After we scored a gigantic mirror (seriously — it’s huge) for $5 at a local garage sale, we realized it was time to talk about the real powers mirrors bring to a room. Short of adding a new window, installing a French door, or building an addition, mirrors are the most effective way to visually … Read more

Painting cabinets is an affordable way to refresh an outdated kitchen without a full renovation. With proper preparation and patience, a DIY cabinet paint job can look professional and last for years. We’ve used the method described here to transform cabinets in multiple kitchens and other rooms, so this process is reliable and repeatable. Follow … Read more

Here’s a simple fan makeover anyone can do. We replaced the plain, dated glass globe on a cheap white ceiling fan with a clean, modern lampshade to give the fixture a more polished, upscale look. The whole update is fast, inexpensive, and makes a surprisingly big visual difference. Key to the swap is choosing a … Read more

Caitlin’s project caught our attention the moment we read “purchased for $1.14” and “found on the side of the road.” That was before we even saw the photos of her shabby-chic DIY jewelry station makeover. Here’s her story: I’ve been a long-time follower (my morning routine includes a cup of coffee and your blog), so … Read more

You may recall how much we dread painting ceilings. So you can imagine my dismay when “Repaint The Living Room Ceiling” reappeared on our to-do list. Groan. Still, a fresh coat of white paint can transform a ceiling—especially when it has visible issues like ours did. When we moved in there were several imperfect areas. … Read more

I kind of want to jump on The Voice bandwagon. Not because I expect Adam Levine to turn his chair for me — though if he did I’d probably look him dead in the eye and say, “Keep your hands off my woman, Levine!” — but because shows like The Choice (spinny chairs meets dating), … Read more

After three years in Richmond with hardly any measurable snowfall, Mother Nature finally delivered: about eight inches of fresh, powdery snow. It’s stunning—truly breathtaking. We’ve always loved the look of snow, and this blanket of white is everything we hoped for. In three years of owning our home we’ve dealt with primer splatters and renovation … Read more

Last time we introduced our new bed, Ed — the Edland four-poster bed from Ikea — he looked like this (we explained how we chose him here). He’s since been assembled and even slept on for a night. With the Skorva steel support beam (also from Ikea and listed as a recommended accessory), Ed easily … Read more

When we created a custom mood board for Chantel in Canada a few months ago, we were eager to see the finished living room. She’s back with beautiful after photos and this note: Thank you again for all your help with our living room in January. We followed all of your advice to the letter … Read more

Alternate punny post title: The Updated Light Fixture Blues. We’re not sad about our “new” office fixture—we’re delighted. We spray painted the old brass chandelier indigo and added a large drum shade, hence the blues joke. Read on for a closer look. To refresh your memory, here’s the original fixture (ignore the too-small frames leaning … Read more