You probably haven’t heard much about the duplex we bought three months ago. It may seem quiet on the surface, but we’re actually moving forward on three important projects behind the scenes that are bringing us closer to demo day. In this update we’ll share progress on those projects, reveal what it really takes to produce a home magazine feature with HGTV Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Sara Peterson (the good, the messy, and the sweaty), explain a few inexpensive ways we’re automating our house without buying more smart gadgets, and pass along simple tips to make candles burn longer and stronger.
If you want to listen to the episode, it’s available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or you can stream it from the show page. Use this article to follow links, notes, and photos we mention in the episode. Note: if you’re reading in a feed reader, you might need to open the post to access the player.
What’s New
- If you missed the original announcement about our duplex purchase, check Episode #64 for the backstory and the full tour, including a video walk-through from when we first saw the place.
- We’ve revised our layout plans significantly since that initial walk-through. The changes are substantial and will improve flow and functionality, but we’re waiting on final approval before sharing the finalized plans with our contractor. Expect an update soon once permits and approvals are in place.
- We also discuss a local county tax credit program that influenced some of our renovation decisions — that program was explained in more depth in Episode #34.
- One small automation upgrade we added outside the garage was a $9 dusk-to-dawn photocell sensor mounted to each outdoor fixture. Even though the package called it a “replacement,” I was installing one for the first time. It required drilling a tiny hole in the fixture and a little wiring, but installation was straightforward and the sensor is visually unobtrusive once installed.
- Even easier to install were a few outdoor bulbs we swapped for $9 Philips LED bulbs that have dusk-to-dawn sensors built into the bulb itself. Those bulbs are a plug-and-play solution for standard-size fixtures. In fixtures with nonstandard bulbs we used the photocell sensors mentioned above so everything turns on and off automatically at night.
Quiz
- We talked about candle care during the episode. For a concise list of practical techniques, see House Beautiful’s article “Seven Tricks To Make Your Candles Last Longer & Burn Stronger,” which covers trimming wicks, proper first burns, avoiding drafts, and other useful tips for better candle performance.
- For those who like soy candles scented with essential oils (my personal favorites), I mention a couple of vendors I love and use regularly. Soy candles with quality essential-oil blends tend to have a cleaner burn and a subtler scent profile than cheaper paraffin options.
Sara Peterson, HGTV Magazine Editor-In-Chief
- We’re grateful to Sara Peterson of HGTV Magazine for taking time to walk us through how a magazine feature is produced. She shared insights about art direction, staging, timelines, and the realities of photographing homes for print and web. Her perspective is invaluable if you’re preparing a home for a shoot or considering editorial exposure.
- You can read about our own experience being featured in a magazine in a prior post that documents what it was like to have our house photographed for publication, including the funny behind-the-scenes moments.
We’re Digging
- One organizing tool we’ve been using under the sink is a divided turntable. It makes everyday cleaning supplies easy to access and helped motivate us to pare down excess items.
- Another favorite is a cabinet Lazy Susan for the downstairs area that keeps daily-use items like vitamins and topical treatments within reach. Small, inexpensive organizers like these can make morning routines smoother and reduce countertop clutter.
- If you’re looking for an engaging podcast to binge, “Heavyweight” (the Gimlet Media series) is a quirky, moving show we enjoy. Recommended episodes include “Gregor,” “Milt,” “Kenny,” and “Isabel.”
If you want to revisit any product recommendations or “we’re digging” finds from past episodes, there’s a master list of everything we’ve mentioned across previous show notes for quick reference.
Finally, a thank-you to The Annie Selke Companies for sponsoring this episode. Use code YHL15 to receive 15% off at AnnieSelke.com/YHL on bedding, furniture, rugs, and other home products — a helpful discount if you’re shopping for textiles while renovating or redecorating.
Thanks for listening and following along — we’ll keep posting progress updates as the duplex renovation moves forward. Stay tuned for layout reveals, contractor updates, and the moment we finally break ground.
*This post contains affiliate links*