Removing Scalloped Porch Trim and Repairing Porch Columns

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We’ve been talking about simplifying the porch trim and giving the columns a more substantial, updated look ever since we moved in back in 2010. With the weather finally warming up after a long winter (we were still getting snow a few weeks ago), we decided it was time to tackle an outdoor project. Most … Read more

My First Mother’s Day and Patio Makeover Progress

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Sunday turned out to be a quietly wonderful Mother’s Day—unconventional, but exactly what I needed. The weekend felt like an extended celebration: we visited the farmer’s market and enjoyed the Bon Air parade and festival with Clara and John on Saturday (Burger, who’s afraid of firetrucks and loud noises, wisely skipped the parade). On Sunday … Read more

Cozy Family Room with Brick Fireplace and Blue Curtains

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When Anna sent photos of her family room redo, we were excited to share the dramatic before-and-after transformation. Below is her note describing the project: I thought you might like pictures of my 1960s step-down family room re-do. The best changes were removing the textured ceiling and replacing the carpet with wide-plank wood flooring. Because … Read more

Light Blue and Red Nursery Design Ideas for a Charming Baby Room

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When Brieanne shared her incredible nursery before-and-after photos, we were excited to showcase the transformation. Below is the letter she sent describing the project. Last year my sister asked me (her younger sister with an architecture degree) to help design a nursery for my future — and now completely adorable — niece Claire. Because my … Read more

DIY Ceiling Light with Lamp Shade Diffuser: Step-by-Step Guide

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We did it—an oversized DIY light fixture for the office that cost just $32 from start to finish. It gives the same impact as that $412 designer version, so we’re pretty excited about saving roughly $380 with a homemade solution. Here it is in all its glowing glory: To rewind a bit, this was the … Read more

What We’ll Miss Most About Our First Home

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In the words of Rose from Titanic… “I’ll never let go.” As we prepare to move on, we can’t help but pause and celebrate the dozens of small things we’ll miss about our very first home. These are the details that made this house feel like ours, and we wanted to capture them so we … Read more

Discover Ikea’s Latest Releases: New Finds for Your Home

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My recent trip to IKEA left me giddy — they’ve rolled out a lot of new pieces — so I took photos to share. This wasn’t sponsored; it was just a fun shopping excursion. Here’s a quick virtual tour of what caught my eye. First up: this gorgeous chair. I’m obsessed. It’s the Storsele at … Read more

8 Ways to Reduce Toxic Chemicals in Your Home

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Meet my incredibly smart little brother, Dan. Growing up I was always labeled “the creative one,” which in our family translated to “not the prodigy,” because my brother owned that role. It wasn’t that I wasn’t bright — I often made the honor roll and was accepted early into a competitive art program in New … Read more

You’re It: How Tag Teaches Kids Social Skills and Playtime Rules

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Cha-cha-cha-cha-changes. Some of you may have noticed that after Friday’s new house announcement, we updated the tagline in our blog header. Calling the site “two young people falling in love with their first house” no longer felt accurate. A longer alternative like “two young people making the emotional decision to leave their first house so … Read more

Upholster a Chair: Step-by-Step Guide for DIY Success

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We’re back with another practical tutorial—this time showing an easy way to refresh an old chair by reupholstering the seat. The point: this is a simple, fast project that can completely transform a piece of furniture. Let’s get started. The original white fabric on this antique chair had yellowed and picked up stains over the … Read more