Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Any Given Day

Can you believe it has already been almost five months since we shared a house tour with you guys? So I decided to walk around with the Flip cam and show you how each room can look on an average day (since we had lots of fun with a no-cleaning-first tour back in April). And yes, this is the real deal. I didn’t pick up a thing (as demonstrated by my embarrassing bra on the chair in our bedroom, so just pretend you didn’t see that, ok?). Oh and for those of you who are at work, you can watch it on mute and pretty much get the gist of the average everyday glory. Or just try to read my lips (just kidding, I’m not on camera).

Things to note:

  • I taped this before ORBing the daylights out of the hardware on the front door and the sliding doors, which is why it’s still brassy (it always takes me a few days to remember to upload videos)
  • I’m terrible at walking around, talking, and holding a camera (it’s too much multitasking, so pardon the Blair Witch Project-ness)
  • I’ve listened to this five times trying to hear Natalie Portman or Mila Kunis (since you guys say you hear it) and I can’t. I really tried though.
  • I have no idea why I take time to point out that we have a Ruby Tuesday’s coupon on our desk. It’s so weird what you think is noteworthy.
  • I should have paused to turn the ironing board so it points up during the video, thereby resnagging the win in Ironing Board Wars on camera (more on that here).
  • Burger is so cute. I love how he’s just chilling under the covers. Life’s good when you’re a nine pound chihuahua.
  • Sorry I’m almost completely inaudible for the second half of the video. Sleeping baby = paranoid whispering mom (which is ironic because we hammer while she naps – just not right outside her door).
  • You can see that I still have yet to rehang the ribbon chandelier from Clara’s closet that I took down to paint and stencil the closet (it’s in a pile in our disaster of a playroom).
  • Yes, it sounds like there’s a waterfall in Clara’s room. It’s her sound machine (mentioned here) which drowns out things like DIY projects and our barky dog.
  • I like how I completely forgot an entire room (the sunroom) and galloped back through the house to show you things like squished pillows and a blow-up whale pool.
  • The rocker in the sunroom really is trying to kill me (remember when I talked about it waaay back here in November – um yeah, not much progress)
  • My dramatic ending on Clara’s stuffed animal is beyond weird (yes, we named her Georgia because she’s from there). What is wrong with me?

What about you guys. What would people see if you randomly made a shaky nausea-inducing video of your house before picking up a single thing? Anything embarrassing out there like a Carebear night light in the bedroom or an NKOTB poster in the closet? John actually had a Britney Spears calendar when I met him in 2004. Not lying. And she was wearing things like red leather bodysuits and braided pigtails. What can I say, my man has good taste.

Speaking of which, I was just going through old folders on my laptop and I found a bunch of funny old pics that I thought I’d share in the spirit of “any given day.” Here’s me and Alicia Keys back in 2005. We’re old friends. Just kidding, but I did get to meet a bunch of celebs when I used to work in advertising back in NYC (and they were all super nice except for one “star” who is rumored to be not nice – and let me tell you the rumor is true).

Me Alicia

Here’s John’s passport pic from when he was 16 next to the one snapped when he was 24. Aw, Johnny’s all grown up.

John Passport

Here’s John as a life-sized doll back in 2005 when we worked together (we met at an ad agency named Lowe where I was a copywriter and John was an account guy – aka: a suck up). The entire office cracked up about this project (it was for a certain deodorant client of ours). I definitely prefer John The Doll to the smarmy Ken doll that I had growing up.

John Doll

Aw, here’s our engagement announcement photo (that we emailed to a bunch of friends and family, hence the photoshopped writing) from 2006. It was snapped about a minute after John got down on one knee at the top of a mountain (more on that here). Best day ever. Well, top five at least.

Engagementpic

So how’s that for Friday randomness? What odd old photos are sitting around on your computer? Would you ever have guessed where you’d be today five years ago? We had no idea we wouldn’t both still be working in advertising (we really liked it and miss it all the time!) and after six years of calling NYC home, I never thought I’d leave. So funny how things work out.

