We’re dropping this random pop-in episode to share one of the most embarrassing tales Sherry has ever told on this podcast. Of course it had to happen in the nicest house we've ever been in (in front of one of Sherry's personal heroes). We’re also listing what's left on our to-do list, and answering the[...]
So much has happened since we last picked up the podcast mic, so we have a jam-packed show to catch you up on all the things. We're talking house updates, embarrassing stories, renovation plans, and we even worked in some bad metaphorical diagrams (because describing graphs and charts you can't see always goes over well[...]
There were two houses in our neighborhood that we seriously considered, and today we’re sharing a truly random occurrence that involves the house we didn’t buy. We’re also sharing what we learned from our astrocartography readings. What did the stars say about our move to Florida? Were our readings dead-on or completely off? And what[...]
The sudden boom of video conferencing in all of our lives is giving us a new window through which to view our homes (and the homes of others - from coworkers to celebrities and news correspondents). So what does your Zoom background say about you? And what lengths will we go to when it comes[...]
The perks of downsizing continue to show themselves, including a recent realization we had while shopping for curtains and blinds. It was a pretty dramatic contrast of how shopping for this house is different than our previous ones, and it highlighted some exciting freedoms that come along with that. We also take a look at[...]
We’ve been in our new house for one whole month, and there are definitely some things that are shaping up differently than we had pictured. So today we’re sharing why some house projects have been easier than expected, but getting settled in a few other ways took some turns we didn’t anticipate. We’re also diving[...]
Today we're talking about how it has been as a family of four who is sharing one bathroom, and what plans we have for adding onto that number down the line. And while we're on the subject (this podcast always seems to turn to bathroom-related things...) we look into the uniquely American obsession with bathrooms[...]
We’re in Florida (!!!) and we’ve got LOTS to tell you about all that went down on our moving day and throughout our first couple of weeks in our new home. We’re covering a lot of ground, like how we made the 13-hour drive feel faster, which of our moving predictions from our last episode[...]
While we’re getting settled in our new house in Florida, we’ve got one last episode for you that we recorded in Richmond. In fact, we took a moment as “Past John & Sherry” to make some predictions for what our moving day might look like, along with our hopes-slash-fears for our first night in our[...]
On the cusp of our big Florida move, we take one last look at how downsizing and living for three weeks without almost all of our worldly possessions has changed our view of our “stuff” - including what we miss the most, and why it’s not what we expected. Plus experts predict how the pandemic[...]
If you’ve wondered about the money side of selling three houses and downsizing to one smaller home, today we’re answering some of your most asked questions. We're also sharing the weird renovation hiccups that have delayed our move in date (including a series of weird toilet-related follies that we never saw coming). Plus the surprising[...]
Our entire approach to renovating our new house from afar has changed pretty dramatically since February when we first started house hunting, including a period in which we didn’t think we’d be tackling any major projects at all. And lots of you have been asking for a rundown of what we’re doing now, what’s left,[...]
We recently hit a long-awaited milestone that we’ve been working towards for months, and we couldn't be more grateful!! We're sharing all the details today - plus we're diving deeper into a question that seems to keep popping up: "How can you tell if downsizing is right for you? What if you majorly regret it?!"[...]
This week we’re taking a deep dive into the two methods that we used to find our Florida house, including how we prioritized our wants versus needs, sifted through hundreds of real estate listings, and used technology to overcome the fact that we were 800 miles away. We’re also sharing how a bad news call[...]
As we prepare to move into a house that’s less than half the size of our current one, we’re taking a long hard look at our belongings to figure out what should come and what we no longer need, love, or have a use for. And today we’re outlining the systematic criteria that we’re using[...]
We knew our new house in Florida would involve some big repairs, but we didn’t anticipate a certain plumbing curveball to get lobbed our way (although given our past plumbing luck, maybe we should have seen this coming). So this week we’re sharing how it popped up, why it cost thousands of dollars, and what[...]
With everything that's going on right now, we're the first to admit that house stuff feels trivial, but this week we’re answering the most common question we’ve gotten in the last few days: how the coronavirus is impacting our Florida move and our house sales (spoiler alert: one contract has fallen through). We’re also having[...]
Our Richmond home is officially under contract (!!!) and it all came together unlike any other house we’ve sold before. So today we’re breaking down how it all happened, why it was surprisingly emotional, and what it means for our move in June. We’re also highlighting an unsung hero in our master bathroom renovation and[...]
We’re fessing up to an extremely poorly timed project that made our house look WORSE right before it hit the market. Whoops. Plus we share the smorgasbord of ways we’re selling our houses. All three are being sold differently (including some with and some without the help of a real estate agent). So we’re breaking[...]
With our big move only a few months away, what do we need to do to get our house ready to sell? This week we’re outlining some of the projects we’re taking on - both big and small - including the fast-tracked makeover of our hall bathroom. John also outlines a shopping challenge of his[...]
Wanna know what our next big renovation project is? Well, it’s actually something that we’ve been contemplating for years but finally have the courage to do (thanks in part to selling our duplex). So this week we’re breaking down why we want to do it, why we think now is the time, and why it[...]
That’s right, there’s a new personal shopping challenge going on at our house - and this time Sherry has committed to skipping any purchases in a specific (and pretty wide category) FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. We’re also talking with simplicity expert Emily Ley about how she combats “busyness” and creates more time and space in[...]
This week we’re sharing the mystery of how half of the power in our house suddenly went out when we were just about to leave the country on vacation. We’re also catching you up on the highs and lows of getting our master bathroom nearly completed, including how the flu, a surgery, and a sudden[...]
It’s our first episode of 2020 and WE BOY DO WE HAVE NEWS! We’re excited to share it because it not only means good things for us, our friends, and the duplex itself, but it’s also connected to our continued efforts to simplify, and it involves a twisty tale of switching tables with a stranger.[...]
