We spent nearly a year reimagining our pool area to create a larger, more versatile outdoor living space. Two years ago we shared a behind-the-scenes look at installing our pool and a number of before-and-after shots. We love the pool and the surrounding area quickly became our favorite outdoor hangout. In spring 2022 we realized … Read more

And now for the juicy wedding-week DIY decor you’ve been waiting for. From the moment guests arrived we wanted everyone to feel welcomed and comfortable. We made a simple wooden welcome sign with a hand-painted message and used a sandwich-board design (two boards joined with hinges at the top) so we could paint a departure … Read more

Surprise! John and I slipped away to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware around the Fourth of July. John’s parents have a lovely beach house there, and we spent the weekend relaxing on the sand, publishing a few posts so you wouldn’t think we’d vanished, and tackling a quick patriotic watermelon project. We also made time for one … Read more

Julie’s kitchen makeover is nothing short of miraculous. Below is the letter she sent describing the changes and the process: I discovered your blog through a Real Simple newsletter and have enjoyed reading it during the quiet evenings after putting my one- and two-year-old toddlers to bed. We recently sold our house and realized how … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** This week we’re offering a custom painting created by a talented trio of equine artists: Blitz, Minnow, and Boomer, the resident painters at Painting Pony. These Chincoteague ponies produce colorful, one-of-a-kind canvases with guidance from their trainer, Kyley DiLuigi. The ponies hold brushes in their mouths and apply … Read more

With a snowstorm dropping about nine inches of fluffy white on us this weekend — which is unusual for our area — we couldn’t help but admire how beautiful everything looked under a fresh blanket. It also made us appreciate one of the things we love about central Virginia: the chance to enjoy all four … Read more

***This giveaway is now closed – see who won below!*** You all reached the 10,000-entry cap within 24 hours, so clearly Fab is popular — or a $500 gift card is. We randomly selected a winner and it is… Whitney (who shared, “Most of my apartment is muted gray, yellow, and blue, but my kitchen … Read more

Remember when we split four Ikea curtain panels down the middle to make eight for our living room? Those panels were discontinued, but they added such height and pattern that we loved them. If you need a refresher, here are a few photos: We loved the added height, texture, and pattern, but I’d always thought … Read more

We’ve finally found a way to present the changing layout of our home without inviting everyone over (though we’re always happy to give a tour). While browsing RemodelingMySpace.com, I discovered a free tool called Floorplanner, recommended as an easy way to create 2D house plans. For those wanting more advanced 3D options, the site also … Read more

Last fall we featured a redesign Nancy created for her son Owen. She’s back with another lovely room makeover—this time for a family with a heartwarming story. Here’s her letter: Hi John and Sherry! A while back I entered the Creating with the Stars contest hosted by East Coast Creative and was teamed up with … Read more