Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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We Made The Washington Post!

Considering that delivering The Washington Post was my first real job (because what 6th grader doesn’t like getting up at 5am everyday?), it’s kind of an “is this real life?” full circle moment for me that my current gig (this blog) has landed us in the pages of that very same newspaper. My dad (a.k.a. my newspaper delivery partner) has never been more proud. We had no idea it would be such a big write up (with a giant cover picture in the Local Living section, but after we got over our vanity (is my hair weird? does Clara look cute?) we couldn’t believe how awesome it was. Who are we and what did we do to deserve this? But enough blabbering. I gush when I’m excited.

Here are a few shots of the paper for ya (click ’em to enlarge) and of course you can see them in the flesh if you get The Washington Post. And you can read most of the article online here, here, and here (there are three parts to the story, but some of the pics are different than the ones in the actual newspaper article). And if the article has been archived, you can download PDFs of the text here, here and here.

WPost Cover Small

We especially loved this cool call-out thing they did with our old den about where we got stuff/what we paid for it:

As for the pics, the Washington Post scooped us on a few things. Haha. It takes us a few days for us to do projects, take pics, and write posts – so they slipped through and snapped photos of things we’ll be sharing in the next few days. Should be fun…

Anyway, thanks to Terri Sapienza for the write up (us? really?) and for coming down to our house to hang out for the interview (which couldn’t have been less scary even though it sounded crazy intimidating when we first heard that she wanted to do it). She was a blast to have over and we realized that her husband and I lead eerily similar lives (beyond being married to women with rhyming names).

Oh and how insane is it that they actually called Nate Berkus for a quote about us (remember when we met him here)? Sherry just about died when she saw that. There were no words for about ten minutes, which is a total record for her. Consider us flattered (or too giddy for our own good if you’re Sherry- really she’s doing that uncontrollable giggle thing over here). Here’s his quote:

“First of all, they’re adorable,” says talk show host and designer Nate Berkus. In the fall, the Petersiks appeared on “The Nate Berkus Show” as DIY experts and judges for a design challenge. “Their delivery is particularly charming and endearing, and their information is delivered in a smart way,” Berkus says.  “ . . . I think Young House Love could easily transition into a TV program.”

How crazy is that? Seeing the paper this morning was like an out of body experience for both of us. We also think it’s hilarious that Nate thinks YHL could be a TV show, because we’ve actually been approached a few times about that over the past few years but are always quick to decline. We’re definitely TV people (I mean we like to watch it) but we don’t want to actually be TV people (as in, be on it). We’re much more comfortable hiding behind the safety of our computer screens. And as Sherry likes to say “we don’t wanna Jon & Kate ourselves, ya know?!” Besides, putting the blog on hold for weeks of filming might leave us with a serious case of withdrawal.

Side tangent officially over. Anyway, you may have noticed some other paper-related news revealed in the article: we’re in the very early stages of writing a book! Like a real one. That they’d actually have in Barnes & Noble. How crazy is that? When a few book agents and publishers approached us over a year ago, we figured that with all of the writing that we’ve done online each day over the past 3.5 years (over 1,752 posts and 891,000 words published) perhaps writing something offline could be a natural side project for us – especially if the topic is DIY and home stuff. Because you know that does it for us. But don’t worry, the blog will still be priority numero uno. After all it’s our first baby (well second, the birth order goes: Burger, YHL, Clara).

So after over a year of fine tuning our book proposal (yeah, it took forever, and ended up being 150+ pages long) we sent it out, held our breath, and were shocked and awed to be signed by Artisan/Workman. For a few weeks we were scared they would come to their senses, realize we’re dorks, and say nevermind – but holy bananas, it’s a done deal. And the process was kind of crazy and interesting, so for anyone else out there who’s looking to write a book proposal (and eventually a book), we’re planning a post about how it all went down and what that experience has been like for us.

There’s still an entire manuscript to be written, so it would be premature to say exactly what the book will be about, but we do know that it’s not going to be some fancy interior design coffee table book or a sordid behind-the-scenes tell-all novel with shirtless Fabio (or shirtless me) on the cover.

