Young House Love Has A Podcast: Episode #32 – Uncovering Our Home’s Secret Lives

Welcome to the official show notes for Episode #32 of Young House Love Has A Podcast! This week, we’re pulling back the curtain on the delightful, and sometimes baffling, peculiarities that make our house truly ours. It all started with a fantastic listener question asking about the strange habits or unexpected items one might stumble upon in our home. And naturally, we jumped at the chance to playfully call each other out!

Get ready for a candid conversation that ranges from the unusual supplies John meticulously stashes in his office to the perplexing items you might find casually resting on our couch or tucked away in our kitchen drawers. But the fun doesn’t stop there. We also tackle a design dilemma as a local realtor delivers a dose of reality to Sherry’s ambitious fantasy bathroom renovation plans. And in the ever-evolving world of smart home technology, John shares his experience with a popular home robot that, sadly, didn’t quite live up to our high expectations. Tune in for a blend of humor, honesty, and plenty of home-related insights!

Tune In: How to Listen to Episode #32

Ready to dive into all the quirks and revelations? You can easily download this episode from your favorite podcast platforms, including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. For your convenience, you can also listen directly using the player embedded below. Once you’ve had a listen, return to this page to explore all the referenced links, notes, and photos mentioned throughout the show. A quick note: if you’re accessing this via a feed reader, you might need to click through to the original post to view the podcast player.

Deep Dive into Episode #32: Show Notes & Resources

Here’s a closer look at the topics we covered and the resources we referenced in this jam-packed episode. From our personal home projects to listener-shared wisdom, there’s something for every home enthusiast.

What’s New: Fresh Ideas & Personal Insights

This segment brings you up to speed on our current projects and recent interests. We’re always experimenting, learning, and finding new things to love (or not love!).

Bathroom Blueprint: Addressing Our Unique Layout

Our current bathroom layout is a topic of much discussion, and as you can see from the reference pictures below, it presents some interesting design challenges. On the right, we have the shower and toilet area, while the main vanity sits separately on the left. Yes, it looks almost like two distinct bathrooms, divided by a wall, because that’s essentially what it is!

• The floor plan below vividly illustrates how these two areas are oddly separated. Our main goal for this renovation is to solve this spatial puzzle, creating one large, cohesive vanity area with two sinks. This unified design will undoubtedly be far more functional and aesthetically pleasing than the two separate setups currently divided by a wall. We envision a seamless flow that enhances both usability and overall design.
• For those curious about our past renovation triumphs, specifically the integrated wardrobes we added to the main bedroom of our first house, you can revisit this older blog post. Fair warning: the pictures are quite tiny, reflecting a bygone era of blogging, but the impact of those wardrobes was immense, transforming a chaotic space into an organized haven. It’s a testament to how thoughtful storage solutions can revolutionize a room.

John’s Running Journey & Essential Gear Guide

Meanwhile, John shares more about his enduring passion for running, a pursuit that not only keeps him fit but also provides a vital mental escape. For fellow runners, or those looking to start, he details some of his absolute favorite running gear that proves invaluable during this time of year. Good gear can make all the difference in comfort and performance, transforming a grueling run into an enjoyable experience. Check out his top picks:

• Discover John’s insights into his running history and the importance of quality athletic wear and accessories. He highlights specific items that have become staples in his routine, emphasizing durability, comfort, and functionality.
• From performance apparel to essential accessories, explore his recommendations: 1 / 2 / 3 /4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

What’s Not: Lessons Learned from DIY Ventures

In this segment, we explore the flip side of home improvement – the projects that didn’t go as planned, the lessons learned, and the wisdom gained from hindsight. Not every renovation is a dream come true, and acknowledging the “what nots” is just as important as celebrating the “what’s new.”

• We discuss a fascinating Elle Decor article that features Zillow’s compiled list of the 10 Most Regretted House Projects. This list offers invaluable insights into common pitfalls and highlights projects that often lead to homeowner remorse. It’s a great read for anyone planning a significant DIY undertaking, providing a cautionary tale and potentially saving you from future headaches.
• John also bravely shares some of his own “regretted” projects – or at least, those he’s “glad I don’t have to do that again!” These include the physically demanding task of building the deck at our last house, which proved far more exhausting and complex than initially anticipated. Another memorable challenge was installing new hardwood floors throughout the entire upstairs – a project that tested patience and endurance in equal measure. These stories serve as a reminder that even experienced DIYers encounter formidable challenges, and sometimes, the best lesson is knowing when to call in the professionals.

Connect With Us: Share Your Home’s Unique Personality

One of our favorite parts of the podcast is hearing from you, our incredible listeners! This week’s episode was sparked by your curiosity, and we want to keep the conversation going.

Your Home’s Unique Personality: Listener Call-In

• Don’t be shy! We’d love for you to call in with your own home “quirk” – whether it’s an unusual storage solution, an odd decoration, or a peculiar habit that has become part of your household’s charm. Simply leave us a short voicemail at 571-4-YHLHAP (571-494-5427), and you might just hear your story featured in a future episode!

• Above, you can see a peek into John’s legendary running clothes drawer in the office – a testament to his dedication to both fitness and organization. Below, meet two of our beloved furry family members, “Bearger” and his loyal pal, Burger, enjoying a moment of canine companionship. Their presence adds an undeniable warmth and a touch of delightful chaos to our daily lives.

• And, of course, how could we forget the enigmatic Rice Sock!

[Rice Sock is a legend in our household, a simple yet effective homemade heating pad. Imagine a plump sock, generously filled with uncooked rice, providing soothing warmth whenever needed. It’s always lurking, ready for action!]

We’re Digging: Our Current Favorite Finds & Inspirations

In this segment, we share the products, ideas, and inspirations that have captured our attention lately, hoping they might spark some joy or utility in your home too!

• We delve into our experience with the Roomba, specifically the 595 series which is no longer sold (the current entry-level model is now the Roomba 650). While the idea of a house full of diligent cleaning robots is incredibly appealing – and you know Sherry dreams of it! – our Roomba sadly didn’t quite live up to our high expectations. We discuss the pros and cons, sharing an honest review of its performance, its limitations, and whether it truly frees up as much time as promised. If you’ve owned a Roomba, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experiences below in the comments or tweet us your insights.
• For a dose of truly inspiring home organization, we can’t recommend @The_Home_Edit enough. If you’re looking to fill your Instagram feed with organized-within-an-inch-of-its-life eye candy, look no further. Their brilliant, color-coded, and impeccably styled spaces are not only visually stunning but also offer fantastic ideas for bringing order and beauty to every corner of your home, from pantry to playroom.

Psst- Looking for something we’ve dug in a past episode, but can’t quite remember which show notes to click into? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a master list of everything we’ve been digging from all past episodes, making it super easy to find that specific product or inspiration you’ve been searching for.

Sponsor Spotlight: Elevate Your Home with Minted Art

We’re thrilled to introduce our sponsor for this episode, Minted, an incredible platform for discovering unique art and designs.

Transform your space with stunning fine art that truly speaks to your style. Shop all fine art at minted.com/YHL, and as a special offer for our listeners, new customers can enjoy an exclusive 15% off their entire art order with code YHL15. Minted offers an incredible array of unique pieces from independent artists, ensuring you find something perfectly suited to your home and aesthetic.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe in.

Thank you for joining us for Episode #32 of Young House Love Has A Podcast! We hope you enjoyed this peek into our home’s peculiar side, gained some valuable insights into DIY projects, and found inspiration for your own living spaces. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share your own home quirks. We love connecting with you!