Update: We hoped to have a Thursday post for you guys but this week didn’t go as planned. So sorry!
Update #2: We’d love your thoughts on this thread that popped up on this post. What are your opinions about smaller posts when we can’t write something juicy? Skip them and just own that we can’t post that day with a little update like this one, or would you rather see something small instead of nothing (like a quick organizing update, a Reader Redesign, a dilemma we’re debating, etc)? Thanks for the feedback!
Curtains can make the room. And pillows, well, you can never have too many (at least according to my pillow obsessed wife). This week someone’s going to win $500 to spend at Martha & Ash, a family business that’s focused on fabric goods with quality and craftsmanship. You can splurge on pillows, dog beds, or score yourself some custom drapes, like a striped or two toned option in your choice of over 25+ colors.
Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter (it might take a second to load, but it should eventually pop up below this paragraph). This giveaway is available anywhere in the world!
Stephanie says
Ooh! Their stuff looks awesome. I need curtains!
Bree says
Ooooohhh pick me pick me! I have some sad nekkid windows!
Margaret says
If you hadn’t asked for feedback, I would not be commenting. I used to read faithfully, but then less and less with each house. Why? Because all three houses LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME. Pale walls, cheap furniture, spray painted stuff. It’s totally fine in your first house, but it’s so very tired now. I was excited to start reading again with the house 3 purchase, because you promised more grown-up, expensive furnishings, etc. So far all I see is Ikea-Target-HomeGoods. Anything more expensive, you either scored it from the showhouse or got it at an outlet. I love a good bargain too, but am also willing to splurge on key pieces. I like the DIY big projects, but the decor stuff needs seriously rethought if you want to keep readers engaged. One last thing, you should absolutely not be using 2 small kids as your excuse for lack of blog posts, or projects, or anything. You make big bucks from this blog (I have no problem at all with that), and IT’S YOUR JOB. Most of us have kids, work, and do stuff around the house. You have encouraged honest feedback here.
CE says
Margaret, I think your comments were a bit mean-spirited and honestly out of line. If Sherry and John’s taste is no longer your taste, then by all means, no longer visit their blog. But there are many of us (MOST of us) who still really love the things that they do. And not only the updates in the home, I love all the personal, quirky and intimate things they share about their growing family. And on your comment with kids, that was very inappropriate. Maybe you should be a little more sensitive to the fact that they want more time to spend together as a family. Everyone should be so lucky. Coming up with 5 awesomely detailed posts every week is a large load to bear, so I completely understand their need/want to cut back a little and focus on the beautiful lives they have created around them. It is their blog and they can run it however they want. John and Sherry, don’t let negative Nancys ruin your day or make you think you are anything less than the spectacularly awesome DIY guru’s that we all know you are! The rest of us ADORE YOU GUYS! xxoo
Margaret says
CE- my comments were not mean or out of line. I prefaced them by saying I would not normally leave negative feedback, but today YHL seemed like they were welcoming ALL opinions. And your advice to me about no longer reading their blog, is exactly the opposite of what the Petersiks need to stay In business. And this is what this is. A BUSINESS.
Lauren says
Margaret, wow. Honest feedback is one thing, but I have to agree with CE that this comment was worded indelicately to say the least. If you don’t like S&J’s style the way the rest of us do, then please do find another site for your fix. Calling their style cheap and un-engaging is not constructive feedback.
And actually plenty of people temporarily cool their careers when they have new additions to their family, and that is absolutely their prerogative to do so. Family comes first. Plus you’re forgetting that neither Sherry nor John are taking parental leave from their job during this time, as many families do when they have a new addition, so frankly the Petersiks are going above and beyond what most families do in their career when they have a newborn.
Meg says
But CE they ASKED for feedback. They ASKED for readers opinions.
And honestly, 5 posts a week isn’t that much for readers to expect when they are two fully functioning adults who are supposedly working on this 80 hours a week. They get paid to decorate their house and fix it up (which almost every other couple in America does on the evenings or weekends) so expecting quality content isn’t too much. If it’s “too much of a load from them to bear” well I hope they polish up their resumes and start looking elsewhere for income. They chose this career path and business.
Leah says
Margaret, they are getting paid, but not by us! We pay nothing to read this blog. So yes, if you don’t like it, don’t read it!
Sherry and John, I have zero problem with you cutting down on your posts, because I, too, have a life. If I stop by and there’s no new post, I just go read something else, or go outside, or talk to a friend, or do some work, and I see no reason to moan about it. Keep doing you!
