“We just couldn’t figure out why you weren’t tearing out the kitchen.” That’s what one of our contractor’s crew said when we moved in last year. I get the reaction. We were redoing floors, moving doors, vaulting ceilings and more, yet we left the small, dated kitchen largely intact—including the mauve laminate countertops. You can … Read more

Seeing former homes altered by new owners can sting more than you expect. This week we talk about how we coped with those feelings and found the silver lining when someone undoes your design choices. Back at our current house, we finally made the driveway more kid-friendly—a project that was long overdue and surprisingly easy. … Read more

As we prepare to move into a house that’s less than half the size of our current home, we’re taking a close look at our belongings to decide what to bring and what to let go. Below we outline the systematic criteria we’re using to evaluate every item, share how we’re getting rid of things … Read more

There were tons of sales this weekend—almost everything we still sell from our house was deeply discounted. I’d wanted to get a heads-up out to anyone who’s been eyeing pieces from our home, but we just got back from spring break and had Easter and family stuff, so it didn’t happen. Then many of the … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** This week’s giveaway is brought to you by two wonderful sources of inspiration offering a fantastic prize for one lucky reader. Fresh Home magazine, a new quarterly that launched last year and focuses on budget-friendly home improvement and décor ideas, has partnered with Cost Plus World Market to … Read more

John’s dad, nicknamed “El Cheapo,” is one of our money-management role models. He doesn’t live in misery or wear tattered shoes—he simply prioritizes what matters most to him. He saves for big, meaningful goals like a family-sized vehicle or a vacation home where the family can gather, and he opts out of things that carry … Read more

If you’ve ever imagined (or dreaded) living in a tiny house, you’re in good company. People have strong and varied opinions about small-space living, so we reached out to a couple who have lived in an 188-square-foot home for more than two years to answer all the questions you’ve been wondering about. We learned what’s … Read more

We hadn’t considered Dallas a typical vacation spot until local friends—former Dallas residents—convinced us otherwise. After our recent four-night visit, we can confirm they were right. We barely scratched the surface, but we enjoyed great food, explored lively neighborhoods, and discovered more family-friendly activities than we had time for. Below is a concise recap of … Read more

Some windows simply aren’t ideal for curtain panels. When a panel can’t hang all the way to the floor, a too-short curtain can look awkward. While cafe curtains can work in a few spots, we usually either go all in with floor-to-near-ceiling curtains or skip curtains altogether in those awkward places. If you’re dealing with … Read more

Happy Veteran’s Day! First and foremost, thank you to the men and women currently serving our country and to those who have bravely served in the past. We’re especially grateful to family members who served, including my dad, my grandfather, and Sherry’s grandfather. Your dedication and sacrifice mean so much. Now, on to the giveaway. … Read more