Looking for the show notes for Episode #5 of Young House Love Has A Podcast? You’re in the right place. In this episode, designer and fellow ceramic-animal enthusiast Jonathan Adler calls in to share his decorating wisdom, we explain how a simple bed swap led to a surprisingly big rug revelation, and John challenges Sherry to give her best curtain tips in under 60 seconds. We also talk about how a landscaping plan — combined with the power of a certain social network — is helping us upgrade our exterior curb appeal. Below you’ll find links, photos, and notes referenced in the episode to help you follow along and take action in your own home.
You can listen to this episode on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Use the links below to explore the resources and photos we mentioned in the show.
What’s New
- We recently revisited the topic of getting a quick landscaping consultation using a discounted deal. Here’s our original post about using a coupon to get a short landscaping consultation and what we learned from that session. Small, focused guidance can make a big difference when planning your yard.
- Quick note about the deal: our memory tweaked the timing — it was a 60-minute LivingSocial offer (not Groupon). Still a great way to get professional direction without committing to a full design plan.
Jonathan Adler Voicemail
- Jonathan Adler left an unforgettable voicemail for the show. For more, check out our longer interview with Jonathan Adler from 2013, which remains one of Sherry’s favorite conversations to this day. That post also includes a transcript if you prefer to read the highlights.
- If you’re a fan of ceramics or bold, playful decor, be sure to visit jonathanadler.com to explore his collections and shop his signature pieces. We also wrote about a visit to his DC shop in a window-shopping post that captures the in-store experience.
- Jonathan Adler’s books make fun, inspiring design reads — one we particularly like is linked in the original notes if you want a recommendation.
Rug Realization
- One small change in our daughter’s bedroom — swapping the bed — led to a fresh perspective on rug placement and scale. We shared why the switch worked and how selecting the right rug size transformed the room. See the full photo timeline and evolution in our “Evolution of a Bedroom” post, which documents the room’s updates over several years and includes before-and-after photos that show how choices like rug size and furniture placement can completely change a space.
What’s Not
- We referenced a few New York City–inspired paint color ideas during the show. If you’re curious to try an urban palette, here are some of the shades we mentioned: Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Central Park, Brooklyn, Fifth Avenue, Tribeca, Astoria, Times Square, Empire State, Off Broadway, and Subway Tile. Each of these names points to different paint makers and variations, so check swatches in person before committing.
- For a quick primer on design pitfalls to avoid, take a look at House Beautiful’s round-up of common mistakes in decorating: The 7 Biggest Design Mistakes That Drive Designers Crazy. It’s a helpful reminder of choices that can undermine a well-intentioned room.
We’re Digging
- If you’re painting, we mentioned a couple of handy tools we’ve used: the Handy Paint Cup and the Handy Paint Tray, along with disposable tray liners to speed cleanup and reduce drippage.
- We also talked about Turkish towels we bought from West Elm; while the exact towels may no longer be available, you can find similar striped and fringed options at other retailers. Turkish towels are great for their absorbency, lightweight feel, and stylish stripes and fringe.
Psst — if you’re hunting for something we’ve recommended in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to open, here’s a master list of everything we’ve been digging from previous episodes. It’s an easy way to find favorite products and project tools we’ve mentioned on the show.
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