CE says
Meg-what they asked was “what are your opinions about smaller posts when we can’t write something juicy?” That to me is not an open invitation for people to comment on how they should be running their blog and if they post often enough for your likes or if you think their taste is cheap. I mean, how rude!? How would you feel if someone chimed in to tell you what they don’t like about how you do your job? Do you run a blog? Do you know what goes into every project and post that they put together and how long all of that takes? These are two lovely people who put their lives out there for all of us to enjoy, so if you no longer enjoy their blog/design/frequency of posts, that’s your business. But many of us love it!
Leeann says
I thought Margaret’s post was good. YHL said they would have higher end decor, and Margaret was looking forward to that. But so far she hasn’t seen it.
And to Leah – even though the readers don’t pay YHL, YHL gets paid because of the readers. The advertisers are not going to pay YHL to be on the site if there aren’t enough readers. I’m sure the Petersiks want to know how to keep the reader numbers up. Margaret gave one suggestion.
For my suggestion, I would like to see smaller posts when you don’t have time for a big one.
C says
Thanks, Magaret, I absolutely agree–more honesty would be nice. I too cringed when they started piling on the family excuses–which was not like them at all…and anyone could see their motives right then and there…I knew it would be downhill at that point (which it has). But at least they warned us, eh?–so it would be a-okay in their minds.
Yes, bottom line, this is a business. People may not want to hear it, but they do this gig for money. That’s gonna be the number one driver in the changes we’ve been seeing. I don’t really blame them–if I could get away with less work and more money, who wouldn’t take it? But please be honest with us.
I was just posting–that deep-down what I seem to take issue with most is the general dishonesty I’ve been feeling…it’s obvious that they make enough money from other venues (book deals, Target), and from increased blog traffic; that they can afford to post only two or three times a week (probably even less). If it was not feasible they would not be doing it. So what I would like to hear from them is some honesty about this–just tell us this straight, instead of using family excuses or whatnot. No big deal.
I will say that it is refreshing to see that they are actually hearing their readers out, when so many other bloggers don’t, or don’t seem to care. :)
Susan says
Wow, Margaret! So NOT ON POINT! If you feel you must make these detailed criticisms about detailed personal choices, a contact email is provided at the bottom of this page, and there are forums where you can vent.
Whether or not you consider YHL to be a “job”…John and Sherry are people, and you were rude. Their accessibility and kindness is not an invitation to be harsh. Remember the golden rule!
Never saw a direct answer to the question posed, btw.
Rebecca says
Wow, this is pretty heavy commentary!! Just wanted to chime in that even though John & Sherry both participate in the blog between the two of them they only have the manpower of 1 working adult because the other one is with the children.
We are not privy to their entire business structure, nor should we be, and the blog is just one piece out of the many pieces that make up the YHL brand. Five blog posts a week is about 16 hours of writing, editing and shooting and you are not even touching on actually doing the DIY project and the backend time spent on accounting, bookkeeping, IT, PR, marketing etc. And thats just for the blog. There is the book, and I am sure other large projects we don’t know about yet. Thats more than enough work for 1 working adult.
Lisa says
Um, in this case I really have to agree with most of what Meg said. My hisband and I have two children as well, an almost 3 year old and a baby of nine months. My husband is a lawyer and works fulltime. We moved into our new place four weeks ago and my husband took three weeks off. In these three weeks, we built a giant Ikea kitchen by ourselves, including picking it all up with a rented truck and bringing it in, with no help by anybody else. We moved in two days with the help of some family members. My husband started work again and in the evenings, as soon as the kids are in bed, we hang pictures, install new furniture or unpack boxes et cetera. I really do not want to complain, nut this blog is THEIR FULLTIME JOB. Even though I personally do not pay them, their sponsors pay them because I and everyone else of their readers comes here regularly. I can completely understand if after the birth of a child you take some time off, but the content of this blog has been going downhill since long before Teddy’s birth and Clara is already 4 – my son is over a year younger and he’s been in daycare since he was 10 months old (since I had to go back to teaching). What I want to say with this overly lengthy comment (sorry, I’m rambling): it makes me cringe when they complain about all the work and how little time they have and blabla. This is their job, get some daycare or a nanny and do your job. Readers do not see how much time you spend on side projects, and when you give them the feeling that they come third behind family (of course) and side projects (not understandable), then this is off-putting.
