House Crash Update: Kelly’s Outdoor Escape and New Safety Fixes

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We had a blast house-crashing Kelly Moore last May (you can see the full visit here). When Kelly told us she’d refreshed her outdoor space, we couldn’t wait to see the cozy haven she created on her deck. The area blends soft textures and bold colors to create an inviting, lived-in feel that’s perfect for … Read more

Hide Utility Boxes with a DIY Floating Shelf Guide

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When we shared photos of our front porch last fall, we explained our decorating approach there: plants, and more plants. Filling the porch with greenery ties it visually to the surrounding landscape and, as you’ll see, helps hide some unattractive elements of the exterior — namely three large rectangular utility boxes. More on those in … Read more

John’s Bee-Day Surprise Gift Guide

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Yesterday was my sweet hubby’s birthday, so I thought I’d share the gift Clara, Burger and I picked out for him. Lately John and I have been talking about collecting more original artwork to complement the many DIY pieces we already have framed throughout the house. Our friends Matt and Kristin have been a big … Read more

How to Plan and Build a Carport Pergola That Lasts

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What carport? This carport. You know, the one that almost made us walk away from this house because we were so anti-carport? Funny how perspectives change after living with it for a few years… Sherry talked about our shift in thinking back in this Listy McListerson post: “we originally wanted to convert this into a … Read more

Spring Break at Madeira Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

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As we revealed last Saturday, we spent a week soaking up the sun on a small island off Florida’s west coast: Madeira Beach. We returned to Virginia with sun-kissed skin, a boatload of shells, and plenty of stories — starting with a tour of the charming cottage we called home for the week. Wanting a … Read more

2011 New Year Resolutions Guide

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Every year we set a few resolutions publicly in hopes that they’ll push us to take action. So without further ado (and yes, with a gratuitous Clara picture), here they are. Resolution #1. Be bolder with decorating and renovation choices. This year we want to embrace color, contrast, and risk-taking. We plan to experiment more … Read more

Planning Our Daughter’s First Birthday: Ideas, Timeline & Tips

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Clara’s big birthday party is tomorrow — and it’s her actual birthday too. It’s hard to believe that this time last year she was just arriving; how time flies. Since so many of you asked for party details, I wanted to share a quick pre-party-prep rundown of the supplies and decorations I’ve gathered for her … Read more

Convert Bathroom Linen Cabinet to Stylish Open Shelving

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We have another fantastic reader redesign to share. This one comes from Stacie, the same person who created that stylish new bedroom inspired by a custom moodboard we made in May. Her bedroom update turned out so well it sparked a second makeover—this time in her boys’ bathroom linen closet. Here’s her “I ripped the … Read more

How to Choose a Ceramic Ram Wall Sculpture for Your Home

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Hi, I’m Sherry Petersik, and I have a weakness for white ceramic animals. This one, however, is cast in white resin. Can you guess which creature stole my heart this time? Here’s a hint. I’m adding some filler text so the photo below doesn’t give it away before you make a guess. Ready? What animal … Read more