Today we’re considering an expert theory that your childhood passions—especially those from around fifth grade—might point to what you’ll enjoy most as an adult. It was interesting to look back and see whether this idea rings true for us. We also admit a hiring mistake we made for a recent house project and explain what … Read more

When Evelyn sent us photos of her kitchen makeover, we were excited to share them. Here’s the letter she sent describing the transformation: I read your blog every day — your enthusiasm for decorating and finding great deals is contagious. I love Target, Ikea and West Elm too, and I once had an outdoor wedding … Read more

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