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

Our 10′ x 10.5′ home office/guest bedroom already had a long list of demands: it needed to function as a productive workspace for two bloggers working 50+ hours a week, provide a comfortable place for occasional overnight guests, and keep paper clutter neatly out of sight. Recently we added another role to the mix — … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!*** Thanks to random.org, our three winners are Jane (an accomplished doodler, especially during meetings), Molly T (who called herself the least crafty person ever), and Lizz (not an artist but fantastic at Pictionary). Congratulations to the winners! You may already recognize Freshline Illustration … Read more

We’ve made several meaningful changes to reduce toxins in our home and wanted to share the swaps that were easiest and most effective. Indoor air can be far more polluted than outdoor air, so small changes add up. Here are the practical, affordable switcheroos we’ve implemented to create a healthier living space: Switcheroo #1: We … Read more