When a crafty reader sent in her budget-friendly rug makeover, we were excited to share it. This ten-dollar transformation is a perfect example of how simple materials and a little creativity can produce a high-impact result. Here’s the note she sent: I’m a loyal reader of your blog and love your aesthetic. I wanted to … Read more

We’re often asked “to DIY or not to DIY?” so we decided to walk through our thought process using our new French doors that lead to the deck as an example. They turned out great, so we thought they’d make a helpful case study for how we decide when to hire a pro and when … Read more

When Jamie and Carmen sent in their delightful table-and-chair makeover, we were excited to share their bright, fresh redo. Here’s the note they sent: Hello Sherry and John! My mom and I always find inspiration on your blog (I purchased the Target chair after seeing it in your living room and have used your paint … Read more

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! We’re celebrating with Burger, Clara, each other, and a photography crew in our house for the third week running. There’s a twist today: we’re all trying not to be sick. Poor Clara was ill on Saturday into Sunday, and now it looks like John and I might have picked up the … Read more

Every year people ask for theme ideas from my family’s annual Christmas gift exchange. We first mentioned this tradition on a podcast episode in 2016, and nearly a decade later we’ve updated and collected the full list here for easy reference. If your household is stuck or overwhelmed with holiday shopping, a theme can simplify … Read more

From the beginning—well before we knew we were expecting a baby girl—I pictured the nursery with pear-green walls and a soft aqua ceiling. Saying “green walls with a blue ceiling” can sometimes trigger images of chaotic design, so my husband needed to see the colors before he was convinced. Quick tip: most people respond best … Read more

Something big happened last week: my parents sold the house I grew up in. They’d been planning this for a while, so it wasn’t a total surprise. It also wasn’t as sad as it might have been because they’re selling so they can move to Richmond — currently they’re about two hours away in Northern … Read more

When we decided on a wood-planked ceiling for our sunroom, I pictured a quick trip to the big box store, grabbing beadboard, and installing it in an afternoon. Reality turned out to be more complicated: there are many ways to get the beadboard look. Traditional beadboard is made from individual tongue-and-groove planks—similar to hardwood flooring … Read more

What started as a simple swap—trading an old sectional for a new sofa—has completely reshaped our living room layout (and sparked more excitement in one of us than the other). This week we’re sharing how we’re rethinking the floor plan to make the space work harder, plus a clear pro-and-con breakdown of countertop materials based … Read more

Oh happy day! Abbey sent her lovely mood board after photos and we couldn’t wait to share them. Her space is a great reminder that you don’t have to repaint in a dramatic hue or spend a fortune replacing everything to achieve a noticeably upgraded look. A few new pieces, a slightly deeper wall tone, … Read more