A few years ago we began a design project with a local builder that had us genuinely excited — only to have it fall apart for reasons we never expected. It still disappoints us when we think about it. In this post we share that story, the surprising way Sherry found an amazing secondhand piece for the beach house, and highlights from your feedback about houses that feel too big. We also talk about pulling off a relaxed game night with friends and give details on our new collaboration with A Beautiful Mess.
You can download the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or Spotify — or listen wherever you get podcasts. Use this page to follow any of the links or to view the photos we referenced in the episode. If you’re reading from a feed reader, you may need to open the post in a browser to access the player or audio platform.
What’s New
- Those are the metal outdoor chairs Sherry described finding on Facebook Marketplace. They turned out to be surprisingly comfortable and just need a fresh coat of paint to be beach-house ready.
- I convinced Sherry to try on some of the shorts she mentioned in the episode. She liked the fit, and we shared the outfit details during the show.
- For context, we included a screenshot of the listing where Sherry first spotted the chairs. She has a knack for spotting furniture finds — it’s like furniture-seeking radar.
- We also mentioned other Marketplace finds, like the marble-topped dresser in the beach house foyer and an inlay dresser that Sherry repaired herself. Thrifting and secondhand hunting remain great ways to add character without the cost of new pieces.
- If you’re planning a game night, we loosely followed classic rules for the social deduction game Mafia. We also referenced a helpful round-up of easy, low-key party games to choose from if you want more options.
Podcast E-Course
- We teamed up with A Beautiful Mess to create a go-at-your-own-pace “Launch a Podcast” e-course. The course is structured like a series of practical lessons, complete with photos, audio, and video, and includes a Q&A forum where students can ask questions and interact with instructors.
- Topics covered include audio recording and editing, show format and branding, submitting a podcast to major platforms, audience growth strategies, and basic advice about sponsorships and advertising.
- We also linked to a written series on starting, growing, and monetizing a blog for anyone interested in that path.
Too Big Houses, Part 2
- If you missed the first conversation about realizing we don’t need as much space as we once thought, check out Episode #95 for the original discussion and results from our listener polls. The feedback from listeners was thoughtful and pointed out many trade-offs beyond square footage when choosing a home.
- We shared comments from Instagram and Facebook that captured a wide range of opinions about house size, family needs, and lifestyle priorities. Hearing listener perspectives helped shape our follow-up conversation.
- We also reflected on past projects, including a Homearama showhouse we designed in 2014 and the charitable room makeovers we created that year. Those projects remind us how intent and purpose shape the size and function of rooms.
We’re Digging
- Sherry shared recent clothing finds from Old Navy, including a few colorful pieces that marked a small break from her usual black wardrobe. She also wore a dress to a graduation celebration that we mentioned in the episode.
- We recommended the Story Pirates podcast as a kid-friendly show that adults can enjoy too; it’s full of imaginative stories and musical moments that are fun for the whole family.
If you’re trying to remember a past episode or a specific item we mentioned, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been “digging” across our shows that makes it easy to find past recommendations and resources.
Finally, thanks to Room & Board for sponsoring this episode. They offer an assortment of well-made furniture and home goods — including bathroom vanities — and they provide a free catalog for design inspiration delivered to your mailbox.
Thanks for listening and for following along.
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