Add a Charming Wooden Playhouse to Your Backyard

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We finally joined the blogger trend: the kids have their very own playhouse. It was a gift from my mom for their shared spring birthdays — our seven-year-old and three-year-old agreed on one thing: they wanted a small outdoor house of their own. “No grown-ups allowed” was part of the request, so we shopped for … Read more

Free Talent Show Giveaway: Win Prizes at Local Showcase

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***This giveaway is now closed – see who won below!*** This week’s randomly selected winner is… Sheilagh (whose talents include “all aspects of art and being crafty!”). Congratulations! Sharing the finished results of a project is one of the most rewarding parts of DIY. That’s the idea behind HouseTalent, a free platform where you can … Read more

15 Minutes of Fame: How We Took Center Stage and Why It Mattered

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You could have knocked us over with a feather back in December when we won the Remodel, Blog & Win contest. Not only did we receive a $5,000 prize, we also earned a filmed interview with Meghan Carter of AskTheDecorator.com. Because Meghan’s schedule was busy, the shoot was set for June, which gave us several … Read more

Build Stylish Modern Nightstands: DIY Step-by-Step Guide

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Upgrading to a larger bed meant we needed smaller bedside tables to fit the space, so we designed a simple DIY nightstand plan that fits perfectly. The build uses only one primary material — butcher block countertops — and requires minimal cuts, making it an approachable project for most DIYers. bed frame | lamp | … Read more

Large Tree Growing Too Close to Your House? What to Do and Risks

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In the words of Cher… “If I could tuuuuuuuuurn back tiiiiiiiime. If I could fiiiiiiiiiind a waaaaaaaay. I’d plant this pretty oak tree not on top of the house.” That oak must have started out small, but over the years it grew into a threat. After the home inspector examined the roots and checked how … Read more

Maximizer or Satisficer? Find Which Decision Style You Are

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Have you ever examined how you make decisions? People generally fall into two distinct styles — Maximizers and Satisficers — and Sherry and I each lean toward a different approach. This week we’re sharing what we’ve learned about both types, and how those tendencies shape everything from choosing décor to planning our first international family … Read more

Can a Minimalist Home Feel Cozy? Practical Tips and Ideas

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As much as we love simplifying and decluttering, we’re not aiming for that ultra-sleek, sometimes sterile minimalism. Instead, we’ve been experimenting with a step-by-step approach to create minimalist spaces that still feel warm, cozy, and inviting. Spoiler: Sherry is loving the easy formula and is excited to apply it throughout the house. We’re also starting … Read more

6 Simple Upgrades That Transformed Our Bedroom Space

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Our bedroom began life as a living room, so converting it into a comfortable, functional, and attractive sleeping space took time and care. It’s now one of our favorite rooms, and below we share the six most impactful changes we made, along with updated photos documenting the transformation. bed | art | similar pillow | … Read more

How to Choose the Perfect Bed Placement for Your Bedroom

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First, let’s rewind to this post, where I wrote, “As for if the bed can move, the floor plan of this room is a definite challenge thanks to ‘things’ on each wall (two very off-centered windows, a nook across from the door, and a nook with the sink tucked into it on another wall – … Read more

Top Holiday Gift Guides for 2020: Gifts by Interest & Budget

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This year we published our gift guide earlier than usual to spotlight many small makers and Black-owned businesses we love, giving those shops plenty of lead time. Big retailers seem to need more time than ever too, so planning ahead is helpful. We also included several tried-and-true items from larger companies that we’ve purchased and … Read more