The beach house renovation suddenly feels like it’s moving at lightning speed. After more than a year of slow progress, we finally have working appliances, a kitchen island, and a functioning sink. Even the newly plumbed clawfoot tub is in place—although Sherry’s first attempt at a relaxing soak didn’t go quite as planned. In this update we share that tub tale, tips for mixing and matching wood tones so a room looks curated instead of chaotic, our favorite no-fuss holiday decor this year, and the return of a fan-favorite segment as our gift to you.
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What’s New
- The photo above is what Sherry texted me while I was at the hardware store — she wanted to show me the peaceful bath she was about to enjoy. That plan didn’t go quite as she hoped, but the good news: the plumber identified and fixed the problem, and Sherry finally had a genuinely relaxing bath the following weekend.
- We also attended the Cape Charles Holiday Cookie Trail, touring several charming B&Bs and private homes while sampling cookies with locals and visitors. It was a free, festive community event. Below is one of the beautiful bed & breakfasts that we can actually see from our house.
- That particular house reportedly once housed a family of ten, so it’s remarkable that so many original architectural details — like the stunning stair window — remain in excellent condition.
- We loved strolling through renovated bungalows on the tour. This pink house was a favorite—if you know us, you know we have a soft spot for pink exteriors.
- One stately home wasn’t open for the tour, but we always admire it on walks. Seeing it trimmed out for the season was a treat, especially for the kids.
- Here’s the rope railing we mentioned on the podcast. Steel clips anchor the rope beneath the handrail so it snakes up and down the stairs in a decorative S-pattern.
- At the top of the stairs we found a converted attic turned into a kids’ bunk room. Four full beds are tucked into cozy nooks—so charming and cleverly done.
Quick Tip
- We discuss mixing metals more fully in Episode #37, but the same thoughtful approach applies to mixing wood tones: repeat select tones, introduce balance, and use textures to unify the palette.
- The photo below demonstrates the technique. Lighter wood finishes appear in the chairs, the marble-topped side table, the blinds, and small accessories like picture frames and a wooden box next to the lamp. A richer medium wood tone anchors the space in the TV console and woven baskets, and it echoes the hardwood floors. The dark gray side tables aren’t wood at all, but because there are two of them and they relate to the sofa’s gray and the rug’s blue-gray hues, they help tie the whole room together. The key is repeating tones and textures so the mix reads intentional and collected rather than mismatched.
We’re Digging
- We’ve been using cordless LED streetside window candles for two holiday seasons and recently added them to the beach house. They’re a huge improvement over plug-in candles because they’re cordless and, once set up, run on an automatic schedule. That makes bedtime during the holidays much less of a chore and gives your home a warm, consistent glow without daily fuss.
- We also mention the podcast’s availability on Spotify and other platforms so it’s easy to listen on the go or at home.
If you want to revisit something we’ve recommended in a previous episode but don’t remember which show notes contained it, we keep a master list of everything we’ve featured across past episodes for easy browsing.
There’s no sponsor for this episode — it’s dedicated to you, our listeners. As we all enjoy holiday meals, family, and festivities, we want to say thank you for tuning in. We truly appreciate your support and time.
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