Ack — it’s August. That means September is approaching, summer is winding down, and before you know it the holidays will be on the horizon. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but August always catches me off guard. To keep the momentum going and avoid burnout, it helps to pause and look back on last month’s highlights … Read more

Yes, that was a gourd pun. This post is about gourds—and about a quick, inexpensive way to turn simple craft-store gourds into glossy, ceramic-like accents for seasonal decorating. I enjoy adding subtle seasonal touches to our home, from Halloween to Thanksgiving, and these painted faux gourds fit right in with that approach. I found these … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** We like to make the best of things, so when the weather looks gloomy we embrace it — collect the rain and put it to good use. This week we’re excited to host a giveaway from The Rain Barrel Company, a supplier of practical, eco-friendly products like composters … Read more

The guest bathroom turned out so much cuter with just a few simple updates. That small space proves that even rooms that feel stuck can shine with fresh paint, a new window treatment, a bit of art, and mixed accessories. Instead of ripping out the vintage yellow tile (and the scrabble-board floor), we embraced its … Read more

A reader recently asked for help making a dog crate blend with home decor, so we gathered ideas and options to solve the problem. Whether you prefer a DIY makeover or a ready-made piece that looks like furniture, there are elegant solutions that make a crate feel intentional rather than an eyesore. First, here’s a … Read more

We know the biggest upgrades our laundry area needs are energy-efficient appliances and built-in storage to make the most of that small space. While we save and plan for those larger changes, we spent a few hours after Clara’s bedtime a couple of nights ago tackling smaller, high-impact fixes on our laundry to-do list. Our … Read more

As Sherry and I discussed on this week’s podcast, we’ve both been deeply affected by the devastation Hurricane Maria brought to Puerto Rico. It’s hard to watch anywhere, but having been on the island just a few months ago celebrating our ten-year anniversary makes it especially heartbreaking to see this place we love struggling. The … Read more

We just found out our first overnight guests are arriving at the end of the month, and our guest room currently looks like this: Not acceptable — especially since our guests are my in-laws. Sherry’s mom and stepdad are flying from New York to Richmond to spend time with Clara, so we now have a … Read more

Want to turn Ikea Besta cabinets into custom built-ins? We used three straightforward hacks to make our Bestas read like higher-end custom storage without the hefty price tag. The result: more concealed storage and added architectural interest in our bedroom. table | white chairs | wicker chair | ottoman | lamps | glass vase | … Read more

We made it through our first summer hosting on Airbnb, welcoming 23 different families over the last three months — and the duplex survived, too. The season brought memorable highs, a few stressful moments, and plenty of unexpected lessons. In this update we’re taking you behind the scenes: what we learned about running a vacation … Read more