Psst- Check out our first ever messy house tour here (it’s fun to see how many rooms have changed since April when we filmed it).

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    I love your videos and it’s crazy to see the difference in YHL style from the first house to this house!

    If you wanted to do a side-by-side of rooms past and present, I wouldn’t hate it :)

    Reply

  3. Christine says

    I talked my husband into buying some spray paint to paint some trim for a cabinet in our kitchen. I kept telling him about the blog and that you guys use it for everything. (I am not even sure he even know what a blog is – LOL)
    He is a total convert. The finish looks perfect and now he is going around the house looking for other things he can spray paint. I am hoping our door hardware is next. He does not think it can be done – and now I have proof!

    Reply

  4. cas says

    random thought for the awesome looking “play room”- I also have a space that just collected art, and pictures, and randome things (upstairs guest room)… then one day after a trip to some crazy resturant that had mismatched junk all over the walls I went up and hung EVERYTHING on the walls, and put up shelf ledges to display the other things.

    this made things easily accessable, i could change them out with others in the main room and replace them in the room. it was kind of sensory over kill for a moment, but with a plain rug and plain furniture, it is now by far one of my favorite rooms. it is like your picture hallway, only all 4 walls are covered, most frames match, but the ones that dont just add that much appeal.

    I figure a little spackel is all it will take once i figure out what i want to do with the room for real down the line, but for now, its a fun place to go and see all the memories.

    Reply

  6. Kristen says

    Oh you guys! One more reason I love your blog so much! I always try to pick up around the house before we go to bed every night, but this past week has been crazy! This morning as we were leaving to work, I said to my husband that our house is such a mess! And he was all, what are you talking about?! So your “messy” house tour is really not that bad! And plus I think it shows all of us who write about our homes and projects and well, LIFE, shouldn’t be under as much pressure to make everything look so perfect all the time. Now I can think, see, John and Sherry have a messy house too! :)

    Reply

  8. Paloma says

    So it brings me some comfort to know that you have one of those rooms where everything goes when you don’t know what to do with it. We call ours the “oubliette” after the room from Labyrinth where they put people to forget about them. :P

    Reply

  11. Rebecca says

    In college, I frequently ran through Colonial Williamsburg after dark. I cannot tell you how many times “TJ” scared the crap out of me. I don’t know why I would never remember that it was a sculpture and not a perv sitting in the shadows.

    Reply

  12. Samantha says

    I love that you tried listening for Mila & Natalie.. I have been thinking you sound like Mila for a while, but now that you mention Natalie I think your voice is actually a mix between the two!

    Reply

  14. Lucy says

    Having spent the last few weeks (after discovering your blog) trawling your archives, being totally inspired by all your mad DIY skillz and totally in awe of just how clean and tidy your house always looks (even with a dog and a 1 year old) I am so relieved to see you guys are totally normal after all! ;-) Thanks Sherry, you give me hope that although my house is a minefield of part-completed crafts, half finished DIY projects, too much clutter, two cats and a husband, perhaps there’s hope for us yet! x

    Reply

  15. Sara says

    Yep, very refreshing to see. When I read a blog, I sometimes forget that things take time to do…tidying up before a photo, the to do list and preparation… Reality.
    Your dog, burrowing under you covers, ADORABLE!

    Reply

  17. Amanda says

    I totally have quite a few pictures next to Mr. Jefferson too! It was always a game to could see how could take the most pictures with the most statues in Williamsburg growing up!

    Reply

  18. Wom-mom Ethne says

    I like in the engagement photo how John’s hat is turned backwards so he could give you a smooch after you said “yes!”. Too cute. On another note, I’ve posted my messy not-picked-up house into the blogosphere as well (I call it the final frontier to get to that last room where all the homeless stuff is stored – like your guest bedroom), which is a little embarassing but everyone can relate anyway.