Have you ever thought about your approach to making decisions? It turns out that humans tend to have two distinct styles (and they even have fancy psychological terms to go along with them). The funny revelation is that Sherry & I each exemplify a different one. So this week we’re sharing what we've learned about[...]
After hundreds of submissions from Australia to South Africa, we’ve rounded up some fascinating (and extremely charming) ways that you guys dress up your homes all around the world to celebrate a variety of holidays. We loved hearing about everything from colorful Diwali decorations in India to elaborate Nativity scenes in Colombia, along with a[...]
Don’t we all want mo money without mo problems? Today we’re talking with personal finance expert Tanja Hester about how value-driven spending and setting a “money mission statement” can help you reach even your biggest financial goals - whether you’re saving up for a home in your dream neighborhood, a big renovation, or even early[...]
It’s no secret that house projects can be stressful. Sometimes REALLY stressful. So today we’re sharing three ways we’re keeping a handle on it during our master bathroom renovation, especially around common stress points like broken budgets, creeping timelines, and decision fatigue. Plus, how you can you stop second guessing yourself! We’re also spilling the[...]
Today we’re exploring an expert’s theory that your childhood passions (specifically around 5th grade) could hold the key to what you'll love doing most as an adult. It was fascinating to take a look back and see if the idea really held up for us. We’re also confessing to a mistake we made when hiring[...]
Getting rid of stuff is hard, especially when it comes to kids and their creations. So this week we’re sharing the simple trick we use to keep everything from arts and crafts to forts and cardboard box villages from taking over our house, without putting a damper on creativity. Spoiler alert: this trick works for[...]
You guys submitted your favorite life hacks over the last few weeks, so today we’ve got an episode bursting at the seams with all of those cheap & simple tricks for making your home run smoother and your day a little less frustrating. We’ve got everything from clever cleaning tips and unconventional storage ideas to[...]
In honor of Halloween, we’re sharing a spooky occurrence at our beach house that we legitimately couldn't explain for a few months (even I, the perennial skeptic, was like... "how did that just happen?!"). We’re also chatting with author Miranda Anderson about how her entire family took on a yearlong shopping ban, and how that[...]
Today we’re sharing how two recent treat yourself moments in our house turned sideways on us and how it shed some light on when to splurge and when to make like Elsa and let it go. One even involves a feature in our bathroom reno that we’ve dreamed about for years, but suddenly can’t seem[...]
Our home’s exterior makeover didn’t stop with painting it white last year, so today we’re catching you up on some projects we've completed and what’s still to come (and it involves something we’ve changed our minds about twice). We're also reflecting on a few experiments & interviews over the past 149 episodes that truly changed[...]
We’re sharing how our bathroom reno went from zero to fifty percent (that’ll make more sense when you hear what we did) and how we gained a ton of insight about the right layout and the right size for the vanity, shower, tub, etc. Also… the houseplant struggle is real, so we asked plant expert[...]
People are always asking how we keep our projects and our household organized ("do you make lists? use an app?! help me!") so today we’re outlining the three tools that we use every day. Some are digital, some are old school, but the most important part is that they help to keep us on the[...]
What happens when you move into a smaller house in a smaller town for over two months? That’s what we found out this summer when we stayed at our beach house to manage the duplex rentals - AND IT WAS THE BEST SUMMER OF OUR LIVES. The smaller home and smaller town lessons that we[...]
We survived our first summer as Airbnb hosts to 23 different families over the course of the last three months - and, more importantly, so did the duplex itself! But our first rental season wasn’t without hiccups, high anxiety moments, and surprisingly frequent learning opportunities. So this week we’re taking you behind the scenes of[...]
This week we’re diving into a survey that reveals the top homebuyer regrets - as in what features their homes have that they ended up not loving (and the results may surprise you!). A new study also concluded some shocking-to-us things about millennial dads versus their baby boomer counterparts - and we have some big[...]
We recently made two big changes to our shopping habits that are having both positive and negative repercussions. So we’re sharing what we did, why we did it, and how we’re trying to course correct a few pitfalls that popped up. We also got a refreshing reminder that it’s liberating to acknowledge that you don’t[...]
After over a year and a half of renovation, the duplex officially hosted its first overnight guests!!! And it was an exciting, emotional, and eye-opening test of all the work that we’ve put into it. So we’re sharing what we learned and what we’re changing before it plays host again. We’re also talking about how[...]
So it turns out there are some weird spots in the kitchen where germs go to party - so we’re learning more about that (and what you can do about it), as well as talking about why we gave up on those meal delivery kits and found a better solution for our family. We’re also[...]
Our recent Chicago meet-up with fellow bloggers Chris Loves Julia, Yellow Brick Home, and Making It Lovely left us with lots of feels (and very full stomachs). But it was seeing one of their homes in person that completely changed our minds about a "design rule" we had proclaimed for our own home (on this[...]
Home improvement can be stressful, and we’re no strangers to that tension leading to some pretty memorable arguments. So today we’re looking at some data about what do-it-yourself projects cause the most issues between couples to see if we agree (and we share a recent fight we had in the name of data). We also[...]
Painting our brick house white was just the tip of our home’s exterior update iceberg, so this week we’re sharing more of our plans - including one that’s turning out to be much more complex than we expected. We’ve also got an exciting announcement about a color collaboration we’ve been working on and we're sharing[...]
Installing Ikea cabinets in all three of our beach house kitchens invites the question: why didn’t we use them in our home's kitchen in Richmond?! So this week we’re diving into the answer, including what gave us pause about using Ikea back then, how it could’ve changed our final result, and what we’d choose if[...]
We’ve got a really exciting announcement this week about a new home project we’re taking on, including how it came to be, what has us most excited, and why it’s gonna challenge us in big new ways (did we mention it’s out-of-state?). Also, we’re sharing how last week’s Spring Break trip reinforced our mission to[...]
