Since Clara is still a few years away from wielding a real pumpkin-carving knife, every year we look for toddler-friendly ways to include her in decorating pumpkins. When she was five months old we used the outline of her hand to inspire a lady-like Jack-o’-Lantern. Last year we took advantage of her improved dexterity and … Read more

Many readers probably know that Sherry and I started Young House Love to document our kitchen renovation and keep family updated on the progress. The idea came to us one evening while walking Burger, and we even picked the name before we finished our loop around the block. That same night I signed up for … Read more

Ruthy’s kitchen remodel caught our eye right away. It’s a style of home—and therefore a kitchen—that we don’t often see around Richmond, so the Pacific Northwest vibe she and her husband Andy brought from Tacoma, WA felt refreshingly different. Their mid-century modern aesthetic and bold choices stood out, especially the decision to use dark lower … Read more

We’re back with our weekly basement update, and since we’re getting closer to the best word ever — finished — this week’s project was quick and simple. It centers on the built-in cabinet to the right of the Ikea workstation that we painted white last week. It started out bare, but we promised a storage … Read more

Over the years of talking about home projects, readers often ask about my family — how many siblings I have, what my childhood was like, and so on. I always describe my upbringing as somewhat nontraditional, in the best possible way. I was raised by my mom and dad, who separated when I was very … Read more

A bunch of you asked whether we’d continue this series from Young House Life here after that post, and the answer is yes. So—happy Saturday! And happy Mother’s Day to everyone celebrating (from one bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived mom who wouldn’t trade it for anything). Convo #1 Clara (stalling before bedtime): Wait! Before bed let’s talk about … Read more

Remember when Clara was the queen of the jellyfish? Good times. She loves pretend play, and we enjoy making things for her for birthdays and holidays—like a play kitchen, a dollhouse, a latch board, a figurine cubby, a patterned doll cradle, a colorful quilt, a cuckoo clock, and a beanbag pouf—so for her fourth birthday … Read more

In my ongoing mission to help people find the perfect baby name, I’ve shared lists of classic girl and boy names. But what about names that don’t fit neatly into one category? Gender-neutral or unisex names are increasingly popular for many reasons. They can feel inclusive, flexible, and modern, and they make it easier for … Read more

Sherry and I were completely taken with the room Anna redesigned for her two boys. Partly because we don’t have a son—well, we do have a furry one, but he doesn’t have his own room—so it’s always fun to see a space tailored for boys. Mostly, though, we loved how Anna packed smart, stylish details … Read more

Remember the almond-colored toilet that came with our master bedroom (which we recently swapped out for a taller, cleaner-looking white model)? For a while the old almond one—oddly appearing almost white in the photo below—just sat in our entryway. That’s not that weird, right? We decided to try selling it on Craigslist. When John discovered … Read more