Episode 3: Navigating Design Fails, Mastering Decluttering, and Blending Green Mornings

Welcome, listeners, to the show notes for Episode #3 of Young House Love Has A Podcast! This week, we're diving deep into the often-unspoken realities of home design and daily living. From embracing our most memorable design blunders to uncovering the secrets of a truly organized home, this episode is packed with authentic stories, practical tips, and a healthy dose of inspiration.

Join us as we host a truly special guest, the esteemed designer Sarah Richardson, who candidly shares one of her most significant makeover mishaps. Her story prompts us to reflect on our own design journey, including a particular "green" design fail that we've surprisingly repeated not once, but twice! We also pull back the curtain on our ongoing attempts to keep our home organized and functioning smoothly, while exploring fascinating research on why the act of decluttering can sometimes feel mentally exhausting. Plus, you'll get the inside scoop on how our mornings have become noticeably "greener" with our favorite smoothie recipes, an update on our evolving gallery wall aesthetic, and a fun challenge where we test our knowledge about the vast universe of popular design show spinoffs.

Tune In: Listen to Episode #3 Now!

You can effortlessly stream or download this engaging episode on your preferred podcast platform. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Once you've listened, use these comprehensive show notes to revisit any links, detailed information, or inspiring photos we mentioned during our conversation.

What's Brewing: Our Green Smoothie Revolution

Our commitment to healthier, greener mornings has never been stronger! We're often asked about our vibrant green smoothies, and in this episode, we share the full scoop on how we've integrated these nutrient-packed concoctions into our daily routine. It's a simple, delicious way to kickstart the day for both us and our kids, ensuring everyone gets a healthy dose of greens and fruits.



The secret to our seamless smoothie preparation lies in our trusty blender. We swear by the Nutri Ninja Pro, which effortlessly handles frozen ingredients and leafy greens, transforming them into a perfectly smooth and enjoyable drink every time. It’s been a game-changer for streamlining our morning ritual and ensuring consistent quality.

Kids' Favorite Green Smoothie Recipe
Crafting a kid-friendly green smoothie that actually gets consumed requires a delicate balance of greens and naturally sweet fruits. Our recipe is designed to be appealing while still delivering essential nutrients. Here’s what goes into their delicious blend:

    
Three Green Ice Cubes: This clever hack involves blending spinach, kale, and water ahead of time and freezing the mixture in an ice cube tray. It's an easy way to sneak in greens!
    
1 Frozen Peach Slice: Adds a lovely sweetness and creamy texture.
    
A Few Frozen Pineapple Pieces: Brings a tropical tang that kids adore.
    
A Few Frozen Mango Chunks: Another tropical favorite, contributing to the smoothie's vibrant flavor.
    
1 Whole Banana (Not Frozen): Provides natural sweetness and a smooth consistency.
    
A Big Spoonful of Plain Greek Yogurt: Boosts protein and adds a creamy richness.
    
A Couple Splashes of Orange Juice or Almond Milk: For desired liquid consistency and extra flavor.
    
Optional Chia Seeds: Sometimes we slip in a small amount for added fiber and omega-3s.
    
Pro Tip: For an even smoother texture that’s easier on your blender, try to thaw the frozen ingredients for a few minutes beforehand if time allows. This helps reduce chunkiness and makes blending much quicker.


Our Go-To Adult Green Smoothie Recipe
For us, the focus shifts slightly to a more robust, less sweet profile, while still maintaining incredible taste and nutritional value. This blend is energizing and packed with antioxidants:

    
Three Green Ice Cubes: Just like the kids' version, these spinach, kale, and water cubes are pre-blended and frozen for convenience.
    
A Bunch of Frozen Green Apple Chunks: We chop and freeze these ourselves to ensure freshness and reduce waste. They add a crisp, tart note.
    
A Bunch of Cucumber Chunks (Frozen or Fresh): Provides a refreshing, hydrating element to the smoothie.
    
1 Whole Banana (Not Frozen): Essential for natural sweetness and a creamy base.
    
Two or Three Spoonfuls of Plain Greek Yogurt: For increased protein content and a satisfying creamy texture.
    
A Few Basil Leaves: An unexpected but delightful herbaceous note that elevates the flavor.
    
A Few Mint Leaves: Adds a burst of freshness that is incredibly invigorating.
    
A Splash of Orange Juice, Almond Milk, or Water: To achieve the perfect drinking consistency.
    
A Small Spoonful of Chia Seeds (Sometimes): For an extra nutritional punch of fiber and healthy fats.
    
A Small Scoop of Chocolate or Vanilla Protein Powder (Sometimes): Ideal for post-workout recovery or when we need an extra boost of protein to stay full longer.


Insights from a Design Icon: Sarah Richardson's Wisdom

It was an absolute privilege and immense honor to receive a voicemail from the legendary designer, Sarah Richardson! Her contributions to the world of interior design are unparalleled, and her advice and insights are truly invaluable. We're keeping our fingers crossed that her upcoming show finds its way to audiences here in the US, as we believe her fresh perspective and elegant style would be a welcome addition to our screens.

Sarah's website is a treasure trove for design enthusiasts, offering a wealth of inspiration and resources. You can explore her stunning portfolio, discover her signature style, and even shop some of her exquisite collections. Be sure to check out the beautiful fabrics she designed with Kravet Collections, renowned for their quality and timeless appeal. Additionally, her unique line of home textiles offers a fantastic way to infuse a touch of Sarah's refined aesthetic into your own living spaces. For those eager to dive deeper into her design philosophy, her second book, At Home Sarah Style, is readily available on Amazon and provides a fantastic guide to creating elegant, livable homes.

