On this week’s episode, we tackle a very human design dilemma: what do you do when a sentimental hand-me-down simply doesn’t fit with the rest of your home? If you try and try and still can’t make it work, do you keep it out of guilt—giving it the everlasting side-eye—or do you let it go and worry you’re being heartless? We also share one of Sherry’s house plans that quickly unraveled, and I get candid about those online “find your style” quizzes that promise to pinpoint your aesthetic. Plus: we highlight an underrated kitchen accessory, discover what your home state smells like with a fun product line, and get a surprise voicemail from a very recognizable neighbor.
You can download the episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen using the player below. Use this page to find any links, notes, and photos we mention. 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
Here’s a quick roundup of the fresh topics we covered on the show and the resources we referenced. We discuss practical ways to evaluate sentimental pieces so you can decide whether to thoughtfully keep, repurpose, or pass them along. We also walk through a real-life layout misstep Sherry spotted during a house tour (you can see the problematic “stairs” in the photo above). Finally, we reflect on the usefulness—and limitations—of online design quizzes.
- The photo above was taken by Sherry during a house tour. Notice the stairs shown in the bottom right; if built as drawn they would block access from the foyer and interrupt the open kitchen/living flow if shifted left.
- We referenced an Emily Henderson post that inspired our thoughts on design quizzes and how they can spark ideas without defining you.
- We reviewed our own archives and found that many old posts about online design quizzes are no longer active. While the recaps remain, the original quizzes often disappear over time—something to keep in mind when relying on these tools.
- For those who enjoy taking a quiz just for fun, here are several current options we mentioned:
- Emily Henderson’s Home Style Quiz
- Houzz’s What’s Your Decorating Style? Quiz
- Apartment Therapy’s Ultimate Find Your Style Quiz
- The Novogratz’s Gratzi Design Quiz (mobile access suggested)
- HGTV’s collection of quizzes for quick inspiration
- And yes, BuzzFeed still has its playful personality quizzes—apparently I came up as banana bread on their “What type of bread are you?” quiz.
What’s Not
- Curious how your home state might smell? We mentioned Homesick Candles as a fun, nostalgic way to capture regional scents—browse the full collection at Homesick Candles.
Listener Calls
We love hearing from listeners. If you have a home design or DIY question, you can leave us a voicemail at 571-4-YHLHAP (571-494-5427). Below are a few of the items and examples we discuss in this episode so you can see the pieces in context.
- The green buffet in our dining room that we mentioned—this piece arrived with a few blemishes, and we took care of paint touch-ups to make it sing in the space.
- A hand-me-down dresser from John’s dad that we transformed. It’s now living a new life in our master closet; see the process at our makeover post.
- For more thoughts on mixing sentimental pieces with practical style, check out our second book, Lovable Livable Home (topics starting around page 29).
We’re Digging
Here are a few items and ideas that caught our attention this week and that we think are worth sharing with anyone interested in home design, family projects, or clever small gifts:
- My Crazy Invention Sketchbook — a playful blend of art and engineering that encourages kids to design creative solutions and have fun with problem solving.
- Sherry’s favorite fruit bowls—practical picks that look great on the counter. We rounded up several options in a set of curated links for easy browsing.
Psst—looking for a past recommendation we mentioned on an earlier episode? We keep a master list of everything we’ve recommended over the years. Visit our master list of “We’re Digging” picks to find old favorites and rediscover things you loved.
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