Keeping children safe at home is a top priority, and designing a house that looks good while still being practical—and not overly fragile—is the real goal. This week we share practical tips and specific techniques we used to childproof our home without buying every foam pad and cabinet lock on the market. We also finally met Vern Yip in person. He shared helpful design advice (including our new favorite term for choosing the right lighting) and had us laughing—his hotel trick for stretching a Trading Spaces budget is unforgettable. We also discuss the challenge of furnishing a beach house quickly while trying to layer in pieces that feel meaningful, not just convenient.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or listen on the podcast player. Use this post to find any links, notes, or photos we referenced.
What’s New
- We met Vern Yip at an event in Richmond—yes, we were the ones who lingered in the book-signing line chatting a little too long and had to be gently ushered along. It was worth every second.
- Vern joined us on an earlier podcast episode (Episode #15) to offer design tips, and the founder of U-Fab, who hosted the event, spoke to us about fabrics and upholstery in Episode #10.
- Vern’s book, Design Wise, is a beautiful, informative reference packed with practical design guidance.
- We also discovered a useful term—“lamping”—when choosing the right bulbs for fixtures, and enjoyed digging into the different definitions and uses while deciding what works best in our home.
Updates
- If you missed any referenced episodes, here are the ones we mentioned:
- Episode #61 — smarter pricing strategies for selling items on sites like Craigslist, eBay, and Kijiji
- Episode #64 — paying off our mortgage
- Episode #68 — the iPhone’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature
- Episode #69 — Sherry’s worries about sweating on television
Quiz
- We mentioned a MyDomaine article that lists nine things very stylish homes tend to have; it’s a fun read if you’re looking for inspiration or quick style checkpoints.
Listener Question
- Above is the baby gate we used at the top of our stairs for a couple of years (we originally bought it at Babies R’ Us), and we also had a similar gate at the bottom of the stairs.
- Outlet covers are still visible in almost every photo we share, including recent updates to our foyer. We use white outlet covers that blend in, are easy to remove, and even have a clip option so they don’t get lost when an outlet is in use.
- We bought anti-tip straps for several furniture pieces that didn’t include them—these are one of the easiest and most effective safety upgrades you can make.
- We also like covert cabinet latches for the interior of bathroom and kitchen cabinets. They give us peace of mind, especially under the sink where cleaners and soaps are stored.
- We wrote about babyproofing when our daughter was young for BabyCenter and included practical posts on topics such as using 3M Command strips to secure low-hanging frames, anchoring a large mirror to the wall, outlet covers we still rely on, and protecting the crib from teething marks. Those older posts still contain useful, time-tested tips.
We’re Digging
- We compared our long-time favorite soft white LED bulb (still ideal for enclosed fixtures) with a new LED that looks much better in exposed-bulb fixtures. The new bulb mimics the look of an Edison bulb without the overly yellow tint, and since it’s LED it’s energy-efficient and long-lasting. It hits a comforting color temperature that’s neither too warm nor too cool—an easy upgrade that makes a big visual difference.
- We also shared some wardrobe choices: the Old Navy shirt Sherry wore on Rachael Ray and the Target shirt John wore that day. Sherry picked an alternate top for the show that would have pushed the studio’s “no black” guideline, so she reserved that one for meeting Vern instead. She’s also been wearing a leopard-print sweatshirt a lot during colder days—it’s become a favorite for casual layering.
If you’re trying to remember a product or idea we mentioned in an earlier episode, we keep a master list of everything we’ve highlighted across past shows to make it easy to find those recommendations again.
Finally, we want to thank The Annie Selke Companies for sponsoring this episode. Use code YHL15 to get 15% off orders at AnnieSelke.com/YHL on bedding, furniture, rugs, and more.
Thanks for listening!
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