18 Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas and DIY Projects for the Holidays

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With Christmas just around the corner, here’s a cheerful roundup of holiday projects—some new, some tried-and-true—from the last few seasons of our blog. Whether you’re looking for decorating inspiration or simple DIY ideas, there’s something here to spark a little festive creativity. First up, a few favorite table settings from last year that blend seasonal … Read more

Painting Our Foyer in Edgecomb Gray: Before and After Reveal

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The deed is done. Our foyer has been freshly painted and it already feels brighter and more open. The new color makes the space feel taller and wider—truly the power of paint. This photo captures the shade most accurately: a soft neutral that shifts with the light. It reads as a balanced mix of sand … Read more

Wedding Week II Returns: Behind the Moments and Surprises

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Our July 2007 wedding still feels like it happened yesterday, so it’s funny to realize that tomorrow marks our two-year anniversary. Time really flies when you’re having fun. It’s also hard to believe it’s been a year since our first Wedding Week, when we shared lots of wedding-related details on the blog and later gathered … Read more

Chic North Carolina Home Tour: Stylish Southern Interior Inspiration

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We try to tour a wide range of homes—old and new, large and small, traditional and modern, expensive and budget-friendly. This one leans toward glamorous high-end, but it’s overflowing with ideas you can adapt even on a tight budget. Located in Charlotte, NC, this house is full of inspiring details worth sharing. On with the … Read more

Townhouse Tour: Clever Storage Solutions Throughout the Home

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We make it a point to house crash a wide range of homes, from the grand and glamorous to the cozy and compact. This time we visited a New Jersey townhouse that feels so welcoming it would be hard for any neighboring unit to compete. Creating a warm, inviting home in a standalone colonial is … Read more

Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Home: Tips for a Smooth Move

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Some of you have asked how Burger is settling into the new house. The short answer: great. If you want a slightly more fanciful answer: absolutely splendid. It only took him a day or two to find his food bowl and to learn which door to wait at when he needs to go out. Otherwise, … Read more

Guests Can Now Shower: New Amenities and Bathroom Upgrades

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Progress has been made on the guest bathroom, which is a relief since Sherry’s mom and stepdad arrive in less than 30 hours. Our first win was finding a shower curtain. After being burned by pattern choices before, we picked up a new one at Target on Friday for about $20. The space still looks … Read more

Remove Grout Haze Fast: Proven Methods for Sparkling Tile

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Bet you thought our grouting post was the last time we’d talk about installing tile. Not quite. After the grout dried we still had a few finishing steps: removing haze, sealing the grout, and caulking edges. Several readers asked for details on those final tasks, so here’s how we handled them. Anyone who’s tiled knows … Read more

11 Clever Ways to Repurpose Household Items for Everyday Use

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Why buy new or toss perfectly useful items when a little creativity can give them new life? We love repurposing, and reader Kenn sent a great photo that inspired this roundup of simple, practical ways to reuse everyday items. These painted tin cans make adorable pencil holders. A single coat of paint unifies a mismatched … Read more

Turn Empty Glass Bottles Into Stylish Reusable Glassware

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This project comes with a clear “do not try this at home” warning for two reasons: It involves fire and broken glass, so use extreme caution and attempt it only at your own risk. Despite multiple attempts, I couldn’t get it to work reliably, so you may not want to spend time on it unless … Read more