You guys have been curious about everything from how our concrete counters are wearing and how our refinished foyer grout is holding up to how our new blogging schedule is working for us. And since we’re not always great at updating you guys (blogging tends to follow an “on to the next thing!” pattern), here’s a big ol’ rundown, which marks the third one in this series (here’s our first one and our second one so you can check out if we covered other topics you’ve wondered about there).
Our Ardex-concrete counters: These guys have largely been awesome, and our sealer choice has made them even more durable than we expected. For example, we thought we’d end up with scratches/divots/marks, but after nearly two and a half months of use, there’s not a one! Not sure if it’s because we haven’t been chef-y enough (we tend to make pretty basic meals, and we hardly wield Top-Chef-sharp knives at all times) or just thanks to the two large wooden cutting boards that we keep on the counter (they’re where we place hot pots and slice things for the most part). We do hear that using the dark stain with the Ardex might show more scratches (we went au-naturale with ours) so that tip might help those considering that option.
As for staining, nearly everything we’ve spilled just sits on the surface and can be wiped away without issue (like how water beads up on sealed wood) so we have only noticed a few splatters (perhaps citrus?) that sat long enough on the counter to soak in and make subtle dark spots on the concrete that can’t be wiped off (below left). They don’t really bother us since the counter has that industrial vibe going on anyway. I did place piping hot tea on the counter and a very very very very vague ring of haze appeared (it’s nearly impossible to see unless you’re a inch away looking at the exact right angle), so we’re sure to use those cutting boards for hot things, and so far there haven’t been any others (below right).
The grout stain in the foyer: Still looks identical to when I applied this stuff back in early January. Even with semi-frequent moppings, muddy shoes/paws, and a whole lot of foot traffic, the grout is holding its own. And it was awesome to hear from folks who used this in spaces like showers many years ago who say theirs is doing just as well.
The appliance paint we used on our fridge: Our bisque-turned-white fridge pretty much looks the same these days, other than having a lot more magnets on it thanks to Clara. The good news is that the magnets don’t seem to scratch or peel the paint off at all, but we did notice a bit of a scraped area along the right side of the door. We think we were carrying something large like lumber and it must have brushed against that edge and scraped it. D’oh. So in summary: everyday use doesn’t seem to hurt it at all (even on the handles where we touch it all the time – or the doors where Clara drags magnets around). Just don’t scrape heavy stuff along the corners and hopefully yours will be in good shape.
Our new washer & dryer: LOVE it! We have been using these guys HARDCORE with a newborn in the mix, and we couldn’t be happier. You can read more about how/why we picked them here, but so far the washer gets things super clean and spins them dry a bunch so they’re only damp when they go into the dryer (bonus: less dryer time, and more encouragement to sun-dry things since they’re not emerging soaking wet). We also really like crouching less thanks to the washer being a top-loader, which is surprisingly handy with a baby in your arms.
Our pantry re-org: This food-storage upgrade has been holding its own. It’s not as perfectly organized as it was back in the day, but it’s such a huge step up from the old dark shelves and no-system-at-all issues it had before. We really like having the microwave tucked in there, and the door organizer and the hanging bread baskets are the MVPs of this makeover. We gained a lot more narrow storage (read: nothing can fall to the back and get lost) and that has been invaluable.
The game closet: This is what our little “toy library” currently looks like after a newborn came into the mix. No, Teddy hasn’t been playing with that stuff, but with a baby in my arms (or on my chest) most of the time, I don’t spend as much time helping Clara put things back in an über organized fashion like I used to (well, most of the time). But although it’s completely messy, all that mess is tucked behind that door – and for that I’m eternally grateful. Clara miraculously still follows the one-thing-out-at-a-time rule, which explains why this chaos isn’t spread out all over our office or living room instead of being contained to this closet. So ultimately: this closet has been a lifesaver. Even if it’s kind of a pit these days. And yes, that’s my Kahleesi wig on the floor. Clara is obsessed. It’s all sorts of hilarious.