Sandy says
To all those who are arguing that this is a “business”….just stop and remember why we first started reading. J&S NEVER treated us like a business. They write ALL content themselves, they don’t accept sponsored posts (yay, not another Kiwi Crate or Naturebox plug, have they been everywhere in blogland or what), and they actually attempt to drop in on comments and respond (and get ideas). WE FEEL LIKE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, and not a tool of a monetized system.
Maybe that’s why people feel so free to criticize. Mercifully, these criticisms are few and far between, but I must respond to another really quick: As to expense, some of the items J&S are incorporating in their house this time ARE high end to a lot of us! Pottery Barn office chairs? In my dreams! And I could never afford it after roofing and repainting a house! They live within their means which is an enormous and praiseworthy thing in today’s America.
So for those whining about the giveaways….remember that J&S could keep all these things for themselves and decorate a really “high falutin'” home. Every successful blogger that I read takes advantage of free tile, free tools, free curtains, etc…. But they DON’T. They pass them on to us in the form of giveaways. I, for one, am thankful. Aren’t you?
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says
wow Margaret. you’re really rude.
I don’t think that their style is lacking or they are picking low price/loq quality furniture when featuring design related posts. They are not selecting $80 desk chairs for their office they are several hundred ($338 to be exact). And same goes for their outdoor furniture. They didn’t run to target or ikea for an inexpensive set. The sofa they picked a $1,399 sofa, in additional to the rest of the furniture, décor, and the lighting.
If their houses all the same to you then stop reading. Why should they necessarily just change their design taste just to suit you? They live in the house!
That being said, John + Sherry- I think doing 3 big posts a week is just fine. If you throw in a smaller post here or there then that is fine too. I check every day but it’s no big deal when I come to your site and you haven’t posted. I’ll just come back the next day. I love your blog.
Becca says
I really love your blog, John & Sherry! I think all of the disappointment people are expressing is actually, in a weird way, telling you how much they have always loved your blog. If it wasn’t a great blog, no one would care! Priorities change, and that’s ok. But don’t let this kind of stuff get you down! Keep doing what is best for you, your family, and your business.
And I vote for the smaller posts in between big ones. :)
Brittany says
I would just like to chime in and say that J&S are doing the best with what they have. I would personally like to see smaller posts when they don’t have big meaty ones to post, but think about what you’re saying! They have a lighting collection, blog, books, Target deals, and I’m sure plenty of other things in the making.. while your opinions are welcome, these guys have given us a great share into their lives and styling. I love hearing about their kids. I love that they’re real with us, and if you have children then you HAVE to know what that’s like to not be able to get to something. While they’ve chosen this as their job, they’re doing and styling how they choose – they’re not decorating or designing YOUR house, they’re doing theirs. If the pales walls and bright airy look is what they like and what they live in, then it’s there right to have 50 houses that are all the same. I would imagine that the average reader thinks that most of their stuff is higher end – I know that I do. I know I love learning how to re-purpose and reuse. If you don’t like the style, and you don’t like how things are going, then just kindly go find another blog that’s more fitting to your design choices and lifestyle. There’s no need to be rude. The rest of will remain here with J&S, loving every minute!
Jess says
This is what I hate about blogs…the readers who attack people (Margaret) who make comments that they don’t agree with. If John and Sherry only ever listen to the cheerleaders, they are never going to grow. And they aren’t going to keep as large of an audience for their business. Yes, it’s a business. It’s how they feed their family, and why Target puts their products in stores, why book publishers pay them to write books, etc. I would love to see a post every day. It doesn’t have to be grandiose. I also would like to see more of the diverse posts that they used to have like house visits, etc. I hope they design another house like they did for Habitat. I also understand spending time with your kids. In my humble opinion, having a nanny come into the home a few hours a week to help take the stress off getting work done may be an awesome option to try. I love reading this blog and want to see it continue on the same high note that it’s been on.
Kat says
I have a couple of points to add to this (again, because they asked).
First, everyone is fully entitled to his/her opinion and should express it freely. Just because a commenter expressed great dissatisfaction should not mean they get slammed. Everyone’s opinions must be heard and expressed, and details as to what led to that opinion, are constructive.
Second, it is naive for any reader to be in denial that YHL is a for-profit business with business structure and business motives. J&S are owners and employees of YHL and are responsible for their brand.
Third, if family is more important than dual incomes, more power to you. If you are downsizing from two full-time employees (which they claimed in the past) just own it and move on. You will lose some readers, but maybe gain others. It is a risk.
