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 And if the article has been archived, you can download PDFs of the text here, here and here.
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.
Katie @ Epistle says
I’m very excited for the two of you and the book. Congrats!
cheryl s says
Congratulations. You inspire me every day and I love to read your funny blogs. I have told loads of my friends about you and they too have become “Young House Loveaholics”
Kim at Yellow Brick Home says
Congrats! You guys must be pinching yourselves! Well deserved, for sure.
Elsa says
W O W!!!!! Congratulations! How exciting :-)
Sally says
Yay!!! I just read the story (It was on their homepage under “Editor’s Choice”) and came over to tell you how excited I am for y’all! TV in your future…?
Diane says
This is so cool, you guys! You’re like movie stars!!!! Rock stars!!! I especially love seeing Burger in the pics – gosh, I hope his head will fit thru your front door now, lol.
Nice job and congrats on the book!
FWIW – you guys inspired my husband and I to redo our master bedroom ceiling in white cedar planks (leftover from a friend) – I kept saying to my hubby “YHL would totally do something like this!!!”
YoungHouseLove says
I know right? Burger is a bonafide dog diva now.
xo,
s
LauraJane says
To address your vanity, you all look great- Clara and Burger included. Included, and especially,
Also, i find you guys hysterical (I have not stopped laughing at Sherry’s man-part inspired, (err… knobs?) toppers for the bedpost.
Excited to know more about the book- you two are awesome. :)
samantha owens says
CONGRATS!!!!!! yall deserve it!!!!!
cara says
so, um, how crazy is it that I’m so ecstatic for you guys?! Like, seriously. Maybe it’s this weird state I’m in with having a newborn :D — but congrats! I love reading fantastic news (harhar) like this :)!!
Kim S says
Congrats on the book deal!
Wendy says
Good to see some of the great people in this world get the recognition they deserve. Congrats you guys. Really great article and so excited about that book. But, like Sherry, I’m most excited about the Nate Berkus comment. And compared to this, nope, nothing happening here!
Harinee says
I saw it this afternoon – last night for you! I was so excited! And to see pics of the new rug and the frame wall felt like someone had given me a sneak preview of a movie! I wanted to rush right over and congratulate you but I was at work and you site was blocked:(
Congratulations!! I can’t wait to buy the book – whenever it comes out, make sure you have a world-wide release ok, you have readers in Asia too!
Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique says
Congrats! On the Washington Post & the book deal. Awesome!
J'Ann says
You guys are too funny. Congrats on the NEWS that is HUGE, at least in my paper ;-)
Confessions of a Purse-a-holic
Julianna says
I’m so excited for you guys! This is so AWESOME (the book, the Nate comment, and The Washington Post)!! Congrats!
Morgan S. says
Congratulations! I hope you have a book signing in Richmond for all of your local fans! I would love to come grab an autographed copy!
Lilly says
Uh Hi I’m so excited for u guys! U guys must be so proud of urselves and ur parents aswell. U r always so humble love that about u guys. Thank God for everything he’s given u in this life, ur very lucky, happy, cutie family.
I hope that u continue to thrive in life and may it only be the begining of many more wonderful things lined up for u. Oh and seriously, “does Clara look cute?” when doesn’t she?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I know! But sometimes she’ll toss out a crazy scowl for pics. We worried she’d whip one out when it really counted. But we got a half smile! Wahooo!
xoxo,
s
Cassie says
You guys, how awesome is this!!
You all look amazing and little Ms. Clara looks as cute as ever. YAY!
Corie says
Congratulations on both the article and the book! I can’t wait to buy the book! : )
Adriane says
Whoooooo to the hooooooo!!! ::virtual high five:: We all root for you daily, partly because of how you cheer us on to challenge ourselves! I’m refinishing a crazy/unique thrift store find (it’ll either be amazing or sucktastic but I’m in it either way), cheering my husband through school and contemplating drinking the Kool-Aid and starting a blog ‘o my own…not to replace my day job though =). Thanks for asking btw, and congrats again!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh good luck with the crazy/antique thrift store find. I bet it won’t be sucktastic at all!
xo,
s
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
This is all too much excitement to handle in one day! First we look at a house yesterday this is potentially going to be Our First Place and are over the moon excited. Now I read this and I am almost just as excited for you guys and to get my hands on the new book!! I typically try to hold back and not use a lot of exclamation points but today is not the day to be quiet, so Congratulations!!!
You can check out a sneak peek of our possibly very soon new house here:
http://mysocalledhome.blogspot.com/2011/03/vintage-tudor_16.html
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoooooo! Possibly very soon new house is awesome! Congrats!
xo,
s
Melody says
Amazing! Congratulations on both of those things!
Rosa says
Im from DC so it was nice to be reading the WashPost online today, and reading the piece on you guys! I was truly very excited for you guys :) Congrats!
samantha owens says
your photoshopped photo totally made me crack up! I did the same thing to one of those awesome and totally appropriate american apparel ads…here i am just enjoying a normal afternoon on my balcony :) http://media4.px.yelpcdn.com/photo/9To4PAg_CV2VdQFtR63Rcg/l
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahahaah. Hilarious.
xo,
s
Kayla says
Wow. So exciting. I can just see Sherry doing her Elaine from Seinfeld dance.
Hopefully we don’t crash your server with excessive contratulatory comments and pressing refresh a million times in anticiption of your afternoon reveal post!!! =)
Alina says
Congrats! BTW, loved the sneak peeks of the green rug and wall o’ pics in the Post articles! Can’t wait to see the reveals!
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
AND you got a new bedroom dresser? This is too much..