Our fiddle leaf figs: There have been a lot of questions about these guys, so the answers are: they were $58 from Home Depot on sale, the red pot is from Lowe’s, and the little wheeled cart that it’s on is also from Lowe’s. I just water them once a week (deeply, usually around 20 ounces or so) and they seem to like indirect sunlight. The one in the corner of the office seems happy for the most part (below left). The other one seemed pretty happy in that other office corner, but when we got the shelves for along that wall I moved him into the dining room. BAD IDEA. Turns out he hated me for it. Not sure why (there still seemed to be indirect light in there, and I kept watering him the same way I always did). So yesterday I moved him into the corner of the kitchen (below right). It’s like a fiddle leaf fig hail-mary. I hope it works.
Our organic mattress: This mattress is half a decade old, and we have been really happy with it. We heard from others who had issues with dents from where their bodies are, but ours doesn’t feel pitted or dented after all this use, and it’s still nice and firm (we like a firm mattress, so we “built” this mattress to that specification).
Our Target hooks: You guys have been asking if we’ve used any of our hooks besides this picture hanger in our house. I put a mismatched group of white ones to use in the closet to hold all of the necklaces that were formerly tangled and crammed into a drawer in my night table. Now I actually wear necklaces! Also: necklaces hypnotize Teddy.
Our white & stained kitchen cabinets: The white painted upper cabinets and wood stained lower cabs are still doing well. It has only been about half a year, but so far, so good. The white isn’t too hard to keep clean (I occasionally wipe down a drip if I see one, or dust the ledges a few times a month when I remember) and the stained lowers have been good too (they hide more dirt and splatters, but I can’t figure out if I like that or if that’s a con, since at least with the white uppers I know they’re clean and a big glob of syrup isn’t blending in). Nothing has chipped off or bubbled or anything, which is nice. We definitely recommend good prep work (sanding, deglosser, etc) and good primer/paint if you’re going the painted route (it can scrape right off without those steps).
Our homemade terrarium: A moment of silence please. This guy is dead as a doornail. Womp-womp. Regardless of keeping it in the sun and using that supposedly helpful “activated charcoal” somehow this one went wrong. So let’s file this under Black Thumb Petersik.
Our Expedit changing table: So far this has been great. We have a big basket of diapers and the wipes are kept on top to the right of the pad. We both have been using it a lot (we even walk upstairs to change him there sometimes since it’s more comfortable than using the ottoman downstairs, where we set up a little station). We haven’t switched to cloth dipes yet (tried them but they’re still a little loose and I live in fear of blowouts these days) but I’m looking forward to seeing how the changing table works for those as well. We’ll probably store the cloth diapers in the same basket where we keep our disposables, and line the white trash pail with a wet-bag and possibly move that into the bathroom so we don’t have to bring diapers that we spray back into the room. Will keep you posted.
Our upstairs hardwoods laid with Elastilon: The hardwoods we chose and the underlayment choice of Elastilon have been awesome for the most part. Our wood floors themselves haven’t felt too soft or scratched/dented, even with a dog and a preschooler beating on them. As for how the flooring is laid, it hasn’t appeared to flex or have any gaps or anything after over a year of use (through extreme heat and extreme cold). The seams look just as good as they did when we laid them, and everywhere that had nice level underlayment feels super solid and nailed down. In other words, you would never know it was a floating hardwood floor instead of a traditional nailed-down version in our hallway, our bedroom, Clara’s room, or Teddy’s room. BUT… (here comes the but)…
… there’s one spot in the guest room where we think the underlayment wasn’t level and we WISH we had known that so we could have fixed it because now that area feels a wee bit bouncy. It doesn’t look janky at all, and guests have said they don’t even notice it when I confess how much that spot bugs us, but it doesn’t have that nailed-down super solid feeling like the rest of the floors do. Boo. But for the most part we love Elastilon, and our hardwoods. Just a warning to anyone using it: unlevel subfloors might make things feel a little flex-y and less solid.
Our scaled back blogging schedule: We’ve been really happy with our decision to slow down. As some of you have wondered, fewer posts have correlated to lower traffic and less income just as we expected, but the change has felt really good to us. I’ve never been a more hands on mom than I’ve been for the last two months, and I’m so grateful that I didn’t miss out on those moments in the name of one more project or one more post.
