Unveiling the Secrets: A Deep Dive into Our New DIY Home Decor Book

Ahhh! Our highly anticipated DIY home decor book has officially made its grand debut into the world, and honestly, the feeling is absolutely surreal. Despite seeing all your incredible photos – especially those featuring adorable dogs, cute babies, or hilarious funny faces – shared across social media, it still feels like a wonderful dream. The outpouring of love and support from our readers has been overwhelming, making this journey even more special than we ever imagined.

From the earliest days of meticulously piecing together this passion project, we’ve been buzzing with excitement, eager to pull back the curtain and share some exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses. We’ve been holding onto a treasure trove of over 27 candid photos for nearly a year, and the anticipation of finally sharing them has been almost unbearable! So, without further delay, prepare for the long-awaited reveal of moments we can now finally share. Below, you’ll also find a wealth of details from numerous pages of the book, complete with their fascinating backstories. While having the book in front of you might enhance the experience, you can still enjoy these exclusive peeks and bookmark this page to revisit later. Fair warning: it’s a detailed dive!

Behind the Pages: Exclusive Book Insights & Project Stories

• The Inside Flap Picture: A Cover Shot That Almost Was

  The photo on the inside flap, featuring us playfully posing for the camera, was actually a strong contender for the book’s cover. We, however, lobbied against having our beaming faces as the main visual, hoping for a more text-focused design. Thankfully, the publisher opted for a cover with more prominent text, allowing our smiling faces to appear in a smaller, more subtle way. This particular shot was taken to remember the setup of our styled corner – a vibrant mix of projects that perfectly captured our eclectic style.

  

• Page 25: The Illusion of a Fully Decorated Bookcase

  For the bookcase shot on page 25, we employed a clever trick to save time and resources. We only wallpapered the sections of the bookcase that would be visible within the camera’s frame. If the shot had been wider, you would have seen the plain blue backs of the shelves above and the general chaos of the rest of the room. It’s a testament to how much effort goes into making everything look perfect on paper!

  

• Page 30: Our “Furniture Graveyard” and Simultaneous Makeovers

  Page 30 introduces one of several furniture makeovers featured in the book. To maximize efficiency, we tackled multiple pieces simultaneously. It made perfect sense to prime everything at once while the primer was out! We affectionately dubbed our backyard the “furniture graveyard” during this period, and we’re pretty sure our neighbors thought we were embarking on some truly eccentric endeavors.

  

  

• Page 32: A Personal Touch and a Lasting Paint Color

  Hidden within the photo on page 32 is a sweet family snapshot from one of our visits to see the Bowers in Georgia. It’s a small, personal detail we loved including. And yes, for those wondering, that exact paint color still adorns the wall in our playroom today. It’s a reminder that some DIY projects, even small ones, stick around longer than anticipated!

• Page 35: The Curtain Panel That Became a Headboard

  For the project on page 35, we only created a single curtain panel. This meant it wasn’t functional as a complete curtain, nor was it suitable for donation or auction. Resourcefulness kicked in, and it later found a new life as part of our headboard. Additionally, the nail holes from the frames in that shot are still visible in our living room wall – a small detail we promise to caulk someday!

  

• Page 37: The Art of Illustration and Emma Kelly’s Talent

  The book features several beautiful illustrations, strategically placed to break up the flow of photographs and visually explain concepts we couldn’t physically execute. We sent our publisher samples of illustration styles we admired, hoping to find someone similar. To our delight, they managed to secure the incredibly talented Emma Kelly, the very same illustrator we had admired in a Real Simple article. Her work truly brought a unique dimension to the book.

• Page 38: Unexpected First Shots and Foraged Props

  This particular image was one of the very first photos taken for the book. Our initial day was slated for “before” photos of various furniture pieces, but a miscommunication meant the photographer lacked the necessary equipment. We quickly pivoted to shooting already-completed “after” shots. The red berries, a crucial styling element, were spontaneously “borrowed” from a bush outside, as we hadn’t anticipated needing flowers that day!

• Page 39: Burger’s Impromptu Cameo

  We initially captured this shot without our beloved dog, Burger. However, he unexpectedly jumped into the frame, and we immediately realized his presence added an undeniable charm. We quickly snapped a few more photos with him, deciding it was the perfect unplanned addition.

