I recently found an old issue of Health magazine in the dentist’s waiting room that claimed “rolling on a new coat of paint burns 204 calories an hour.” Maybe that explains why my husband — the designated roller (I generally handle the trim and cutting-in) — is tall and slim even though he eats ice … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!*** After a holiday giveaway filled with excitement and many entries, we’ve crowned our big winner. The random draw selected Nina (who plans to soak up and celebrate the season with her toddler, baby, and husband this week while doing some gift wrapping, toy … Read more

What’s all that stomping you hear? It’s just us doing the happy dance. We’re thrilled to share the second installment of our home makeover featured in Do It Yourself magazine. The team photographed our house last October (we even shared a behind-the-scenes look) and invited us to write a three-part series about transforming our modest … Read more

I’ve shared many real-time renovation updates on Instagram Stories, but here’s a longer catch-up post for anyone who prefers reading. We’re about seven weeks into our biggest renovation in over five years, and it’s delightfully chaotic. Walls are open, ceilings are being reworked, and new rooms are framed. There’s been a lot of progress — … Read more

We tackled a few projects recently, including some updates for the children’s hospital, but a lot of you noticed the foyer ceiling change in the background of yesterday’s post, so here are the details. We actually finished the ceiling before our big kitchen paint day, but that post jumped the queue because it was way … Read more

Slowly but surely, we’re making real progress on the beach house. Over the next few weeks we expect major advances: a complete electrical rewire, upgraded plumbing, and a fully functioning HVAC system—perfect timing for hot summer days. We’re relieved to finally say goodbye to knob-and-tube wiring, to a furnace “accessorized” with cardboard and bedsheets, and … Read more

We received many requests for a Christmas gift roundup for kids, so here are a number of items we love. Most picks are under $25, some under $12, and none exceed $49—affordable, thoughtful options for the young ones on your list. 1. Clara loves painting and bright colors. A colorful watercolor print from Etsy ($25) … Read more

Last week we shared all the details about the exterior of our duplex renovation, but today we’re shifting focus to a major interior milestone: drywall. Drywall is one of those moments in a renovation that suddenly makes everything feel real. Rooms go from being undefined spaces to actual rooms. The floor plan starts to read … Read more

There’s something new and cheerful happening in our sunroom. No, not the fireflies Clara insists on trying to catch and keep (she told me she wants one to live in her room forever). Call it befriending or imprisoning—semantics. Our sunroom—veranda if you prefer the fancier term—now has real lighting, all thanks to new fixtures mounted … Read more

I’m clearly not alone in my love for white ceramic animals. I recently opened my new copy of Thom Filicia Style (highly recommended—it’s full of inspiration) and noticed a clear theme: Thom has a fondness for ceramic creatures. There’s a white ceramic eagle used as a console table base, a large faux gazelle head mounted … Read more