Welcome to the show notes for Episode 11 of Young House Love Has A Podcast. In this episode we tackle what to do when you and your partner prefer different design aesthetics, share practical approaches that work in our home, and offer tips to help other couples find a balanced decorating path. We also talk about what drives professional organizers crazy, identify organizing habits that can be counterproductive, and share listener updates — including what it’s like to live in a house that was featured on Trading Spaces, who’s inspiring pool envy, and why a glass bowl temporarily appeared on our lawn (spoiler: it solved a yellow jacket problem, not curb appeal).
Listen to Episode 11
You can listen to this episode on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or through your preferred podcast player. These show notes collect the links, references, and images we mentioned during the episode so you can follow up on anything that caught your interest.
What’s New
- That glass bowl in our yard was an improvised fix for a yellow jacket nest. It worked — we successfully removed it later and mowed the area without being attacked.
- If you missed the original lawn mower story, check Episode 1 for the backstory on why that early detail became a recurring joke in the podcast.
What’s Not
- We mentioned a Good Housekeeping roundup listing the top pet peeves professional organizers notice most. It’s a useful checklist if you’re trying to get a system in place without falling into common traps.
Listener Question & How to Send One
- If you’d like to leave a voicemail question for a future show, call: (571) 4-YHL-HAP or (571) 494-5427. Please keep your message short and begin with your first name and location (for example, “Hi, I’m Jesse from New Jersey”).
- During the episode we referenced an older photo of our living room to illustrate how we mix masculine and feminine design elements. Here’s that image for reference.
Update
- We described a bathroom with a floral pattern that we saw recently — this is the room we referenced when talking about bold choices and how patterns can shift the feel of a space.
- If you missed our earlier segment that included a game about Hildi Santo-Tomas from Trading Spaces, review Episode 4 for that conversation and additional behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Products and Tools We’re Using
- Duvet clips: We talked about duvet cover clips that make bed-making easier and keep the insert in place. We liked them enough to order a second set for our guest room.
- Gratitude journals: If you’re inspired to start a gratitude practice, a nice notebook can make it easier to keep the habit. We mentioned a few pretty options and noted which one we preferred.
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Design Compromise: Tips We Shared
When partners have different aesthetics, small strategies help maintain harmony and create a cohesive home. Start by identifying shared priorities — comfort, durability, or color palettes — then choose a few focal pieces that reflect both tastes. Mix textures and finishes to balance opposing styles rather than trying to force a single look. Remember that flexibility and experimentation are part of the process: swap a lamp, try different bedding, or commit to one room as the “you” space while jointly designing the main living areas.
Organizing: What Helps and What Hurts
Professional organizers often see the same mistakes: too many storage solutions that hide clutter without reducing it, organizing systems that are too complicated to maintain, or one-size-fits-all solutions that don’t match a family’s daily habits. Simple, sustainable systems that reflect how you actually live — not how you wish you lived — are the most effective. Consider purging items you don’t use, assigning a home for frequently used things, and setting realistic maintenance routines.
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