• Page 46: Borrowed Sofas and Cropped Details

  For the photo on page 46, we borrowed this sofa for the day. Our own large sectional proved too challenging to photograph cleanly and easily within the required timeframe. With only a few hours to work with, we rushed to set up everything, including a rug and frames that, to our dismay, were later cropped out of the final images. D’oh!

  

• Page 47: Incorporating Friends’ Homes for Diverse Content

  Page 47 features a hallway shot that actually belongs to our friend, Katie Bower. Unlike typical home decor books shot in multiple high-end residences, our book was a grassroots effort largely photographed in our own home. To cover concepts we couldn’t demonstrate in our single-story ranch, like a project involving stairs (Page 49), or showcase diverse spaces such as Layla’s kitchen (Page 85) or a front door (Page 309), we obtained permission to use photos from friends’ homes. This allowed us to illustrate projects we felt were essential without sacrificing our authentic, home-grown aesthetic.

• Page 55: The Lantern Project’s Artistic Redemption

  This project nearly didn’t make it into the book. My first attempt at splatter painting the lantern went, shall we say, completely overboard. Fortunately, we had a backup paper lantern, allowing me to try a more subtle watercolor approach that ultimately achieved the desired effect and made it into the book. A true redemption story!

  

• Page 56: Temporary Wallpaper for the Perfect Shot

  For the shot on page 56, we temporarily hung wallpaper in just one section of our entryway, using tape instead of glue. This allowed us to quickly achieve the desired backdrop for the photo, and then remove it just as swiftly to keep the wall available for other projects and shots. Resourcefulness at its finest!

• Page 57: The Unofficial Flower of Our Book

  Tulips serendipitously became the unofficial flower of our book. Whenever a shot needed a touch of life and freshness, we instinctively gravitated towards them at the grocery store. By the end of the project, it became a running joke; our mantra was simply, “Grab the tulips – whichever color looks the healthiest!”

• Page 59: eBay Treasures and Hidden Secrets

  The collection of vintage postcards featured on page 59 was an eBay find we absolutely adored. I was so captivated by them that I was reluctant to take them down. However, they had to be removed to prevent them from accidentally appearing in other photos or house tours before these secret book projects could be officially unveiled.

• Page 61: A Beloved Door Makeover That Had to Go

  We were completely smitten with how this door project turned out and kept it for months. However, its vibrant design eventually became a challenge to shoot around, making it necessary to repaint the door white again. Yet, I’d absolutely paint it in that bold color again! It’s also amusing to see photos from back then when our bed was right by the door – things certainly change!

  

• Page 62: Playroom Palette and Styling Improv

  Page 62 showcases one of many vibrant colors we painted various walls in our playroom to create diverse backgrounds for different projects and shots. We wanted to avoid having every photo against our neutral dining room, living room, guest room, or kitchen walls. Those reading glasses in the shot? They belonged to the photo assistant – we often had to improvise with whatever props were at hand to style our scenes!

• Page 66: The Art of Temporary Ceiling Wallpaper

  To achieve the tip on page 66, we wallpapered a spare piece of foam core and taped it temporarily to the ceiling. Everything had to be put up quickly and taken down even faster to ensure it didn’t inadvertently appear in other book photos or blog posts, which could prematurely reveal our secret projects.

  

• Page 75: Overcoming Kitchen Lighting Challenges

  Photographing anything in our kitchen proved exceptionally challenging due to the severe lack of natural light. As a result, most of these shots, including the one on page 75, had to be taken after sundown, as we knew we’d need artificial lighting anyway. This adaptability was key to achieving the desired aesthetic.

  

• Page 78: A Thrift Store Find with Dual Purpose

  The charming wire basket featured on page 78 is a fantastic thrift store find. It serves a dual purpose: Clara uses it as her shopping bin for the wooden food in her play kitchen, but it’s also perfectly functional for real food, showcasing its versatility!

• Page 88: The Elusive Rice and Macaroni Reshoot

  We had to reshoot the macaroni setup on page 88 after reviewing our film. We zoomed in only to discover some stray rice hiding at the bottom of the vase from a previous arrangement. Those sneaky little buggers almost made it into the final cut!