This week we’re talking to Joyful author and expert Ingrid Fetell Lee about some simple ways to inject joy into your home without breaking the bank. She also explains why joy is easier to achieve than happiness - and how seeking it at home can actually help you unlock your decor style. Plus Sherry marked[...]
If you think our podcast has tackled this question already, JUST YOU WAIT! The universe recently tested Sherry’s dollhouse fixation and whether she passed or failed it, well, may depend on who you ask. We also share what item Ikea was mysteriously selling in bulk - but only in America (we laughed out loud at[...]
Today we’re sharing how to find the right balance when you’re choosing between artwork or family photos for certain walls - and we're revealing where we've subconsciously gravitated towards putting personal photos in our own home (and why we think that is!). We also have tips for how to personalize your walls beyond the usual[...]
Nearly 600 people wrote in to tell us about design norms from their specific country or region, and today we’re sharing some of the most popular, interesting, and unique responses. From the different ways we sleep and shower, to how we do laundry and how we do, um, our business - you guys gave us[...]
What if there were little changes we could all make to our bedrooms and sleeping habits to sleep better and feel more rested in the morning? Today we’re talking about how a sleep expert thinks we should all be maximizing our bedrooms, including the perfect mattress size, the ideal bedtime, and what items we should[...]
We were both pretty shocked about the results of going completely without television for a while - especially Sherry. So today we're sharing what we learned, what was hard, and the side effects that even we didn’t see coming. Not to mention the big question of how it will impact our viewing habits moving forward.[...]
Can the colors, furnishings, and accessories that we choose for our home actually make us feel quantifiably happier? Today we dive into the science of joy and learn how some tried-and-true design tricks might actually be affecting our daily moods (and how to make tasks that we don’t love a little more enjoyable). We also[...]
House projects don’t always go smoothly. We’ve all been there (heck, we're there right now with the duplex renovation) so we’re sharing some new strategies that we've been relying on to keep our spirits up whenever a renovation feels overwhelming, gets delayed, or hits some other unexpected snag. We’re also discussing some upcoming bathroom trends[...]
Minimalism can still feel like an “out there” lifestyle, so this week we’re bringing in expert Joshua Becker to share how dipping your toes into the minimalist waters can lead to big gains at home and in life. He shares how to stop the slow creep of household clutter, what minimizing can teach our kids,[...]
This week we’re sharing a simple kitchen change that made it WAY more efficient for us (we’re kinda kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner). There's also an update on some duplex delivery drama and we’re sharing three specific tips for book lovers who actually want books on their shelves (as opposed to filling them[...]
Lots of us want a more organized home, but are we going about it the wrong way? Today we’re talking with a home efficiency expert about how rethinking our approach to organizing could end up making us all happier - and maybe even turn us into more patient partners and more present parents. She also[...]
Our holiday was full of fun, family, and a freakish amount of Ikea boxes filling the duplex. So this week we’re sharing how we navigated the task of installing not one, but two kitchens over winter break - including how things got off to a rocky start - and when we actually saw the light[...]
Today we’re talking about a small space that’s stumping us at the duplex and we’d love to hear what your family would like to rent most. You’ll also hear how an unexpected Christmas request from our daughter sent us on quite the hunt for a house-related gift - and how we stumbled across a new[...]
We recently realized that storage baskets may be simultaneously helping AND hampering our home organizing efforts (and yes, hampering was a pun). Also, the duplex has passed an important renovation milestone: floor refinishing! But even though we had planned for it to go a certain way, we were thrown an extremely last minute curveball and[...]
Whether you’re house hunting, building new, or just daydreaming, you’ve probably got a mental list of favorite home features that you either love having already or really want your next home to have. So today we’re sharing our seven favorite home features based on what we’ve liked (and not liked) about our current and previous[...]
It’s a question we’ve gotten a lot over the years: are you doing this for you or for the blog? It's even one we've asked ourselves - and it hasn’t always always been easy to answer - but it’s a lot clearer in hindsight. So we’re diving into what past projects we would’ve done differently[...]
Remember when we got into it over a refrigerator back in Episode #74? Well, the location of an appliance recently had us battling over two different kitchen layouts - this time for the duplex. So this week we’re sharing our competing perspectives on form versus function, and how we finally came to a compromise that[...]
Now that we’ve completed our big brick house painting project, we’re sharing all the behind-the-scenes twists & turns of the previous week (believe me, the hits kept coming). A big task like this can veer off course pretty quickly… which it did... more than once! We’re also sharing why it turned out better than we[...]
Amidst all the excitement of getting our brick house painted white last week (!!!) there was some behind-the-scenes stress leading up to the big transformation. So this week we’re sharing the realities of a major undertaking like this, including the fears we have about what happens next. We’re also talking to a very special guest[...]
We recently passed the one year anniversary of moving furniture to our beach house, so this week we’re looking back on how we kept our sanity while decorating an entire house all at once. It made us realize that there are some flaws in our usual method of taking things slow and going one room[...]
Now that we tested out the process to achieve “Cozy Minimalism” in our house (and loved the result!), we’re taking it straight to the source and talking with Cozy Minimalist Home author Myquillyn Smith about how she realized she could merge these two seemingly opposite ideas to create a step-by-step process for people to follow[...]
After a quick video of Sherry’s sparse closet sparked hundreds of questions on Instagram, we’re breaking down her process for creating a wardrobe that saves space, money, and energy. So if you want to tame your overflowing closet, cut your clothing budget, or take the stress out of getting yourself or your kids dressed each[...]
Our duplex renovation isn’t even close to being done, but we can’t help but think about the next house we’ll transform - because there will be another one. So today we’re sharing our hashtag goals to own more rental properties through retirement, and the story of how we almost did more than just think about[...]
