I’ve had a lot of requests for an update on how we’re doing with the elusive work/life balance we publicly promised to improve this year. We never intended to work nights, weekends, and even on vacation, and we’ve realized only we are responsible for changing that. We figured this was a good topic to discuss … Read more

We updated the kitchen and replaced our old farmhouse sink with a sleeker undermount stainless steel model. We loved the old sink for its generous 9″ depth, which easily hid stacks of dirty dishes, but this new double-bowl undermount stainless sink, also 9″ deep, complements the new granite countertops and the great faucet I won … Read more

Palm Springs, California might not immediately come to mind as a classic family destination, but our recent trip there with our 9- and 13-year-old was one of our best family vacations. Below is a clear, family-friendly guide to what we loved, where we stayed, what we ate, and a few things we’ll try next time. … Read more

Tiling was one of the most intimidating items on our duplex to-do list this year—four bathrooms, two mudrooms, and still two backsplashes to go—so it’s a huge relief to say that nearly all of the floors, showers, and tub surrounds are finished (about 95% done). Below we show how everything turned out, share lessons learned, … Read more

The last few weeks have been delightfully random and extremely productive for us. I kind of love bouncing from one room to another like this — at least until we start a major renovation that requires our full attention. This week we painted raindrops and a pink door in Clara’s room, helped brainstorm Shannon’s design … Read more

Over the past 17 years we’ve decorated many homes for the holidays and developed go-to methods and favorite items for decking the halls. Finding the best Christmas tree lights can feel like a quest, but after trying countless decorations this post brings together photos, ideas, and our tried-and-true picks—everything from faux Christmas trees we love … Read more

Uh oh — it looks like this post reached capacity with over 10,000 comments! But the giveaway is closed anyway, so that’s okay. We’re big fans of West Elm — we own two daybeds, a desk, and a few other pieces from their collection — so we’re excited to offer a $500 gift card to … Read more

First a little Facebook note: some readers have mentioned they no longer see our posts or Instagram photos in their Facebook feeds since Facebook changed its settings. If you’d like to see our posts again, please do this: Visit our Facebook page Hover over the button that says “Liked” Make sure the box next to … Read more

When Erica sent her impressive home office makeover our way, we had to share the before-and-after images. Here’s the note she sent: I love your blog and the creative, budget-friendly ideas you showcase. I recently revamped my home office on a very tight budget. You can read more on my blog, but the L-shaped desk … Read more

We’ve all noticed it: renovations on TV and online keep getting bigger and more dramatic. Where did the budget decorating shows and “use-what-you-have” makeovers go? Once a blog post could be simply “I ordered some new art.” Now it’s often an exhaustive before-and-after kitchen gut job. Our own projects have escalated over the years too, … Read more