• Page 89: Valentine’s Day Flowers Making a Book Appearance

  John gave me these beautiful yellow flowers for Valentine’s Day, and I loved them so much that I made sure they snuck into the book at least twice! You can spot them again in the background on page 239, a lovely personal touch.

• Page 103: The Case of the Non-Standard Votive Candles

  For the project on page 103, we bought glass votive holders and accompanying candles from Target. Right before the shoot, we realized the candles were a smidge too thick to fit! We had to rush back for thinner ones. Who knew votive candles weren’t all standard sizes? I also insisted on burning the wick of every candle we photographed, as unburned wicks always struck me as “dorky”—like sneakers that are too pristine white!

• Page 105: Copyright Concerns and Garfield’s Omission

  For “copyright reasons,” we had to digitally remove some Garfield paraphernalia from John’s childhood room photograph on page 105. It’s a reminder of the many small, unseen edits that go into publishing!

• Page 107: The Secret Behind My Dark Nail Polish

  You might notice my nails are consistently painted dark throughout the book, particularly in close-up shots. The truth is, they were often quite dirty from constant projects, covered in glue and paint! The dark polish was a clever styling trick to conceal the mess and maintain a polished look.

  

• Page 108: Our Guest Bed’s Temporary Relocation

  For the shot on page 108, we temporarily moved our guest bed into the corner of the living room, where the desk usually sits, to take advantage of the excellent natural light. It resided there for a few days, and Burger, our dog, was quite the fan of its new location.

  

  

• Page 115: Hiding Meaningful Mementos

  We made an effort to subtly incorporate meaningful items into our photos whenever possible, as seen on page 115. This includes Clara’s beloved gold giraffe necklace and my favorite quatrefoil earrings, adding a personal layer to the styling.

• Page 119: The Guest Bed’s Grand Tour and Gee’s Debut

  Here’s another instance of our versatile guest room bed being relocated! For page 119, we propped it against the fireplace in the living room (where Clara’s desk typically resides) to create a fresh backdrop. We had to literally crawl over it for a few days as it blocked the walkway. This shot also marks the book debut of Clara’s favorite stuffed animal, Gee, serving as a charming bed prop.

  

• Page 120: Burger’s Chapter Cameos and Treat-Filled Shoots

  Our photographer, Kip, absolutely adored Burger, so shooting his photos – with at least one appearing in each chapter – became a delightful break from all the room setups. We photographed him against an all-white background to make him easier to digitally “cut out” later, allowing him to playfully “walk through” the pages of the book. Plenty of treats were involved in these sessions, naturally!

• Page 121: Moroccan Spice and a Nod to Nonna

  Page 121 features another vibrant wall color we painted in the playroom specifically to add a pop of color to the background of certain projects. This shade, named “Moroccan Spice,” was a particular favorite. The “N” on the shelf in the shot is a heartfelt tribute to my mom, whom Clara affectionately calls Nonna.

  

• Page 125: Avoiding Copyright with Pop Culture Icons

  Kate’s original “after” photo for page 125 included Buzz Lightyear and R2D2 figures on a shelf. However, due to copyright restrictions, we had to ask her to reshoot it without them. She was incredibly understanding and promptly sent over a revised shot that very same day.

• Page 131: Burger’s Humorous Blurb

  The blurb featuring Burger on page 131 is undoubtedly our favorite! His presence, hilariously perched in that basket, never fails to make us laugh. We embrace our “dork for life” status when it comes to our furry friend.

• Page 130: Code Compliance and Chandelier Removal

  The original illustration for page 130 depicted a chandelier hanging over a bathtub. Recognizing that this isn’t up to code in most places, we proactively requested the illustrator to remove it. We’re definitely “code nerds” when it comes to safety and compliance!

• Page 139: Faking a Bathroom Scene in the Playroom

  None of our actual bathrooms were spacious enough to photograph effectively. So, for the bathroom photo on page 139, we ingeniously staged it in the playroom! We placed a toilet tank top on a makeshift shelf and carefully cropped the shot to create the illusion of a real toilet. The magic of photography!

  

• Page 148: A Subtle Nod to John’s Parents

  As a heartfelt thank you and a subtle shout-out to John’s parents, Tom and Kathy, we created the canvases with their initials that appear on page 148. We later gifted these to them as a token of our gratitude for their immense help in watching Clara during the intensive shooting schedule.

