We all have rooms that try to do double duty: a mudroom that’s also a laundry room, a breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station, or the familiar guest-room-turned-office. In this episode we focus on how to make one space truly work for multiple purposes so it doesn’t feel like it favors one function far more than the other. We also share a recent attic-clutter revelation, John describes a subtle negotiation tactic you might already be using without realizing it, and he finally gets a tool he’s been daydreaming about for years. Meanwhile, Sherry explores a few unconventional wellness accessories that claim to help with sleep, allergies, and general happiness.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Use this page to follow along with links, notes, and photos we referenced during the show. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- If you missed our big announcement last week, you can catch up on Episode #64 here, and take a look at the “before” tour of our new duplex.
- We also shared the story of a failed yard sale a couple of years ago on Episode #56. The “yard sale promo photo” we shot the day before the sale is linked in those notes.
- We haven’t installed our Nest thermostats in the beach house yet (maybe tomorrow!), but we picked up the Nest Thermostat E. We like the clean white finish that blends in more discreetly; the main trade-off is that it doesn’t have the same automatic “learning” behavior as the flagship Nest model. We plan to program ours and use our phones to change settings as needed.
- If you want background on why we’ve loved Nest for years and how easy they are to install, you can read more about our experience here. We’ve used the first-generation model for four years with zero complaints, and it’s been a money-saver.
What’s Not
- There’s a reboot of Trading Spaces with a new cast. For a quick look at who’s on the show now, check this rundown of the new designers and carpenters.
- We also pointed listeners to a handful of older podcast episodes featuring designers and personalities who appeared on the show:
- Sabrina Soto: Episode #2
- Vern Yip: Episode #15
- Genevieve Gorder: Episode #9
- Brian Patrick Flynn: Episode #26
- Jenni Pulos: Episode #12
- And in case you missed it, Joanie Sprague, a former America’s Next Top Model runner-up, has been hosting Run My Renovation on the DIY Network — a fun example of how people’s careers can take unexpected turns.
Listener Question
- The photo above shows a craft table we built along one wall of our guest room so the space can pull double duty when it’s not occupied by guests. The base drawers are two Ikea units (one was from the as-is section and the other we later found on Craigslist) topped with a tiered plywood tabletop we added ourselves. This kind of built-in-feel solution keeps supplies organized while preserving the room’s guest-ready look.
- The guest side of the room usually stays simple — often just a desk with a sewing machine. The photos here are a bit older (they were used in our second book), and when I went to take an updated shot the room was filled with beach-house supplies. It’s a reminder that multi-purpose rooms will inevitably get used for temporary storage sometimes — and that’s okay.
- For more on creating flexible rooms, see our post about the multi-functional guest room / office / playroom from our first house — it’s full of practical tips for blending comfort and utility.
- That project includes details on the hardworking closet we used for extra bedding and supplies (yes, young Burger makes an appearance in the story).
- From the first house archives, we also shared the craft storage solution we attached to the back of a hall closet — a low-cost, high-function fix (advice: don’t be alarmed by the early-2010s photo quality!).
- As a simple organizer option, Sherry suggested a plastic back-of-door shoe organizer that works great for craft supplies like washi tape, paint tubes, and glue sticks. There’s also a mesh version that looks nice and holds a lot of small items neatly.
We’re Digging
- John finally picked up his dream cordless leaf blower — a Kobalt 40-Volt medium-duty blower. He bought the tool body separately since he already owned compatible batteries.
- For those who prefer corded models, his old TORO blower has lasted 11 years with no repairs — a testament to older reliable tools.
- Sherry has been experimenting with salt lamps and brought home a set of two large lamps for the living room and office, plus a few smaller salt-lamp nightlights for bedrooms and the kitchen. They add a warm glow and a mellow vibe to a room’s atmosphere.
If you’re trying to remember a past product or project we’ve mentioned in earlier episodes, we keep a master list of everything we’ve been digging from past shows.
Finally, thanks to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. Head to grove.co/YHL for a special offer that includes $20 off your first order of $40 or more and a free bottle of Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Spray with your first delivery.
Thanks for listening — and for making your spaces work smarter for you.
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