    Reply

  19. bridget b. says

    to borrow from some celebrity weekly, you guys are “just like us” even though you’re blog stars. very reassuring.

    i’m so paranoid that i actually “pre-clean” before our cleaning service comes so that they won’t think that we are total slobs. i pick all the clothes up off the floor and try to get rid of random clutter on our counters and dining table. my husband thinks i’m nuts for doing this. :)

    Reply

  20. Sarah says

    Thanks for the tour! We all like to see others who are “normal.” My guess is Star Jones. (from your “star” hint)

    Reply

  21. Sydney says

    This was a very entertaining post! I personally loved the little dun-dun-dun-dun ending on Georgia, it made me laugh, and I also feel relieved to know that other people’s houses can look that crazy. I try my hardest but messes just come out of nowhere-and we don’t even have kids yet! Also, John at 16=so cute. And the pic with TJ also made me laugh. You guys are great.

    Reply

  24. Anna says

    Such a sweet and amusing tour! That’s why we all here hooked to your blog: because it’s about real people living in a real house, full of “infectious” optimism and affordable (but chic) style. Thak you!
    Your Burger is really a bon vivant doggie…

    Reply

  25. Sonja says

    You totally do sound like Mila Kunis.

    Love the messy house tours. They make me feel so much better about my own mess, yet somehow inspired to clean.

    Reply

  26. JennCfrGA says

    I love the old pics you shared. Wow, I see allota Clara in John’s teenage passport photo.
    My first guess on the “celebrity” was Mariah Carey, but Star Jones would have been my second guess ;)
    Have a great weekend!

    Reply

  27. Corinne says

    I can’t watch the video at work but I feel better already knowing that it’s a “messy” house tour! I have crap EVERYWHERE in my house, but that’s because I don’t have shelves or ledges or bookcases or any of that awesome stuff to give everything a place. I loved the last video, so I’ll be sure to watch this one when I get home at lunch!

    I was actually talking with some friends the other day about where we were in the early 2000s. So not exactly 5 years ago, but still kind of a long time ago, right? And no, 5 years ago, I never thought that I would be back in Ohio, working in a field completely unrelated to the one I was working in at the time. I really thought I’d be back in Florida by now!

    Reply

  28. Lara says

    I vote Natalie Portman! I definitely don’t hear Mila Kunis. Isn’t it funny how weird your own voice sounds on camera? hehe

    Reply

  30. Kayla says

    I’m new to this blog and I’m loving it! It’s a great idea to show an average house condition. As I watched the video I saw you said you’re having a rug/chair problem. Can you turn the run a quarter turn and have it jetting out from under the couch?

    Loving to see your cute house in a practical state,
    Kayla

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yeah, we have a lot of plans for the office so right now we’re sort of in the very beginning stages. That rug might not even end up staying in there, but we’ll keep you guys posted!

      xo,
      s

  32. Kelli says

    I love that you are willing to show us the video w/o picking up a thing. I only wish our house looked like that on “any given day”! It was all I could do to leave the towel hanging over the shower curtain on my latest post!

    Reply

  34. Lilly says

    I meant to ask u about those white stacking chairs in the living room. Are they any comfortable? I was thinking about buying some that look just like them, so just wondering.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yup, I’ve have them for 8 years I think! Originally from ebay for $40 for four of them! They were orangey wood colored things but I painted them white a while back. Very comfy- and they slip in almost anywhere since they’re not too big.

      xo,
      s

  35. Jessie says

    I bet the not so nice “Star” is Star Jones??? If so , i’m a good guesser because I don’t keep up with any of her rumors, if not I hope someone does guess /tell I’m dying to know….. Love the reality of your house.. messy – just like mine.. LOL!

    Reply

  36. Sabrina says

    I see Clara’s blossoming pile of toys. Our daughter’s toys are over taking our whole house and we can’t put them anywhere till our basement is remodeled downstairs. Which will be next year! She also has a mental inventory of EVERYTHING so if I get rid of one little thing she knows! Speaking of celebs, my old boyfriend used to own a Deli that a certain piano man used to frequent, and he was a royal D-nozzle! (both old b/f and said piano man) lol

    Reply

  37. Melissa says

    First of all, the header is looking good!

