Our recent holiday season was an unforgettable blend of cherished family moments, festive cheer, and a monumental undertaking: the installation of not one, but two complete kitchens within our duplex property. This week, we delve into the intricate journey of these ambitious projects, sharing everything from the initial hurdles and how we overcame them, to the literal and figurative moments when we finally saw the light at the end of a long tunnel. This significant renovation project was certainly a test of our DIY skills and patience, offering valuable insights for anyone considering a large-scale home improvement. We’ll explore the planning, execution, and the gratifying progress made during our winter break, highlighting key lessons learned that could prove invaluable for your own kitchen renovation endeavors.
Furthermore, we’re thrilled to share an avalanche of brilliant feedback we received from all of you regarding the compact sleeping nooks in our duplex, a topic we extensively debated in our last episode. Your creative suggestions and diverse perspectives have been instrumental in refining our plans. Today, we’re excited to reveal how we’ve adapted our design to maximize the functionality and flexibility of these small spaces, ensuring they can comfortably accommodate as many families as possible. This adaptive design approach demonstrates our commitment to creating versatile living solutions, especially important for rental properties or homes designed for multi-generational living. We’ll also be discussing a surprisingly effective money-saving trick that has us wondering why we hadn’t adopted it years ago – a true game-changer for budget-conscious home renovators. Lastly, we put out a call for unique insights from our international listeners, hoping to uncover fascinating global home design norms and cultural influences that promise some truly interesting revelations.
For those eager to dive deeper into these topics, you can effortlessly download this episode from major podcast platforms. We’ve made it accessible across various services to ensure you can listen wherever and whenever you prefer. Tune in to hear the full story behind our duplex kitchen saga, the innovative sleeping nook solutions, and our latest discoveries in home improvement and budgeting.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify – or listen to it below! Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may have to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New in Home & Design
- Christmas morning brought immense joy as our children discovered their new dollhouses, a delightful acquisition we initially discussed in Episode #124. These charming dollhouses quickly became the centerpiece of their holiday fun. The image above captures the pure excitement of that special morning, with the dollhouses taking pride of place amidst a sea of colorful wrapping paper and festive decorations.
- The interiors of these miniature homes, which you can glimpse closer below, were thoughtfully appointed. We utilized furniture that came with one of the dollhouses, supplemented by an incredible $35 box of treasures we serendipitously found on Facebook Marketplace on Christmas Eve! This budget-friendly find truly brought the dollhouses to life, proving that amazing deals are out there if you know where to look.
- Sherry and the kids are already embarking on the exciting journey of customizing and refurbishing these dollhouses, adding their personal touches and creative flair. We can’t wait to share more photos and updates as their tiny renovation projects unfold, offering inspiration for creative play and small-scale DIY.
- A massive thank you to everyone who provided feedback following Episode #124, specifically regarding the design of the small sleeping nooks on each side of our duplex. Your insights were invaluable in helping us finalize a truly flexible and efficient solution. As we shared in that episode, our chosen approach incorporates these versatile Ikea mattress bases, which have proven to be the ideal foundation for our adaptive design.
- While we’re still in the process of bringing our final vision to life, we’re eager to share more polished photos once the spaces are fully realized. For now, indulge in these incredibly lifelike and practical “renderings” that Sherry created directly on her phone. These sketches beautifully illustrate the three distinct configurations we can achieve with the flexible bed system we’ve purchased, showcasing the adaptability vital for our duplex. This innovative approach ensures that each sleeping nook can effortlessly transform to meet varying guest needs, from individual travelers to small families.
- During our research, the pop-up trundle bed from Ikea emerged as a highly recommended option by many of you, and it’s easy to see why. This clever design offers excellent space-saving potential, allowing two twin mattresses to be positioned on the same level, effectively creating a comfortable king-sized sleeping surface when needed. However, after careful consideration, this specific model didn’t align perfectly with our primary requirement of accommodating two completely separate twin beds in our duplex nooks – the highest-voted option from last week’s poll. Nonetheless, if you’re in the market for a versatile pop-up trundle bed that can transform into a king-sized bed, approximately 1,000 people enthusiastically suggested this one! It’s a testament to its popularity and functionality for many different household needs.
