A few people have asked how we’re preparing Clara for a baby brother. Besides getting her a baby boy doll when we learned it was a boy (she still adores Captain Barnacles), we’ve been gently involving her in the process and talking about what it will be like to be a big sister. Mostly we … Read more

Quick note: Tomorrow (Saturday) we’ll be in Dallas at 11am at the West Elm on 5307 East Mockingbird Lane for cookies, cocoa and a book signing. We’d love to see you there! We’re back with a book-and-tour update, and yes, it’s a long one. It’s earlier than we expected to post again, but so much … Read more

Since Photoshop is our primary tool for editing blog photos and we’re often asked for a list of tips, here’s a condensed, practical guide to how we edit images. A few quick notes before we begin. 1. We’re not Photoshop experts: Between the two of us we’ve taken a couple of photo and digital classes … Read more

Beach house updates—big and small—are happening so quickly it’s been a challenge to document everything. I walked through the entire house yesterday and made a full video tour that brings you totally up to date. So forgive the fact that this post only includes about a dozen photos (we have thousands more on our phones, … Read more

The beach house is finally feeling like a real home. After more than a year of work, it now has functioning appliances, a kitchen island, and a working sink. Even the newly plumbed clawfoot tub made an appearance—though Sherry’s first attempt at a relaxing soak didn’t go quite as planned. Thankfully the plumber fixed the … Read more

We can hardly believe it’s nearly 2009. It feels like summer just passed, yet the holidays have come and gone. Here’s a look at what we received this year. First up, my parents generously gifted us a full 10-piece set of Cuisinart GreenWare, an eco-friendly nonstick cookware line. Sherry had already surprised me with an … Read more

I wanted to share four recent thrift and bargain finds (technically nine items, since I picked up six matching mugs) that I’ve been enjoying. First up is a gilded pineapple vase I scored at Goodwill for $4. What drew me in was the hexagonal pattern across its body — even though the shape nods to … Read more

Blue calcite is a striking and less common variety of a very common mineral. Regular calcite appears in many environments and contributes to materials like limestone and marble, but the blue variety stands out for its soft, soothing color. It evokes a calm sky or tranquil water, which makes it a favorite for collectors and … Read more

Whether you plan to paint a chair, table, or any wooden piece, the basic process is the same. This table started as a thrift-store find (we built the top and paired it with a purchased base) and, along with a set of chairs that had once been a golden blond wood tone, was transformed with … Read more

When Jamie sent photos of her elegantly striped walls—an update inspired by our bathroom painting project—we had to share the impressive transformation. Here’s the note she sent: Just wanted to tell you “THANK YOU” and give you a big cyber-hug for inspiring me to get off my duff and add some “oomph” to my house. … Read more