Each month we like to bring a fresh, inexpensive bouquet into the house — sometimes even for free — just to keep things bright and cheerful. The idea actually started with a thoughtful Christmas gift from John a few years back. For our anniversary month we chose gladiolus stems we spotted at the grocery store … Read more

The wallpaper in our dining room is finally gone. What a relief! There’s something so satisfying about clean, ready-to-paint walls. The only downside: the endless blue trim is glaring at me and needs attention next. In the past I’ve tested different wallpaper removal methods to see which works best. I’ve tried boiling water in a … Read more

This post has been updated now that I live in Florida & wear sunscreen every day This post started because I kept adding product updates to the bottom of another roundup about our home and personal care items, and readers had trouble finding the info. Rather than bury these favorites, I pulled them into this … Read more

Lulu & Georgia is an online home decor boutique that recently celebrated its first anniversary. To mark the occasion, one lucky winner will receive $500 to spend on rugs, pillows, lighting, and other stylish home accessories. The brand name is a nod to the founder’s grandfathers, Lou and George, and the collection reflects a wide … Read more

When we discovered that Katie at All Bower Power drew partial inspiration from our bedroom makeover, we were excited to see how she transformed her space. Katie took her room from this: To this: The result is a calm, sophisticated retreat that feels both comfortable and stylish. Katie did an impressive job reworking layout, color, … Read more

We usually feel confident picking a paint color, but choosing the perfect gray for two main living areas had me oddly nervous. We planned to use the same color in the future dining room, main hallway, and living room for continuity, and that made me overthink every swatch. Sherry teased me about my paint paralysis … Read more

So John went for a run, and while he was out I quietly painted a light fixture. Let me explain. We have a “full agreement” rule for decor—meaning we don’t buy or change anything unless we’re both on board. That keeps us from holding grudges over big purchases (like a recliner one of us secretly … Read more

We’re delighted to introduce the newest member of our family: baby Teddy! On Wednesday, April 16 at 8:51 a.m., Theodore Freeman Petersik arrived healthy and strong, weighing 8 pounds and measuring 19.5 inches. We’re completely smitten with him — Clara especially adores her baby brother and can’t stop kissing and cuddling him. Whenever he whimpers … Read more

Update: Thank you all for the kind words and support on yesterday’s post. You guys are awesome. We finally have a proper backyard. There’s still grass to plant, but after three phases of digging, transplanting, and weeding (phase one and phase two) our once-Jumanji-like yard is transformed into a cleared space where Burger and Clara … Read more

That’s right — I pulled a Benita Larsson. If you’re not familiar, Benita runs Chez Larsson and I love the simple, functional, and beautiful Scandinavian approach she brings to home life. This quick closet refresh gave me that same clean, organized vibe I admire so much. (Fun aside: Benita and a handful of other guest … Read more