    Secondly, I noticed you have the Karlstad corner sofa that we are looking at getting. How long is the side that’s not against the wall? Ikea says 94″, but I don’t know if that includes the corner piece or not. I know, totally random question. Thanks though!

    Reply

  38. Marta says

    I love the tour videos! Thanks for sharing, you guys just always make my day :) Burger was especially cute in this video!

    Reply

  39. Sandy says

    you got me at bubble maker…
    :o)
    Fun video, we have a sound machine for our little one too…but if we don’t, we leave the bathroom fan on and it drowns out our dog noise too.
    She sings to opera and violins and barks at pictures of animals on tv…

    Does Burger have any fun talents?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      He barks at anyone outside, growls at animals on TV, can sit, stay, lay down, and all that jazz. But his two best talents are the fact that he “swims” whenever you hold him over water (even over the running sink water or the toilet, his arms and legs go crazy and he starts to paddle) and he can do an amazing “leave it trick” where I can basically put something that he wants so bad (ex: a bite of my hamburger) in my open palm and say “leave it” and shove it under his nose and he won’t touch it until I say “take it.” He looks tortured though, so it’s kind of sad/funny. Such a good boy!

      xo,
      s

  42. Debbie says

    you guys were like a modern day mad men! i met my love at work too. well, its his company actually, so techincally for the last 7 yrs ive been sleeping w/ the boss & let me tell you, the perks are fab!

    Reply

  43. Kate F. says

    As a William and Mary alumna, I have to say that I love your pic with TJ. He’s a great sport about all the photos people want to take with him.

    Reply

  44. Lynn @ SafeBeauty says

    Mmmmhhmmm I knew it was her. Did you see her on Celebrity Apprentice? That chick be crazy! And if I see way too much of her thigh due to her age-inappropriate dress length again on the Today Show I just might go blind. You of course have no idea who I am talking about though so…..

    My best, Lynn

    Reply

  45. Shauna says

    OMGosh I LOVE your ZGallerie sconces from your old bedroom, it’s so sad to see them in your playroom on the floor!! Send them to me, I’ve got the perfect place for them :)

    Reply

  46. Sarah @ w30 says

    Cute post! I have to say, it might just be worth a trip to Richmond if I could come shop your garage-sale-room!

    BTW – The John doll is hilarious. What happened to it? If you kept it (which I doubt – maybe a bit cumbersome), it could come in pretty handy as a “house sitter” when you go out of town or just want to freak someone out! :)

    Reply

  47. Gen says

    Hi! This is my first time leaving a comment, and it actually has to do with yesterday’s post. You talked about the white duvet cover from IKEA and about how you weren’t sure if it was “the one” or not. I just have a suggestion that you might want to consider. It’s the Organic Pintuck duvet cover from West Elm. It is a bit more (double?) than the IKEA one, but I have it and it is really beautiful! Here’s the link: http://www.westelm.com/products/organic-cotton-pin-tuck-duvet-cover-and-shams-b340/?pkey=cduvet-covers.

    Reply

  49. Dani says

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who seems to grow a bit of clutter around my house. Albeit, your house looks much better and tidier than mine. Side note: I think it’s funny you named Clara’s toy Georgia. That’s my mom’s name and I love it!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We got her in Georgia with Katie Bower and it seemed fitting! So she has two stuffed best friends: Gee the Giraffe and Georgia (who looks like a stuffed Burger). Haha.

      xo,
      s

  50. Sharon says

    Sherry—-did you say average everyday glory or “gory”??? Just kidding, glad to see you all are human. Because I could learn to hate you if you were always so NEAT.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, gory might be more appropriate. Especially on a day like today when Clara’s toys are waaay crazier in the living room. Can’t walk without stepping on something crazy.

      xo,
      s

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