories to bridge finishes when needed.
We’re Digging
We highlighted a few products and ideas we’re excited about:
- Samplize pre-painted color sample decals—a project we supported early on and hope becomes widely available as an easy, low-mess way to try paint colors.
- Charcoal deodorizing bags that Sherry has loved for years. We keep them tucked on bookshelves or behind decor; they’re subtle and practical little odor absorbers that blend into a room.
If you’re trying to find something we’ve featured in a past episode, there’s a master list of everything we’ve been digging across previous shows—handy for tracking down older recommendations.
Check the full line of HANDy Paint Products at their site or ask for them wherever you buy paint.
*This post contains affiliate links*