And now for some big news: we’re searching for a new Casa Petersik. After four and a half wonderful years in our current home, we’ve decided it’s time to sell. Why? Because we love a project and we’re genuinely excited about the idea of starting a fresh home makeover—and sharing every step of the process … Read more

A friend of mine is pregnant, and it reminded me how much fun it was to name our own children. We prefer traditional, old-fashioned names. Both of our kids are named after grandparents—one from John’s side and one from mine—so choosing names that feel established and meaningful mattered to us. I enjoyed compiling this list … Read more

When Lyzz sent in her clever DIY chalkboard door project, we were excited to share it. Here’s what she wrote: I discovered your blog about six months ago and have been hooked ever since. I read it every day and always find fresh inspiration. We decided to tackle a before-and-after project. Chalkboard paint looks great … Read more

Dude, let’s go boarding — clipboarding, that is. I’m not coordinated enough for a surfboard, skateboard, or snowboard, but this I can handle. This old clipboard came from the playroom, where I dropped it among ceramic animals and told myself, “I’ll do something cute with this later.” Then life happened and the clipboard sat there … Read more

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