We’re back with the full front door makeover, as promised. Here’s what we started with: The old maroon storm door caused three main problems: the decorative grids didn’t line up with the six-paneled wood door behind it, the door frequently jammed, and it didn’t latch reliably so it would bang open in storms. We rarely … Read more

Pothos are easily our favorite houseplant, and the golden pothos is the most popular variety. People of all skill levels love it because it’s affordable, attractive, and simple to care for. Golden pothos grow quickly and produce long, trailing vines that add life and color to any room. We keep pothos in nearly every room … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!*** And the one lucky winner (as selected by random.org) is… Laura (who says “Me likey fall. The air smells so fresh and clean!”) Congrats! Everyone’s favorite modular carpet tile maker returned for another giveaway, this time offering an even bigger prize than their … Read more

Oh snap—our “new” beach house stove is actually older than we are. It’s from 1959, and it’s pink. I’m ridiculously excited. John’s reaction is best described as cautiously optimistic, but I’ll get to that in a moment. We paid $195 for it at a secondhand shop called Class & Trash about 30 minutes from our … Read more

The tree philodendron, once commonly called the hope philodendron or philodendron selloum, is one of the most rewarding houseplants to grow. This tropical, low-maintenance species delivers strong visual impact with its large, deeply lobed leaves and tall, architectural form. It’s an excellent, more forgiving alternative to a fiddle leaf fig for anyone seeking a big, … Read more

We mentioned briefly that Better Homes & Gardens’ Do It Yourself (DIY) team was here for a shoot, and now we’re filling in the rest of the story. Their crew spent two full days at Casa Petersik photographing our home for a before-and-after feature that will be run across the four 2009 DIY issues, and … Read more

Just when you thought the duplex was getting all the attention, we squeezed in some beach house updates. The backyard is slowly coming together (shed, patio, fence — I can’t wait to show it when it’s further along!), but today we’re focusing on the living room, which feels lighter, brighter, and much more beachy. This … Read more

Could you lock down your wallet for an entire year? Sherry told the story of a woman who did just that: why she committed to the challenge, the practical exceptions she allowed to make it manageable, and how her experience is inspiring us to rethink our spending — maybe even try a spending ban of … Read more

We received many emails asking for a simple dress-dyeing guide after I mentioned transforming my wedding gown for my best friend’s reception. Below is a concise, user-friendly overview of the process. For a deeper dive, consult a more detailed clothes-dyeing tutorial if you want additional tips and alternatives. Here’s how my wedding dress went from … Read more

We’re back to share phase two of our sunroom mini makeover. After painting the dark daybed white and bringing in our old guest room dresser and mirror during phase one (our “work-with-what-you-have” stage), we focused on two updates to enhance what was already working in the room: paint and curtain rods. First up, paint. We’d … Read more