Welcome to the show notes for Episode #17 of Young House Love Has A Podcast! It’s a fun fact that 17 is a prime number, and we think you’ll find this episode primely packed with exciting home decor insights, practical DIY tips, and fresh inspiration for your living spaces. On this week’s thrilling installment, we are absolutely thrilled to finally lift the veil on a monumental home renovation project that has been keeping us busy behind the scenes. We’re talking about a significant update that’s transforming a core area of our home, and you, our dedicated listeners, are the very first to get the exclusive scoop! Get ready for some major reveals and a sneak peek into the exciting (and sometimes messy) world of home improvement.
Beyond our big reveal, we’re also diving deep into a topic many of you grapple with: how to tackle those daunting, empty walls without breaking the bank. We heard from a listener seeking budget-friendly yet impactful ways to infuse personality and warmth into her space, and we’re sharing our absolute favorite sources, clever tricks, and easy DIY art solutions that prove stunning wall decor doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. From creative repurposing to smart display techniques, we’ve got your walls covered.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! We’re also pulling back the curtain on a game-changing tech upgrade that has brought a new level of ease and comfort to our bedroom – think enhanced relaxation and ultimate convenience. Plus, as we gear up for a well-hydrated October, we’re sharing a fun initiative to help everyone boost their water intake. And, in true Young House Love fashion, we’re dissecting the Sherwin-Williams 2017 Paint Color of the Year, discussing its implications for home trends, and how you might incorporate it into your own decor.
You can easily listen to this jam-packed episode on your preferred platform. Download it now from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or TuneIn Radio. For even more convenience, you can stream it directly below! As you listen, keep this page open to explore all the links, notes, and exclusive photos we reference throughout the discussion. Let’s make your home a happier, more stylish place!
What’s Brewing in Our Home: A Major Renovation Unveiled
Get ready for the moment you’ve been waiting for! We’re kicking off this episode by sharing the massive home project that has been consuming our thoughts and energy. For those who remember our move-in day, our kitchen was a sight to behold—and not always in the best way. It featured a very distinct, shall we say, “vintage” charm, particularly with its flooring. You might recall the early days when our kitchen looked something like this:
Over the years, we’ve made various small updates and tackled numerous DIY projects, but some elements always remained. The notorious fake brick laminate flooring was one such persistent feature, a relic we’ve been dreaming of replacing for what feels like an eternity. Well, dear listeners, the day has finally arrived! We can now joyfully announce from the rooftops – and indeed, from the depths of our podcast studio – that the “ding, dong, the fake brick laminate flooring is gone!” This isn’t just a minor update; it’s a foundational change that’s dramatically altering the look and feel of our kitchen space. This project is a testament to the power of patience, planning, and persistence in achieving your home design dreams, even the really big ones.
And because you’re such an integral part of our Young House Love community, we felt it was only right to offer you an exclusive glimpse into the transformation process. Before we share the polished “after,” we want to show you the exhilarating (and slightly chaotic) “during.” Here’s a sneak peek at some of the controlled destruction that paves the way for something truly amazing. Witnessing the removal of something so deeply ingrained in a space is incredibly satisfying, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter for our kitchen. So, whoop, there it is – the glorious mess of progress:
Stay tuned to our blog and future episodes for the full reveal of this ambitious kitchen renovation. We promise it will be worth the wait!
Decoding Color Trends: Sherwin-Williams’ 2017 Color of the Year
In the world of interior design, few announcements are as eagerly anticipated as the annual “Color of the Year” reveals. These selections set the tone for design trends, influence product development, and inspire countless homeowners and designers. This week, we’re dissecting Sherwin-Williams’ choice for their 2017 Color of the Year announcement: Poised Taupe. Go ahead, say that three times fast – it’s a mouthful, but a beautifully versatile one!
Poised Taupe (SW 6039) is described as a modern take on a classic neutral. It’s a sophisticated blend of earthy brown and a silvery gray, offering a warm yet grounded presence. This complex hue beautifully bridges the gap between warm and cool tones, making it incredibly adaptable to various design styles, from rustic farmhouse to sleek contemporary. Its understated elegance makes it an ideal backdrop for almost any furniture, artwork, or textile, allowing other elements in a room to shine while providing a sense of calm and stability. We discuss why Sherwin-Williams might have chosen such a versatile neutral in a year where tranquility and connection to nature are paramount design themes. Imagine it in a cozy living room, a serene bedroom, or even a sophisticated home office.
We also took a nostalgic look back at some of the other memorable “Colors of the Year” from various brands that have captured our attention in previous years. These selections often reflect broader cultural shifts and design philosophies. Here are some of the other captivating Colors of the Year we reminisced about, each with its own unique character and story:
- Vintage Wine: A rich, deep, and luxurious hue that evokes warmth and sophistication, perfect for creating an intimate or dramatic space.
- Coral Reef: A vibrant, optimistic, and energetic pink-orange that radiates joy and playfulness, often associated with tropical flair and boldness.
- Aloe: A soft, earthy green that brings a sense of tranquility, nature, and organic harmony into a space, promoting relaxation and well-being.
- Lemon Sorbet: A cheerful, light, and airy yellow that feels fresh and invigorating, perfect for brightening up rooms and adding a touch of sunny disposition.
- Breath of Fresh Air: A delicate, pale blue from Benjamin Moore that lives up to its name, offering a serene, calm, and expansive feel, ideal for creating peaceful sanctuaries.
Understanding these color trends isn’t just about painting your walls; it’s about appreciating how color influences mood, style, and the overall narrative of a home.