Our week of living Furniture Free is over and it went… wellllll… differently than we expected. So today we’re talking about what we liked, what we didn’t, what we screwed up, and what lasting impacts it may have on how we use our home. We also confess an annoying side effect of a feature in[...]
Have you heard of the Furniture Free movement? Well, it piqued my interest so much that we’re challenging ourselves to try it for seven days (Sherry reluctantly agreed). So what does it mean? And how does it promise to improve our lives and homes? Will it make us happier or just annoyed? Plus, we were[...]
As much as we love to simplify and declutter, we're not aiming for that ultra sleek and sometimes sterile look that’s often associated with minimalism. So we’ve been trying out a step-by-step process for creating a minimalist space that still feels warm, cozy, and inviting. Spoiler alert: Sherry loves the easy formula and is basically[...]
What started as a straightforward sink swap in the beach house master bathroom ended with a big hole in the wall and a face full of water. And the cause was something we had never heard about before (and just about the weirdest thing ever). We share what happened and how we fixed it -[...]
We’ve been on a rollercoaster with those diamond paned doors that we hunted down for our duplex renovation. There was a pretty disappointing low followed by a surprising high, so we’re looping you into the whole thing this week. Also, how come some home improvement professionals seem to be playing hard-to-get sometimes? Unreturned phone calls,[...]
Welp, it’s official: new research shows that we aren’t using all of the square footage in our homes. But we sure are paying for it (and then paying to heat & cool it, decorate it, plus spending time cleaning it). Why are we doing that?! Well, this week we're diving into a study that shows[...]
We can’t be the only ones noticing that all of the renovations on TV and online seem to be snowballing. Whatever happened to those budget decorating shows and use-what-you-have makeovers? And who remembers when a blog post might have just been "I ordered some new art" instead of "here's the entire before & after of[...]
Sure it's fun to imagine what it would be like to downsize and live in a significantly smaller space, but this week we're talking to a family of 4 (with a giant dog!) who took the leap and moved from a large builder-grade home to a 1,200 cottage bungalow with just one full bathroom and[...]
We seem to have a sore spot with tubs, and the duplex renovation has proven to be no exception. So today we’re sharing how a strategic money-saving decision saved us 30% off a huge renovation line item, but sent us on a tub-induced stress spiral. We’ve also got some exciting updates about painting our brick[...]
We’ve turned the tables today and have asked dozens of contractors - including our own! - what THEY wish we, their clients, did differently. We learned their biggest client pet peeves (we’re certainly guilty of some!) and got great advice for how we can all help renovations go smoother, progress faster, and even cost less.[...]
It turns out that restoring a vintage stove isn’t all cupcakes & rainbows, so this week we’re revealing some of the quirks that you can’t see from a pretty picture. We’re also spilling the beans on several mistakes, regrets, and missed opportunities from our beach house renovation. What tile choice did we screw up? Where[...]
Islands are a staple of most modern kitchens, but this week we explore why not everyone is a fan (including what we realized is a negative about the island situation in our own kitchen). Plus, we’ve tiled our fair share of backsplashes, but our recent project at the beach house kitchen taught us an important[...]
Our urge to paint the exterior of our brick house white has been growing lately, but there are still some concerns holding us back. So today we’re diving into the pros & cons that we’ve been tossing around (for years now!) as well as some new stuff we've learned - plus we're asking for your[...]
Nothing like an infestation to drive you from your home for a few days, am I right? We’re sharing the whole itch-inducing story, including why we had to leave, and what we did to resolve the issue (for significantly less trouble than we originally thought). Plus, we vent some strong feelings about front doors and[...]
When you put a lot of time or money into a project, you’ll go to great, weird, and sometimes gross lengths to protect it. We’ve got all the details in this week’s episode, along with a story that shows why renovating a house that's over two hours away isn't always a smooth process. Plus, we[...]
A few years ago we embarked on a design project with a local company that we were very excited about… but it fell apart for reasons we could’ve never expected. We’re sharing that story this week, along with the surprising way Sherry scored an incredible secondhand find for the beach house. We also dive into[...]
Our month-long shopping hiatus came to a close last week, so today we’re sharing our results! What was the most difficult part? How did it change our habits? What were we dying to buy first after it ended? And - most importantly - how did it impact our bank account? We’re sharing all those details,[...]
Right in the middle of our own month-long shopping ban, we jumped at the chance to have a deep conversation with the author who started it all: Cait Flanders. She shared fascinating insights, regrets, and explained how her “Year of Less” had a lasting change on her relationship with “stuff." She also cleared up some[...]
We’ve recently had a realization that we just don’t need as much space as we have. So how'd we end up buying a too-big house? What has made this so clear to us now? And what square footage do we think would be just right? We’re sharing all of that in this episode, including the[...]
Just when we thought the duplex renovation was finally rolling along smoothly, we found ourselves in the midst of an ordeal that required an emergency trip to Cape Charles, and another hot-seat meeting with the Historic Review Board. We're sharing all the details, along with an update on our month-long shopping ban (oh the temptations!).[...]
Can we go a whole month without buying anything we don’t need? That’s the challenge we’ve handed ourselves as part of a self-imposed month-long shopping ban. So this week we’re sharing how we were inspired by Cait Flanders’ “Year of Less” and how we’re adapting her rules for our own lives. Plus, the duplex renovation[...]
Do you reject certain “household staples?” We do! And it turns out a lot of other people do too - to the point that experts are saying they might someday disappear. So this week we’re breaking down how and why the typical home (and its contents) might be changing, along with revealing what modern comforts[...]
This week we're talking about when you should undo a personal or customized change that you made to your house that might turn off potential buyers (and when we'd recommend leaving it the heck alone). We're also getting into store returns and how they're changing, because the ability to return decor items that don’t turn[...]
