This week we’re sharing the mystery of why half the power in our house went out just as we were about to leave for vacation. We also bring you up to speed on the near-finish of our bathroom renovation — including how the flu, a surgery, and a last-minute deadline kept us scrambling. Plus: an … Read more

We’re back with the full front door makeover, just like we promised. Here’s the starting point: It was an old maroon storm door that caused three problems: the grid pattern didn’t match the six-paneled door behind it, it tended to jam, and it didn’t latch well so it would bang open in wind. We rarely … Read more

After nine months of steady progress on our beach house, things suddenly feel like they’re moving at lightning speed. This post covers a lot of updates—think of it as a delicious smorgasbord of progress. The foyer photo below captures that “good kind” of busy and messy that comes with renovations. Compared to the true disaster … Read more

There’s a party in my pantry. Everyone’s invited—though it’s not really a party and the pantry is far too small to host anything. The invitation is awkward in a Brick Tamland sort of way. See the pantry tucked in the back of the kitchen by the fridge? This is the only “before” picture I could … Read more

Over the years we’ve added many types of shelving to our homes — from floating and built-in bookcases to decorative display and heavy-duty storage shelves. Below is a curated collection of favorite DIY shelving projects to help you add smart vertical storage and style. We cover: Floating Shelves Storage Shelves Decorative Shelves How to Style … Read more

While rewatching an old episode of Parks & Recreation, we couldn’t help but laugh when a background prop looked exactly like our card-catalog-turned-spice-and-spoon-rack sitting behind Amy Poehler. The irony was even greater because the episode centers on her character’s outspoken dislike of libraries. Doesn’t it look like the $5 thrift-store find Sherry gave me two … Read more

If this magazine cover looks familiar, you’ve probably already noticed that the second installment of our “He Said, She Said” column in Do It Yourself Magazine is now on newsstands. Seeing it again was just as exciting as the first time we tackled decorating disputes from both sides of the gender divide. This issue gave … Read more

When we showcased Lindsay’s kitchen makeover as a Reader Redesign back in October, we had no idea it would catch the attention of Kitchen Makeovers, a Better Homes & Gardens special interest publication. They found Lindsay’s before-and-after photos on our blog and reached out to feature her kitchen. Needless to say, we were thrilled — … Read more

Laura’s paint-and-accessory makeover proves that elegant design doesn’t need to be expensive. Below is the letter she sent about her living room transformation. I enjoy reading your blog and wanted to share some before-and-after pictures of my living room redesign. I’m a first-time homeowner in a charming older house — a Cape Cod built in … Read more

We previously shared our beach house style inspiration while the pink house was just beginning to come back together. Now that the duplex is at a similar stage, we wanted to outline our vision for its design — from materials and color ideas to specific room functions and features we’re considering. It’s never too early … Read more