We’re aiming to capture the don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously DIY spirit of our site without regurgitating a lot of stuff that you’ve already seen slash read here (we want it to feel fresh and new). And of course it’ll have budget friendly ideas along with fast & easy projects that anyone can do (except if you’re tied to a pole). Since publishing a book takes much longer than publishing a blog post, we’re scheduled for a fall 2012 release – and we’re mucho excited. We couldn’t wait to spill the beans to you guys after lots of months spent biting our tongues and keeping cats in bags.

So that’s the news up our sleeve at the moment. I guess it’s only polite to ask – what’s new with you these days?

UPDATE: Check out this more recent post about the book-writing process.

Comments

  2. Tanja says

    Congratulations Guys this is all amazing news and I’m so happy for both of you (and burger & Clara too!).

    I can’t wait for the book, I’ll be first in line to pre-order on Amazon.

    Cheers, Tanja

    Reply

  3. Ashlee says

    Congratulations!!! I was telling my husband the other night that you guys are going to be huge! I can so see you guys getting a TV show on HGTV or something! :)

    Reply

  7. Mia says

    Okay so I am giddy at the thought of you guys coming out with a book! I am a newbie to the blog and I was wondering where do you guys get the time and money for all these fabulous DIYs?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re actually really cheap. Haha. So a lot of our projects are free and whenever we can we we buy stuff from thrift stores and make things for cheap ourselves, like art. We also love painting furniture or cabinets for a new look and doing anything else we can to work with what we already have. Of course the new house has us buying a lot more stuff than usual (just because we have so many empty rooms to fill) but we’ve been saving up since deciding to move last September so it’s not too much of a shock that we have to buy a rug or a table here or there. Oh and craigslist! We actually sold two of our old sofas to get money to put towards our projects. And we make our own meals at home and I even cut John’s hair to save money. If you check out our Projects page (see that tab under our blog header?) and scroll down to the “Money Saving Tips” chapter that has lot of other things we do! Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  8. aluck says

    I’m super excited for you all! I can’t wait to buy the book! Is it weird that I almost feel proud? ha! You all look wonderful from the pictures of the paper I’ve seen. I don’t get the Washington Post here in SW Va. :(

    Reply

  10. Randa says

    So very very exciting. I’m hoping my family in Rockville, MD sees the article. :)

    Also very exciting is the sneak peak at some of the improvements you haven’t yet blogged about — the wall art around the console table (beautiful!!), the nice new dresser in the master bedroom, and the new living room rug. Yes, your fans could be considered stalkers :) :)

    Reply

  15. elaine says

    What wonderful news! Of course I don’t know you in person but feel I can say “couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple”. Way to go guys! Keep it up. Your blog is my ALL TIME fave and I look forward to reading it every day. Best, best wishes!

    Reply

  16. kate says

    Congrats!! You guys constantly wow me and inspire me!! And make me laugh out loud!! I get excited when I see parenthesis in the post cause I know there is gonna be something funny hiding in there:)I will most definitely be one of the first in line for your book!! ohhh…and do you think there be book signings?? that would really overload my circuit with excitement!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ha! Very true – that’s probably why they described him as “feisty” in the article. Actually, I think he was annoyed he didn’t have a real lap to sit on (since I was kinda leaned at an angle). What can we say, sometimes he’s a lap diva.

      -John

  22. Betsy says

    Aaakk!! Congratulations!! I love reading about everything you put out there, and CAN NOT WAIT for the book. Best of luck with all of your endeavors!

    Reply

  23. Michele says

    I am so excited for you guys! So much fun news in one post. I can’t see you two ever becoming John and Kate (for one thing you aren’t octo-parents) but maybe stay away from reality TV just in case! A DIY show might be fun, though…

    Reply

  28. Dawn SC says

    That’s so exciting!! I can’t wait for your book. That cover made me thankful I’m one of the early birds at work because there aren’t many ppl here yet to hear me laughing so hard. :) Sort of off-topic (well, likely fits under the “what’s new with you”), but I also wanted to pass along a HUGE thank you for your postings about your choices on what to buy for environmentally/budget/space friendly baby items. Our first non-furry child is due in Sept, so I’m making lists of baby stuff. My list is almost completely pulled from your postings at the moment and it’s been a huge help to me and my husband – THANKS! :)