Fourth, I don’t care if you skip days – we all have to call in sick once in a while. I do care about the quality of posts. I don’t like reading posts that sound tired, half-hearted, or wordy. I started following this blog because the tone of the posts were uplifting, positive, and fun. Sadly, I don’t’ get that a lot. As long as the energy and spark return, readers will keep reading.
Finally, I have to somewhat agree with Margaret’s opinion regarding content. The YHL “white everything” style is not mine (and I’m exhausted by it), but we do lots of big DIY projects, so it’s cool to see stuff like deck work, deck wash product comparisons, and stuff relevant to day-to-day life. The majority of readers are not constantly DIYing their fixer-uppers, but we all have to do routine maintenance and occasional fixes, so it is important to be relevant to your audience.
Dawn says
Wow, I have to say I was a little disturbed by some of the rudeness. I agree that if you don’t like a persons style that is your prerogative but to call them cheap? Please. Their style is different from my style but one of the main reasons I read their blog is not so much their house style as it is their writing style. I love how fun, irreverent and interesting they are. I will say I miss the more frequent postings and seeing some smaller posts would be great. I also feel like they don’t do as much about family anymore. I miss Clara conversations, and they just don’t seem to talk about Teddy quite as much as they used to about Clara. I miss the more family oriented posts. All that said, I don’t plan to stop reading, I look forward to their posts and am always happy when the newest one pops on facebook. I live in a townhome so I can’t do home updates really, so I live vicariously through theirs. Keep up the good work you guys, you have my support!
Paula says
I find it amazing that John and Sherry asked for feedback and then when people give their honest opinion they are attacked by the “John and Sherry” lovers. This is a decorating blog people. The Petersiks aren’t your best friends. You probably don’t even know them. I come here to get ideas for my own house. I don’t believe for one minute they do all of this by themselves or with a little bit of money like most of us do. There is no way they can do over an entire room in a couple of days, have two kids and a dog, and run this huge blog. It’s just lost it’s initial realism to me. But I will continue to drop in and see what they are up to. But, please, allow everyone to have an opinion. It was asked for!!!
Andies says
I read through the discussion here and want to chime in my two cents. This is my favorite blog to read. I’m drawn to the writing style reflecting of J&S’s personalities. I like the content as well, and I will continue to return time after time even though I may come back and not see a new post. That’s okay for me – I will just check back later. I think their substantive posts are reflective of the large amount of work that goes into creating them. And I’m happy they are able to earn income for the content they provide to us, the readers. Even happier if that is enough to support their family!
Dearest S&J, if you’ve figured out a business model where you are able to balance time with your (incredibly precious!) children, and each other, I am happy for you and it won’t affect my interest in your blog. As I catch up on the archives, I can see how the blog has evolved with you through different life stages. I am glad to have found your little corner of the internet and appreciate all you’ve shared in this space. While it’s great to consider all of the opinions reflected in this discussion, it may help to keep in mind that you can’t possibly please everyone. However, based on how your blog and the rest of the YHL endeavors are doing, it sure looks like you’re doing a whole lot right and pleasing many readers! I want to wish you the best of luck in everything you do, and hope you will continue to share it with us.
Courtney says
I have been out of town for a few days, and just got back and saw this. I don’t ever comment on posts, but I felt the desire to weigh in today. First off, I have been reading this blog for 3+ years – ever since my husband and I bought our first house. As a young couple in our first house, I was completely lost as to what kind of updates we should do, or even what our style was. I stumbled on this blog, and have read it religiously ever since. The DIY aspect is what drew me in, but the personalities of John and Sherry is what kept me coming back. While I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinions (obviously), I whole-heartedly believe that criticism is much better received when it is presented in an polite and constructive way. Unfortunately, I don’t believe the person who wrote the “infamous post” that seems to be the center of attention in this thread accomplished this at all. The tone and comments that were made were definitely not written in a constructive way, and seemed to attack personal aspects of John and Sherry instead of constructively criticizing their blog, which is what was requested. Yes, this blog is a business, and John and Sherry asked for feedback. But they are still people. They are still human beings who are doing the best they can with what they have. I, for one, think they’re doing a great job of *gradually* upgrading their belongings (which is what they said in the first place – that they would be working throughout the coming years to upgrade their belongings; not doing it all at once). Personally, as a young (20-something) married couple who are really just starting out and often feel like we aren’t moving fast enough to upgrade everything in our home all at once, it’s nice to see that not everyone in the blogisphere is extremely wealthy and can afford to drop tens of thousands of dollars on every home update. That’s how it feels sometimes, which is why I often look to YHL for inspiration and motivation. Their down-to-earth and practical approach to putting their own personal touch into their home is really refreshing. To answer the request for feedback, though (after this long rambling post – sorry for that!), I would love to see some of the smaller posts come back every once in a while. I think they’re interesting to read and may enable John and Sherry more time for their side projects and to focus on the longer – meatier – posts, as well.