Do you have anything that you’ve tried and ended up loving or loathing? Feel free to share the gushiness (or the warnings)!
Psst- In the “oops that was a bad call” arena, you can check out this post, this post, & this post. Sometimes the best choice is elusive, but there’s something comforting about the whole if-at-first-you-don’t-succeed-try-try-again thing.
*This post contains affiliate links to things we have purchased and loved*
Catherine says
I was so grateful for your post on the Maytag washer and dryer, since we would soon be in the market for a new washing machine. I’m happy to report that Home Depot delivered it today and everything is going well so far. Thank you so much for the recommendation! It saved my family a lot of time and stress. :)
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo
s
Ashley says
We have concrete counters and I’ve had luck using Magic Erasers on the more stubborn spots (like punch) that don’t wipe up with a wet rag They may dull the sheen of the finish (I haven’t really had any issues with this), but that seems better than having purple punch stain. I just wish I could figure out how to remove the essential oil drips that got on the counter – they turned orange!
I’m glad you’ve settled into a better fitting blog schedule that works for your family. It sounds cheesy, but I think your loyal readers (me!) are simply happy that you’re happy!
~Ashley
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Ashley! And so interesting that a magic eraser works on your concrete counters!
xo
s
Katie says
Thanks for the idea to hang necklaces from the octopus hanger! I don’t know why I never thought of that!!! Just ordered one from Target.com and it will be perfect for necklaces in my bathroom!! So excited!! THANKS! Love y’all!!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet!
xo
s
Alycia says
Love all the update posts. When are we going to get a Teddy update =) Would love to know how sleeping, feeding, etc are going this time around. He looks soooo much like Clara it’s crazy!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! That would be a fun post!
xo
s
Kelly says
This is so helpful. I want to get a natural bed when it’s time to replace our mattress, and it’s great to hear that yours is holding up well.
SB says
I had to laugh…
“This mattress is half a decade old”
why not just say 5 years?
Andrea says
We just got a king size latex mattress from savvy rest last month and love it so far! It’s so heavy, so I’m wondering how we will move it if/when we move out of our townhouse. What did you guys do? Did you take it apart or keep it all zipped up to move? Thanks for the help!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s SO HEAVY! We kept ours together, but it took 3-4 people to carry it!
xo
s
Christine says
My daughter is 8 weeks old and we’ve been using our Bum Genius pocket and All-in-One since she was 3 weeks. She had some blow outs but now she is 13.5 pounds and we haven’t had any blow outs for a few weeks now. And she has very forcefull poops!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, thanks Christine! I think since Clara used our cloth dipes first, they’re a bit looser than they were the first time around, so the leg holes still seem a little baggy. Soon they should fit like a glove I hope!
xo
s
Holly says
Re: the matte wax finish on your table. The British use a furniture wax called Briwax to seal and protect wood furniture. It’s a British product but I found some in Mn at a wood refinished store. You can also find it online. You rub it on, let it dry, buff it until it shines. Very protective. Doesn’t collect or show dust. A wonderful finishing product. Comes in several colors
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
LibraDesignEye says
We who have nearly grown and definitely grown but not yet matriculated fellas(three of them at my house – can you say “man child?”)think back happily to their early days. So glad that you guys are down shifting to enjoy your expanded family at this demanding time. Think of this as your Petersik summer of love!
ErinY says
We have two of your bee hooks, one in each color, that we use to hang up or dog leashes. They make me smile every time I see them!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds so sweet!
xo
s
Amanda L says
How come less posts equal less traffic? I still visit just the same so I am just curious:) Even though there a few less, I still look forward to the next one!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Amanda! Since we used to share six posts per week and now typically share four (one on Monday as opposed to two, and no post on Friday), most people have stopped dropping in a second time on Monday and fewer come by on Friday – so that adds up to less traffic :)
xo
s
Noodles says
Hmm, interesting to know about the counters. No offense, but if you’ve only had them a couple of months and they’re already getting marked up, then they’re are not durable at all! Anyone who is even slightly “chef-y” (um, right) is going to have things like spices fall off the boards or spill and be pretty disappointed in them. Or my kid will spill orange juice and not wipe it all up and there’s another mark? It’s good to know because I’m redoing my kitchen soon and concrete counters were something I was looking at – I will definitely not be going this way now.
