This week we’re sharing how a weekend escape to a small cottage doubled as reconnaissance for our own vacation-rental plans. We also tackle a common lighting dilemma: how to choose ceiling lights that coordinate without being too matchy. After some trial and error we discovered a simple principle that keeps fixtures cohesive while preserving interest and personality. Along the way we cover what pro decorators say men should avoid having in their homes, celebrate a new painting roller that we’ve become obsessed with, and admit one of Sherry’s embarrassingly bad habits that most people do without thinking.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen on the site. 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 open the post to see the audio player.
What’s New
- Quick highlights from our Charlottesville weekend:
- We stayed in a charming 700 sq ft Airbnb cottage that felt like a great prototype for a future rental.
- Breakfasts at Keevil & Keevil and Brazos Tacos; dinners at Citizen Burger and Oakhart Social.
- We wandered IX Art Park right next to Brazos and enjoyed the quirky public art.
- You may have already seen the Instagram snapshot of the Airbnb, but here are a few additional iPhone photos we took while we were there (we left the big camera at home).
- We also snapped a photo of the cheeky “Love Butt” sculpture at the art park—proof that we are classically tasteful tourists.
Updates
- Podcast episode #31 and the related blog post cover how we picked the “pinch” color for our beach house and explain the color process in detail.
- Sherry keeps recommending her favorite jeans that she calls “life-changing” — if you’re searching for comfortable, flattering denim, they’re worth a look.
- Episode #33 explores float tanks and links to a popular Instagram post about them if you want background on that trend.
That’s Embarrassing
- Episode #36 includes a funny bit about Sherry’s surprising lack of bath-taking—yes, it’s a thing we actually discussed on the show.
- We finally ordered another high-quality drain plug so both bathrooms can have one. Small domestic victories count.
What’s Not
- Elle Decor compiled a list of “16 Things a Man Should Never EVER Have in His Home”; we discussed that list on the podcast and added our own reactions. We also responded to the companion list aimed at women in Episode #37, which prompted some eye-rolling and good conversation about decorating rules vs. personality.
Listener’s Call
Suggested fixtures and furnishings from a listener: dining chandelier / kitchen pendant / similar end chair / blue dining chairs / stools / blinds.
- Visit our Shop Our House page to see the lighting fixtures throughout our home and learn where we sourced them. Our recent house tour videos are also helpful if you want to see how the lights look in context as you move through the rooms.
- We made a lighting mistake in our pre-renovation kitchen: we picked three fixtures that looked harmonious on paper but, once installed, the two oversized pendants competed for attention. There are photos documenting that decision in one of our older posts.
- Sherry started making lighting mood boards for these show notes and got carried away—so we’re turning them into a full blog post. A preview includes a mood board that incorporates a glass globe fixture to show how a sconce or pendant can relate to other room elements.
We’re Digging
- We’ve been using a concave roller on furniture legs and curved surfaces. The concave shape hugs curves better than a standard foam roller, and the absence of a plastic end nub prevents accidental scraping when you press firmly—small differences that make painting easier and cleaner.
- Our current favorite read is The Kind Worth Killing, a tense, renovation-adjacent thriller we’d recommend to fans of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train.
Psst — if you’re trying to remember where we mentioned something we’ve loved on an old episode, check our master list of “We’re Digging” picks from past shows. It’s a handy reference for revisiting products, books, and tools we’ve recommended over time.
To see the Smartstuff nursery makeover and learn more about their smart furniture features, visit Smartstuff Furniture’s site.
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