• Page 156: Meaningful Calendar Details and Cropped Mail Holders

  Every detail written on the calendar on page 156 held significance. For example, the “4:30 meeting” subtly incorporated our favorite number, 43, and we included Clara’s birthday and a vet appointment in honor of Burger. We also meticulously styled the mail holder to the left, only to realize later that it was completely cropped out of the final layout. Oops!

• Page 158: The Humorous “Secrets” Label

  When deciding what to write on the label of the box on page 158, John humorously suggested “secrets.” It’s a simple detail that still brings a smile to our faces every time we see it.

• Page 159: Another Sweet Bower Shoutout

  Page 159 contains another subtle tribute to our friends, the Bowers: a sweet picture of Will and Clara nestled in the bowl, adding a warm, personal touch to the styling.

• Page 174: Our Niece and Nephew’s Artistic Contribution

  We were thrilled to involve our niece, Olivia (then 11), and nephew, Jake (then 13), in the book. We were ecstatic that they were willing to create some original art for us. Page 174 proudly displays their “practice” sheets alongside their final, remarkable works that made it into the book.

  

• Page 180: The “Bloody Crime Scene” Project Makeover

  I initially painted the project on page 180 a bold red, which John absolutely detested, likening it to a “bloody crime scene”! Once he pointed it out, I couldn’t unsee it either. So, after it dried, I happily repainted it green, a much more fitting and less gruesome shade.

  

• Page 182: Fabric Repurposing and Styling Regrets

  The fabric stretched around the canvas in the photo on page 182 was later repurposed as a background for one of Clara’s projects the following month. In terms of styling, looking back, I’d remove the lamp on the right, shift the yellow art slightly to the right, and orient it vertically to better balance the lamp on the left. Two lamps on that small console now feel a bit cramped. Just keeping it real!

  

• Page 186: The Unexpected Explicit Word in a Butterfly

  After meticulously hanging all the beautiful butterflies crafted from book pages, we had a rather embarrassing realization. The butterfly that the photographer focused on for page 186 had a quite dirty word prominently in its center! Blushing profusely, we quickly cut a new one, carefully reading the entire page to ensure it was much more PG.

• Page 190: A Chipper Corbel’s Unpainted Destiny

  The tip on page 190 was initially meant to be “paint an old corbel or sconce.” However, we stumbled upon this wonderfully chippy corbel and fell so deeply in love with its aged character that we simply couldn’t bring ourselves to paint it. We decided to leave it as-is, and the tip was adapted to be more general for those fortunate enough to find beautiful, paint-worthy corbels.

• Page 196: John’s Terminator Sketch and Abstract Redraw

  We had attempted this project six years prior with disastrous results, so we were quite nervous about how the latest version would turn out on page 196. John’s initial drawing of me resembled the Terminator, complete with giant sunglasses and an aggressively square jaw! This time, he opted for a much more abstract approach. I personally loved his new sketch, especially because I’m a huge fan of big, colorful earrings – it was perfect!

• Page 214: Family History and a Thoughtful Gift

  The black and white photo in the layout on page 214 is a cherished, very old picture of my dad and his sister as children. The stamps for the stamp family tree were an incredible find, costing less than $6 at a local stamp shop, even with two dating back to the 1920s! This completed project was later a loving gift to my stamp-collecting dad, who absolutely adores it.

• Page 218: Photoshop to the Rescue for a Missing Frame

  During the intense shooting period, many frames were temporarily removed from our frame wall to be used as props elsewhere. Consequently, in the background of the photo on page 218, there was a noticeable empty spot. Photoshop came to the rescue, allowing us to digitally insert a frame and complete the wall’s look.

  

• Page 231: Filling an Empty Notebook with “Naked Words”

  We felt that the notebook in the shot on page 231 shouldn’t be left empty, as it looked unnatural. So, I quickly scribbled: “just writing words so this notebook isn’t naked. Words, words, words. This is weird.” A humorous, impromptu touch to make the scene feel more authentic.

• Page 232: Adding Life to a Staged Scene

  The shot on page 232 initially looked a bit bland and overtly “staged.” To infuse it with more life and personality, I quickly gathered as many colorful hardcover books as I could find from around the house, haphazardly stacking them with a glass of water on top. Suddenly, the scene felt like a room someone actually lived in, not just an empty set.

