This weekend we picked up a pair of vintage children’s chairs — each just about two feet tall — at a local yard sale for $7.50 apiece. They were originally priced at $10 each, but we used the classic “two for $15?” negotiation and the seller agreed. At first glance they had that unmistakable mid-century … Read more

This simple method for cleaning a stainless steel sink is honestly one of my favorite household tasks. It really is that easy, quick, and effective. You don’t need special or harsh cleaners — just a few common items and a few minutes to restore your sink’s original shine. Sherry tried this method first and we … Read more

At last — the duplex backyards are finally finished, just in time for our first weeklong summer renters arriving this Saturday. We even have a couple of early-birds staying on one side until then, since the timing worked out perfectly. There are lots of photos in this post, so I’ll keep the words focused — … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries.*** If you live in Richmond, you may have already realized the Sunny mentioned in this morning’s Reader Redesign is local paint maven Sunny Goode. Even readers outside the area might recognize her name — Sunny’s work has been featured here before, like when we toured this Domino-featured home … Read more

Every so often someone asks where we found the little table in the sunroom, so here are the details on how we built it ourselves. We actually DIYed this table a few years ago using a $7.99 Lack side table from IKEA and an old tabletop we had saved from an inexpensive thrift-store pedestal. The … Read more

What is it about painting that makes me feel a little French—beret and all? I finally finished a large 40 x 30″ canvas we picked up on a steep discount at Michael’s for $23 (50% off plus an extra 25% off). After seeing an inspirational poster design on a blog (thanks to a Pinterest find), … Read more

Warning: the following project may seem deceptively simple but is highly satisfying. Reader discretion is advised. We’ve made two large DIY hook rails so far, and both were low effort with high payoff. They get used constantly. The first lives in our garage (featured in our second book, Lovable Livable Home), and the second is … Read more

Paint has been a continual learning experience at Casa Petersik. From painting all our trim with flat paint when we first moved in (definitely a mistake — semi-gloss is the better choice) to choosing a different color for every room (not the way to create flow in a small house), we’ve tried almost everything. Over … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** Who doesn’t love candlelight? The warm glow, the romantic atmosphere—and without the risk of an open flame, thanks to Smart Candle’s flameless designs. These rechargeable LED candles recreate the look of real candles while eliminating wax drips, smoke and fire hazards, making them ideal for dinners, quiet nights … Read more

We’ve been holding onto a fun secret: a little road trip and a real-life meet-up with a favorite blogger. Now that the secret’s out, we’re excited to share the highlights from our visit and a peek into Katie Bower’s cheerful, well-organized home. That’s Katie Bower from All Bower Power. After months of commenting and emailing, … Read more