We all know that deflated feeling when you’ve lost your mojo for a major project or renovation. So how do you reignite that excitement or energy you had for it in the first place? We’ve struggled with this at the beach house lately, so we’re sharing five tips for combating project fatigue. Plus spring is[...]
Could you put your wallet on lockdown for 365 days? Sherry shared the story of a woman who did, including why she took on the challenge, the few exceptions she allowed to make it possible, and how it’s inspiring us to adjust our spending... and maybe even try out a ban of our own. Plus,[...]
Doorless bathrooms? Toilets behind glass walls? Showers and tubs just sitting in the corner of the bedroom? These “open concept” bathroom trends seem to be showing up more often, and they’re alarming to some and exciting to others. So this week we attempt to understand what sparked this growing trend, and we explain where we[...]
It’s never fun to get a call saying that you have to tear down something that you just SPENT AN ENTIRE WEEKEND CONSTRUCTING, but that’s exactly what happened with our beach house bunk beds. So this week we’re sharing what went down behind the scenes, and what we did to get around it. Plus, we’re[...]
We’re getting personal this week, and sharing some early setbacks and hard choices that almost steered our lives in a totally different direction - no houses, no blog, even no marriage! We also dive into how some failed attempts at making over a certain area of our home led to us giving up and calling[...]
This week John's fessing up to a design choice that he insisted we make in our beach house kitchen, but we now realize was - shall we say - misguided? Thankfully it's not too hard to undo, so we're explaining our change of heart, and what we're doing to fix it. There’s also a polarizing[...]
We don’t always see eye-to-eye on our projects and decorating decisions. In fact, we’re stuck in the midst of some pretty "active" home arguments right now. So in honor of Valentine's Day, we're sharing everything we love about each other. Just kidding, that would be boring. We’re walking you through three of our home-related disagreements[...]
We’ve encountered a few frustrating setbacks with our beach duplex renovation, but thanks to a small technicality we were finally able to charge ahead and start demolition. Gotta love a loophole! So we're sharing our work-around, and the surprising thing that was discovered during demo. Plus, when it comes to buying things online without touching[...]
If you’ve ever had dreams (or maybe nightmares?) of living in a tiny house, you’re not alone. Lots of people have lots of different feelings about them. So we called up a couple who have lived in an 188 square foot space for over two years, and we asked them all of your burning questions[...]
The beach house has thrown us plenty of curveballs, but frozen pipes was not something we ever saw coming. This nailbiter had a (mostly) happy ending, except for one stupid move we made in the final moments. Plus, is expensive high-end paint really worth it, or are you better off sticking with the stuff at[...]
Making the decision to move is one of those big life-changing choices, and we learned the hard way that doing it under the wrong circumstances might not work out as well as it could for you in the long run. So this week we’re sharing our own personal test for knowing when the time is[...]
When a neighbor shared some historic documents about our 100 year old beach house, we were stunned to find a story from 1936 of jealousy and even murder. So this week we’re sharing what we learned along with some other surprising facts about our old home’s past. We're also helping a listener find some creative[...]
Christmas often flies in the face of our efforts to cut down on clutter and simplify the stuff in our house, so this year we employed 4 tactics to minimize all the excess without sacrificing the merriment of Christmas morning. And it worked! Well mostly (there was one memorable fail). We also both take wildly[...]
The beach house feels like it’s coming together in fast motion these days. After over a year of working on it, we can’t believe it finally has working appliances, a kitchen island, even a functioning kitchen sink! But taking the freshly plumbed clawfoot tub for a spin didn’t exactly work out the way Sherry thought[...]
You haven’t heard a lot about the duplex that we bought three months ago. It might seem like not much is happening, but we’re actually working on three things behind the scenes that are inching us closer to demo day! We also learn what really goes into creating a home magazine (the good, the bad,[...]
As much as we love the holidays, all the “stuff” that goes along with it (gifts, decor, things piling up on every surface) can get overwhelming. So this week we’re sharing how we’re approaching things differently in an effort to maintain the joy of the season. And one of the most common questions we get[...]
People always ask if we ever argue, especially with all the house projects we tackle together. Well, the short answer is yes. And the speed bumps we hit while installing our beach house kitchen are a perfect example of what can spark a spat. So we’re sharing what we fought about, how we solved it,[...]
Young House Love turned 10 years old this fall (!!!) so we're looking back at our last decade of renovating houses, building a business, and making plenty of mistakes along the way - all while on a public stage called the world wide web. You’ll hear how both in decorating and in business there were[...]
What we thought would be an easy swap of an old sectional for a new sofa has turned our living room on its head. So this week we’re sharing how we’re rethinking the layout and reinventing the space to work a little harder. We're also sharing countertop pros & cons, since we've lived with 3[...]
Keeping your kids safe at home is hugely important and creating a house that looks nice but is also livable (and not too precious) is basically the holy grail. So this week we’re sharing specific tricks and tips for how we childproofed our house without running down the safety aisle and buying every last foam[...]
Our week was sent into a tailspin when we got a last-minute invitation to appear on The Rachael Ray Show, and within 24 hours we were on a plane to New York so we could DIY in front of a live studio audience the very next morning. As you can imagine, we have some pretty[...]
This week John is laying out why he thinks the end of HGTV’s Fixer Upper might actually bring some good things, and Sherry’s revealing the secret screw-up that almost ruined our beach house floors. Plus If you’ve ever dreamed about buying a second property or wading into the real estate investing waters, we’re getting pro[...]
This week we’re giving a listener whose house flooded after Hurricane Harvey some advice on finding the right people to help get her kitchen back together again after the storm. We also share why we’re loving a new “smart” platform for buying and selling secondhand stuff. And we’re sharing a series of recent faux plant[...]
When we look back at how we updated our previous homes, there are more than a few design decisions we regret - so we're breaking down five things that we’d go back and do differently if we had a time machine. And ding-dong, the deck is gone! Yup, we ripped that monster off the house,[...]