• Page 243: “Cleavage Issue” and Repurposed Fabric

  During the progress shots for page 243, we encountered a minor “cleavage issue,” which was frankly mortifying! I quickly had to change into something with a higher neckline. The fabric used in this project had also previously served as one of Clara’s backgrounds; we utilized its backside for a more muted and subtle effect.

• Page 248: Gilded Lamp Redemption and Missing After Shot

  The gilded glass lamp on page 248 was a project I initially doubted would turn out well; the first coat was quite streaky. After a few more coats, I was immensely relieved it looked so good! The only bummer is we somehow forgot to take a dedicated “after” shot of just the lamp. Fortunately, it was included in a photo for an alternate cover idea, captured against a white backdrop. It’s not the “prettiest” after shot, but it’s better than none at all!

  

• Page 252: Efficiency in Shooting “In Progress” and “After”

  To save precious time during photoshoots, we developed a clever strategy for page 252. We’d fully complete one project and then partially complete a second identical one. This allowed us to quickly capture both an “in progress” and an “after” shot without making the photographer wait for us to finish or reset their equipment. In this instance, we fully drew on one pillow and just started a second for the progress shot.

  

• Page 263: Sue the Napkin and Burger’s Initials

  Of course, “Sue the Napkin” had to make her appearance in the book, and here she is on page 263! I also cleverly hid a stack of these napkins in the bar cart picture on page 30. And for another personal touch, the “B” on the rock is a little shout-out to our beloved Burger.

• Page 270: Shooting on the Future Deck Site

  The photo on page 270 was taken on the quirky little alley balcony that we later removed to construct our new deck. It’s a snapshot of a space that has since been completely transformed!

• Page 273: Wedding Cupcakes Making a Cameo

  The delightful cupcakes on the cake plate in the shot on page 273 are locally beloved Ukrop’s cupcakes – the very same ones we served at our wedding! A sweet, sentimental detail for us.

• Page 281: The Five-Month Bathroom Nook Repaint

  For the photo on page 281, we painted the ceiling in our bathroom nook. What started as a temporary change for the book ended up staying for over five months before we finally repainted it white! We constantly found ourselves accidentally sharing it on the blog and then having to Photoshop it back to white, so the final repaint was a huge relief.

• Page 283: The Floating Stenciled Rectangle

  For page 283, we only stenciled a roughly 9’ x 6’ rectangle on one wall of the playroom – just enough to make the shot look legitimate. It’s still there today! I often forget about it until I open the door and see that big, stenciled rectangle seemingly floating in the middle of the wall.

  

• Page 286: John’s Ingenious Basketweave Pattern

  The stunning pattern on page 286 was entirely John’s brainchild. He meticulously cut painter’s tape into thin strips to create this intricate basketweave design, and the results were absolutely awesome. It probably took more time than we should have dedicated to a single project back then, but it was undeniably worth it. Go, hubby!

  

• Page 289: The Failed Seafan Stencil and Leafy Redemption

  For the project on page 289, my initial attempt to use a seafan as a stencil was a complete flop. It was too thin, and the spray paint just left a messy blob on the pillow cover. Undeterred, I let it dry, flipped it over, and tried again with leaves on the back of the pillow cover. Thankfully, that worked significantly better, proving that persistence pays off in DIY!

• Page 291: The “Paint-Stilt” Illusion

  The chair and table in the shot on page 291 are actually propped up on quarts of paint cans, which were later carefully cropped out. Everything initially looked oddly low, and raising them closer to the windowsill dramatically improved the composition. So, from a distance, it looked like a crazy chair and table on “paint-stilts,” but in the book, it looks perfectly styled, right? That’s a common book trick revealed!

• Page 295: Repainting Our Kitchen (Twice!) for a Shot

  We were determined that the book’s images wouldn’t simply be recycled from our blog, especially for essential projects we’d covered before but couldn’t omit (like painting wood paneling or a brick fireplace). So, for page 295, we bit the bullet and repainted a corner of our “grellow” kitchen just for this shot, then repainted it back less than 24 hours later, as we were actively blogging about our kitchen remodel at the time. Also, notice the old floors before we installed the cork in that shot? It’s easy to forget those past iterations!