Alice says
Thanks for the updates! For a future post, I’d be interested in any pros/cons you’ve discovered on hardwood floors in bedrooms. I’ve thought wall to wall would be cozier and also warmer in the winter, but your floors look so great that I’m now wondering which to pick. Also, any general ssues with water stains or spills (or potential cat furball ‘issues’ -sorry Burger)? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We like area rugs in bedrooms, so it’s hardwood flooring but the main area of the room is still warm underfoot and feels cozy (no general issues with spills since we don’t have much more than water in the bedrooms). I think it’s all personal preference though. We had wall to wall carpeting in an apartment when we first moved to VA and it felt harder to keep clean (it was light colored carpeting, so instead of vacuuming around the corners with hardwoods and getting them super clean, things felt dingy around the corners of the carpets where dust felt like it never quite came up 100%).
xo
s
Bethany says
I always thought I’d prefer hardwoods in the main areas of a home but carpet in the bedrooms (like Alice mentioned), but I didn’t think about the cleaning aspect. I have cats, and there is a ton of kitty litter trapped between the carpet and the wall and it’s nearly impossible to get out. SUPER GROSS. Definitely something to think about for the future!
Kristy says
My fiddleleaf fig has been going strong since I got it a few months ago. I moved it on our patio for about two hours this weekend so I could deep clean the house and the poor fiddleleaf looked so depressed! Droopy leaves. I moved it back to its normal place and gave it some water. It’s starting to perk back up, but it’s so funny how finicky plants can be.
Kati says
I want to know how you seemingly flawlessly layer blacks, whites and grays with tans, browns, creams and beiges. I am always drawn to grey-based color palettes, but in our apartment, it’s builder-blah tan everywhere, with no wall painting in sight. BUT your entryway is that sandy beige-y color (right?) and it seems perfect with the stripy runner. Then, you have grey countertops that I find really attractive with the dark brown tuxedo cabinets. What am I missing?
Kati says
*Wish I could edit.*
… As it doesn’t seem to be working in my place. Every bit of black, white and gray look out of place here. Beige to Gray: “There’s not room enough in this palette for the both of us!” *Sticks tongue out.
YoungHouseLove says
I wonder if you need a little more of certain colors to make them all fit in so one doesn’t feel odd-man-out. For example, one hit of gray might look out of place but layering in a few (soft gray in a pillow, some art that’s deep gray, and a medium gray somewhere) might work? For example, I think our runner would look oddly dark, but the console table in the foyer is also deep brown/black, and the railing is that color too (as well as the framing on the light being black). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Kati says
So… you’re saying more stuff? Art, pillows, accessories? YOU GOT IT. It does help, thanks! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Good luck Kati!
xo
s
Alexa S. says
I love the makeover <3 Awesome tips for a novice :)
Sarah says
I love your idea of sharing the current status of completed projects. I always seem to have some that stand the test of time and orthers that just don’t. I too have a few plants suffering a slw death.
Cristin says
Firstly, I have to say thank you for introducing me to cloth diapers. I found your first post about them before I was even pregnant and decided it was something I wanted to do. We’ve been cloth diapering for about 4 months now (we also skipped the newborn phase) and I love it. So thanks for that.
I was reading through the comments and noticed you said your diaper elastics were a little loose. It’s actually super easy (I promise!) to fix those and it’s kind of satisfying too. Plus much less blowout-fear :) There are all kinds of tutorials online. I even think Bum Genius sells elastic replacement kits, but elastic from Joann’s works too.
The other thing I was going to comment on was your wet bags – we were going to do the same thing but then I got afraid the humidity from the sprayed diapers would rust the metal trash can, so I bought a $10 plastic can from Target with a latching lid that has worked out perfectly.
Sorry this is long! Teddy and Clara are so cute!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tips Cristin!
xo
s
Melinda says
So happy that everything is working out well! What about that cute blue centerpiece planter you made with Clara and filled with red and yellow cacti and cute succulents? Did that hold up better than the terrarium?
