Updated 2019 We recently replaced two old fluorescent fixtures in our kitchen. Each removal required slightly different techniques because one location didn’t have a proper fixture box in the ceiling — just wires poking through the drywall. Below we describe two straightforward approaches for replacing fluorescent lighting with a pendant or flush-mount fixture, including installing … Read more

I should warn you: many of the photos (and the video) in this post don’t exactly scream “rebuild”—more like “WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT HOUSE?!”—but there has actually been a lot of meaningful progress at the duplex. Here’s an update on the flurry of activity over the past few weeks, the floor plan changes we’ve made, … Read more

The wall is down (more here). Drywall is up (more here). Now it’s time for trim. I actually enjoy doing trim. It demands focus and attention to detail, but it’s rewarding to see rough edges transformed into crisp white borders. Before getting to the trim, I had to handle the half-wall ledge and the door … Read more

Every couple of years we splurge on that fake spiderweb stuff and go all out on the porch for neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Since we skipped last year, this season was definitely a go. We picked up the webbing at Target and used a mix of items we already had — some dead branches, a few white … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!*** Random.org cut through more than 6,000 entries and picked our winner as… Stephanie (who would love a few hundred laughs with Zach Galifianakis). Congratulations! The phrase “cut it out,” popularized by Full House’s Uncle Joey, takes on a whole new meaning with the … Read more

This impressive bathroom makeover submitted by Kathleen shows how one bold change—the floor tile—combined with several smaller updates can completely transform a space. Here’s the dramatic before: And the gorgeous after: The centerpiece of this update is the basketweave floor tile, which instantly elevates the room with texture and visual interest. Pairing that statement floor … Read more

We thought frozen pipes were a concern we’d left behind after moving to Florida, but last month’s arctic blast dropped nighttime temps into the low 20s for three nights straight — with a record low of 18°F, an event locals called once-in-a-century for Northwest Florida. That was especially alarming because many local homes aren’t built … Read more

The story of Sherry’s Valentine’s gift began a month earlier when I received an email titled “OMG I need this for my birthday” that included a link to a white ceramic rhino from Z Gallerie. Her birthday is in March (and I already had plans for that), so I assumed it would make the perfect … Read more

I used to assume every houseplant needed a sunny windowsill to thrive. I’ve since learned that many popular houseplants are perfectly happy in shaded corners and low-light rooms. So before you decide your home is too dark for plants, consider this guide to the best indoor plants for low light. You may be surprised by … Read more

Last weekend my cousin got married in Brevard, North Carolina — which meant a fun weekend road trip. It wasn’t as long as the road trip we took to Texas for another cousin’s wedding a couple years ago, but it was a great time nonetheless. Brevard sits in southwestern North Carolina, not far from Asheville … Read more