Alternate punny post title: Joist to the world. (I’ll pause while you golf clap) Good news — my dad returned from my grandma’s in West Virginia, so we could finally double up the girders and bolt them to the posts. I started to explain, “Okay, you’ll hold the board in the air while I drill … Read more

I’m excited to share this transformation — it’s my favorite to date. Even more amusing: I’m unveiling our brand-new laundry nook even though I’m not the one who does the laundry (modern life!). We created this updated laundry area on a tight budget, and the results made a dramatic difference in the home. It’s amazing … Read more

Green aventurine is a variety of quartz distinguished by tiny, glittering mineral inclusions that give it a sparkling appearance. While aventurine appears in several colors, green is the most common and a favorite for many. Long associated with luck and prosperity, green aventurine is often kept as a decorative piece on shelves or tabletops for … Read more

We’re trying a new houseplant at Casa Petersik — not exactly front-page news, but a small milestone for us. We usually stick with familiar plants (you can read about the ones we already love), so adding something different feels noteworthy. Who’s the new arrival? It’s a feathery asparagus fern we found at Home Depot, placed … Read more

As much as we love our new built-in shelves in the laundry room, they interfered with the previous ironing-board storage setup — you know, the one that clanged every time the washer spun. It was clear the ironing board needed a new home. At first we considered building a cubby into the built-ins, but we … Read more

We’ve been darting in and out of Home Depot like it’s our job, stretching a $500 porch makeover budget for Better Homes & Gardens’ 48-Hour Challenge. The goal: a lighter, brighter porch that complements the airy interior of our newly updated home. It’s surprising how gloomy a house can look from the curb when the … Read more

For those who joined us in tackling closet clutter this weekend, how did it go? We wrapped up with fewer things crammed behind closed doors and more room for incoming baby gear (and the inevitable reshuffling that follows). We’ve got a lot to recap, starting with the master bedroom. We’ll share details about the other … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** If you haven’t heard of papernstitch, it’s worth a visit. The site curates a rotating selection of handmade art—prints, photographs, textiles and more—highlighting a fresh group of independent artists each month. It’s a great place to find unique pieces and to gather gift ideas for the holidays. This … Read more

This Dremel was a freebie I received from the DIY Network back in 2003. It might look like I broke my own rule about accepting freebies. But this tool arrived long before we adopted that policy — and long before our blog, our first house, or even our relationship. I didn’t meet Sherry until 2004 … Read more

Progress has been made in the guest bathroom — and that’s welcome news since Sherry’s mom and stepdad arrive in less than 30 hours. Our first win was finding a shower curtain. After a previous pattern mishap with a different curtain, we picked this one up at Target on Friday for about $20. There’s still … Read more