Q&A: Kids' stuff organization and storage

1.21.2020

Q&A: Kids' stuff organization and storage

Kids’ stuff is not always high style, and kids can be messy. But they live in our homes, too, and we want to make them feel happy and welcome too! This week on the Your Home Story podcast we're answering your questions on handling toys, artwork, big plastic things, kids’ messes, and more.


Resources/posts we talked about:

1. Functional office paper storage that Ashley has
2. Greyson’s bedroom reveal
3. The attractive Lego storage Ashley did in Greyson’s room
4. My blog posts on baby stuff

You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram:
@suzannahstanley
@biggerthanthethreeofus
@yourhomestorypodcast

And you can join our Facebook group here to connect with other listeners and ask questions!
Listen here or in your podcast player!

READ POST

No comments

Top home decor trends for 2020!!

1.14.2020

Top home decor trends for 2020!!

I love hearing what the next trends will be (and what's going out), so I really put some good research into this one!!

You guys have loved the trend episodes on the Your Home Story podcast over the past two years, so we thought we check back in on those trends and then forecast what will be HOT for 2020! We hope you are ready to see some new trends this year, because we hear that warmer colors, boucle and plaster details will be coming on strong. Tune in to hear more about these as well as the debate on subway tile, Biophillic design, and more!

1. ELLE Decor 2020 design trends
2. Original House Beautiful article about grandmillenial style and Emma Bazilian’s Instagram
3. Boucle dining chair and boucle statement chair
4. Ashley from Arrows and Bow dining room paint color
5. House Beautiful UK article on 2020 trends in the living room
6. Gwen from The Makerista and specifically, her recent laundry room makeover
7. Erin Kestenbaum
8. Ashley’s bathroom
9. Velvet headboard DIY
10. Curved plaster range hood in Jenny Komenda’s kitchen
11. MyDomaine: trends going out in 2020
12. Apartment Therapy 2020 trends

Image source. You have GOT to go see this DIY bedroom and WOW, the closet, by Erin Kestenbaum

You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram:
@suzannahstanley
@biggerthanthethreeofus
@yourhomestorypodcast

And you can join our Facebook group here to connect with other listeners and ask questions!

Listen here or in your fave podcast player:

READ POST

No comments

2020 house projects list

1.09.2020

2020 house projects list

I always like to write a list of our goals for the year for house projects, and look back at the end of the year. This was particularly satisfying for 2019, we got so much done! (See 2019 goals and how we did.) 2020 will be a year for a bigger projects--bigger meaning more expensive, although not as many DIYs.

Warning: embarrassing progress/before photos of our house coming up!!

We will have a ton going on this year, with Jason finishing physical therapy school and taking the board exam, then starting his first professional job, plus a bunch of family stuff. There are a few smaller things we want to take care of like installing some new light fixtures, updating our stair railing, and decor, some of which we will be starting right away. But when we look ahead at the year, I see the following big projects coming up!

Roof

Replace the roof. We know this will be very expensive because we have a pointy, complex shaped roof and we got some preliminary quotes before buying the house. (About $18k.) We had the seller take off the cost of the roof from our purchase price, but of course we haven’t gotten around to replacing it until now. It’s not leaking, but it’s three layers and the oldest one dates prior to 1987 when the last owners bought this house. The original layer, we understand, does not have typical wood sheathing underneath it so not only will the roofers need to demo all of those old shingles, they will need to build the wood too. There may also be some gutter replacement needed.

READ POST

No comments

My top budgeting tools for home renovation projects

1.07.2020

My top budgeting tools for home renovation projects

Budgeting is not the most exciting part of a renovation project, but it’s often critical for success and confidence that you can take on a new big reno!


It can be super overwhelming so we’re talking you through the exact tools Ashley and I use, including giving away a detailed template for my spreadsheet method for budgeting for a project.

Resources mentioned:

1. Ep 59 How we budget + how to organize a budget
2. Midcentury modern One Room Challenge bathroom makeover and the budget breakdown
3. The spreadsheet template!
4. Suzannah’s last house guest bathroom, master bathroom, and kitchen reno with budgets
5. Picasa, the simple free collage program Suzannah uses
6. Copycat Chic
7. 10 good apps that help you manage money

You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram:
@suzannahstanley
@biggerthanthethreeofus
@yourhomestorypodcast

And you can join our Facebook group here to connect with other listeners and ask questions!
Listen here or in your podcast app:

READ POST

No comments

Gallery wall pro tips

12.31.2019

Gallery wall pro tips

If you love the look of gallery walls but are scared to try to put one up, I am here to help! We're breaking down the confusion on frame sizing, how to pick art, how to decide on photographs, whether your gallery wall should be symmetrical or 3D, and much more!

Join in this week on the Your Home Story podcast as we give handy tips for installing your gallery wall and whether or not your gallery wall should be the focus of a space or just add to it.

Image source

Links and resources:

1. Ashley mentioned this modern bookcase that she scored at the Goodwill, then about her large gallery wall that she used to have in her living room. 
2. Still want to know more about determining frame sizing for your wall? Use this handy gallery wall how-to to help you plan your next gallery wall!
3. Find loads of inspiration on gallery walls on Ashley's gallery wall board on Pinterest.
4. Ashley’s new travel gallery wall in her master bedroom.
5. See my 2013 dining room gallery wall here.
6. See my 2017 dining room with multiple art pieces here.

You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. I'm @suzannahstanley, Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus, and the podcast is @yourhomestorypodcast. You can also join our Facebook group here!
Listen here or in your podcast app!

READ POST

No comments

2019 house project recap - I am shocked!!

12.26.2019

2019 house project recap - I am shocked!!

This time of year I like to look back at everything we've done since January... this year I can't believe how far we've come. I looked back at my list of house project goals for 2019--WOW. I forgot my living room used to look like that. And my dining room... and my kitchen....

We didn't get everything on that list done (mostly the big, hire-out stuff--roof, exterior painting, etc.) but we did all the very time-intensive projects like the kitchen and our main bathroom, and having those done has made us enjoy our home so much more.

The first project I finished in 2019 was our dining room makeover... mostly cosmetic, but it really needed some attention and more elements like this DIY $20 painted buffet.

READ POST

No comments