Can the colors, furnishings, and accessories we choose for our home actually make us feel measurably happier? In this post we explore how small design decisions can shape everyday mood, share simple tricks for making mundane tasks more pleasant, and point out a few ways we’ve unintentionally added joy to our house — plus a couple of projects that still need work. There’s also a lesson about holding on too long to a tired piece of furniture and a very real dollhouse-building flop.
What’s New
- The Instagram photo above sparked a lot of questions — yes, we swapped out our old ottoman for a new coffee table.
- From the other side of the room you can better see the X-base and the small nooks at each end that tuck two white poufs away when they aren’t in use.
- Up close you’ll notice the finish isn’t flawless, but it functions beautifully for family life — a huge improvement over the ottoman in its final months. If we decide to tile or refinish the top, we’ll share the details.
- For context, this is the big leather storage ottoman we replaced. It lasted about eight or nine years and did a great job while it lasted.
- We tried to photograph the deterioration — the peeling faux leather and the confetti-like bits that scattered across the floor — but we mostly caught a few bare spots in an older phone photo.
- Sherry also mentioned the guest-room headboard: it’s actually the back of a wicker headboard we picked up secondhand. It’s one of those thrifty moves that gives a room personality.
That’s Embarrassing
- We attempted a dollhouse “Sweet Shop” for the holidays and it involved dozens of tiny pieces. The project was ambitious, and a few parts — like the paper fan meant to be a ceiling fan — never made it into the finished build.
- Sherry pulled everything together just in time for Christmas and our daughter absolutely loves it, even though it doesn’t look much like the box art. The joy it delivered made the chaotic assembly worth it.
- If you missed our earlier chatter about dollhousing, we’ve covered it over several episodes and posts documenting the makeovers and lessons learned.
“Joyful” Decor Discussion
- Sherry recently finished the book Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness and loved it. Its ideas about how ordinary objects can spark delight inspired much of our conversation about home decor.
- We shared a few concrete examples from our house: a surprise fabric-covered closet wall in our daughter’s room and removable wallpaper murals we installed in a duplex — both small, budget-friendly changes that add personality and lift the mood of a space.
- Once you start to look, you’ll notice recurring motifs — circles and round objects are sprinkled throughout our living room — and these shapes contribute to a softer, more playful feel.
- We also like adding small celebratory touches like string lights for atmosphere and salt-lamp nightlights for warm glow; these simple elements help shift a room’s energy without a major overhaul.
We’re Digging
- Sherry has a shiny brass grasshopper figurine that always makes her smile and a small companion that lives on our mantel — little whimsical items like these add personality and spark conversation.
- We also picked up a vibrant Paymaster painting from a listener who paints while listening to the podcast. Local art and unique pieces are a great way to inject color and character into a home.
- Sherry rounded up a few more playful, unexpected finds that make ordinary spaces feel more joyful — small objects, quirky accents, and a mix of textures that surprise the eye.
- We also dug through our archives and shared the podcast episode where we first discussed paving our driveway — a reminder that even small exterior updates can change how you use and enjoy a home.
- And just for fun: the portable basketball hoop my parents bought the kids at a holiday sale went together piece by piece — yes, I assembled it myself and now the kids play outside more, which is always a win.
If you want to revisit any product or project we mentioned, we maintain a master list of our favorite finds and a Book Club page with titles we’ve recommended. These resources make it easy to explore specific ideas and sources at your own pace.
Finally, a big thank you to Annie Selke for sponsoring this episode; they ran a Presidents’ Day sale offering 20% off sitewide. We appreciate support that helps keep this project going.
Thanks for reading — and for listening.
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