Can you believe it’s been a month since our last house crashing tour? That February visit was across the pond, but this one was local, so we were able to enjoy all the details in person. Meet Becky and Brian (and their dog Fergie). They live just outside Richmond with their two daughters and greet … Read more

We’ve refinished hardwood floors in five of the six houses we’ve owned. That doesn’t make us professional floor refinishers, but as homeowners and DIYers we’ve learned what to expect, what pitfalls to watch for, and roughly how much it costs. Below we answer common hardwood floor refinishing questions and share photos from our projects to … Read more

The thrill of finding a great deal is one thing, but the excitement of scoring a fantastic steal is another. Decor Steals offers daily sales featuring vintage-inspired and industrial-chic home accessories, lighting, and furniture at discounts of up to 80% off retail. Sign up for their daily deal announcements to be first in line for … Read more

You know Sherry and I work on being concise, so Avis’s submission was a refreshing reminder that a strong makeover can be told simply. Her email provided the essentials, and the photos did most of the storytelling. See for yourself below: Sherry and John, hi! I’m Avis. I started reading your blog this year and … Read more

We’re nearing the finish line on both duplex kitchens and have just cleared a major to-do: installing the backsplash tile in both units. Since it’s a two-unit house, we tiled two kitchens back-to-back, which felt daunting at first, but we completed both backsplashes over a 3-day weekend. It’s a huge relief to have them off … Read more

We love any excuse to add more plants to our home, and you’ve likely heard they can improve indoor air quality. Before you splurge, let’s look at what plants can realistically do. Below we explain which plants we recommend and the benefits you can actually expect from them. Plants are often described as natural air … Read more

Note: This post features a heavy-duty, gas-powered pressure washer we rented. To read about how we now use a $99 electric model we own, see our Getting Started With Pressure Washing post. I have a new favorite tool. We rented a 2000 PSI gas pressure washer from the Home Depot tool rental department for a … Read more

The new countertops are installed, and they’re a revelation. After months of waiting for a proper surface to work on, any counter would have done — but our sparkling new granite is something special. We’re holding off on the full reveal until tomorrow when the sink, faucet, and dishwasher are all fully installed, so stay … Read more

Remember how I’ve been slowly sneaking into my best friend’s house to refresh rooms for her? You might already have seen her living room update. This time I tackled a simple, cheerful homework room for her three kids—two, six, and seven—just in time for the school year to wrap up. Thankfully, they’ve been using it … Read more

Gallery walls just got easier. This week’s prize is $500 to Artfully Walls. Artfully Walls offers a large selection of art prints and user-friendly tools to design a custom gallery wall. Their platform lets you select pieces, adjust sizing and arrangement, choose frames, and preview different paint colors on the wall. If you prefer a … Read more