Latest Home Renovation Insights & Decor Updates

Our journey to perfect the beach house living room continues, and this week we put a new paint selection method to the test. Finding the ideal shade for a space can be challenging, especially when dealing with unique architectural elements and varying light conditions. For our beach house, the existing chimney undertones and gray trim presented a particular conundrum, demanding a carefully chosen color that would harmonize rather than clash. We explored several online paint brands, leveraging their innovative sample decal systems to narrow down our choices.

The Quest for the Perfect Pink: Clare Paint Experiment

• We initially tried some lovely pink swatches from Clare for the beach house living room. These removable vinyl paint color decals proved to be a convenient way to visualize colors on the wall without the mess of traditional paint samples. We were fortunate to snag them for free using a discount code shared on Twitter, though they typically retail for $2 each. As of now, there’s often a “5 for $5 & free shipping” offer visible on their website, making it even more accessible for those wanting to try their colors.
• For those interested in our initial thoughts and a deeper dive into why Clare Paint first caught our attention, you can revisit our discussion in Episode #109 from last summer.
• The three specific colors we tested from Clare were Wing It, Baby Soft, and Rosé Season. While reviewing the photos, it’s tempting to second-guess our initial assessment, thinking they might have looked better than we remember. However, in person, it became quite clear almost immediately that these particular shades weren’t the 100% right fit for the specific mood and undertones we were aiming for in the space.

Exploring Alternatives: Backdrop Paint Samples

• Following our Clare experience, we turned to Backdrop, another prominent player in the online paint market known for its curated color palettes and peel-and-stick samples. We received their package a few weeks ago, eager to explore new possibilities.

• From Backdrop, we purchased four decal samples, also priced at $2 apiece. Our selections included Harajuku Morning, Rose Quartz, Modern Love (pictured below), and Not So Delicate (pictured above).
• While we didn’t capture photos of every swatch on the wall—one was immediately deemed too dark to even bother putting up—this particular view offers a strong indication of our ongoing challenge. We’re working hard to find a color that not only complements the specific undertones of the beach house chimney but also harmonizes with the existing gray trim. It’s certainly a tall order, requiring careful consideration of how each shade interacts with the room’s unique lighting and fixed elements.

Furniture Updates and Smart Sample Solutions

• We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of our new couch in the beach house living room! While we haven’t yet captured the perfect shot, we promise to share a picture with you all very soon. It’s the incredibly popular Mellow Sofa from our furniture line. We’re incredibly grateful for your support, as it’s currently sold out! Rest assured, we’re actively working to get it back in stock for everyone who’s expressed interest.
• Beyond commercial decals, we’ve also experimented with “DIY” paint sample decals to confidently choose colors for past projects, such as the duplex exterior. You can learn more about this method in this detailed blog post, but we specifically used these decals. This process involves buying your paint samples separately and applying two coats onto the decals yourself. While it might not be faster or cheaper than traditional swatching, it provides an exceptional level of confidence in your color choice, allowing you to move and evaluate samples under different lighting conditions with ease.

Sherry’s Invisalign Journey: The “Tooth Jail” Chronicles

• For those who have been following Sherry’s candid updates—or perhaps “rants,” as some might call them—on her Invisalign journey, here’s a quick recap to catch you up on her “tooth jail” sentence. It’s been quite the commitment!
• Her initial decision to get them back in 2016 was discussed in Episode #20, where she shared her expectations and initial experiences with clear aligners.
• The plot thickened in 2017 with the addition of elastics, adding a new layer of “fun” to the process, which she detailed in Episode #62.
• Most recently, her “tooth jail” sentence saw an unexpected extension well into 2018, a testament to the long-term dedication required for orthodontic treatments, as shared in Episode #84. Her honesty about the ups and downs of the process is always appreciated by listeners.

Discovering Your Palette: The State Your Colors Quiz

In our ongoing exploration of color, we delved into the intriguing concept of Sherwin Williams’ “State Your Colors” quiz. This unique tool helps homeowners discover personalized paint trios, drawing inspiration from various states and their unique aesthetics. It’s a wonderfully creative way to connect with color, allowing you to choose shades that resonate with a particular geographical feel or memory, rather than just picking a color off a swatch. It truly elevates the “nerdy glory of pairing paint with geography” into a delightful design adventure.