  

• Page 295 (Another Story): Ramsey’s Unfortunate Dive

  This same shot on page 295 also captures the moment when poor old Ramsey, our mounted deer head, took an unexpected dive off the wall and smashed onto the floor. It was a heart-stopping moment! As a result, the antlers that went up next were installed very, very securely this time.

  

• Page 300: Precise Repainting and No Photoshop Wall Color

  For page 300, after shooting the “before” picture, we meticulously marked the exact location of each item on the floor with painter’s tape. This ensured we could perfectly reposition everything after painting the wall. We lined everything back up, removed the tape, and then took the “after” photo, guaranteeing that the only visible change was the wall color – which we genuinely painted, no Photoshop involved!

• Page 302: Crooked Sunroom Tiles and New Discoveries

  We used the brick wall in our sunroom as a backdrop for page 302 to add visual interest. The funny thing is, we never noticed how crooked the floor tiles in that room actually were until we saw this photograph! If you look closely, the four tiles under the chair don’t perfectly align at the corners. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it!

• Page 304: The Keeper Dresser and Charity Auctions

  We fell head over heels in love with the dresser featured on page 304 when we spotted it at a thrift store. We loved it so much that we bought it with our own money, rather than using the small book budget allocated for projects, because we knew we absolutely wanted to keep it! Nearly every other furniture item in the book was either auctioned for charity, gifted to crew or family members, or returned to its donor, but this guy is staying with us. We’ll share its final destination soon!

• Page 311: Leopard Shoes, Feet in Shot, and the Cover Origin

  For the “after” photo of the mat on page 311, it looked a bit plain without any human element. So, we thought, “Let’s stick our feet in the shot!” I quickly slipped on my leopard shoes, and suddenly, everything felt right with the world. This improvised setup actually sparked the idea for the photo that eventually landed on the book’s cover (I changed shoes, and they Photoshopped a drill into John’s hand for that one!).

  

• Page 312: The Quest for Greenery in February

  We carried this birdbath all over the yard to find the least brown background possible for page 312. Since it was February, nothing was quite as lush and vibrant as it would be in the spring, making the search for a suitable backdrop quite the challenge.

• Page 317: The January Wood Planter Hunt

  Finding a specific wood planter in January proved to be an unexpectedly difficult task for page 317. We ultimately had to order one that was shipped all the way from a garden store on the West Coast. Who would have thought it would turn into such a determined hunt just for a planter?

• Page 321: A Loving Homage and Neighborly Confusion

  Rest assured, the address featured on page 321 is not our current house’s! It’s actually our very first house’s address, a small, loving homage to where our DIY journey truly began. Of course, it utterly confused our current neighbors since it bore no resemblance to our actual address. We kept it covered with a piece of card stock on the door until the photo was taken and securely backed up. Then, we simply peeled off the $6 decal.

• Pages 323-336: The Page Count Challenge and Creative Condensing

  To keep the book at the lowest possible price point, a critical goal was to cap it at 336 pages. We faced a significant scare when the initial draft turned out to be considerably longer! Instead of accepting a price hike, our talented designer and publisher collaborated with us to condense the content. One effective strategy involved making the source list at the end of the book a smaller typeface, similar to an index. This clever design choice, combined with other internal adjustments, shaved off a substantial number of pages, bringing us right to the 336-page target. What a relief!

Experiencing the Book for the Very First Time

Since many of you have asked about our initial reaction to seeing the finished book, we actually captured that momentous occasion on video. Please excuse my less-than-stellar camera work; our camera makes a loud noise when zooming, requiring an external mic to fix, hence my frequent chatter about resisting the urge to zoom in!

I think both of us were simply in shock – and honestly, we still are! Regarding the tidbit about Photoshopping out Clara’s sleeve, our editor observed that a portion of her sleeve behind her head looked a bit odd next to her face. They digitally removed it to give her profile a clearer appearance. It was a detail we never would have noticed, but they were absolutely right.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Readers

But enough of our chatter. This is where we literally beam at our computer screens, counting our lucky stars for having you, our incredible, encouraging, and wonderfully hilarious readers. There’s simply no way we would be where we are today without your unwavering support, and we refuse to take a single second of this unexpected journey for granted. We said it on the thank you page at the end of our book, and we’ll reiterate it here: you truly make our day, every single day. Thank you so much for joining us on this crazy DIY adventure. We genuinely love you, for reals.