Welcome to the comprehensive show notes for Episode #11 of Young House Love Has A Podcast! In this exciting installment, we tackle some of the most common dilemmas faced by homeowners and design enthusiasts alike. Have you ever wondered how couples with wildly different design aesthetics manage to create a harmonious home they both adore? This week, we pull back the curtain on our own approach to merging diverse styles and offer actionable strategies for other couples to find common ground in their decorating journeys. Beyond personal design, we delve into the often-frustrating world of home organization. Prepare to discover the surprising habits and missteps that drive professional organizers absolutely crazy, alongside an outline of organizing efforts that might actually be counterproductive in the long run. Join us as we share invaluable insights into creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also truly functional and reflective of everyone who lives there.
But the conversation doesn’t stop there! We also take you on a journey into fascinating home stories, including a look at what it’s truly like to live in a home that gained fame on the iconic TV show, Trading Spaces. You’ll hear about who has us experiencing a serious case of “pool envy” this week, and we unravel the mystery behind a peculiar glass bowl that recently appeared in our yard – rest assured, it’s definitely not a new attempt at boosting curb appeal, but rather a surprisingly effective solution to a common outdoor nuisance. This page serves as your go-to resource for all the links, detailed notes, and supplementary photos referenced in this week’s engaging discussion.
You can listen to this week’s full episode on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Google Play, Stitcher, or TuneIn Radio. Grab your headphones, settle in, and prepare to be inspired with fresh ideas for your home.
What’s New & Exciting Around the House

- This week, we share a rather unconventional but highly effective solution to a pesky problem that many homeowners face: yellow jackets! We reveal the story behind the humble glass bowl that appeared in our yard, which, against all odds, managed to completely solve our yellow jacket issue. It was a simple, non-toxic, and surprisingly successful method we stumbled upon. We’re thrilled to report that we’ve since removed our ingenious yellow jacket trap and have been able to successfully mow over the area without any fear of attack. Huzzah for simple home remedies!
- Speaking of lawn care and unexpected yard adventures, if you missed the original, much-discussed story about our lawn mower – a tale involving early mishaps and important lessons learned – be sure to catch up on Episode #1: Rich Houses. It’s a great way to hear how our DIY journey began and appreciate how far we’ve come in tackling outdoor projects.
Uncovering What Professional Organizers Can’t Stand
- In this segment, we peel back the curtain on the world of professional organizing, shining a light on the habits and situations that truly grate on the nerves of those dedicated to creating order. We dive deeper into what professional organizers consider their biggest pet peeves and why these seemingly small issues can derail even the best intentions for a tidy home. Our discussion is inspired by a fantastic resource from Good Housekeeping, which outlines a comprehensive list of common organizing mistakes. Understanding these “don’ts” is often the first step to more effective and lasting organization.
- Don’t just take our word for it! For an even more detailed breakdown and additional insights, check out the full article on the 10 Pet Peeves That Drive Pro Organizers Crazy from Good Housekeeping. This article offers invaluable perspectives that can help you identify and rectify counterproductive organizing habits in your own home, transforming your approach from temporary fixes to sustainable systems.
Your Questions, Our Answers: Listener Spotlight
- We love hearing from our listeners and incorporating your questions into future episodes! If you have a burning design dilemma, an organizing quandary, or simply a fun home-related query you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, we invite you to leave us a voicemail. Here’s that phone number again, so you can jot it down and call us with YOUR listener question: (571) 4-YHL-HAP. That’s 4-YHL-HAP, which stands for Young House Love Has A Podcast, or you can dial (571)-494-5427 directly.
- To ensure we can feature as many thoughtful questions as possible, please remember to keep your message brief and to the point. Most importantly, start your voicemail by clearly stating your first name and your location. For example, “Hi, I’m Jesse from New Jersey,” or “Hello, I’m Sarah from Seattle.” This helps us connect with our diverse listening community.
- As a visual reference for our discussion this week on blending masculine and feminine elements within a shared living space, we’re sharing an older shot of our very own living room. This photo illustrates some of the ways we’ve navigated combining different design preferences to create a cohesive and comfortable area that reflects both our styles without one dominating the other. It’s a real-world example of the compromises and thoughtful decisions that go into crafting a home that truly feels like “us.”

Exciting Updates & Retro Home Revelations
- This week’s update brings us to a fascinating discussion about a particularly memorable “flower-riddled bathroom.” We recount the details of this unique space that sparked quite a conversation among listeners and ourselves. This segment delves into the impact of bold, sometimes overwhelming, design choices and the challenges and joys of living with them. It’s a testament to how even the most unusual design decisions become part of a home’s story.
- And for those who are fans of classic home makeover television, or if you missed our original, fun-filled game centered around the iconic and often surprising designer Hildi Santo-Tomas from Trading Spaces, you absolutely must go back and listen to Episode #4. That episode offers a delightful deep dive into Hildi’s unforgettable design philosophies and the reactions they often elicited from homeowners – a true blast from the past for anyone who loves home design shows.
Currently, What We’re Digging (Our Favorite Finds!)
Each week, we share those little discoveries that make our lives a bit easier, more organized, or simply more joyful around the house. Here’s what’s currently catching our eye and making a difference:
- First up, these ingenious duvet cover clips are an absolute game-changer, and they’re what I (Sherry) am currently obsessing over. If you’ve ever battled with your duvet shifting and clumping inside its cover, these clips are your new best friend. They securely hold your comforter in place, ensuring a smooth, neat look and a much more comfortable night’s sleep. We promptly ordered another set for our guest room because they’re truly that good – a simple solution to a surprisingly common bedroom annoyance.
- And if you’re looking to infuse a bit more positivity and reflection into your daily routine, Sherry shares her love for starting a gratitude journal. This practice has been incredibly fulfilling, helping to focus on the good things in life, big and small. For anyone inspired to begin their own gratitude journey, here are some incredibly pretty and inspiring notebooks that Sherry is currently loving (she just ordered number 4 herself, so you know they’re good!):
1. Elegant Softcover Journal / 2. Minimalist Hardcover Notebook / 3. Botanical Print Planner / 4. Chic Patterned Diary / 5. Leatherette Lined Journal / 6. Watercolor Design Sketchbook
Psst! Finding yourself trying to recall a brilliant product or tip we’ve “dug” in a past episode, but can’t remember which show notes page to click into? No worries! We’ve made it easy for you. Here’s a master list of everything we’ve been digging from all past episodes. It’s your ultimate resource for discovering all our favorite recommendations, carefully curated over time.
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