***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!*** Random.org selected two winners to kick off the new year: KC (who recently moved to a smaller place and wants to pare her home down to the essentials) and Katie (who needs help organizing computer files she can’t find). Congratulations to both winners! … Read more

Tons of readers asked for a clear, step-by-step guide to painting wood paneling, so here’s a concise, easy-to-follow version that will help you transform a room quickly and affordably. Painting paneling is one of the fastest ways to refresh a space in a single afternoon. It doesn’t require special skills — just the right prep, … Read more

Happy Friday, everyone! We’re tackling the foyer today (photos on Monday), but before that I wanted to share two bathroom updates — one of which was a pretty big oops. First up: we removed the extra countertop slab from the side of our vanity, and it made a huge difference. The side slab always felt … Read more

Yes, it’s another rug update. Our old hardwood floors still hand out splinters (remember that time I got one while painting?), so rugs are a practical and decorative priority for us. Rugs also help define a room, so we try to introduce them early. After dragging our 5 x 8′ yellow rug out of the … Read more

I brought home another ceramic animal. Is there a support group for this? (Hi, I’m Sherry, and I collect porcelain mammals.) I get that they’re not everyone’s thing — far from it — but for some reason these objects are irresistible to me. I can’t stay away. Over time I’ve noticed I’m drawn to certain … Read more

We bought a Roomba nearly a decade ago because the idea sounded great. In practice, it was noisy, often got stuck, and barely covered any floor before the battery died. It required so much attention that our time was better spent vacuuming ourselves, and we eventually sold it. So you can imagine our surprise when … Read more

As usual, I’m a bit behind — but here’s the gift guide at last. We’ve gathered all of our favorite picks in one place: gifts for grown-ups, great options for kids, and a favorite round-up of items under $15. These are things we own, have tried, or are excited to give this year. Gifts For … Read more

Clara turned three on Tuesday — and we’ve spent the last few days marveling at this lively little girl and wondering where the time went. As with her previous birthdays, we marked another year by making a custom fabric backdrop for her photo project. This tradition began on her first birthday, when I used my … Read more

This house makes me smile, so of course I had to House Crash it and share Kelly Moore’s beautiful home with you. You may recognize Kelly from her popular photography blog or her line of camera bags. But to really get to know someone, you explore their home — so let’s take a tour. We’ll … Read more

We hope you’re enjoying your 4th of July! Yesterday we put together a quick edible centerpiece in about fifteen minutes and couldn’t wait to dig in (and share the photos): We were at John’s parents’ house when his mom found the idea in one of her favorite cookbooks (Pillsbury: The Best Of Classic Cookbooks) and … Read more