Listener Question: Affordable Art and Wall Decor Solutions
One of the most common dilemmas in home decor is how to fill those intimidating blank walls without draining your bank account. We received a fantastic question from a listener struggling with this very issue, and we were thrilled to share our treasure trove of budget-friendly art solutions and wall decor ideas. Creating a visually engaging space doesn’t require a massive investment; it just needs a little creativity and know-how.
For a comprehensive dive into our favorite affordable art projects, you can always explore our blog’s extensive art archives. This section of our blog is a goldmine of DIY inspiration, showcasing countless projects we’ve tackled ourselves, complete with step-by-step guides and photos. Additionally, our very first book dedicates an entire chapter to this crucial topic! Head straight to our first book and turn to Chapter 6, aptly titled “Hang,” for even more expert advice and creative techniques to transform your walls.
Here are some of the specific, highly effective projects and strategies we mentioned during the podcast, designed to add personality and style to your walls without overspending:
- Using a calendar for art: Discover how to transform beautiful, inexpensive calendars into stunning framed art pieces. We discuss selecting calendars with compelling images, carefully cutting out your chosen visuals, and framing them creatively to achieve a high-end look on a shoestring budget. This method is perfect for introducing seasonal themes or unique graphic prints.
- “Wallpapering” a wall with frames: Learn how to create an impactful feature wall by arranging an array of empty or minimally filled frames. This technique plays with texture and dimension, offering a sophisticated alternative to traditional wallpaper, and can be easily customized with paint or various frame styles.
- How to hang a gallery wall: Gallery walls are a fantastic way to display a collection of art, photos, or objects. We covered several foolproof methods for achieving a cohesive and balanced look:
- Using a large paper template: This involves tracing your frames onto craft paper, cutting out the templates, and taping them to the wall to finalize your arrangement before a single nail is hammered. This method ensures perfect spacing and symmetry.
- In a grid: For a clean, modern, and structured look, arranging frames in a precise grid pattern provides visual order and a sophisticated aesthetic. We share tips for achieving perfect alignment.
- Using small paper placeholders: A more flexible approach where you use smaller paper cutouts to experiment with different arrangements on the wall, allowing for easy adjustments until you find the perfect layout.
- Just winging it: For the more adventurous decorator, we discuss how to embrace spontaneity and create an organic, eclectic gallery wall, offering advice on how to make it look intentionally artful rather than haphazard.
- Some super affordable, but large office art: Discover creative ways to create significant visual impact in an office space without spending a fortune on oversized art. We explore using unexpected materials or simple DIY techniques to craft pieces that command attention.
- An easy, large DIY painting: Unleash your inner artist! We share simple techniques for creating large-scale abstract or geometric paintings that require minimal artistic skill but yield impressive results. This is a fantastic way to introduce custom colors and unique textures to your decor.
- Affordable post-card shelves: Learn how to install simple, narrow shelves designed specifically to display postcards, small prints, or other miniature art pieces. This offers incredible flexibility for changing out your decor regularly and adds a charming, curated touch to any room.
If you’re curious about some of the affordable art (or other versatile wall fillers) that have recently caught our eye and earned our approval – many of which are conveniently priced under $40 – here’s a quick assortment to spark your imagination and help you start your own collection. These pieces exemplify how thoughtful selections can elevate a space without a significant financial outlay:
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What We’re Digging This Week: Smart Tech & Healthy Habits
Every episode, we share something new that’s captured our interest or made our lives a little better, and this week is no exception. We’ve got a fantastic blend of innovative tech and a simple health challenge that we think you’ll appreciate.
First up, we’re talking about a genius bedroom upgrade that’s making us decidedly lazier (in the best possible way!). We’re completely enamored with the nightstands we recently acquired, which feature an integrated “touch strip” – what we affectionately refer to as a “snap bracelet” for your lighting. This innovative feature allows you to simply touch a metal strip on the back of the nightstand to turn your lamp on or off, and often, to dim it. It’s incredibly convenient, eliminating the fumbling for a switch in the dark and adding a sleek, modern touch to bedside lighting. The photo below beautifully illustrates these stylish nightstands and their unique touch-sensitive strip, making evening routines a breeze:
You can find these particular nightstands at a couple of our favorite online retailers. Sometimes links expire, so we’ve included both options for your convenience. Check them out here on Joss & Main or over here on Wayfair. If you love the concept but aren’t in the market for new nightstands, we have even better news! There’s an amazing touch kit available from Amazon that promises to allow you to easily retrofit any of your existing lamps or lights with similar touch functionality. This means you can upgrade your current lighting fixtures and bring this modern convenience to any room in your home. If you give it a try, please tag us on Twitter or Instagram – we’d love to see your upgraded lighting setups!
Last but certainly not least, we’re enthusiastic about encouraging healthy habits, and we’re inviting you to join me for Aquatober! This fun, community-driven initiative is all about boosting your water intake throughout the month of October. Staying properly hydrated is crucial for energy, skin health, and overall well-being, and Aquatober provides a playful challenge to keep us all on track. To get the full story behind this refreshing initiative, including its origins and all the reasons why we think it’s a fantastic idea, check out the complete details here. Below, you’ll also find my stellar graphic that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Aquatober – it’s designed to motivate and remind you to reach for that water glass!
Psst- Have you heard us rave about something in a past episode and can’t quite remember which show notes to click into? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a comprehensive master list of everything we’ve been digging from all our previous episodes. It’s your go-to resource for all our recommendations and favorite finds!
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