Installing a toilet was one of our first DIY projects after buying a house in 2006. Nearly two decades later we’ve installed and reinstalled toilets so many times the process feels routine. You’ll see photos from several bathrooms throughout this guide. While installing a toilet can seem daunting or unpleasant, it’s a straightforward project most … Read more

This post is long overdue. Whenever someone spots the artwork in our foyer on Facebook or Instagram and asks about it, I always say, “A good friend made that portrait of our kids! I’ve been meaning to write about it—soon!” Well, that day has finally arrived. I received this pastel drawing more than a year … Read more

Duck! Don’t worry — nothing’s flying at you. We’re just showing off our latest thrift-store find. It may look like a duck, but it’s probably a goose. We haven’t decided where it will live or what color it will be painted (yes, that was an intentional flight pun). We liked its character and thought it … Read more

Well, it wasn’t exactly a disaster — more of a minor misstep. Still, we like to share both the wins and the experiments that don’t quite land, so here’s a quick recap. We were browsing HomeGoods for nightstands, rugs, pillows, and other odds and ends when we spotted this curtain for just $12. It was … Read more

Here it is: the long-requested list of our favorite DIY tools for anyone asking Santa for something tool-related this year—or for those hunting for the perfect gift for a handy friend or family member. None of these items paid us or provided perks; they’re simply the tools we use regularly and genuinely recommend. So let’s … Read more

Who wouldn’t want a little extra cash in the bank? We asked a money expert to share the most common places his clients overspend and his top tips for creating—and actually sticking to—an easy household budget. A workable budget is the simplest way to save more each month. We also offer friendly, practical strategies for … Read more

Alternate punny post title: Some Midcentury Microdermabrasion. Yesterday John told the story of how we tracked down an old thrift-store table and fixed its wobbly legs. Since we keep this DIY diary pretty real-time (if a project takes two days it earns two posts — if a kitchen takes four months it earns about a … Read more

As many of you know from following us on Instagram or Facebook, Katie B and I went thrift shopping while we were in Destin last week. It’s become a bit of a tradition for us. We didn’t have our video camera with us this time, but we took a ton of photos to share. Here … Read more

Warning: this is longer than the Oscars, so feel free to fast forward to the good parts. These posts started because people asked how we organize everything on our long to-do list. We explained that we keep one long running document, and when readers asked us to share and update it, we figured why not. … Read more

We love a good house portrait, so we’re excited to share the work of watercolor artist Michelle Schneider of The Art of Michelle. Michelle creates a variety of pieces, but her charming renderings of homes and gardens are particularly delightful. Each portrait highlights the character of a house — sometimes with a pet in the … Read more