YoungHouseLove says
Still alive! Those guys thrive on neglect! I lost one of them to some weird rot it looked like, but the rest are going strong! Need to work them into a pic soon!
xo
s
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Oh my goodness that last photo is mini Sherry and mini John!!!
Can you believe all the way down in Australia I have the same orange necklace as you?
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Julie says
Love these posts! Question about your w&d. I have the same ones (except in the gray trimmed model) but unfortunately not loving the washer. It doesn’t seem to get all the stains, especially food remnants on my toddler’s shirts. I always use the “heavy/bulky” setting or whichever the largest load one is. And I max out the capacity without going over the line. Any tips on what you’re doing that is getting your clothes super clean as intended?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, could it be your laundry detergent? We just wash on cold most of the time with Seventh Generation detergent and everything seems to come out (not even on heavy/bulk). We’ve heard from folks who use these models with cloth diapers (which definitely need to be cleaned thoroughly to emerge without stains) and they rave about them, so I’m wondering if there might be a defect with yours or something? Did your clothes used to come out clean and lately they have been worse? Maybe the agitator isn’t functioning?
xo
s
Michelle says
I’m generally don’t comment, I just lurk, but I am thrilled that scaling back on the blogging has worked out for the best. Yes, we all miss your posts, but those extra “mom moments” are priceless. I hope that you continue to enjoy every single minute!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Michelle!
xo
s
Morgan says
Sorry, I can’t figure out how to directly reply to your reply to my comment on page two re: stove painting and losing the heat setting marks when you paint over them. But I wanted to let you know that in researching possibly doing this myself, I’ve seen the use of vinyl decals (http://www.rightonthewalls.com/vinyl-wall-decal/diy-kitchen-stove-vinyl-decals/) and someone else designed stickers themselves in photoshop and then had them printed at Kinkos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6JcpZmbwTQ). Just thought I’d pass those options along!
YoungHouseLove says
SO smart!!
xo
s
Lindsey Neidig says
My terrarium died too- must figure out a way to keep one (just one!) plant alive while in my care. At least my two young daughters are thriving.
Cindy says
Love the updates, nice to see what has/hasn’t worked. We have the blue octopus hanging in our kitchen. I hang my ring on there when I’m washing dishes or making dinner. We purchased a new house around the same time as you guys, unfortunately we aren’t as far along in the progress of updating….sigh.
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet to hear that blue octo has a spot in your kitchen! And good luck on the house. It takes forever, but it’s always (well, usually!) worth it :)
xo
s
Summer says
I am glad that things are going well – my favorite update was the update on the reduced schedule. I am so happy that it is going well. I cut my hours at work significantly a couple of years ago and our family could not be happier. Also, God has helped us make the almost 40% drop in income work and it sounds like it is working for you too. I love stories of people choosing more family time!!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so awesome Summer! Congrats!
xo
s
Beth says
Hey Guys!! I know you’ve had lots of questions about ‘Karl’ in the past and you are really great about keeping us updated on how he’s doing, but I have yet another question for you…..
We have the same Karl fabric as you and I need to wash one or two of the cushion covers. Have you done this and did you notice any fading or colour difference after washing those? I’m hoping not to have to wash the whole darn thing!
Love your blog! I’m glad to hear that you are enjoying the extra time you get to spend with the kids!
YoungHouseLove says
We have always washed them all at once but never noticed any fading so it should hopefully be ok!
xo
s
Megan says
Great post! I do adore those figs… but alas, they don’t carry them at our HD. Also, REALLY impressed with the way your entryway is holding up. I think that grout pen is your most winning, not-widely-known product to date! As for the succlents, forget all the special stuff (namely the terrarium!)… mine do amazing in glass, with just a pea gravel base and (tropical) miracle grow potting soil. Also, I find the more direct sunlight – the better, which surprised me.