Some people have declared the stainless steel appliance trend over (cue the gasps!). We used stainless appliances in our kitchen, but have decided against them for our beach house, so we're weighing in on when you might want to pull the trigger on stainless - or avoid it completely. And speaking of the kitchen, we've[...]
We’ve probably all got dual purpose rooms like a mudroom-slash-laundry room, a breakfast-nook-slash-homework-spot, or the ol’ guest-room-slash-office. So today we’re sharing the key to making one space actually work in multiple ways - instead of feeling like it does one thing waaay better than the other. We also chat about a recent attic clutter revelation,[...]
We’ve got some big news this week that you probably didn’t see coming (also: we might be crazy). Plus we share how we were able to pay off our mortgage (!!) and how the groundwork we laid over a decade ago in our first house made it all possible. We also chat about stuff you[...]
Who wouldn’t want more money in the ol’ bank account? So we picked a money expert’s brain for the most common places he finds his clients overspending, and for his best tips on making (and sticking to!) an easy household budget - which is definitely the key to saving more each month. Plus we share[...]
Watching your former homes get altered by their new owners can be tough, and we witnessed some changes that bothered us more than we expected. This week we’re sharing how we got over those feelings and how to find the silver lining in seeing someone undo your designs. We also took a long overdue step[...]
When it comes to paper clutter around the house, the struggle is real. Where does it come from? Is it in the rabbit family, because HOW IS IT MULTIPLYING?! We get it. And this week we’re sharing exactly how we keep it at bay (and exactly where we put everything, from receipts and school papers[...]
We’ve been on an organizing bender lately, so we called up pro organizers to the stars (yes, they’ve done Gwyneth Paltrow’s pantry!) and Target’s new home organizing experts: The Home Edit. Clea and Joanna explain how people are sabotaging their own organizing efforts, the right way to shop for baskets and bins, and how to[...]
It’s been a busy few weeks on our beach house renovation and they’ve been... well... less than smooth, to say the least. So this week we’re taking you through the saga of three setbacks that happened pretty much back to back (including a missed deadline, having no water line to our house, and a surprise[...]
When does sharing things about your kids online become oversharing? And how do older kids who have grown up on their parents' blogs and social media feeds feel about having their childhoods posted for public consumption? You’ve probably noticed we’re much more private about our own kids these days, and in this special episode, we’re[...]
Decorating is incredibly subjective, and everyone has design choices they LOVE and other things that make them feel… I don’t know… twitchy? Sad? Hangry? So we’re sharing what we’re neurotic about avoiding in our own home: like a certain way of arranging furniture and a specific color combo. We’re also detailing a range of places[...]
With another wave of decluttering washing over our house, we’re looking back at our last yard sale and the strange trick we used to make it a fast-selling success (and the minor detail we overlooked that nearly turned it into a major disaster). We’re also talking about how we sold both of our homes without[...]
This week we talk about a fun new design assignment we’ve taken on (our first commercial space!) and we finally have some good news in the beach house department! We also get a crash course in Feng Shui by an expert, and learn the places in our home where we’re intuitively following their guidelines... and[...]
Back in July of 2007, we couldn’t imagine getting married any other way than exactly how we did: a small sweet wedding held in our very own backyard. But fast forward ten years and there are a few things we’d do differently in hindsight. So we're diving into those details, along with sharing the special[...]
Sherry has taken on a new side job that John's steering clear of, and - spoiler alert - it has already given her a good excuse to go shopping. Plus, we’ve missed our goal of being able to spend a night at the beach house by the start of summer, and it's all due to[...]
We don’t always see eye-to-eye when it comes to purchases for our home, so this week we’re sharing some strategies we’ve developed for helping the other person see things our way - whether they’re the one who is itching to buy something, or the one trying to rein it in. We also picked up a[...]
It may seem counterintuitive (don’t most people want to add a deck?!), but ous is GIANT and it’s just not pulling its weight anymore. So you can find out why we think tearing it down is the way to go - and what the heck we want to put in its place on this week’s[...]
We’re celebrating fifty episodes and one year of podcasting (!!!) with a special episode that takes you behind the scenes and unearths some of our weirdest moments, cringiest sound bites, and even an email we got from Beyonce’s dad (for real). We share the stuff that we love about podcasting (sometimes even more than blogging)[...]
There’s no denying that we’ve fallen hard for the color pink over the last few years, and we’re certainly not alone (Millennial Pink, anyone?). So today we're talking about the color trend that’s seemingly everywhere, how it relates to our beach house, and the pitfalls of being swayed by style trends. We also share the dramatic[...]
Making over our beach house isn’t all rainbows and unicorns and pink siding. So this week we’re diving into a few tasks that have been especially stressful - and we’re sharing one thing we did to calm our nerves (and remind ourselves why we’re doing all of this in the first place). We also get[...]
What happens when you aren’t sure if your current house is your long-term house? And if it’s not, how do you know when to stop improving it? We’re tackling those two BIG questions, including how the answers affected our own renovating decisions. Also, pretty soon after we shared our mostly-finished master bedroom on our blog,[...]
We did it! We finally cut the cable cord (thanks in part to your suggestions) and now we’re spilling how it all went down and, more importantly, how it’ll save us tons of money this year! And yes, Sherry still has her beloved Bravo channel. We also learn some pretty eye-opening secrets about a few big[...]
We had an “a-ha” moment while we were away on spring break, which led to a HUGE whole-house purge (including lots and lots of toys) and a ridiculously surprising reaction from our kids. So this week we talk about what inspired the change, and how it has shaped our outlook moving forward. We also share[...]
This week we’re sounding off on an article that says open floor plans should be a thing of the past. We’ve been known to knock down walls and widen doorways to add a more expansive feeling and better flow in all three of our homes, but there are undeniable reasons why it may NOT always[...]
