This week we’re discussing when it makes sense to undo a personal renovation or decor choice in your home that could deter potential buyers—and when it’s better to leave your unique touches alone. We also dig into how store return policies are changing and why that matters for DIYers. Being able to return decor that doesn’t work out is a great safety net, but some retailers are cracking down on frequent returns and tracking customer behavior. We share what we learned about how returns are being policed and offer practical tips to avoid having your account flagged. Plus, we recap a recent blogging conference in Austin, I share an “aha” moment about something you sleep on, and Sherry gets a surprise birthday message from a celebrity that made her whole day.
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What’s New
- This first photo shows our home quickly getting dusted with snow as we headed to the airport for a conference in Austin a few weeks ago.
- We were heads-down taking notes during the conference so we didn’t take a lot of photos, but here’s a quick group shot on our way out the door. From left to right: Jeremy & Katie (Bower Power), us, Amanda & Corey (Love & Renovations), and Julia & Chris (Chris Loves Julia).
- We also captured a long-distance shot of a keynote speaker, Randi Zuckerberg, during her talk. She shared some thoughtful ideas about kids and technology and mentioned her children’s book Dot, which explores the relationship between kids and screens and has a strong, age-appropriate message.
- Another fun moment: we snapped a photo of the birthday girl arriving in a Tesla that ended up being our Uber for dinner. It felt like a scene from a movie when everyone on the curb expected someone more glamorous to step out.
- There’s a short video moment where you can see the Tesla doors in action and hear us whooping when we realized it was our ride. The interior features a very large navigation screen and plenty of tech that had us chatting with the driver about range and charging.
Can We Just Talk About?
- Retailers are increasingly monitoring returns to reduce fraud and cut costs. That shift means some customers who frequently return items, or who return things in poor condition, can see restrictions or account flags. If you rely on generous return policies to make online decor and furniture purchases with confidence, this trend is important to know about.
- We discussed why return policies give us peace of mind in an earlier episode of the podcast and why they matter for trial-and-error decorating. Being mindful about condition, packaging, and honest communication when returning items can help minimize the risk of negative account actions.
Listener Question
- The house with the garage-turned-theater was included in our earlier roundup of homes we considered before buying our current place; it’s labeled as “The Garage Theater House” in that collection.
- Sherry is preparing a full post with staging tips and plenty of before-and-after photos. As a preview, she shared how a dining room that doubled as an office and homework area was styled for photos, and then simplified when it came time to sell. The changes were mostly small and practical—removing clutter, scaling back wall art, and simplifying surfaces rather than making major renovations.
- In another example, staging a kitchen made more sense once the island was moved back to the center, which showcased flow and function more clearly. Small layout tweaks like that can make a big difference in photos and showings.
- We also revisited our prior home’s carport after adding a pergola to dress it up—we nicknamed it the “cargola.” We chose not to enclose it into a garage because that would have made nearby rooms feel darker and more cramped. The current owners kept the space as a carport, so it still appears much like it did when we lived there.
We’re Digging
- Above is the first mail-order box spring we bought a couple of years ago when we switched a guest room from a platform bed to a regular metal frame. That wooden model illustrated how the pieces come together, but we later switched to a more affordable metal foundation that’s lighter, easier to assemble, and just as comfortable. If you’re shopping for foundations, consider metal options for ease and value.
- Assembling a box spring or foundation tends to be straightforward: assemble the frame, zip the cover around it, and set it on the bed frame. These small practical buys can make a big difference in sleep quality and room presentation.
- And on a lighter note: Sherry received a personalized birthday message from a reality-TV personality, which she absolutely loved. It was a silly, fun gift that produced a memorable reaction—and reminded us that small, personal surprises can make ordinary days feel special.
If you’re trying to find something we’ve recommended in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to check, we have a comprehensive list of past favorites compiled for easy browsing. It’s a useful resource for rediscovering tips, projects, and products we’ve mentioned over time.
We’d like to thank West Elm LOCAL Experiences for sponsoring the episode. They support local makers and creators, and their program helps highlight small businesses and creative communities—an initiative that resonates with DIYers and makers.
Thanks for listening and for following along. We appreciate you joining us for another episode full of home projects, practical advice, and a few fun moments along the way.
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