Clara has had her play kitchen for more than a year and a half, and she still plays with it almost every day — a rare victory considering how quickly most toys get abandoned. Play kitchens clearly hold a special place in our hearts, and this handmade version is extra meaningful because Casey and Phil … Read more

The new floors in our kitchen can be easy to overlook amid the other major changes—a reconfigured layout, a widened doorway to the living room, new cabinets, and new countertops. But every so often we’re reminded that the floors are a huge reason the entire first floor now feels fresh, open, and updated. Here’s a … Read more

Before we dive into an incredible home transformation from Erin, Sherry shared a small Easter DIY she made for Clara over on Young House Life, so feel free to visit that post for step-by-step details (there’s a sneak peek below): Now, back to Erin’s remarkable renovation. Both Sherry and I have long daydreamed about lifting … Read more

In all our years of DIY projects, we had never used a solid stain — until a recent job made it the perfect choice. A professional house painter recommended solid stain for our outdoor shower, and we quickly understood why. It was simple to apply, provided excellent coverage, and produced a result even better than … Read more

Once again it’s one of those busy weeks. After stenciling the floor in our bath and closet, squeezing in some seasonal crafts, and installing extra-thick crown molding in Clara’s room, we’re now sealing the stenciled floors, finishing the canopy wall in Clara’s room, ripping up the old carpeting on our stairs, and impatiently waiting to … Read more

Recently we’ve had dozens of requests for a post about our favorite surviving shelter magazines. After the heartbreaking loss of beloved titles like Domino, Cottage Living, Country Home, InStyle Home and O At Home, readers want to know which publications still inspire us. Below is our updated rundown of the shelter mags that make us … Read more

As we mentioned on Friday, our kitchen sink is unusually shallow. When Kohler offered to provide a new sink and faucet, we decided to pass the opportunity on to one of our readers. We’re excited to announce a giveaway: one winner will receive any KOHLER sink of their choice and a KOHLER Sensate Touchless faucet, … Read more

Many of you know I keep a giant binder full of clear plastic sleeves where I stash tear sheets from magazines, catalogs, and other sources of inspiration (I’ve written before about how I organize that binder). One torn magazine corner that’s lived in that binder for years features a photo from Elle Decor of vintage‑style … Read more

We couldn’t leave the laundry room makeover without addressing our messy shoe situation. The side door to our laundry room is the most-used entrance, so it naturally became a dumping ground for footwear—since we try to keep shoes off inside the house. Until now our “storage solution” was a shallow woven basket from Bed Bath … Read more

Maybe I’m clinging to the last bits of summer, or maybe I’m dreaming of a sunroom makeover (ours hasn’t been touched since we moved in). It could also be that Jenna Sue has a real talent for beautiful renovations — you may recall her entryway transformation. Whatever the reason, enjoy this bright, cheerful update. Here’s … Read more