***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** We’re thrilled by the outpouring of congratulations, kindness, and generosity we’ve received since Clara’s arrival. We can’t thank everyone enough. As a small way to give back, we’re hosting this giveaway to share some of the generosity we’ve experienced with our readers. Originally we hadn’t planned formal birth … Read more

I owe you fair warning: this story might give you the willies. It’s a firsthand account from my renter days that I’m sharing in hopes it helps anyone facing something similar. After graduating, I moved to New York City in June 2004 and rented a two-bedroom apartment in Astoria, Queens with a college roommate. The … Read more

Our $35 secondhand chairs – the ones we found here – aren’t quite finished yet (picture me tapping my foot and impatiently waiting for paint to dry), but we thought we’d share the makeover progress in real time. First, a quick rundown of all the colors John and I considered for the office chairs: emerald … Read more

We’re inviting someone new into the bedroom: a TV. We used to be staunchly anti-TV-in-the-bedroom, and we understand it isn’t for everyone. For some people it’s practically taboo. But we only own one working television in the house—normally in the living room—and another smaller set had been sitting unused in the playroom since we upgraded. … Read more

We often get asked which tools are worth owning, and those questions peak around Father’s Day (are dads really that predictable? Don’t answer that). “Should” is a strong word because the tools you need depend on the projects you tackle and how much budget and storage you can commit. Also worth mentioning: Sherry uses every … Read more

Even though we write about home projects every day, it’s easy to forget to share the small updates until someone spots a photo and asks, “Hey, when did you do that?” Sometimes the little changes are the ones that make you smile when you walk into a familiar room day after day. Since this blog … Read more

The sudden rise of video conferencing has given us a new view into our own homes—and the homes of coworkers, friends, and even public figures. What does your Zoom background say about you? How far will people go to hide the odd or embarrassing things in their space before a call begins? In this episode … Read more

A few months ago HomeGoods opened a new store much closer to our house, so naturally we celebrated. The closest location had previously been in Short Pump, about twenty-five minutes away, but the new Chesterfield Towne Center store is only eight minutes from our door. Score. We decided to wander the aisles with our camera … Read more

Yes, that was a gourd pun. My favorite post title ever was “Oh My Gourd,” so I can’t resist writing about gourds again. I enjoy adding small, seasonal touches around the house that are both inexpensive and stylish—think simple Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations. When I spotted these faux gourds at JoAnn Fabrics on sale for … Read more

If cleanliness truly is next to godliness, preparing our house for sale has made us feel pretty saintly. We were tidy before—clutter is out—but having a newborn this summer put a pause on deep cleaning. Now that strangers are touring the home, we’ve shifted into full cleaning mode. Here I am on a ladder, washing … Read more