    Reply

  31. Laura says

    so excited for your recent press!! but can i just say, I got distracted by your updated (recently?) “we’re digging” column…LOVE Modern Family! Got the first season for Christmas and watched all of them while we were snowed in in January. Probably my favorite show on tv right now…never fails to make me actually laugh out loud. Good to see you have as good of taste in tv as you do in decor : )

    Reply

  35. Alison says

    Ohh all of this is sooo exciting!! Congrats folks, I cann’t wait for a book!! Will you do a book tour, oh man, that would be awesome?!?! PS- I especially love the sneak peak pictures, the photo wall looks AMAZING!

    Reply

  36. Leslie says

    I look forward to reading your blog every weekday morning, makes the weekends even longer :) LOL Congrats on the great write-up and the Nate Berkus quotes :) You deserve every moment of glory – there is definitely hard work behind every post :) <3

    Reply

  37. kim b says

    John I think you would make a great teacher, judgement made on the way you write and video’s I’ve watched.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Awww, thanks Kim. I taught a class in advertising at the local university last Spring and it was definitely a trip. Who knows what the future will hold…

      -John

  39. Traci says

    What’s new with me? I was inspired by your recent rug posts to get a new one (well, that and the face that doing P90x workouts on the old one was shredding it to smithereens– BLAM!), and by some stroke of thrifty luck, a family friend was giving one away that was the perfect size and color. And berber! Yay!

    Also, congratulations on the book! I want to come to the signing. you should have it in IKEA.

    Reply

  40. Mallory @ R. Simple Life says

    Oh my gosh! How excited are you guys? I’m guessing close to excited as the throngs of people waiting outside the book stores on your book release day :)

    News for me is HUGE lately! I am trying out a little professional blog writing myself, not for my blog, but I’m not going to say which one. Not until the gig is permanently mine (which I’m crossing all my fingers and toes it will be!). Let’s just say it’s a big one. 10 million page views a month!

    Reply

  42. Van says

    Yay! that’s pretty exciting news… Since I found out your blog I haven’t been able to go one day without checking out what you guys were up to…
    hope I can get your book here…

    congratz ( oppure, complimenti! ;)

    Reply

  43. Jennifer @ Milk & Honey Mommy says

    Dudes,

    Wow! Totally congratulations! The two of you are “so cute” (definitely a compliment) and deserving of these opportunities. I wish continued success to both of you and you get to do it w/Clara (oh yeah, and Burger) right by your sides.

    A successful blog – the NEW American dream.

    Reply

  44. Tanya says

    I spy not only the green rug but a new chest of draws in the bedroom! Looking good guys. Congrats on the Washington Post write up and book deal, all the way from Australia. xx

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Tanya. Good eye on both counts. More pics of the rug coming up later today. Haven’t had a chance to take pics of the dresser yet, so maybe next week on that one? The Washington Post is too fast for us!

      -John

  45. Stephanie says

    Totally random but did you guys happen to be in NOVA this weekend? If not you have a couple that looks exactly like you that was shopping at Lowes on Saturday.

    Reply

  46. Nicole says

    You guys deserve it! Congrats! I knew from day 1 (I’ve been following for a couple years) that you two could really go places with this blog!

    I will SO buy that book!

    Reply

  48. Sherry F. says

    CONGRATS, CONGRATS, CONGRATS!! You guys totally deserve this. Looking forward to the book and eventual TV show!

    Reply

  49. sara says

    Yay! So happy for you (about being featured, about your book deal, about you/your blog being so dang likeable)! I read your blog every day (not a stalker, I swear), and it’s given me some great ideas for my crap little apartment. Mostly, though, it gives me the feeling like it’s my space to do what I want (and is helping me get over sitting in panic/indecision about decorating/putting stuff on the walls).
    Yay you!

    Reply

  50. Kristen says

    Congratulations! And I love the small little bit of green rug I see peeking out. Can’t wait to buy your book…I wonder if it’s too soon to put on my Amazon wishlist?! :P

    Reply

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