During last week’s update about our Homearama Showhouse for Habitat for Humanity, we shared a few early peeks at how some of the rooms were shaping up. Technically, the rooms are still shaping up mainly in our heads and on paper — we’re about three weeks away from moving furnishings in. Right now the painters … Read more

If we had been more organized, we would have started this blog 16 months ago when we bought our charming one-story brick ranch in Richmond, Virginia. Instead, we were so busy with the work of turning a house into our home that documenting the progress fell to the back burner. We purchased the house in … Read more

When Melinda read about our little tray tiling project, she and her husband decided to try their hand at customizing a tray as well. Here’s her note: My husband and I were inspired by your DIY tray project from a couple of weeks ago. My sister is a huge tea drinker, so I decided to … Read more

A few weeks ago we posted on Instagram about finally landscaping the front yard at our Cape Charles beach house. Here’s a more detailed look at how we completed the job in just a few hours, what we planted, and how it’s fared nearly two months later. We also wanted these photos on the blog … Read more

Update: Since MyPublisher was discontinued, here is the current way we print our photobooks. This week has already been heavy with two big construction tutorials and a laundry saga, so we wanted to share something lighter — especially since many of you asked whether we made a family photo book again this year and when … Read more

We were feeling festive and decided to make a few custom Christmas ornaments this year. Ornament decorating can be as simple or involved as you want, and we chose an easy, budget-friendly approach. We picked up a six-pack of clear glass ornaments ($2.49), some white glitter ($1.30), and a bag of feathers ($2.49) from Michael’s, … Read more

Many of you asked what turning thirty was like for me, so I paused my painting project (yes, I finally put paint on a previously untouched bathroom wall!) to share. Monday was a really lovely day. So far, thirty suits me fine — I don’t feel a day over 29. My theory is birthdays rarely … Read more

You sent in your favorite life hacks over the past few weeks, so this post is packed with simple, low-cost tricks to make your home run smoother and your day a little less stressful. Inside you’ll find clever cleaning tips, smart storage ideas, and both high- and low-tech ways to stay organized. We also explain … Read more

Installing a stair runner yourself might sound daunting, but it’s easier than you think—we’ve done it multiple times and even demonstrated the process on TV. Follow this clear step-by-step guide and you’ll have a professional-looking result. We also share a simple trick to make sure your rug is the right size before you cut or … Read more

Inspiration turns up in unexpected places. I wasn’t surprised when a recent Pottery Barn catalog caught my eye with photos of old-fashioned canning jars styled as keepsakes. On closer look they were antique bell jars filled with shells, sand, and even ocean water, labeled with destinations like “Mykonos” and “Fiji.” It was charming—and it made … Read more