Last year John’s younger sister Carrie moved to Philadelphia for work and ended up in a cute high-rise apartment that needed some affordable updates. For under $200 we hit Ikea, picked up art and accessories, and transformed her place in an afternoon (here’s that story). A year later she was transferred back to Northern Virginia … Read more

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