One of the hardest things to master at home is mixing color and pattern (which can look CRAZY or *yawn* if you go about it without much direction). So we turned to someone who’s great at it for advice: Cassie from Hi Sugarplum. We loved hearing how she balances her bold aesthetic to create a[...]
As we find ourselves in the midst of our biggest and most pocket-draining project ever, on this week's episode we’re sharing our system for planning and managing our spending during any large scale upgrade or renovation (plus we divulge a few money-saving tips along the way). We also share how some simple house updates paid[...]
In this week's episode we go behind the scenes of a home makeover show with Candis and Andy Meredith, who tell us how they got their HGTV show and what surprised them most about the process. Plus, they share their infectious affection for historic homes and give us their best tips for bringing old character[...]
This week we're sharing how a recent weekend getaway to a small cottage turned into a reconnaissance mission for our own vacation rental project. Plus, finding ceiling lights that look good together but aren’t too matchy can be tough. We struggled with it ourselves until we learned to rely on one simple trick for keeping our[...]
Guess what? Even pro house cleaners hate cleaning. So we asked YouTube cleaning guru Melissa Maker to share her secrets for making your cleaning chores faster, more effective, and all-around less painful. Plus, Sherry dives headfirst into the (often mispronounced) Danish concept of “hygge” and how it can make for a happier and cozier home.[...]
In this special episode, we’re talking about the unpredictable and sometimes dramatic ways that we’ve seen the internet change in the last decade. Has social media dethroned blogging? Has sponsored content made things worse? And what has made us more guarded about opening our lives up for public consumption? In this recording of our keynote[...]
In this episode we’re talking about what women “should” and “shouldn’t” have around the house (Sherry’s guilty of at least one!) and we’re diving deep into the question of metal finishes. Should they all match within a room? How about throughout the house? And is the brass trend over or here to stay? Plus, you[...]
In this long overdue update on our beach house renovation, you’ll hear how we’ve got some walls going up and many others coming down - and why we’ve changed our mind on the floor plan (again!). We also revisit our master bathroom reno for a sec (which is still percolating). Plus, we talk with Oh[...]
What should you do when a sentimental hand-me-down just doesn't fit in with the rest of your home? And if you try and try but just can’t find a way to love it, do you keep it out of guilt and give it everlasting side eye or let it go and cry because you feel[...]
This week we count down our five favorite tricks for adding flow to any space so it feels larger and less cramped. We also divulge a big financial plus for buying a beach house in such bad condition (it's saving us thousands!). Plus we explore what organizational items annoy professional organizers, and what they recommend[...]
What’s it really like to downsize? We talk with House*Tweaking blogger Dana Miller about how moving to a smaller home (at a time they’re family was expanding!) helped them achieve their financial and family goals, and why it’s not always as easy as it may seem. Plus, our own pursuit to spend less money on[...]
When a listener asked about the strange habits or odd things you might uncover in our house, we jumped at the chance to pull back the curtain and call each other out: from the unusual supply that John keeps in the office to the confounding items you might find sitting on our couch and in[...]
We didn’t find love in a hopeless place, but we found a beach house color in a surprising one. Yes, several weeks, multiple test swatches, and 1,500 comments later, we’ve finally settled on a color for our beach house’s exterior - and the decision came from one of the most random places! Plus, we talk[...]
We asked you to call in with your house-related resolutions for 2017, and boy did you guys deliver! In this episode we play some of our favorite listener voicemails and share what home-related changes we’re hoping to implement in the coming year. Plus, we share why we were giving all of the presents under the[...]
When you’re hiring out renovation work in your home it can be exciting and awesome.. and sometimes it can be deflating and frustrating… which was the case recently for us. So we’re sharing some red flags to look out for and some tips to try to avoid that issue along with a few more ways[...]
Who has 7 kids, a gorgeous Brazilian vacation house, and is on this week’s podcast? The Novogratz, of course! This week Robert and Cortney talk to us about creating the perfect guest experience in your home, as well as designing around a big household with a wide range of kids. Plus, we are CRAZY STUMPED[...]
This week we talk about pacing yourself through your home renovations, so your eagerness to make changes doesn’t get you in deeper than your budget, time, or ability allows. We also list a few places to start, and how to redirect yourself if you’re pondering a project that might be better left for later. Plus,[...]
We’ve got something pretty major that we couldn’t wait to share with you on this week’s podcast (Sherry almost can’t contain herself). We’re also chatting with designer Brian Patrick Flynn, the man behind several of HGTV’s Dream Homes whose work has also graced the pages of Domino and Country Living. Plus, with holiday hosting around[...]
Christmas is around the corner, which means so is the fun (and the frenzied chaos) of the season. So this week we’re sharing how we decorate our house for the holidays - and the seasons in general. Plus, Sherry takes on a surprising decorating client, John lets go of the pursuit for the perfect family dinner,[...]
Our friends from the blog Chris Loves Julia have renovated three kitchens in three years - and they’ve even redone a kitchen in under 6 days (!!!). So yeah, they have a ton of experience, advice, and hilarious stories to help anyone else out there who’s contemplating a kitchen remodel of their own. We’re also[...]
Coming at you from a hotel room in Baltimore, this week we answer three callers seeking home-related updates, from how things are holding up years later to whether it was a shock to move from a smaller ranch-style home to a larger two-story one. Sherry also celebrates *almost* predicting a 2017 color of the year,[...]
You know when you just can’t seem to find your momentum on a certain home task? Well, today we fess up to one that’s had us stuck for months. We also get to talk to HGTV’s Nicole Curtis about rehabbing old houses, working in a “man’s world,” and why she thinks it’s hard (but important)[...]
How the heck does any home improvement get done with kiddos in the mix? We’ve been asked this question countless times (and have wondered it ourselves in more than a few moments of desperation). So today we’re sharing four of our favorite tactics for juggling parenting and DIY duties, while fending off the frustration of[...]
