Sherry has picked up a new side gig that I’m politely avoiding — and, unsurprisingly, it’s already given her a perfect excuse to shop for a few things. Meanwhile, our goal of spending a night at the beach house by the start of summer slipped away thanks to an unexpected delay we couldn’t have predicted. We also discuss which home design trends people are most ready to retire (shiplap, succulents, decorative poufs — you decide), and I finally checked off one irritating outdoor project on my Father’s Day to-do list. Oh — and there was a deer sighting.
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What’s New
- Above is the “after” photo of the house Sherry lightly staged — no major furniture swaps, just decluttering, rearranging, simplifying, and adding pillows, art, and a few accessories. The transformation relied heavily on removing personal items so potential buyers could focus on the home’s architecture and flow. Sherry also loves quick, free greenery: a pitcher or vase filled with fresh yard clippings does wonders.
- The house received multiple offers within a day of being listed. As you might expect, Sherry celebrated like she’d just gotten her own “sold” moment from a movie.
- You can hear more about her staging and a few larger DIY prep projects in Episode #41 of our podcast, which covered getting a friend’s house ready to sell.
- We also stopped by the beach house last week to check on progress. The exterior looks much more finished than the interior, but it’s encouraging to see the shell shaping up.
- We didn’t get a shot of the fawn this visit, so here’s a photo from a couple of years ago — still adorable and very hungry.
What Home Decor Trend Has To Go?
- If you want to weigh in on a few trend face-offs, we referenced a BuzzFeed poll where readers vote on which decor trends should be retired. It’s a fun way to see what’s feeling tired and what’s still beloved.
- Sherry has also been seeing a lot of fancy cheese boards in her social feeds — once you click one, the ads follow. We shared a handful of the boards that have been stalking her on Facebook for inspiration or eye-rolls, depending on your take.
Can We Just Talk About…
- We’ve been seeing alarmist takes about certain TV renovation shows being “partly fake.” These stories get attention quickly, but the idea that some reality renovation shows stage scenes or coach participants isn’t new — similar observations about shows like House Hunters have circulated for years.
- Even when people are surprised, it’s worth remembering the industry context: television producers often shape stories for clarity and pacing, and elements such as staged shots or curated furniture are sometimes part of that process. There are a few blog posts and a couple of humorous spoofs that explore the behind-the-scenes reality of these programs and point out how “after” photos can look different from what buyers actually keep.
- As for quiz-style game shows filmed on the street, there are also recollections from contestants who describe their experience as more produced than spontaneous. It’s a reminder to enjoy television while keeping a healthy sense of how shows are made.
We’re Digging
- Recently we noticed some Ikea items listed on Amazon. That can be convenient if you can’t get to an Ikea, though prices on Amazon are often higher. We mentioned a number of examples we spotted and later learned that many listings were from third-party sellers, not Ikea itself — Ikea said they’re exploring official options for Amazon in the future.
- I also linked back to an old post about the first time we mulched the yard, because mulch triumphs (and mishaps) are eternally relatable. This year the delivery driver misunderstood my instructions and dumped the mulch about 15 feet in front of the flagged area — right on the grass. Next time I’ll draw a map.
If you’re trying to find a product or topic we’ve mentioned in the past, we keep a master list of everything we’ve covered on the podcast, which is handy for tracking down past tips, projects, and shopping notes.
Finally, a thank-you to Delta for sponsoring this episode. Check out Delta Faucet’s products and the inspiration behind their designs, including the Cassidy line, on their website.
Thanks for listening, and for following along with our projects. *This post contains affiliate links.*