I don’t usually write these House Crashing posts, but this home is particularly special to me — it’s my parents’ new house in Richmond. We stayed with them for a few days after Hurricane Irene when our power was out, and we’ve spent many evenings over there since, so it felt like the perfect time … Read more

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by too many choices? If so, don’t try to pick new countertops alone — or at least make sure you have a partner who’s done thorough online research. (If you don’t, back off — this one’s mine.) Here’s what I learned from a quick crash course with an expert. Laminate … Read more

Oh happy day. Here are the after photos from our bathroom renovation, plus a complete timeline and budget breakdown detailing every step of this month-long, weekend-and-evening project. Before we dive in, let’s remember how rough the room looked at its lowest point. Major renovations often get messier before they get better — our bathroom was … Read more

Let’s talk about apps and floor-plan tools. As I tested a few new options to write last week’s post about our office floor plans, I took screenshots and photos intending to include them — but that post already felt crowded, so I held some of this material back. A number of readers asked for more … Read more

What exactly is Serenbe? That was our reaction the first time we heard the name. A friend named Kelly moved to this “wellness community” outside Atlanta and recommended it as a relaxed weekend getaway with kids. We later learned that friends Vern Yip and Craig Koch were building a home there. Five years later we … Read more

We’re finishing up edits on our CBS6 live interview clip, so in the meantime we wanted to share this beautiful patio makeover. When Julie and Mike sent their before-and-after photos, we couldn’t wait to show them. Here’s the note they included: We love the DIY before & after posts featured on home renovation blogs, especially … Read more

Composting is an easy, low-cost way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. It reduces landfill waste and can be started with simple supplies you likely already have. Below is a straightforward method for creating a basic plastic-bin compost system that can be assembled in about an hour. There are … Read more

We are over the moon to announce our new furniture line is finally available. It’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and now there are actual pieces you can sit on, sleep on, eat at, and live with—everything turned out even better than we hoped. The full collection includes over 30 pieces, and you can … Read more

File this under “A lazy mom’s trick to get more sleep.” I made no-sew, unbelievably easy DIY blackout curtains — not the professional method, just a fast, practical shortcut that actually works. Why blackout curtains? Although the faux wood blinds in Clara’s room blocked a fair amount of light, I wanted the room to be … Read more

So, a funny story about the house below: we bought it, and we’re moving in. We know this announcement will spark a mix of reactions—excitement about makeovers, sadness at leaving our current home, curiosity about logistics, maybe even confusion or anger. And yes, some of you will feel the inexplicable urge to do The Carlton. … Read more