We’ve all seen the ubiquitous white wall trend, but do bloggers and designers just choose them because they look good in photos? In person do they feel bright & cheery or cold & stark? We talk to two bloggers - one who loves ‘em and one who isn’t sold - and we weigh in with[...]
When is it best to do something yourself and when should you hire it out? We faced that question a lot during our big kitchen remodel, and today we’re discussing how we made the call, including strategies for saving time and money. We also bust out our five favorite routines that keep household clutter in[...]
Design*Sponge founder Grace Bonney shares what 12 years of design blogging has taught her about her style, the Internet, and why there’s no such thing as work-life balance. We also take you behind the scenes of our new coloring book, turn to a titillating source for some design advice, and talk about the curse that’s[...]
We’ve been working on a HUGE project at home and we’re excited to be spilling the beans about it here first! Also on this week’s episode, we help a listener who’s looking for fast & cheap ways to fill her empty walls - including some of our favorite sources and easy tricks for affordable art.[...]
In this episode, we chat with furniture designer and tool ninja Ana White about how she found the courage to dive into building everything from beds and bookcases to tiny houses and forever homes. We also go behind-the-scenes of our recent teachers lounge makeover (you’ll never guess what item threw us the biggest curveball) and[...]
Thanks to some college students catching national attention with their extravagant dorm decor, we share where we fall in this debate and open up about our own experiences with college housing. We also get some great design advice from HGTV’s Vern Yip, and spill our first impressions of meeting Emily Henderson for the first time.[...]
In this special episode, you’ll hear what we learned from taking nearly 12 months off from blogging thanks to the closing talk that we gave (and taped!) at the Haven Conference last month in Atlanta. It covers the 5 important lessons that are completely clear to us in hindsight, and more details about why we[...]
Is there a “right” order when it comes to decorating or renovating a home? What comes first, the paint or the furniture? The big renovations or the small updates? In this episode, we answer a listener voicemail with our best tips for tackling even the most daunting of house to-do lists. We also share a[...]
If your relationship with area rugs is best described as “it’s complicated”, well, this is the episode for you. We’re sharing five simple rug rules to help you choose the right size, style, and figure out what to do in adjoining rooms. Plus we talk to Flipping Out’s Jenni Pulos, who has survived years of[...]
What happens when you and your partner have different design aesthetics? In this episode, we share what works in our household and some ways that other couples can meet in the middle when it comes to decorating their home. We also dive into what drives professional organizers crazy and outline what organizing efforts might actually be[...]
In this episode, we share a trio of recent mishaps, from a yard project that went awry and an anniversary gift that got away from us to the random event that nearly broke Sherry’s finger. We also tap the owner of a fabric and upholstery business to get the inside scoop on curtain mistakes to[...]
One of the O.G.s of design TV, Genevieve Gorder, offers up a slew of solutions to common design challenges, like mixing patterns, making small spaces feel bigger, and stretching your decorating dollars. Plus, we share a jealousy-inducing update that the current owners made to our old house, relive a blush-worthy moment from our honeymoon, and[...]
In this special episode, we have a candid talk about sponsored posts with Emily Henderson (Style By Emily Henderson), Justina Blakeney (The Jungalow), and Nicole Balch (Making It Lovely). Paid content is a big part of the blogging world these days, both for blog writers and blog readers. So these three professional design bloggers are[...]
Is there a magical age when your house starts feeling more grown-up? In this episode we discuss what three well-known design sites think should (and shouldn't!) be found in your home when you hit the big 3-0. We also share some of our go-to housewarming gifts, spill a few of our favorite tricks for hanging[...]
We talk with Tiffani Thiessen about designing her kitchen, cooking for celebs on her show Dinner at Tiffani’s, and serve up a Saved By The Bell inspired decorating quiz. We also dive into a big construction project that John’s working on, share an embarrassing realtor blunder, and explain exactly how Nate Berkus has inspired Sherry[...]
Designer and fellow ceramic animal enthusiast Jonathan Adler gives us a call and imparts his decorating wisdom, we share how a simple bed swap led to a major rug revelation, and John challenges Sherry to share her favorite curtain tips in under 60 seconds. Plus we talk about how a landscaping plan and the use of[...]
Interior designer Orlando Soria gives smart advice for navigating common decorating challenges like finding your style, mixing patterns, and figuring out where the heck to start. We also share how our building projects have gotten a little faster, what whole-house upgrade brightens our day, and why our garage needs some serious help. Plus, we explore[...]
Designer Sarah Richardson shares one of her biggest makeover mistakes, which prompts us to reflect upon a design fail that we’ve made not once, but twice! We also dive into how we attempt to keep our house in order, and dig up some research about why decluttering can make your head hurt. Plus, you'll hear[...]
Designer and TV host Sabrina Soto opens up about what she loves, hates, and has cried over in her 9 years of making design television. Plus, we hear how motherhood has changed her style and what it’s really like backstage at the Home Shopping Network. We’ll also share what’s new with us, play another rousing[...]
In this episode, we discuss what the internet thinks are found in “rich households” and talk about some easy ways we can all make our own homes feel a little fancier without breaking the bank. We also give you an update on what’s new with us, find out what paint colors you might use to[...]
Deep (and not-so-deep) conversations about home improvement, design, and life at home. Tune in for weekly episodes filled with casual decorating advice, DIY stories, interviews with experts, and a smattering of tips and ideas that can help you simplify, organize, and update your home. Sherry and John Petersik are the married duo who began chronicling their home improvement adventures in 2007 on the blog Young House Love, which spawned two New York Times best-selling books, as well as product lines sold by Target and Home Depot. And, well, now they have a podcast.
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All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are directy attributed to John Petersik or their podcast platform partner. If you believe your copyrighted work is in use without your permission, you can follow our process outlined here. See terms of use.