• You can explore all of the curated State Your Colors paint trios that Sherwin Williams has thoughtfully assembled on their website. It’s a fantastic resource for finding cohesive color schemes that tell a story.
• Interestingly, my suggestion of “Chesapeake” for Virginia turned out to be an exterior stain color, highlighting the nuances between interior paints and exterior finishes. On the other hand, Sherry’s seemingly “made up” “Dogwood White” wasn’t far off at all—there actually exists a White Dogwood in their collection, which, surprisingly, is a soft pink! It just goes to show how intuitive color sense can sometimes align with professional palettes.

Embracing a TV-Free Week: Unexpected Insights & Family Fun

The decision to go completely without television for a week was an experiment born from an inspiring conversation with Joshua Becker, a proponent of intentional living and minimalism. We touched upon this idea during our interview with him in Episode #128. What started as a simple challenge quickly transformed into a profound experience, revealing unexpected benefits and shifts in our daily routines and family dynamics.

• The results were pretty shocking, especially for Sherry! We both discovered just how much time we unconsciously spent in front of the screen. Without that default entertainment, we found ourselves engaging in more meaningful conversations, pursuing neglected hobbies, and diving into books. The initial challenge lay in breaking established habits, particularly after a long day, when the urge to passively unwind with a show was strong. However, this discomfort quickly gave way to a newfound sense of presence and productivity.
• One of the most delightful side effects was the significant increase in quality family time. Sherry mentioned how much we’ve been playing the energetic Happy Salmon game with our kids this past week, fostering laughter and interaction. We also revisited old favorites like Life Jr. and the fast-paced dice game Tenzi. These screen-free activities not only filled the void left by television but also enriched our family bond, creating memories that are far more valuable than any TV show.
• This experiment also dovetailed perfectly with our previous decision to cut the cable, a topic we explored in depth in our post about cutting the cable (aka: ditching cable TV). That move saved us around $1000 each year, but more importantly, it profoundly impacted our viewing habits. Not all of our regular shows were available in our new streaming package, which, surprisingly, wasn’t a loss but an opportunity. We quickly realized we didn’t really miss the sheer volume of television we had been consuming, leading to a more intentional and mindful approach to entertainment. This TV-free week further solidified that belief, paving the way for a healthier, more balanced relationship with media moving forward.

We’re Digging: Current Favorites & Recommendations

In this segment, we share some of our current obsessions, from exciting sales to compelling reads and even a surprisingly delightful dental hygiene product. These are the things that have captured our interest and enhanced our lives recently, and we think you might enjoy them too.

• Big news for anyone who’s had their eye on pieces from our exclusive furniture line! Our furniture is currently on sale at Joss & Main this week (!!!). This is a fantastic opportunity to snag that special item you’ve been coveting at a discounted price. We pour a lot of love and thought into designing these pieces, aiming for both style and functionality, so we’re thrilled to see them reach more homes.
• Beyond the excitement of the sale, it’s always amusing to see the unique and often whimsical names Joss & Main assigns to everything. We’ve had a good laugh over some of them! Who would have thought of names like Liverman, Singita, or even PREGLO?!?! It adds a touch of unexpected charm to the whole shopping experience.

• During our recent TV-free week, I had the chance to dive into an incredibly compelling and utterly enraging book: Radium Girls. This powerful true story chronicles the fight of female factory workers who, in the early 20th century, were poisoned by radium-based paint while working in watch factories. The most horrifying detail, which I forgot to mention in the podcast, is that these women were actively told by their employers that radium was not only safe but actually “good for them” as they dipped their brushes—and often their lips—into the glowing substance. It’s a poignant and infuriating account of corporate negligence and the struggle for justice.
• And for a lighter, yet surprisingly enthusiastic recommendation: if you’re looking to enjoy flossing as much as Sherry does (she truly lives life on the edge, what can I say?), she’s been “weirdly into” these biodegradable floss picks. Initially found on Amazon, they quickly went out of stock due to their popularity, but we’ve since located them here. They offer a sustainable and effective way to maintain oral hygiene, proving that even mundane tasks can be elevated with the right tools.

Explore Our Past Recommendations & Resources

If you’re ever searching for something we’ve recommended in a previous episode but can’t quite remember which show notes to check, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a comprehensive master list of everything we’ve been digging from all our past episodes. It’s your go-to resource for all our favorite finds and insights. Additionally, you can discover all the books we’ve enthusiastically recommended on our dedicated Book Club page, perfect for finding your next great read.