Make a Window Appear Bigger: Simple Styling and Design Tricks

featured 1059

Finally — no more living room window limbo. This weekend we picked up bamboo blinds to fill the gap between the top of the window and the curtain rod, instantly making the window look taller and adding warm texture. Here’s the window before the blinds, clearly asking for something beneath the rod: And the finished … Read more

Fab Freebie: Blogiversary A to Z Celebration Guide

img 29617 1

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries**** To celebrate our blogiversary we held our biggest giveaway of the year: a $500 gift certificate to Z Gallerie. One lucky reader won the chance to spend five hundred dollars on anything they wanted from this stylish home decor and furniture retailer. Z Gallerie has long been a … Read more

How to Style a Console Table Behind Your Sofa for Impact

featured 35270

The console is back. Like a beloved movie franchise, it’s had sequels, and this is the final reveal of our big console build. After many posts documenting the process, this is the official finale — and my favorite part, because it’s all about styling and little finishing touches. I’m sure it will evolve over time, … Read more

How We Installed Ikea Floating Shelves in Our Kitchen

featured 62719

Let’s take some shelfies — you know, instead of selfies. We didn’t have Beyoncé to photobomb them, but we finally installed the Ikea floating shelves in the kitchen and the room instantly feels brighter and more open. There are still a few big tasks left — like painting the cabinets — but swapping out the … Read more

Moonshine Gray Living Room Ideas — Benjamin Moore Inspiration

featured 32599

Sing the title if you like — it fits the mood. Yesterday we spent the day painting the living room, and between tending to Clara and keeping up with the blog, it turned into a 12-hour marathon from 9am to 9pm. The good news: the living room is officially painted in Moonshine. Even better: the … Read more

Update Your Dated Kitchen: DIY Remodel Ideas and Tips

featured 43475

We were thrilled to find Beth’s email in our inbox. Her account of the kitchen renovation had everything a great makeover story needs: an awkward before (yes, a brown fridge!), plenty of hands-on DIY work, a bit of tense timing (the countertops arrived the day before Christmas), and, best of all, a stunning after. Here … Read more

What Might Have Been: Stories of Missed Opportunities

featured 30755

When we paint, we end up talking about all kinds of odd little things we wouldn’t normally get around to. While repainting the bedroom, the conversation drifted to the names our parents almost gave us. It turns out my mom nearly named me Gina — which would have made us John & Gina. We laughed … Read more

DIY Wall Art Ideas to Transform Your Bedroom Quickly

featured 14078

Remember our playful visit with Katie and Jeremy of All Bower Power back in May? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when two home bloggers get together: within minutes they’re directing the guys, moving furniture, and creating a mini bedroom refresh that cost exactly zero dollars. The makeover took place in Katie and Jeremy’s … Read more

How to Choose the Perfect Dining Table for Your Space

featured 32823

Who doesn’t love an almost-two-thousand-word deep dive into hunting for a dining room table? Here’s our story. We’ve been searching for a large round table almost from the moment we moved into this house. The first time we walked through the small formal dining room back in late 2010 during house hunting, John said, “this … Read more