Lastly, so happy to hear you’re enjoying your slower pace, but also surpised to hear it’s generated less income/traffic? I have noticed the comments being a bit down, but I would assume your impressions/subscribers has not lost ground overall. Has less blog work allowed for bigger projects in the works or is it strictly family time? As a Mom of 3 who’s “baby” turned 4 yesterday… you will never regret savoring these times. Ever.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Megan! Impressions are down since people come less often (there are no longer new posts on Monday afternoon & Friday, so most people aren’t stopping by 6 times a week anymore). As for what we’re doing with that extra time, it’s definitely landing in the family column (it’s amazing how much time a newborn can fill up!). We do have other projects that we agreed to before Teddy came along (like our second book and product stuff) but we’re trying not to add anything new to our plates right now :)
xo,
s
mary says
random, but have you seen this AT article? thought you’d appreciate it! http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ocd-obsessive-craigslist-disorder-205129
YoungHouseLove says
SO FUNNY!!
xo
s
Karlie says
Good for you for scaling back. It’s refreshing to read a blog so family-oriented. That you are willing to sacrifice for what is most important says a lot about you as a couple. I love your blog for that very reason!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Karlie!
xo
s
Joy says
Thanks for the updates! I am expecting a little one in 4 weeks, so I was wondering what you think of Honest diapers and your video monitor so far?
YoungHouseLove says
Really like Honest diapers. There was a phase where they kept leaking but we went a size up and it was all better. As for our monitor, the little stand broke for standing it up on the table so now it lays flat but that’s just fine. Works great otherwise!
xo
s
Rachel says
As always around our house, we are asking “WWJSD?” again! What do you use to vacuum your stair runner? We have two sets of carpeted stairs and our Dyson is soooo heavy, so we are looking for something lightweight that still has good suction power. Somehow I’m sure that you’ve chosen something lightweight and are not lugging around a Dyson. ;) Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Sometimes when I’m too tired to hold the upright vac I’ll use the handheld one, but usually it’s just the stand-up vacuum that we have. It’s heavy though, you’re right!
xo
s
Nikki says
Do you think the Grout Renew would work on kitchen counters? We have old school tile, and I would like to freshen up the grout as a “Phase 1” update, but I wonder if it’s unsafe to use around food prep areas?
YoungHouseLove says
Not sure! Maybe try contacting them to ask about the food safe thing?
xo
s
Amanda says
Haha! I love the drawer video and that you never take yourselves too seriously… must be what keeps you so humble (and that’s admirable). Great decision to prioritize your family first!
Shay says
Love the update posts!
I’m sure you’ve gotten lots of tips already but here are my two cents:
terrariums + succulents = a bad time.
It’s very hard to keep them alive cause they don’t like the extra moisture (just like a cactus). I think you would have much better luck with leafy plants; like something recommended for a bathroom.
As for your fig; replant it! Get a good layer of rocks on the bottom of the pot for drainage. And then ignore it. I know people say they are delicate plants, and my husband thought I was crazy to buy one since succulents tend to be the only green things that like me, but really they just need space.
And don’t freak out from the leaves dropping down after a move. That’s just it’s moody teenage way of saying it’s upset with you. It’ll get over it as long as it still gets light. I found my plants (which I divided into two pots and have very different lighting) don’t need water more then once or twice a month. Honestly I’d rather underwater them and let a little drop tell me they are ready then over water which is much harder to come back from.
I miss your crazy posting schedule, but as others have said I completely respect your decision to slow down and enjoy family time together.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Shay!
xo
s
Megan says
I’m just so proud of you guys! with as many people who look to your blog for a little house inspiration you sure do a lot of life inspiration – – thanks for that! FYI I haven’t minded the slower pace posts one bit! I mean… I’m busy! I can’t look at the internet all the time (as much as I’m tempted). This last post was so long and picture heavy that I actually broke it up into a couple days (ha!) and it felt like a new post each day. Happy blogging guys! ILUVYHL
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Megan!
xo
s
Monnaie Ernakulam says
Beautiful interior designing and interior furnishing!
James mason says
Love that blue front door!
Eliza says
I usually just lurk your blog, but this time I had to post!
I absolutely loved your organization skills. Your game closet looks awesome. I find it unbelievable that Clara still follows the one-at-a-time rule :P I wish my kids followed it as well!
