I did it — my first semi-DIY Halloween costumes, and they turned out great. I didn’t sew a single stitch, and the results were way easier than I expected. Clara wanted to be Jessie, the cowgirl from Toy Story, and Burger was Slinky Dog, also from Toy Story. For Clara’s costume I gathered a few … Read more

It’s surprising we haven’t mentioned Target yet in our blog — it’s practically our second home (alongside Lowe’s). Many of our favorite pieces of furniture came from there: our Thomas O’Brien media console, two leather storage ottomans, our dining table, a Magnavox flat-panel TV, and beautifully designed Victoria Hagan end tables. Yes, we affectionately call … Read more

This week we’re sharing a small kitchen adjustment that made our daily routine far more efficient — and we’re honestly kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner. We also have an update about a dented fridge from a recent appliance delivery, three practical tips for book lovers who actually want books on their shelves (instead … Read more

When it comes to your home, some projects demand big budgets with little visible payoff (rewiring, replacing plumbing, etc.). Then there are small, inexpensive updates that deliver impressive results. Those are the projects people should talk about more—simple changes that refresh your space without much effort or expense. Case in point: a recent trip to … Read more

Enough about our colorful stools… …and on to our newest set of colorful chairs. Yes, we’re officially on a bold-seating kick. You might remember the $35 thrift-store chairs we refreshed with green paint and new upholstery for the office. Or the free hand-me-down highchair for Clara that we brightened up with sunny yellow paint in … Read more

Every year we celebrate our anniversaries with little traditions and special activities: recreating our wedding menu, taking day trips near meaningful spots, cooking a favorite honeymoon meal, or even taking a big trip like going to Hawaii. This year we kept up several long-standing traditions — including our annual family photo — and added a … Read more

When Real Simple asked us to create a DIY holiday gift idea for their site, Sherry did an enthusiastic little victory dance and we put together a quick tutorial for a seasonal welcome mat you can slide under a Christmas tree or use at the front door. The full how-to appears on Real Simple, but … Read more

And now for a behind-the-scenes ceramic animal tale. While we were working on this project… …this happened: I’m not quite ready to write the full story yet, so here’s John’s illustration of how the mishap unfolded: Unfortunately, my favorite oversized ceramic dog — a HomeGoods find from three years ago that only cost $29 — … Read more

Over the weekend we finished our drywall-hanging project in the laundry room. It was humbling, educational, and ultimately very satisfying. Sherry and I even spent a few minutes just admiring the walls on Sunday. There’s a real, tangible euphoria that comes with finishing a project. It’s silly and glorious and yes — it can make … Read more

This email from Laurel-Dawn describes a familiar situation: living in a cookie‑cutter home and wanting to personalize it so it no longer looks like every other house in the neighborhood. Laurel‑Dawn and her husband transformed a basic kitchen into something stylish and inviting. Here is her note: “I live in a very simple house—what my … Read more