Whether you’re house hunting, building new, or simply daydreaming, you likely have a mental list of home features you love or hope to find in your next house. Here we share seven favorite features based on what we’ve learned from living in and renovating multiple homes, working on new builds with a local builder, and … Read more

Hallelujah, the patio is finished! After a couple of days to recover and let soreness fade, I’m ready to finish the story. We left off with me passed out on the mostly-laid pavers late Friday night. We took Saturday off for family time and an early Mother’s Day, but Sunday I planned to spend an … Read more

It’s not just the chill in the air or the scent of pumpkin spice — there’s a seasonal challenge brewing, and we’re diving in. While the leaves and cozy treats are delightful, another tradition has us excited: a fresh Pinterest Challenge. Want to play along? Pin what inspires you and put your own spin on … Read more

Q: I know this might be a bit on the personal side, but I’ve always wondered what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to running a successful blog. I’m sure a lot of readers just think you write up posts and conquer home improvement projects but from owning my own small business I … Read more

We recently upgraded our living room lighting — not calf implants, but close: recessed lights (can lights) and a new pendant over the table. The room required a bit of chaos to get ready for the work: we moved half of Karl the Sectional, rolled back the rug and laid drop cloths under each work … Read more

We’re holding off on a complete virtual tour of our soon-to-be new home until the sale is finalized and we actually live there. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the rough floor plan we drew up using floorplanner.com (a free tool). Measurements are approximate, pulled from the inspection and the sales flier, but … Read more

The guest bathroom turned out so much cuter with just a few simple changes. That small space proves that even rooms that feel stuck can look fresh with inexpensive updates: new paint, a window treatment, some art, and a few mixed-and-matched accessories. Instead of removing the vintage yellow tile and the scrabble-board floor, we embraced … Read more

That’s right—I even used the word dastardly. We should have been working on our office cabinets, but that’s a much bigger job (one weekend, maybe two). Instead I finally tackled the rocker that’s been giving me the stink eye since November, even before we moved. Quick recap: I scored it on Craigslist for $25 because … Read more

Updated 2018, Originally Posted 2009 We get a lot of questions about edging, cutting in, and trim painting, so we wanted to share our go-to tool: a short-handled, 2-inch angled brush made by Wooster. With this brush and a little practice you can paint clean, straight lines without relying on painter’s tape. Best Cutting-In Brush … Read more

Ever wondered if you could install your own kitchen backsplash? It’s easier and more affordable than many expect. Here’s how we added a classic white subway tile backsplash in my aunt’s kitchen using budget-friendly tile sheets. The project took two half-days to complete and cost roughly $200. Why Add a Kitchen Backsplash? When we renovated … Read more