Thank you for this lovely post!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Eliza!
xo
s
Alisha says
I love your blog! I think it was a wonderful decision to put your family first. I still check back daily to see what is new from you guys. You have a loyal reader in me! I am so happy to hear your grout is holding up. I just did our bathroom & I love it! Quick question, where did you find your Ariel magnets? My daughter would flip over those. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Those were a birthday gift from her friend Rhys, but maybe try Target or Toys R Us?
xo
s
Brittany says
I am SO happy you posted a follow up to the counter tops! My husband and I were going back and forth on whether we should do that or not as a cheap “upgrade” from our awful laminate. I think the answer is YES! Also, I am so happy for y’all that you decided to post less. I know I don’t need to tell you this but you’ll never get this time back and in 20 years when you have an empty nest I know you’ll be so happy you made this decision!!
Tiffany says
Thanks for the info about your grout renew experience. Would you please share how do you clean your tile floor? Do you have any tips? This is my first house with a tile kitchen, and I haven’t found a good routine yet. Thanks for your fun and beautiful website.
YoungHouseLove says
I usually just use an oMop (found it at Target) and some mild soap like watered down Dr Bronner’s or Mrs Meyers. Then I do one wipe-down with water after the mild soap wipe-down to make sure it’s all up.
xo
s
Aurelie says
Hey guys, thanks for the update. Love to hear how everything is going for you all. I was wondering how you’re liking your new car… Sounds like it came in handy with hauling stuff to the show house (which was gorgeous by the way). We are a two Prius family but with two little ones and a dog it’s feeling kind of tight at times. We are looking at the highlander and some other SUV types. But it seems hard to go from hybrid to SUV from a mileage standpoint. Anyway, thanks again for sharing! And so very glad you are taking more time for you and your family :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Aurelie! We are loving our Highlander! It was great for the showhouse stuff and it’s really coming in handy with Teddy here and book shoots in full swing. I feel like we always have something huge in the back! Haha!
xo
s
Leah says
Hi there – Planning a “for now” DIY kitchen renovation on a budget. I really like the look soapstone, and I am debating between painting my old linoleum countertops with black countertop paint then chalkboard paint, or stained ardex to achieve the look. Do you think that if I used a dark/black concrete stain and matte sealer the Ardex countertops would resemble soapstone?
Thanks so much for your thoughts!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, that sounds like a good way to get that look!
xo
s
Jessica says
I love your blog and have been reading for at least four years now. ( if not more) and I think it’s wonderful that you are making your family a priority over the blog. And I actually find it much easier to keep up on your blog now too and read all your posts. Whereas before when I would get behind I just could not always quite catch up and that bothered me because I don’t want to miss any of your great advice or ideas. Keep up the good work!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Jessica, I’m so glad to hear that!
xo
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Kim says
Yay! I’m glad the slowing down is working for y’all. Confession: I’m actually happier reading your blog knowing that you’ve slowed down. I think I was anxious for you guys earlier :) Our family is slowing down soon as well (as I quit my job!) so kudos to you guys for enjoying the season!
YoungHouseLove says
Congrats Kim! And thanks so much!
xo
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Angela says
I’m all caught up with your sweet family and had a thought. You mentioned slowing down your blogging schedule caused less traffic and less income. I applaud your decision to make your family first :). A few weeks after you slowed down, I stopped getting email notifications even though I’m still subscribed. It’s probably a change in spam filter algorithms or something, but I wonder if this has happened to other readers and that might be affecting traffic more than blogging a little less often?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Angela! That’s a great thought. That email change definitely happened right as we announced our slowdown (nearly every email network changed algorithms, so I think only gmail works for our feed these days). We’ve been meaning to find another feed service in the hopes of getting around that, but just haven’t had a moment to do that yet. Soon I hope!
xo
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1008 Hollywalk Park says
I’m so glad that the grout paint is going strong as I copied you and gave my conservatory tiles a facelift at Easter and I’m pleased as punch with how it turned out.
Jennifer says
Chiming in late. Love the blog, love to hear updates about how you are liking things. Wondering how your painted floor is? We’re thinking of ripping up the nasty carpet and painting the floor in our den until we can save up to lay hardwoods. But I’m concerned about how it would hold up.
Bought 3 of your bee hooks for our 5 year old daughter. She LOVES them!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Jennifer! It’s still holding up really well! No chipping or flaking at all – and even a drop of paint from a project popped right off thanks to the sealer.
xo
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