YoungHouseLove says
I know! Details about that this afternoon in the rug post! So excited.
xo,
s
Danielle @ The Sunshine Girl says
Congrats you guys! That is so awesome! and the altered book cover is absolutely hilarious!
Jennifer K says
Congrats on everything you guys! Seriously, the Washington Post, props from Nate, and a book deal. You must be over the moon excited!! I know I am for you.
Amy N says
Wow, how exciting! You’re book will definitely be added to my collection :)
Karen @sugarspicelivin says
Congrats guys!! Good things happen to good people (well, at least you seem like good people online- and the article in the post confirms that you aren’t really two old fat guys).
That said, stop replying to comments. I want to see that green rug in action!!
Megan says
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! So how do you decide who gets to write the big surprise reveal posts?
YoungHouseLove says
John is funnier so he usually gets nominated. Haha.
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Congratulations guys! What amazing news.
(The rug looks great, by the way!)
Lauren says
Congrats! I spied the new rug AND the completed gallery wall in the photos….looking forward to your posts about them!
YoungHouseLove says
Hah, they totally scooped us. The Washington Post works fast! Haha. More details on the rug and the frames asap!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
you guys rock! and totally deserve everything coming your way!!!
Rachel says
Oh, wow, a book!! I am so excited for you guys!! Please tell me you will do a book tour too…you could have signings at Lowe’s or Home Depot. :)
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to do one! It’s really up to the publisher but you know we’ll beg right?! Haha.
xo,
s
Melissa @ A Place to Nest says
Congratulations! Appreciate all the blogs you send that keep me inspired and laughing too…
Rachel says
YES!!!! A few months ago I’d asked if you’d ever do a book and now IT’S COMING!!!!!! I could not be more excited about this.
Kristin says
I’m thrilled for you guys, and there’s a ton of positive things I could say about your blog in general and this post specifically. But this time, I’m commenting because I want to tell you how much I love, love, LOVE that you listed Katie Bower as one of your favorite blogs! I love her blog, too, and her family is just as stinkin’ cute as yours is. (Thank you for introducing us to her.) One more reason to “like you as a person,” Sherry – you’re clearly a great, loyal friend!
And one other comment just for giggles… I quote you fairly often. (What can I say? I’m a woman of impeccable taste.) Knowing how much I like you guys, my boyfriend recently suggested that we invite you to lunch. He’s totally serious. “Uh, honey, what part of ‘3.5 million blog hits a month’ don’t you understand?” :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that Katie B and I love you for loving her too! Just tell your man we’re already having a virtual lunch together. I’m eating a turkey sandwich with pickles and cheese. What are you having?
xo,
s
Rachelle says
OMG how awesome is this!!! Congrats to you guys. I agree…I can definitely see a talk show in your futures :) xoxo ~Rachelle
Christin says
Congratulations! That is seriously awesome news. You guys are fantastic and totally deserve it. I am marking my mental calendar to watch for your book release in fall 2012. :)
Johnna says
Check this out – thought you might be in love???
http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-Wall-Mount-Up
Johnna
YoungHouseLove says
Why hello there horsey!
xo,
s
Johnna says
PS – CONGRATS TO YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnna says
P.P.S – Do you guys rememver people who write to you frequently…like their names?
YoungHouseLove says
Usually – we do our best! Sometimes there are two Erins and we get confused, but for the most part we feel like we get to know the frequent commenters. We’re like a cheesy little family over here. Haha.
xo,
s
Ashley says
Oh my gosh! Congratulations on SO MUCH! You two (four) are amazing!! You’re my first and favorite blog to check in the mornings and I can’t wait to own your book.
All my love and all the BEST,
Ashley
Kelsey says
Congrats!
Unrelated note– I was just googling “trucker photobooth” for my two-year-old’s birthday party and your photo came up on the first page of Google image results. WEIRD! It appears to be an uncredited photo from your wedding. http://www.examiner.com/seattle-bridal-trends-in-national/wedding-reception-idea-photo-booths
YoungHouseLove says
Weird! Off to check it out…
xo,
s
Jamie says
Holy Toledo! That would be a paper worth getting up at 5 am on the front porch in my bath robe, and waiting for the paper boy for! Congrats!
I am totally excited about the book! Can I pre-order my copy yet?! ;)
Jenny says
Congrats! LOVE LOVE the romance novel cover! The pic is cute, but the “Why are we on this boat?” made me snort audibly (sorry, coworkers).
Jodi says
I love, love, love the “romance” book cover you created! I laughed so hard when I saw it! (and I’m still chuckling to myself) You guys are just too funny! Congrats on the article as well. Reading your posts on Young House Love is my favorite thing to do each day. :)
Allison Jag says
L.O.L. that book cover is ridiculous :) Congrats on the article (or is a story since they did so much?!) You guys are very deserving of it! :)
Stephanie says
Awesome news. I heard about it from my sister who is an interior decorator in dc. We both pushed the post at the crack of dawn for a while despite my brothers wants. Thanks mom! Cool to find you’re local. Sort of. :). Once again congrats for rockin it with your blog. Love it!
Tara says
So excited and proud (I can’t explain the pride bit – just go with it and pretend we’re old pals).
What’s up here? We have a retro 1960’5 light hanging in our front entrance way (you know the ones – 6 rectangle pieces of glass acting as a ‘shade’). Anyway, while saving up money to buy the fixture of my dreams, I’m going to get the hubby to take it down, so I can spray paint it black, remove the glass shade and add a regular white one. I think it will modernize it a bit (and sorta look like the chandelier + shades I keep seeing everywhere) while I save my pennies. I don’t have a blog of my own… yet, so if this is a success I’ll send you photos or post them on your FB!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo! Good luck with everything. Can’t wait to see the pics!
xo,
s