Cali says
I too have to agree with the majority of what Margaret said, and think she expressed what a lot of people were thinking. I used to check the blog as part of my morning routine, and I’m finding it less & less interesting- and with the lack of posts lately, Checking in on the blog often skips my mind. I did love Sherry’s energy, and DIY projects back in the day, but lately I could do without all the detailed plumbing, electrical step by step posts. I found the decorating & more realistic DIY posts are what drew me in. I do get it though- there is only soo much you can do unless you’ve moving every 12 months without it feeling so dragged out and calculated. I also love how real they are, and that they don’t do all of the obnoxious sponsored posts… (Blue apron posts, etc- ugh!!). Speaking of Blue apron posts though, I would love to see smaller posts… Like a simple recipe of something along those lines. Or the old daily life kind of posts like the cloth diapering we used to hear about- I’m personally getting ready to have a second child in a couple of weeks, and curious how they have handled that? These are the things that are just absent from the blog now- and are of much greater interest to me than the plumbing details of a washer/dryer. Also- I’m dying to see some natural materials in the house… I too am over the “paint everything” style, and would love to see something different! Ie- I LOVE the dining table- would love to see a more natural style in there, instead of the Ikea vibe.
Molly says
love your blog (both of you are great writers). love your style (that is why I spend my time here). love my kids (they are 3 and 4) and because of that I appreciate where you are in your lives (because every parent makes adjustments). and i love that you are open to this type of feedback (positive and not). hang in. hang tight. hang on to that family. much love
Alex says
Margaret, in any business, there are some customers that the business does not WANT to keep. Most of us here like the YHL aesthetic, that’s why we’re here. Anyone who doesn’t, is free not to read. If the blog were to change to fit YOUR aesthetic/budget/etc, they would lose many of their existing readers… probably far more than they would gain.
Plus, I can’t see them wanting to hold onto people quite so rude. Asking for feedback on posting frequency does not invite judgement about how they balance their work/family life. While this blog may be their job, they’re also working on a book and (I believe) other related projects- I’m sure they’re very busy.
Zohreh says
That’s mean spirited, Margaret. There’s a way to offer constructive criticism (hey! Why don’t you try more color on the walls?! Have you shopped at Suchnsuch?!) and there’s just being. . .well, sort of a snob (“your furniture is not expensive enough for my taste”). This is just hurtful. They put a lot of time and energy into this blog and so comments like yours can be a real punch to the gut. :-(
Jamie says
Wow! They were asking for feedback. I don’t think that was an invitation to tell them how cheap they were. I shop at Target/Homegoods/Ikea. Does that make me cheap?! I enjoy reading about low cost ways to decorate. I enjoy seeing something they purchased from Target, then see the same item in the store. If they referred to buying items from high end stores, I would probably no longer read the blog. Their audience is for the average person with an average income. I do agree that a lot of their decorating is similar…that’s because they have a style! Who cares if they are working 20 hours a week or 100 hours a week? They get paid to do a certain job. It’s not our job to judge them on that. If their sponsors determine they are not working as they should be…that’s up to them to decide. Not us! I think it’s nice they are honest about struggling with finding time after having two kids. You can easily relate to J&S. They are just like everyone else! Get a life people!
Jamie says
P.S. They not only write this blog and do the projects. They also reply on many of the comments that people post on the blog. They are writing a second book. They have book tours…meetings with their editor…shopping…researching for posts…planning the projects…cleaning up after the projects…designing products for BM and Target…they have two kids..and probably do not have two days off a week like many do. If you do not like their blog then move along…they have so many other supporters they’ll be fine with one less.
Luda says
Dear S&J, I just wanted to give you a couple of words of encouragement.
First of, those people that made those rude and outrageous comments – they probably just don’t even have lives,… kids, passion, love… I probably sound rude myself right now, but believe me if they can say things like this to anyone, they obviously have really bad social skills and need to pick on someone for their own self-affirmation (and it’d better be online, so no one sees their face).
Well, anyway, people like this don’t deserve your tears, your time and most of all they don’t deserve you changing your life because of them. They are a very small % of the rest of the readers who love you and need you and are always amused by anything you post. Who cares how much money you make!? I make my own money and I am only going to be happy for you if I bring you an extra buck by reading something that inspires me and moves me and changes MY life!
