We’ve been on an organizing kick lately, so we invited professional organizers—Clea and Joanna of The Home Edit (known for organizing celebrity pantries, including Gwyneth Paltrow’s)—to chat with us, along with Target’s new home organizing experts. They explain common mistakes that sabotage organizing efforts, how to choose the right baskets and bins, and sensible labeling strategies that won’t drive you crazy. Plus, Sherry shares two new free sources of design inspiration she’s been devouring, John reflects on our online shopping habits, and we revisit whether it’s truly free to use a buyer’s agent when purchasing a home.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio—or listen via the embedded player below. Use this page to find links, notes, and photos referenced in the episode. Note: if you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to access the audio player.
What’s New
- We bumped into Katie Bower and snapped a photo — two friends being perfectly normal at the entrance of a Mexican restaurant. Hi, Katie!
- Curious about an early Reader Redesign Katie shared when she and Sherry first started blogging? That 2008 makeover demonstrates how blogging used to feel in the early days.
- If you missed it, we visited a charming kids’ bookstore Katie introduced us to during our recent trip — it’s adorable and full of ideas for family-friendly spaces.
- We’ve heard your requests to have Katie as a podcast guest. We held off on turning a short family visit into a work trip, but she’s featured in Episode #20 where she shares why crisp white walls aren’t the right choice for everyone. We hope to invite her back soon.
- Sherry’s favorite tea that’s currently only available through Amazon is a Yogi Tea blend. She still finds several varieties available, including caffeinated and decaffeinated options, though some items may be limited without Prime.
Updates
- If you missed our prior discussion about selling your house without an agent, listen back to Episode #56 for tips and pitfalls of FSBO (for sale by owner).
- Marianne referenced a National Association of Realtors field guide that includes statistics about FSBO practices toward the bottom of their report—useful context if you’re weighing your selling options.
The Home Edit
Clea and Joanna from The Home Edit are a great resource for practical, stylish organizing. They share systems that scale across spaces—from pantries to closets to playrooms—and they’re now collaborating with Target as their home organization experts. Their projects (including celebrity pantries and closets) offer both inspiration and useful tactics you can adapt at home.
- Their top organizing product recommendations are practical and versatile:
- Divided turntable: a multipurpose organizer that works for kitchen supplies, craft materials, cleaning products, and first-aid essentials.
- Natural baskets: seagrass or woven baskets that visually unify a shelf while containing loose items across any room.
- Huggable hangers: consistent, quality hangers that instantly refine a closet and help garments maintain their shape.
- They also share curated product lists and house tours that highlight repeatable strategies—think thoughtfully grouped supplies, uniform storage containers, and clearly labeled systems that actually get used.
- Practical posts like their cord-wrangling guide show that even small organization habits (and a few labels) can dramatically improve everyday functionality.
We’re Digging
Sherry has been collecting and devouring design catalogs that double as inspiration sources. Two she recommends exploring online are Arhaus and Williams-Sonoma Home; their catalogs are terrific for ideas about materials, finishes, and layouts. One Arhaus catalog image in particular had Sherry swooning over stair details and wallpaper options, including a shibori pattern she loved.
- If you were disappointed that our novelty sock venture wasn’t real, Say It With A Sock offers sock-of-the-month subscriptions that are fun, clever, and family-friendly.
- Looking for items we’ve highlighted in past episodes? We keep a master list of everything “We’re Digging” from past shows so you can find recommendations more easily.
We also want to thank Thomas Avenue Ceramics for sponsoring this episode. They offer a thoughtfully curated tile selection that ships directly to your door. Sherry selected ten favorites from their collections, and listeners can use the code YHL20 for 20% off your first order.
Thanks for listening and reading—we appreciate your support. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend who loves practical design and better home systems.
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