In this episode we discuss the things people say women “should” or “shouldn’t” keep around the house (Sherry admits she’s guilty of at least one). We also take a deep dive into metal finishes: should finishes match within a room, throughout a house, or is mixing metals perfectly acceptable? Is the brass trend finished or still going strong? Plus, listeners call in with their own funny house quirks, and we share both the highlights and the awkward moments from our trip to Palm Springs.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen to it below. Use this page to find the links, notes, and photos we referenced. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you might need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- Above is the vivid, colorful exterior of The Saguaro Hotel where Alt Summit was held. Below is the bathroom from our room — turns out fluorescent lighting doesn’t flatter bold color palettes the way daylight does.
- We mentioned several people we met at the conference (there were many more). A few folks we shouted out on the episode include:
- Jenny Komenda from Little Green Notebook (we interviewed her on Episode #31, a fan favorite)
- Gabrielle Blair from Design Mom (founder of Alt Summit)
- Jaime Derringer from Design Milk (her dry humor stood out)
- We also ran into Mandi from Vintage Revivals. We’ve met her before at other conferences, but this time we finally saw her trailer, The Nugget, in person — it’s even cooler up close.
- We didn’t get to explore much of the town in daylight, but the Palm Springs airport is worth mentioning — so much of it is outdoors, which is a lovely surprise.
What’s Not
- We discussed an Elle Decor piece that sparked our reactions: a list titled “13 Things A Woman Should Never EVER Have In Their Home.” We had some strong opinions about it.
- For a more practical perspective, we also referenced a list of useful items titled “Things Women SHOULD Have in Their House.”
House Quirks
- If you want the original conversation about our own house quirks, check out Episode #32.
Listener Question: Mixing Metals
- The kitchen photo above shows how we layer finishes: polished nickel appears on the faucet, pulls, and lights, while the appliances are stainless steel and some accessories have gold tones.
- Our son’s bedroom is another example of deliberate layering: oil-rubbed bronze appears on the doorknob, curtain rod, and built-in pulls, while brushed nickel is used for the ceiling fan and some frames to create balance.
- An older photo of our hall bathroom shows two finishes working together: brass mirrors paired with polished nickel cabinet hardware and lighting.
- We also mentioned lighting designs that intentionally mix metals. For example, the Dapper Wall Sconce combines brass and matte black and is also available in polished nickel for those who prefer a single finish.
- We ran a poll about how listeners feel about brass. The poll has closed, but it sparked a lot of opinions.
(POLL HAS CLOSED)
We’re Digging
- We backed the Samplize Indiegogo campaign — pre-painted color sample decals could be a helpful tool if they deliver on the promise.
- Sherry remains a fan of charcoal deodorizing bags and recently replaced our old ones. They function quietly and blend in visually, often tucked behind decor or on a bookshelf.
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