Let’s talk about a project that wasn’t as quick as we expected. Between patio building and kitchen makeovers, Sherry and I like to reward ourselves with smaller updates that lift morale and give us a breather so we don’t burn out. One of those small projects was swapping the light fixture in our guest bathroom … Read more

…the third week of December! Maybe it’s not as iconic as an SNL opening, but for everyone who follows our Instagram (and who asked for the videos to go with the goofy photos we posted), here you go. We never expected to write that sentence, but it’s been a busy week in the live-television department. … Read more

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