You changed me. You changed my house. You changed thousands of people’s lives. You should be confident in what you are and who you are, because you are a great, moving, inspiring and amazing family. Your kids are lucky to have you and we are lucky that you decided to share your story with us.
It is sooooo hard to share your life with someone! Especially when that someone judges. But the thruth is that most of us love you. And we appreciate everything you share. We appreciate that you spend your time and life on this. This “job” of yours is equivalent to those motivational speakers, or those that help people find career, or those financial advisers – they all provide something to the people that help them move on and find their passion and make their lives more beautiful – physically and emotionally. You should be just proud of yourselves. PLUS – you just had a baby! Come on you, women who commented – do you not know what that is??? And I am sorry, but if you have two or three kids and “build a kitchen in three days” that probably just means that your kids were babysat by the TV the whole time, fed some nice junk food and never bathed – nice job! Sorry, this is really not meant to be offencive to others, I am just very unhappy on how people can discourage someone who brings light into their lives.
Just DON’T READ if you don’t care or if you can’t stay away from judging.
S & J, I am looking forward for you coming back. You really should not care about these comments. People are mean. But thankfully not most of them.
Take a break, enjoy yourselves and don’t listen to anyone who gives you bad feedback. You are not here to adjust to someone else’s preferences, you are here to be yourselves. People are different and they will always like different things. You can’t be liked by everyone. There always will be an audience for you, just follow your true passion. And those that don’t like it – just let them leave. They will find something else. Love you, hope to see you soon.
Nat says
To add to this thread, I think what Margaret was expressing was overall frustration of the average reader with blogs, not just your blog. Everyone is SOOOOO over commercialized it makes the average reader grind their teeth. And while you’re not Blue-Aproning it.. so to speak :) there is a fair amount of commercialization in the background. Which wouldn’t be an issue if the quality of posts did not suffer. Regardless of the tone of Margaret’s comment, she made a few strong point that I think cannot be swiped under the rug. From my end I would like to add the following:
– we’re in a time when blogs must adapt or fail. It is what it is. You have done great so far and keeping to your roots is what helped you make it to where you are right now. BUT there’s nothing wrong with buying more expensive things for your home, it feels insincere (even if it is sincere) when you apologize for it. Or explain it away too much. Hello master bedroom dresser or a living room rug from years ago.
– you really can’t be everyone’s friend. to keep your wealth of readers you need to find a balance in your writing between being thr next door neighbour and a magazine editor. The average blog reader is savvy, they read the magazine-online blogs and while your openness is heart warming at first, a little balanced distance in your writing goes could go long way towards a happy middle ground
– and while on the topic of restraint, let loose about your little babies, not as excuses, but as jewels of time well wasted. tell us about the projects gone awry because of a diaper explosion at Target/Ikea. Or someone not sleeping through the night. This is the place to pull in the reader. This is the place to be read. “We were going to do this yesterday, but because someone decided to stay up all night, we had to scrap/postpone the whole thing”. We’re THERE, in line at Ikea with a screaming hungry toddler who just wants out of the cart to take apart the store. Tell us THOSE stories, the stories we can easily relate to. Give us a laugh, make us feel like we’re not the only ones. We do and will continue to love you for it.
– and lastly, realize that while a portion of your readers are not savvy blog content absorb-ers , some of them are and their numbers are rising. Which is to say that your background in marketing is making us feel like you’re already, out the door, creating and selling your brand. Which is what you’re trained to do and should be doing! And NOT apologizing for it. Own it.
Anyway, this is me, a week or so late, and a few glasses of wine into it. Having thought about the blog landscape long and hard and seen many blogs change and evolve. I wish you guys the best of luck figuring this out, however it ends up looking for your family.
All the best.
Katie says
It’s my birthday! This would be The best gift!!
Beth says
Oh my, I need new curtains like nobody has ever needed them before. Currently the ones in my living room are sporting a nice big rip right in the middle.
Julia [Chris Loves Julia] says
Martha & Ash’s curtains are the BEST!!! So glad you guys are doing this giveaway. We used their drapes in our great room and the quality could not be beat–plus the mom and daughter duo are just about as sweet as they come.
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE hearing that!
xo
s
Lydia says
Ooh! I hope I win! We bought a new house to us, built and decorated in 1974. I have 8 large windows, and doors to decks and balconies that need a 40 year update. Fingers crossed!!!