Exploring Home Trends with the Pinterest 100 Game
- Curiosity piqued? Immerse yourself in the full 2019 Pinterest 100 list. This annual compilation offers a fascinating glimpse into the emerging and dominant home design, lifestyle, and fashion trends that captivated the world. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in interior decorating, DIY projects, and creative living. For a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a chance to test your trend-spotting prowess, you can revisit our previous “Pinterest 100 Game” episodes. Last year’s exciting challenge can be found in Episode #78, and the quiz from the year before awaits you in Episode #30. These episodes not only provide entertainment but also showcase how home trends evolve and predict future styles.
- Speaking of transformative home projects, we absolutely must highlight the incredible makeover shared by our reader, Angela. She masterfully demonstrated the power of budget-friendly DIY by painting her tile floor, achieving a complete transformation for under $75! Her project is a stunning example of how a simple stencil and a bit of paint can dramatically alter the aesthetics of a space without breaking the bank. It continues to blow our minds that such a sophisticated and modern look can be achieved with just a painted stencil. This project serves as powerful inspiration for anyone looking to update their home on a tight budget, proving that creativity and a willingness to DIY can yield astonishing results.
Uncovering Global Home Design Norms
- Inspired by a thoughtful suggestion from our UK listener, Jo, following our discussion on laundry room placements in Episode #122, we are embarking on a fascinating exploration of global home design norms. We are immensely curious to learn about the common residential design practices, architectural styles, and functional considerations prevalent in different parts of the world, especially those that diverge significantly from the design conventions we frequently discuss. This initiative aims to broaden our understanding of diverse living environments and celebrate the unique ways people design and utilize their homes across cultures.
- Whether it’s the typical size of bedrooms, the standard placement of kitchens, innovative small-space solutions, regional material preferences, or even specific cultural traditions that influence home layouts, we want to hear it all! Your contributions will not only enrich our podcast discussions but also provide a valuable global perspective on home aesthetics and functionality. Understanding these international home design trends can inspire new ideas, challenge our assumptions, and highlight the universal aspects of creating comfortable and efficient living spaces.
- To share your insights and tell us about the home design “norms” common in your corner of the globe, please use the Google Form below. We encourage you to be as detailed as possible, providing specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate these unique practices. Don’t forget to clearly specify the country, state, or region you’re describing, as this context is crucial for our understanding. Your participation will help us build a fascinating mosaic of global home design, fostering a greater appreciation for the diversity of residential living worldwide.
Duplex Kitchen Installation: From Boxes to Beautiful Spaces
- The sheer scale of our duplex renovation project became undeniable with the delivery of these boxes. What you see above represents only half of the colossal number of flat-pack units that arrived for the two kitchens and corresponding laundry rooms on each side of the house; the other half formed an equally imposing mountain on the opposite side. This initial sight, while exciting, was also a stark reminder of the monumental task ahead: assembling and installing two full Ikea kitchens. The process of unpacking, sorting, and beginning to piece together these modular units for a comprehensive duplex kitchen installation presented a unique challenge, requiring meticulous organization and a systematic approach.
- The first couple of days were indeed slow-going, characterized by head-scratching over instructions, careful inventory checks, and the initial learning curve of working with the Ikea system on such a grand scale. However, as we gained momentum and found our rhythm, the progress became incredibly satisfying. We are genuinely thrilled with how far we’ve come and the significant strides we’ve made. We understand that tackling an Ikea kitchen installation can seem daunting, especially for first-timers. Given this is our fourth time navigating the process, we’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge and practical tips. We are diligently working on a detailed blog post that will outline the actual steps, essential tools, and materials that can make installing an Ikea kitchen a far smoother and more efficient experience. Keep an eye out for this invaluable guide, which we hope to publish in the next week or two, designed to empower you with the confidence to take on your own kitchen renovation projects.
