A few years ago we started an exciting design project with a local builder that ultimately unraveled for reasons we hadn’t expected. It was disappointing then and still stings now, so this week we share what happened and what we learned. We also talk about a surprising secondhand score Sherry found for the beach house, respond to listener feedback about houses that feel too big (including mixed feelings about children and large homes), describe how we hosted a stress-free game night with friends, and explain the details of our new collaboration with A Beautiful Mess.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen below. Use this page to follow any links, notes, or photos we mention. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- Those metal outdoor chairs Sherry mentioned were a Facebook Marketplace find. They’re surprisingly comfortable and just need a fresh coat of paint to be ready for the beach house.
- I even convinced Sherry to model a pair of the shorts she mentioned during the episode (those shorts and the shirt she wore are shown in the episode notes).
- For context, below is a screenshot of the listing where Sherry spotted the chairs in the background. She has a knack for finding great furniture.
- She also referenced other Marketplace finds, like the marble-topped dresser in the beach house foyer and the inlay dresser in one of the bedrooms (which Sherry repaired herself).
- If you’re planning a game night, we loosely followed the rules for Mafia. We also appreciated a round-up of easy game night ideas suggested by friends in the design community, which gave us a few extra options to choose from.
Podcast E-Course
- We teamed up with A Beautiful Mess to create the Launch A Podcast E-Course. It’s a self-paced course that blends written lessons with photos, audio, and video. The curriculum covers everything from recording and editing audio to shaping your show’s format and branding, getting listed in podcast directories, growing an audience, and even approaching potential advertisers.
- The course includes a Q&A board where students can interact with instructors and peers. If you’re curious about blogging as well, we linked to a written series on starting, growing, and monetizing a blog that complements the podcast material.
- Use the code YHL15 to get 15% off the course if you decide to sign up.
Too-Big Houses, Part 2
- If you missed our earlier conversation about realizing we have more space than we need, check out the original episode for the full discussion and the associated listener polls. That first episode sparked a lot of thoughtful feedback about priorities when house hunting beyond just square footage.
- We collected many interesting responses on social media that explored trade-offs and personal preferences. Hearing those perspectives helped shape this follow-up conversation.
- Above is a photo from a Homearama showhouse project we designed in 2014. The navy house in the foreground was our team’s, and we’ve also worked on rooms for charity projects in other showhouses.
- Below is the enormous couch we saw in one of the recent showhouses — Sherry joked about wanting to roll around on it. A “Sherry for scale” photo would have been ideal, but the couch certainly made an impression.
We’re Digging
- Sherry picked up a few non-black wardrobe pieces from Old Navy recently and mentioned several items she’s been liking. She also wore a dress to a graduation party this weekend and we included a photo from the event.
- We’ve been enjoying the Story Pirates podcast, a kid-friendly show that appeals to adults as well. They shared a recent musical video that gives a sense of the show’s playful style.
If you want to revisit items we’ve recommended in past episodes but don’t remember which show notes to check, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been digging from previous shows.
We also want to thank Room & Board for sponsoring this episode. They offer a wide range of furniture, including new vanity options. You can browse their catalog to get styling ideas and request a free copy if you prefer a printed lookbook delivered to your mailbox.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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