We’ve been hinting about a second book for months, and now we’re finally ready to share more details.
How did you get a second book deal?
Our original contract with Artisan Books was for two books, so we always knew a follow-up was in the plan when we signed in 2011. That first book was released in November 2012, and since then we’ve been working toward the next one.
When will this one come out?
We’re aiming for a fall 2015 release, though that timeline depends on many moving parts and isn’t set in stone. Artisan has been wonderful throughout this process. Rather than pressuring us to dive straight into book two after the first book’s launch, they encouraged us to decompress and be deliberate. Having gone through it once, we now understand how much time each step requires—proofreading alone was a huge task—so we’re mindful that fall 2015 will arrive quickly.
Will it be more of the same from Book #1?
Nope. You’ll still find projects and practical tips in every chapter, but the overall concept and format will be different. We expected Artisan to push for a similar structure—“if it isn’t broke…”—but they wanted this book to stand on its own. That challenge excited us. We spent nearly a year exploring concepts, sketching outlines, and brainstorming with Artisan. There were moments when we worried nothing would feel right, but last winter we landed on an idea that energized everyone and built good momentum.
So… what will it be about?
Without giving too much away, the book will focus on real decorating ideas that work for how families actually live. It’s great to admire high-end inspiration rooms, but where are the remotes? Where does the mail end up? Do kids and pets really live there? We want to highlight decorating and organizing solutions that answer everyday family challenges while ensuring each space has both function and meaning—so every family member feels at home.
Because our household isn’t a universal example, we’re excited to feature other homes this time. That’s a departure from the first book, which was shot almost entirely in our house. Alongside chapters filled with our projects and ideas, we’ll include real home tours to showcase a wider variety of families, styles, and solutions.
Are you looking for homes to feature?
Yes! We’ve already started shooting some homes, but there’s room for more and we’d love to consider yours, or a friend’s, neighbor’s, or even a beekeeper’s. If you’re interested, here’s what we’re looking for:
- Homes that are beautiful and personal. We want spaces that reflect the tastes and needs of the people who live there. If your whole home isn’t picture-perfect, that’s fine—we can spotlight single rooms or special areas like a standout kitchen, playroom, or staircase.
- Unique situations are encouraged. We’re keeping the idea of “family” broad—parents with kids, empty nesters, couples with pets, multi-generational households, small-space families, or anyone who’s creatively adapted their home to suit unusual needs. Tell us your story.
- Send photos and a brief description to [email protected] with “BOOK TWO” in the subject.
What if I don’t have a home to submit? Can I still be a part of it?
Yes. We have other ways to involve readers and families so the book represents a wide range of lives and living situations. We’ll share more about these opportunities as the project develops.
Are you going to have those crazy weeks of photoshoots in your house again?
Hopefully not. We’re planning a less hectic process this time. Photography will be spread out, especially since we’re coordinating shoots in other homes in addition to our own and we’re juggling a newborn. We initially tried to schedule all shoots before Teddy arrived, but that proved unrealistic. It was helpful to complete some early shoots, and Artisan has been supportive in letting us pace the work so we can enjoy Teddy’s arrival. We finalized the outline last month, have begun writing chapter introductions and tutorials, and aim to finish photography by the end of summer so we’ll have a few months to complete the manuscript.
Will you be going on a book tour again? Will you come to my city?
That’s a common question, but we haven’t discussed touring plans with Artisan yet. Right now the focus is on creating the book, so any tour details will likely come later—probably within the next year. We expect there will be some form of tour, but the scope and cities are still unknown and will depend on who wants to host events. For now, we’re grateful not to have to plan long stretches away from our kids for a while.