Lauren says
I’m putting together the nursery for our first born and have been looking for the perfect curtains! This would be so wonderful to win :)
Margret Helga says
Crossing my fingers :)
Lauren says
We just redid our living room and I haven’t gotten to the window treatments yet. no worries there are shades, they just aren’t pretty. This would help very much. I’m really loving the white and teal stripped curtains!
Teri says
Do you post the winners? I know you email the winner, but I was wonder (hoping really) that I just missed an email and wanted to double check that I hadn’t won last week. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we email the winner and the Rafflecopter box displays their name too :)
xo
s
Lisa says
Hi! Just wanted to say how much I appreciate how easy you make it to enter your giveaways. Even if I never win anything I love how easy it is to try! Thanks!
Ana Silva says
I second that!
Alexandra says
spot on! :)
kim says
Amen to that!
Susan G. says
Awesome. I’m moving to a new house and will NEED curtains, unless, you know… I suddenly become an exhibitionist.
Laura says
I am sure this has been asked numerous times but do you contact us via email if we win? Or, do we need to check back to this post? Just checking. :) Love your giveaways!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we email the winner and the Rafflecopter box displays their name too :)
xo
s
Leslie G. says
Thanks for making it so easy to enter your contests! Too many places these days have 85,000 different steps and “if you like/share/tweet/pin” stipulations.
Ya’ll are the best in the biz!
Pat S says
I’ll second that!! By and large, I just don’t even bother to enter contests.
I do love this blog, though. :D
Nicole says
Yes!! Thanks for doing this one. Love.
Summer Matthews says
What a great giveaway! Our house could use some new curtains and pillows to liven it up!
Nicole says
I was just lamenting to my husband about how we should get curtains.. even one set to bring together our house a bit more to add some warmth and color (we have white wooden blinds on almost all of our windows).
I’ve decided a deep emerald curtain (old world tone) would look hellafine in my living room… and I have power knowing my husband is a New York Jets fan. #bringonthegreen
Megan @ ThreeAppleDesigns says
I’ve been following this website for years and have seen the transformative powers of a curtain yet there is nary a one hanging in my home. I have every intention of purchasing them. I wholeheartedly mean to hang them in my various rooms. Ultimately though, I just buy another throw pillow or book.
Tina P. says
I just love Ashley and her family. Great Great Peeps!!
Britney says
Our new house would look great with new curtains!
Kathy says
I love the style of these! Our draperies are from the college department at Target and we’ve been meaning to change them for years! we washed them and dried them on low and they shrunk up about 8″. Some are shorter than others HAHA. We haven’t had this at the top of our to-do list and haven’t found any good style we love, even West Elm was a little off. These are simple and perfect!
Tracy Vaughn says
I would love new curtains!
Amanda O says
Ugh, I need a cure for my decorating paralysis, as my bare windows and walls reveal. This might make me go for it!
Nicola Han says
Yeah another world wide offer yipppppeeeee yipppppeeeee yipppppeeeee x
Greta says
I have a confession…I’ve been drooling over M&A stripe curtains for 3 year now. (: So many beautiful items!
Amie says
Oh, I need this giveaway, like chocolate needs peanut butter.
Elaine H says
Beautiful curtains!!! Would love to have them for our new home!
Jori says
I need these in my life–we are building a home office and I have coveted their curtains from afar! Plus–pillows (No, John, you can NOT EVER have too many!)
Lauren Smith says
OMG this would be awesome to win!!! My husband and I have been remodeling and trying to finish up to move in our lake house, but a few construction costs have us idle at the moment… This would be so great to help start to make the house look like a home!
Kelly says
New house – need new curtains!!!
Mary says
Their website does not say what size their pillow covers are. Would you happen to know?
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t have that info. Anyone know? Perhaps they’ll drop in with that info for you!
xo
s
Ash (Martha & Ash) says
Hi Mary!
Thanks for catching that glitch. All is fixed now :) Keep in mind that we can make any of our pillow covers in any size you need, not just the options that are posted.
Thanks!
Ash
Tammy says
This would be a great gift! We just moved and I’m having curtain/window treatment angst. :)
Jennifer says
I am redecorating our living room and could totally use
New drapes!!!
Stefanie says
omg! We just bought a foreclosure that needs all new everything. I could put this to very very good use!
Elyse says
One day i will win!!! I believe!
Kate says
I just moved into a new place (I’m in the middle of refinishing and upgrading small aspects of the kitchen) and the old random curtains that came with it NEED to go. This would be an amazing way to freshen up the place.
