Last month we wrote about how refinishing the floors at the duplex felt like a major turning point in a renovation that’s been underway for over a year. After so many hidden, expensive upgrades—plumbing, electrical, structural work—seeing the finished floors made the whole place feel like it finally belonged to us. Now we’re firmly in … Read more

About five months ago we first showed you the exterior of our house. That was our very first week here, and since then our outdoor spaces have been in regular use. You’ve already seen how our second-story deck came together, and today we’re updating the front porch, the covered side porch, and the new landscaping … Read more

Earlier this summer we shared a full recap of how we transformed our beach house backyard from an overgrown mess into a compact, relaxing oasis. It’s a small space, so we focused on squeezing in as much function as possible — you can read more about that in the original post — and after that … Read more

We’re back with another two-post feature inviting you to tackle a home project alongside us. Last summer we decluttered the garage, and more recently we straightened out chaotic closets (read part one here and part two here). This time we’re focusing on those often-neglected kitchen cabinets. There’s not much explanation needed for why our two … Read more

We added a little trim to the desk area to give the cabinets a built-in look. As I mentioned in last week’s Day In The Life post, the goal was simple: attach narrow molding along the bottom of the cabinets to conceal that unfinished gap between the floor and the cabinet faces. I measured carefully … Read more

Remember our little Moo Minicard giveaway from a few weeks ago? Our lucky winner just emailed to tell us how she used her complimentary Moo Minicards, and her clever, thoughtful projects were too sweet not to share. Here’s her letter: I received my Moo Minicards—thanks again for the drawing! Before I won, my husband and … Read more

It’s Tuesday the 30th, which means it’s time to share this season’s (completely unofficial) Pinterest Challenge project — a fun prompt dreamed up by Katie to get us off the endless pinning cycle and actually making things. This round John and I tackled a large, chunky-framed leaning mirror — except instead of glass we turned … Read more

This spring break we took our kids to the heart of Dolly Parton country—the Tennessee Smokies, centered around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg—and it was a week full of family fun, great food, and even a light dusting of snow. With Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park all within easy reach, the area … Read more

After many readers asked for more details about how we organize everything from bills to receipts, we realized our recent post about seven simple habits only scratched the surface. So here’s a deeper look at the systems and routines that keep our home tidy, accessible, and largely on autopilot. Below you’ll find how we store, … Read more

“Smart home technology is cool, but is it actually worth it?” That question lingered for us for years as the trend grew. My current answer: it’s not a necessity — it’s a want, not a need. Still, a handful of smart devices have genuinely simplified life at home. Some improve energy efficiency and reduce costs … Read more