Welcome, fellow design enthusiasts and podcast aficionados! You’ve successfully navigated the digital landscape to arrive at the comprehensive show notes for Episode #31 of Young House Love Has A Podcast. This week, we embark on a thrilling journey of discovery, delving into everything from pivotal design decisions to insightful conversations and delightful new finds. Prepare to be inspired as we unveil the surprising story behind our beach house’s exterior color, share wisdom from a renowned design expert, and reveal some truly unique items that have captured our attention.
The biggest revelation of this episode centers around a monumental decision for our ongoing beach house renovation. After weeks of intense debate, countless test swatches, and a staggering 1,500 comments from our incredible community, we’ve finally landed on the perfect exterior color for our coastal haven. What makes this choice particularly memorable is its incredibly random origin – proving that inspiration can truly strike from the most unexpected places. Beyond our personal design saga, we had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Jenny Komenda, the brilliant blogger, designer, and esteemed Domino contributor. Jenny shares invaluable insights into the multifaceted challenges of running a thriving design business and offers a sneak peek into the decor trends she foresees dominating the new year. And for those who love a good surprise, our “We’re Digging” segment this week features some truly unconventional finds that might just broaden your horizons. You won’t want to miss it!
For your listening convenience, Episode #31 is readily available across your favorite podcast platforms. You can easily download it from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Alternatively, you can stream the episode directly using the player embedded below. Once you’ve enjoyed the audio, this page serves as your ultimate guide to all the links, detailed notes, and captivating photos referenced during our conversation, ensuring you have all the resources at your fingertips to explore further.
What’s New: Beach House Exterior Reveal & Project Updates
This week’s “What’s New” section is brimming with exciting developments, particularly concerning our beloved beach house. After much anticipation, we are thrilled to finally share the culmination of our extensive search for the perfect exterior paint color. The journey was far from straightforward, involving countless hours of deliberation and an incredible amount of input from our dedicated audience. The inspiration for the chosen shade ultimately came from the most delightful and unexpected source, proving that beauty and design ideas can truly be found anywhere, even on a simple coffee cup.
- The Unexpected Inspiration: Above, you’ll see the unassuming yet pivotal coffee cup from the cherished local Quirk Hotel. This specific hue, discovered on a piece of everyday ceramic, provided the ultimate “aha!” moment, conclusively ending our weeks-long, sometimes agonizing, debate over the beach house’s exterior paint color. It’s a testament to finding inspiration in the everyday and trusting your gut.
- Community Collaboration on Color: In case you missed the epic saga, our decision-making process was a truly collaborative effort. We engaged with our amazing community across various platforms, soliciting feedback on potential exterior colors. Revisit the Instagram & Facebook posts where thousands of you weighed in with your thoughts, suggestions, and even impassioned pleas. The feedback poured in from every conceivable channel – emails, direct messages, and yes, even the occasional carrier pigeon, demonstrating the incredible passion and engagement of our audience.
- Catch Up on the Beach House Journey: For those eager to dive deeper into our beach house adventure, we’ve got you covered. Get started with this announcement post that kicked everything off, sharing the exciting news of our new acquisition. Then, immerse yourself in this comprehensive planning post, which not only details our initial vision but also includes a full house tour video, allowing you to experience the “before” firsthand. For even more behind-the-scenes details and planning insights, be sure to listen to Podcast Episode #26, where we expand further on the early stages of this ambitious renovation.
Podcast Updates & Engagement
We believe in connecting with our community both online and offline. This section brings you up to speed on our upcoming engagements and opportunities to meet us in person, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and inspiration.
- Alt Summit Appearance: We’re incredibly excited to announce that we’ll be speaking on Thursday, February 2nd, in beautiful Palm Springs, CA, at the highly anticipated Alt Summit. This premier conference for creatives and entrepreneurs sold out at a lightning-fast pace, a testament to its popularity and the incredible value it offers. If you were among the fortunate few who managed to grab tickets, we genuinely can’t wait to connect with you there, share our experiences, and absorb some of that inspiring energy. And as an added bonus: warm weather, here we come! We’re eagerly anticipating the chance to trade the winter chill for some Californian sunshine and vibrant conversations.
What’s Not: A Blast from the Past with Nickelodeon
Our “What’s Not” segment often takes a nostalgic turn, reminding us of forgotten trends or historical quirks. This week, we’re diving deep into a truly iconic piece of pop culture history that will transport many of you straight back to the 90s: the Nickelodeon Time Capsule. It’s a fascinating look at what once defined a generation and how perceptions change over time.