Navigating Design Dilemmas: Our Personal Green Missteps & Triumphs

Every designer, professional or amateur, encounters their share of design challenges and outright mistakes. In this episode, we openly discuss some of our most memorable design "fails," specifically those involving the color green. What started as an enthusiasm for a particular hue sometimes veered off course, leading to lessons learned and ultimately, more refined design choices. It’s all part of the journey!

Our Notorious Green Curtain Saga
One particular design misstep stands out: our infamous green curtains. We made this choice not once, but twice, showcasing how easy it is to repeat errors if you don't fully understand the underlying issue. The first iteration of these curtains appeared in our previous master bedroom (see the original look here), and while we eventually found a much better solution (our final master bedroom design), the initial attempt taught us a lot about fabric, light, and context. The second coming of these green drapes was in the nursery of our current house (check out the nursery's initial phase), before we recognized the pattern and opted for a more harmonious change (our updated nursery reveal).

Other Green-Related Miscalculations

    
The Fuzzy Living Room Rug: Our old living room once featured a rather fuzzy green rug that, in hindsight, didn't quite fit the aesthetic we were aiming for. We eventually replaced it with a much improved green rug that we still love and use in our bedroom today, proving that sometimes it's about finding the right green and texture.
    
The Tortured Dining Room Chairs: Our old dining room chairs underwent a brief, almost experimental phase where they were painted a shade of green. This was a very short-lived endeavor, and they were quickly swapped out entirely for a better fit, illustrating that some colors simply don't translate well to certain pieces of furniture.
    
The Powder Room Vanity Paint Job: We also attempted to paint our powder room vanity green. This was one of those instant regrets, and it was repainted almost immediately, reinforcing the idea that sometimes a color looks great in theory but not so much in practice, especially in a small space.


Embracing the Right Green: Our Beloved Green Accents
Despite our past missteps, our appreciation for the color green endures, especially when applied thoughtfully. We've certainly learned what works, and we have several "green loves" in our home that stand the test of time:

    
Our Chippy Old Buffet: This charming piece, with its perfectly aged green finish, now serves beautifully in our current dining room. It's a testament to the fact that some greens, especially those with character and history, are truly timeless.
    
The Bold Green Vanity in Our Showhouse: For our showhouse project, we confidently embraced a bold green vanity in one of the bathrooms. This vibrant choice proved to be a showstopper, demonstrating how a well-chosen, impactful green can elevate a space (you can scroll down a bit on that page to see it).


The Expanding Universe of Home Design TV: House Hunters & Beyond

Beyond our personal design stories, we also delve into the fascinating world of home design television. It seems almost every network has jumped on the bandwagon, creating an endless stream of shows dedicated to buying, selling, renovating, and decorating homes. One show, in particular, has spawned a remarkable number of spin-offs: House Hunters.

The sheer volume of these related series is quite astounding. We even found it challenging to keep track of them all during our discussion! For a comprehensive, eye-opening list of all the various iterations and extensions of this popular franchise, you can explore the House Hunters Wikipedia page. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of peeking into other people's home searches and renovation dreams.

The Psychology of Space: Understanding Clutter's Impact & Battling Clutter Blindness

Keeping a house in order is an ongoing challenge for many, and in this episode, we get really honest about our strategies and struggles. We also explore the deeper, psychological impact of clutter on our minds and well-being. It's not just about tidiness; it's about mental clarity and emotional peace.

We reference a compelling Lifehacker article titled "How Clutter Affects Your Brain (And What You Can Do About It)." This piece illuminates how a disorganized environment can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even reduced focus. Understanding these connections provides powerful motivation for tackling those piles and overflowing drawers. The article delves into the cognitive load that visual clutter places on our brains, explaining why a messy space can often lead to a messy mind.

Furthermore, we discuss Gretchen Rubin’s insightful concept of "clutter blindness." This phenomenon describes how we become so accustomed to the clutter in our own spaces that we no longer truly "see" it. It blends into the background, making it harder to initiate the decluttering process. Rubin's perspective encourages us to take a fresh look at our surroundings and recognize the hidden impact of accumulated items. Overcoming clutter blindness is often the first step toward a more organized and peaceful home environment. We share our own experiences with this, and how acknowledging it has helped us make progress.

Current Home Finds & Frame Game Updates

As always, we love sharing our latest finds and current obsessions that are making a difference in our home. This week, we're particularly excited about some new additions that are enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.



Sherry recently discovered a fantastic non-white planter at HomeGoods, a refreshing departure from our usual monochromatic choices. This piece adds a lovely touch of warmth and texture to our space. She's also keeping an eye on other intriguing options, including this stylish planter and a versatile set of three nesting planters that promise both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality for various plants and arrangements.

Our "frame game" has also evolved, particularly with our living room gallery wall. We've been experimenting with mixing different materials and finishes to create a more dynamic and layered look. We recently incorporated a mix of birch and silver frames, adding a sophisticated yet approachable feel. You can catch a glimpse of this updated arrangement in this Instagram photo. This mix provides depth and visual interest, moving away from a uniform presentation. Additionally, we’ve found that dark frames in our master bedroom create a strong, grounding contrast that beautifully highlights the artwork within. The interplay of frame colors and textures is a subtle yet powerful way to enhance any photo display.

Psst- Searching for a specific product or inspiration we've mentioned in a previous episode but can't recall which show notes to comb through? No worries! We've meticulously compiled a master list of everything we've been digging from all past episodes. It's your ultimate resource for discovering all our favorite finds!

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