My dad is an artist — not professionally (he’s a brilliant math teacher), but both he and my mother sketched and drew for fun while I was growing up. Art was my favorite subject, and I eventually earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in New York City. I remember being amazed by my mother’s graceful … Read more

We did our best to keep things from getting painfully awkward. Did we succeed? You decide. As part of this year’s blogiversary celebrations, we asked readers to submit personal (non-decorating) questions on our Facebook page last week. More than two hundred questions poured in, so Sherry and I answered as many as we could while … Read more

Want to turn Ikea Besta cabinets into custom built-ins? We used three simple hacks to make our Bestas read like higher-end storage without the hefty price. The result is extra concealed storage and added architectural detail in our bedroom. table | white chairs | wicker chair | ottoman | lamps | glass vase | sconces … Read more

While updating our house’s before & after page and paint color/source page last week, we realized some photos were already out of date. The upstairs family room is a good example — we’ve added a few key pieces since we first shared it in July. Can you spot the changes? sofa | similar rug | … Read more

This weekend our deck was full of people we love, gathered to celebrate our four-year-old. It was wonderful to have so much connected outdoor space for a party—the sunroom-turned-veranda and the large deck that overlooks the grassy backyard made the flow feel effortless compared with the last house where guests were scattered between rooms and … Read more

A number of you caught a preview of this update on Instagram Stories right after the holidays, so here’s a clear, polished update about the new loveseat we added and how the sitting room is shaping up. We purchased the loveseat on Overstock, and while it’s currently out of stock there, it is available in … Read more

This was meant to be the post where I triumphantly announce “The floors are DONE!” with an enthusiastic exclamation point. Instead, I’m admitting “The floors are almost done.” with a sheepish period. They’re mostly installed, and honestly they weren’t that hard — anyone can do this with a little patience. Since we last updated you, … Read more

Woo-hoo — the nursery is finally finished! With about four weeks left until our little one’s expected arrival (though we’re pretty sure she’ll be fashionably late), we’re thrilled to have a bright, functional room ready. It’s come a long way from the blank canvas it once was: The closet was one of the bigger challenges: … Read more

We previously shared a simple chair upholstery tutorial, and now we’re back with more chair transformations for inspiration. Emily, John’s often-mentioned sister, invited me to go fabric hunting to find the perfect material for recovering two well-loved chairs with great potential. We searched until we found a fabric that complemented this low-slung chair with its … Read more

We’re excited to share a gorgeous downtown Washington, D.C. home today. We had a wonderful time meeting Adam and Amber and touring their Capitol Hill rowhouse. The couple has created a warm, stylish space that makes the most of every square foot. Step inside and you immediately see how thoughtfully the 1,000-square-foot layout was planned. … Read more