- The Contents of the 1992 Time Capsule: For an exhaustive and utterly captivating list of every single item meticulously buried within Nickelodeon’s 1992 Time Capsule, delve into this Mental Floss article. It’s a wonderfully detailed breakdown that offers a tangible glimpse into the fads, technologies, and cultural touchstones of a quarter-century ago. Prepare for a wave of nostalgia as you recall items that were once ubiquitous and now feel like relics.
- Reliving the Burial Event: If you’ve ever wondered about the ceremony surrounding this legendary time capsule, or if you’ve simply forgotten the stark contrast in video quality from 25 years ago, we have just the thing. Witness the historic event unfold through this video, a genuine artifact from 1992 that vividly illustrates how far television resolution and video production have evolved. It’s a delightful trip down memory lane, showcasing a pivotal moment in children’s television history.
Guest Spotlight: Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook
We were absolutely thrilled to host Jenny Komenda, a true luminary in the design world, on this episode. Jenny is widely celebrated for her authentic approach to design, her insightful blog, and her significant contributions to leading design publications. Her conversation offered a wealth of knowledge for anyone passionate about home decor, entrepreneurship, and navigating the evolving landscape of creative work.
- Connect with Jenny Online: To stay updated with Jenny’s latest projects, design philosophies, and personal insights, be sure to visit her highly influential blog, Little Green Notebook. You can also follow her captivating visual journey and daily inspirations on Instagram, connect with her vibrant community on Facebook, and explore her meticulously curated boards on Pinterest. Each platform offers a unique window into her creative world.
- Featured in Domino Magazine: Jenny’s work has been widely recognized and celebrated in prestigious publications like Domino magazine. Her features include a captivating full house tour, showcasing her impeccable style and design prowess in her own home. Additionally, she’s shared numerous ingenious projects, such as the widely popular IKEA wardrobe hack, pictured below, which exemplifies her ability to transform affordable pieces into bespoke, high-end solutions.
- Recommended Reading: During our insightful chat, Jenny made an important reference to a book that has significantly influenced her approach to business and growth: The Big Enough Company. This book offers valuable perspectives on scaling a business sustainably and maintaining creative integrity, a topic highly relevant to many creatives and entrepreneurs.
- Revisiting Our Blogging Journey: Our conversation with Jenny also touched upon the evolution and challenges of running a successful blog, vaguely referencing our own past experiences. If you’re curious to hear our full story and honest reflections on stepping back from full-time blogging and adapting our creative endeavors, we highly recommend revisiting Episode 14. It’s a candid discussion about the highs, lows, and crucial decisions involved in navigating a public creative career.
We’re Digging: Our Latest Favorite Finds
This week’s “We’re Digging” segment is a delightful collection of our latest obsessions, ranging from high-quality beauty products to charming accessories for your furry friends. These are the items that have genuinely captured our interest and we think you’ll love them too!
- Sherry’s Favorite DIY-Friendly Nail Polishes: Pictured above are some of the fantastic Butter London nail polish colors that Sherry absolutely adores. While they might not be the cheapest options on the market, their exceptional quality and “DIY-friendly” application make them a worthwhile indulgence. These polishes are known for their vibrant pigments, smooth application, and impressive longevity, making them perfect for at-home manicures that look professionally done. Explore some of her top picks: Trout Pout (a charming coral), Twist & Twirl (a fun, bright hue), Ta Ta (a delicate, soft shade), Shop Girl (a chic, modern neutral), along with the essential Top Coat for a lasting finish, and Rather Red (a classic, bold statement).
- Cropscotch Pet Accessories: And below, discover a delightful array of Cropscotch creations designed to add a touch of unique style and flair to your beloved pet’s neck. These charming accessories are more than just functional collars; they are miniature fashion statements, perfect for spiffing up your canine or feline companion for any occasion, or simply adding a bit of personality to their everyday look. Check out these distinctive designs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Psst… Looking for something we’ve loved in a previous episode? Don’t fret if you can’t recall which show notes to click into! We’ve meticulously compiled a master list of everything we’ve been digging from all past episodes. It’s your comprehensive guide to all our recommended products, tools, and inspirations, making it easy to rediscover those gems you heard about!
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our partners who help make this podcast possible. This episode is proudly brought to you by West Elm, a brand synonymous with modern design, sustainable practices, and beautiful home furnishings.
Discover more about West Elm’s commitment to ethical sourcing and community empowerment through their inspiring Design to Impact program by visiting westelm.com/yhl. And as a special thank you to our listeners, enter code YHL15 at checkout to enjoy an exclusive 15% off your next West Elm purchase, bringing beautiful and responsible design into your home.
*This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love and believe in.