Our holiday was a mix of family time, plenty of fun, and an almost comical number of IKEA boxes filling the duplex. Over winter break we tackled installing two kitchens—one on each side of the house—and in this post we share how that went: the rocky start, the unexpected challenges, and the moment everything finally clicked (literally and figuratively). We also received a massive amount of feedback from listeners about the small sleeping nook we debated in our last episode, so we explain how we adjusted plans to make that space work for different families. Plus, we tried a simple money-saving trick that surprised us, and we’re asking international listeners to share local home-design norms so we can compare notes from around the world.
You can download the episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or Spotify. Listen with the player below. Note: if you read this post in a feed reader you may need to open it in your browser to see the player.
What’s New
- On Christmas morning the kids discovered their dollhouses, which we mentioned in Episode #124. We furnished them with pieces that came with one house plus a $35 box we found on Facebook Marketplace the day before—what a score.
- Sherry and the kids are already planning fixes and paint so we’ll share more photos as they update the interiors.
- Thanks to everyone who weighed in about the small sleeping nook on each side of the duplex. After listening to your ideas, we found a flexible solution using IKEA mattress bases that let us configure the space in multiple ways.
- Sherry made phone “renderings” showing three configurations achievable with the beds we bought—simple visuals that helped us choose the most flexible layout for guests and families.
- Many of you recommended an IKEA pop-up trundle bed. It’s ideal if you want two twin mattresses on the same level to create a king, and about a thousand listeners suggested the same model. It didn’t match our preferred two-twin layout, but it’s a great option for others.
Pinterest 100 Game
- For fun, here’s the full 2019 Pinterest 100 list we mentioned on the show. You can also hear our past game episodes in Episode #78 and Episode #30 for more nostalgia and trend talk.
- We shared a makeover from reader Angela who painted her bathroom tile floor using a stencil for under $75—a dramatic change from a simple project that still amazes us.
Design Norms Around The World
- After a UK listener named Jo brought up differing laundry-room placements, we want to collect stories about design norms in your area—especially where they contrast with what we usually discuss.
- Please use the Google Form below and be sure to include your country, state, or region so we can compare answers geographically.
Duplex Kitchen Progress
- Those photos show roughly half of the boxes delivered for the two kitchens and the matching laundry rooms—the rest were stacked on the opposite side.
- The first couple of days went slowly, but once we found our rhythm the build moved steadily. This is our fourth time installing IKEA kitchens, so we plan to publish a detailed post on tools, techniques, and materials that make the process go smoother. Look for that in the coming weeks.
- One exterior wall had noticeable bowing and required a lot of shimming to keep the metal cabinet rail straight. Using the original framing meant extra care was needed to get everything level.
- By the end of the holiday break we’d reached a good milestone: cabinets set and ready for toekicks, hardware, counters, appliances, and backsplashes. Templating the counters is the next big step before installing the appliances.
We’re Digging
- We replaced our shower curtains with extra-long white waffle curtains—the same style we used in the beach house—because they work well with 8 ft ceilings (longer options are available for 9 ft ceilings). We also use vinyl liners sized to match the ceiling height.
- I grabbed a small coupon pack for Lowe’s and used three 10% off coupons for items like curtain rods and clip rings, which saved us more than $50 in total. Small hacks add up.
- Another recent favorite around here is the game Headbanz—simple, fast, and family-friendly.
If you’re trying to find something we mentioned on past episodes but don’t remember which show notes to open, check our master list of everything we’ve recommended in past “We’re Digging” segments. You can also find all the books we’ve talked about on our Book Club page.
A final thank you to You Need A Budget (YNAB) for sponsoring this episode. Sign up at YNAB.com/YHL to try three months free.
Thanks for listening and for all your feedback—we appreciate the ideas, the photos, and the support!
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