Remember yesterday when our shelves looked like this? Then I had fun filling them (you can watch the video without sound and still get the idea): If you watch, you’ll see I can reach most of the top shelves. The corner by the window is a bit awkward, but I can sit on the counter … Read more

Believe it or not, the mattress we recently purchased for our guest bedroom was the first one either of us had ever truly shopped for in person. Previously, our beds were hand-me-downs from family or inexpensive finds from thrift stores (we actually got two daybed mattresses from Goodwill back in the pre-bed-bug-awareness days—though they claimed … Read more

It may seem counterintuitive—don’t most people want to add a deck?—but our deck is no longer pulling its weight. In this episode we explain why we think tearing it down makes sense and what we plan to put in its place. We also chat with Manhattan Nest’s Daniel Kanter about design trends that are becoming … Read more

Since so many of you enjoyed our previous messy house tours (like the one from our last house in 2011), we thought it was a good time to show that our home isn’t perfectly staged all the time. With most of our attention on the showhouse and some last-minute nursery details, several projects have been … Read more

We’re excited to share our latest “Try This” column in Richmond’s R. Home magazine. For this three-page feature we offered a collection of backyard entertaining ideas. As usual, the real challenge came from shooting months in advance—like hunting down holiday decorations in the wrong season or, in this case, photographing a not-yet-blooming backyard in March. … Read more

With another round of decluttering underway, we’re revisiting our last yard sale and the unusual trick that helped it sell out quickly — and the small detail we overlooked that almost turned it into a disaster. We also share how we sold both of our homes without a realtor and outline five things to consider … Read more

We asked. You voted. We listened. A few weeks ago we put out a ballot to choose a new color for our drab bookcase, and the results are in. All three subtle options received support, and several of you suggested additional hues, but we went with the majority choice. Meet the new green bookcase: We … Read more

This week’s first project for my self-imposed “Dude Get On That Already” challenge is small, and—surprise—it’s not animal-related. I found a fifty-cent wooden box at Goodwill a few months ago, then tucked it away in the playroom until now. Here’s the only before picture I took, showing a quick splash of blue spray paint before … Read more

It’s Tuesday the 30th, which means it’s time to share this season’s unofficial Pinterest Challenge project (not sponsored by Pinterest—just an idea Katie dreamed up to get people to stop pinning and start doing). Huzzah! This time John and I built a large, chunky-framed leaning piece that looks like a mirror but functions as a … Read more

Back in October we mentioned our plans to add a hanging daybed to the covered portion of our front porch, and our whole family is thrilled that it’s finally complete. Hanging daybeds are very popular around here, and we’ve always loved the idea. There’s something wonderful about reading or napping outside on a slow Saturday … Read more