- One of the more challenging aspects of working with an older duplex, as Sherry mentioned in the episode, was dealing with structural imperfections. Below, you can observe the wall that presented a particular hurdle: it was significantly bowed. To ensure our metal cabinet rail remained perfectly straight and level – a crucial detail for a professional-looking Ikea kitchen installation – we had to employ extensive shimming. This meticulous process involved carefully inserting small pieces of material behind the rail at various points to compensate for the unevenness of the wall. This particular wall was an exterior wall where we opted to retain the original framing, which, while preserving the historical character of the duplex, also introduced these unique renovation challenges. It’s a common scenario in older homes, highlighting the importance of adaptability and precise adjustments during DIY projects.
- We’re incredibly excited to share more comprehensive pictures of the completed kitchens very soon. However, the image below offers a tantalizing peek at the remarkable progress we achieved by the close of the holiday break. You can see the bulk of the cabinetry is expertly installed, transforming what were once empty spaces into functional kitchen frameworks. While there are still a few crucial elements remaining – such as adding toekicks, installing hardware, and integrating critical details like appliances, countertops, and backsplashes – reaching this stage is a significant milestone.
- Achieving this level of completion means we can now move forward with the next exciting phase: getting our custom countertops templated and arranging for the installation of our essential kitchen appliances. These steps mark the transition from raw construction to a truly habitable and functional kitchen, bringing us closer to realizing the full potential of both duplex units. The journey has been challenging but rewarding, and we can’t wait to reveal the finished spaces!
Current Favorites: Home Essentials & Fun Finds
- While I can’t directly link to the specific eBay coupon I utilized to save big on our latest shower curtain purchase (it was a one-time use!), I am thrilled to share the fantastic shower curtains themselves. These are the very same extra-long white waffle shower curtains that proved to be perfect for our beach house, making them a tried-and-true favorite. They are particularly ideal for rooms with 8-foot ceilings, providing a luxurious, full-length look that standard curtains often miss. For those with taller spaces, we also highly recommend these longer options designed for 9-foot ceilings, ensuring a polished finish regardless of your ceiling height. And of course, no shower curtain is complete without the right liner; we use these durable shower liners for our 8-foot ceilinged rooms, and these specific ones for the 9-foot applications, guaranteeing practicality and elegance.
- On the topic of smart shopping and maximizing value, I must share another fantastic discovery: after recording this episode, I invested a mere $3 to acquire three separate 10% off coupons for Lowe’s. This small upfront cost has already yielded significant savings, cutting over $50 off our recent purchases of curtain rods and ring clips – among other, perhaps less glamorous, but equally essential duplex renovation items. This shrewd strategy exemplifies how a little research and a minimal investment can lead to substantial discounts on home improvement supplies, a trick worth considering for any DIY enthusiast or home decorator.
- Last but certainly not least, we’re absolutely loving Headbanz, which has quickly become our family’s new favorite game. This engaging and hilarious game is perfect for all ages in the household, fostering laughter and friendly competition during family game nights. It’s a wonderful way to unwind and connect, proving that sometimes the best finds are those that bring joy and entertainment into your home, beyond just decor and renovations.
If you’re ever searching for something we’ve raved about in a previous episode but can’t quite recall which show notes to click into, don’t fret! We’ve meticulously compiled a master list of everything we’ve been digging from all our past episodes. This comprehensive resource is designed to be your go-to guide for all our top recommendations, from home decor finds to practical tools and lifestyle favorites. You can also explore all the insightful books we’ve recommended over time on our dedicated Book Club page, offering a curated selection of reads that have inspired us in design, life, and creativity.
And finally, we extend a huge thank you to You Need A Budget (YNAB) for their generous sponsorship of this episode. YNAB is an exceptional budgeting tool that empowers users to gain control of their finances, plan for future expenses, and achieve their financial goals, making it an invaluable partner for anyone undertaking significant home projects. To experience the transformative power of YNAB and start your journey towards financial freedom, sign up today at YNAB.com/YHL and receive your first three months free! It’s an incredible opportunity to streamline your budget and make those renovation dreams a reality.
Thanks for listening, guys! We appreciate your continued support and engagement with our home renovation adventures and discoveries.
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