Teresa says
I don’t know what is wrong…if it’s my iPad or what but when the rafflecopter starts “loading”… That’s all it does…it just continues loading and loading and nothing ever pops up to sign in for the fab freebie. Do you know what the problem could be? This has been going on for months!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry Teresa. I would try another browser on your iPad or just try a smart phone or a desktop computer. So sorry for the glitch!
xo
s
Brittany says
You’re not the only one, Teresa! I’ve been having the same issue for the last few giveaways and have been unable to enter. I was actually checking this comment thread to see if anyone else was having the same issue.
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry guys! I wonder if you’re both using the same browser (ex: Chrome on a tablet, or IE 6 or something). Sometimes just switching browsers or clearing your cache (or trying another computer or phone) can work. Really sorry for the trouble though!
xo
s
jaclyn says
I’m not exactly sure why that happens with the Rafflecopter but it used to happen to me on my work computer. My company then switched virus protection plans and it started working so on a technical level, I think it’s something to do with either your spam protection or firewall settings.
It’s definitely an issue with your device and not the way the Rafflecopter is set up because anytime I had problems on my work computer, it would always work on my home computer.
Julie says
So happy to see a freebie available anywhere! This shop’s products look amazing!
All the best from Germany, you are brilliant!
XO Julie
Britiney says
Every time I enter one of your giveaways it’s like I’ve already won because you don’t make me do 10,000 things and stand on my head and promise my first-born. xo to you!
rachel l. says
Britiney, I couldn’t agree with you more!
Ana Silva says
Haha yup! That’s why I don’t even enter those types.
Raechel S says
My house is in desperate need of curtains and pillows! Please pick me!!!
Alison says
LOVE M&A. The curtains and customer service are both top notch. We have two toned curtains in our dining room and I would love to add a pattern in our living room. Thanks for this awesome giveaway! I think the size is specified in the listing of the pillows (ie: Schumacher – Betwixt – Spark – 18 in square – Designer Pillow – Decorative Pillow – Throw Pillow)
Kelly says
Giveaways are so satisfying. I click over to read the blog, and I get a chance to win something I want, plus avoid feeling guilty for spending 20 minutes reading when I really should be working (though I only ever feel half-guilty because usually I’m learning something or getting inspired, which is valuable).
Molly says
Woohoo! Love those blue striped curtains! So classy!
Cindy says
Love there stuff, I need curtains everywhere in my house! :)
rachel l. says
For the love of all things stylish, do I EVER need curtains. These are gorgeous, thanks so much for the opportunity.
Sarah S. says
Last week’s giveaway posted that SARAH was the winner!! Any chance that was me? I have the bad habit of emptying my spam folder without checking the emails first. Here’s hoping!!!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, she has been emailed and emailed us back to receive the prize (you can see her comment above this chain too :)
xo
s
Lara VonDielingen says
LOVE Martha & Ash!! I ordered pillows from them for my guest room and the workmanship is outstanding. They are awesome to work with. I actually JUST got a quote from them for 2 sets of drapes for my office and dining room. Crossing my fingers!!!
Kate says
Trying to settle a debate…does Rafflecopter sell your email address to marketers? My fiance is convinced he is getting spam because he entered the contest
YoungHouseLove says
You win the debate :) They have a privacy policy and never sell or share your info. Here’s more on that: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/privacy/
xo
s
Jordan says
LOVE Martha and Ash!!!! Great giveaway!
Paige says
Lot and lots more reader redesigns please!! And some people are psychotic. Your frugality and your care of family before all else is morally uplifting and I wish we could see much more like that- as a reader I appreciate honest down to earth, weird, and creative (ie. “cheap”) ideas and thoughts. You’re just my cup of tea and I promise you for every person who you loose because of your “cheap” design ideas you gain a bushel and are a blessing to those who feel helpless to make their home a lovely place without a “high end budget”. You are fabulous. Again please keep the post numbers up but don’t break your back- do a reader redesign and live your life!
Christine G says
Paige has got her response spot on. I couldn’t agree more. Why should progress be marked by increasing spend. Surely seeing a better result for the same thrifty budget shows us that perseverance and learning new skills to create your own home are more important than simply having more money to spend in fancier outlets. What next?’This is how we selected the perfect interior designer to source and create our home for us’? Keep doing what you’re doing. And remember your children are only young once – enjoy them!
Sonia Singhal says
we recently bought a house. I could so do winning one of your give aways now. fingers crossed !