Update: Aaaand less than 12 hours later we’re back with an update on the bottom of the post for ya. Smooth, right?
Hey there! Long time no see.
The break has been great. Admittedly a little weird, but really reinvigorating. So we’re immensely thankful not only for your support and kind comments, but also for helping put words to some of the things that we had been feeling for some time. And while the last month hasn’t been enough time to fill in all of the blanks about our future (heck, when are life’s blanks ever clearly filled in?) it has made one thing pretty obvious to us: after seven awesome years of sharing our home and our life, it’s time for our next adventure.
This blog has been a staple in our lives for 80+ months, tagging along for all but three months of our marriage and our entire existence as parents. So we thought it would be nearly impossible to click off that urge to over-share this past month (we expected our blogging spark to come back with a vengeance). But maybe it’s us getting older, the kids getting bigger, or a general shift in life priorities – but it actually felt just right. So this break has given us the clarity (and the guts, I guess) to move on… and hopefully move the needle on that life balance we’ve been talking about for so long.
We won’t go as far as to declare this the end of Young House Love or our blogging days. Who knows, maybe somewhere down the line (when the kids are both in school?) we’ll get that burning in our bellies again – perhaps here or in a completely different capacity. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know that the most amazing things have happened to us when we’ve stretched waaay out of our comfort zone – as much as that sounds like advice you’d find on an inspirational kitten poster.
We plan to keep the blog archives available for as long as we can, and will be freezing comments soon, but we won’t be completely dropping off the planet. Some completed product designs with Liberty Hardware and Shades of Light may pop up, and our second book will come out on September 22nd, 2015. Those folks have all been amazingly supportive of our decision, for which we’re incredibly thankful.
Speaking of which – “Thank you” doesn’t come close to expressing how grateful we are for getting to share our weird little world with you guys for so long. We have nothing but love and gratitude for this whole experience – and for you. (*This is probably where we should fade up on that Dirty Dancing song*)
But let’s not say “goodbye” let’s just say “see you on another time.”
Peace, love, and ceramic animals,
John & Sherry
PS: We did randomly snap a few fresh photos for the House Tour page over the break (some of the rooms were pretty outdated). Feel free to give the dining room’s blue trim the side eye for us (yes, it’s still there!).
Update: The same few questions kept popping up in the comments (we just can’t quit you). As for the “what are your new jobs” thing, we’ve mentioned in a few previous posts that we left the door open in our past professions (advertising/copywriting/consulting), which we can do as freelancers from home a lot of the time, while switching off on the stay-at-home parent thing. We know things like the book and products we design are driven by this blog, so we can’t live off those or anything. Didn’t mean to be mysterious! As for the Facebook/Instagram questions, we’d love to pop up there from time to time to say hi. And we hope our blog archives will be up for a good long time (we use them to reference things like paint colors, so we’d never want to lose them!).
We’re also really sorry if this feels abrupt. We’ve made a few public attempts to wind down and gain balance over the years (like when we moved to this house and after Teddy’s birth) but they’ve always been at odds with our “all in” personalities, so it wasn’t until taking this break (yet another attempt to recalibrate) that we realized we felt closer to our goal. We debated lots of alternatives – drastically fewer posts / shorter posts / no comments – but nothing felt like the version of Young House Love we were excited to carry on with. And we tried to keep today’s post light and happy (the last one felt so heavy) since this truly is a moment of extreme gratitude, despite it being a difficult decision to make.
Flawless and graceful exit, eh? Right. So here we go. Ack, we suck at this! We will miss you!!
Jenny says
I am truly going to miss you guys. You should be so proud of this amazing blog you built, and the legions of people who truly feel connected to you. Wishing you all the happiness in the world! xox
Kristen says
Wow. My first thought reading this post was that I’ll miss you guys! I’ve loved reading your blog for the last couple years, and will genuinely miss seeing your little family grow and learning from your awesome DIY ideas. However…I am also SO STINKING EXCITED for you!! What an exciting time for you to start a new adventure that fits your family perfectly. Changing and growing, and figuring it all out together, is part of what makes being a family wonderful. I’m happy for you more than anything, and hope this time feels exciting and new and just right for the 4 of you. Have fun!!
Petra V says
Thank you so much for all those years you have been a part of my daily life, my inspiration, source of may great ideas! I love you, will ABSOLUTELY miss you and your little ones too! I wish you all the best and greatest in next years to come, enjoy your kids till they are little. I am going to pack for our camping trip now, and hope you will have a chance to do an outdoor adventure soon too. All the best and good luck!!
Meadowsweet Cottage says
Good luck and have fun–you will be sorely missed!
Jenny says
Congratulations and best of luck!!!
Please leave your archives up forever….I have so much to do in the house and always reference you guys!
sarah says
Just here to say “thanks!”. I truly enjoyed my daily dose of YHL, and will miss you, but I wish you all the best in your next endeavors. I hope we get to see glimpses of what those will be. And thanks for keeping the archives. There were so many informative posts, and I already found myself looking up some old posts (like how your refinished Clara’s dresser) during your absence. I’m sure there will be more times where I’ll be back looking up old posts. Take care, guys!!
Lacey says
Congratulations! Good luck!
Elizabeth says
Missing you already. But completely chuffed that you’re moving on in a way that makes you happy.
All the very best, I hope we see you around again in some capacity. :)
tzonemissions says
My first blog, and my favorite blog. I joined you all right as you became Young House Love (This Young House was just so clever!), and I am grateful for the ways you showed the internet how to be gracious, kind, and hilarious for all those years. Thanks for telling me what baby-led weaning is, helping me know what colors to paint my house, and influencing so many of my decorating decisions. Love you guys! Now go give those babies a kiss!
Kym V. says
I will echo what over 1000 other people have already shared…I will miss you and appreciate everything that you have shared over the years. You are truly a home, life, dream go getting, awesome family inspiration smorgasbord. I can say that many of my home projects were inspired by your posts and that’s pretty cool. I only wish you both (ok all 5 of you) the best in all that you do, achieve and experience in the years ahead. PS – I will totally be buying your next book when it comes out :-) Thanks for everything!! xoxo
Michelle says
I’m bummed, but not surprised. I think you guys are the classiest bloggers out there, extremely professional and respectful. It can’t be easy to feel like every decision you make is up for criticism and debate. Wishing you all the best in the future.
j.oliver says
oh man. have to admit this is not what i expected to find when i checked in today, but i can say that i totally understand. knowing what energy and time it take raising a little one, i’ve no idea how you did it for this long. then you went and added in a second, and still found time to do it all. you two are superheros!
I, like everyone else who has posted before me, will totally miss you. I will absolutely be back here to dig through some archives and gather some how-to info for some future projects. thanks for sharing your knowledge, your adventures, and your lives for so long. best of luck to both of you as you jump back into more “typical” jobs, and best wishes for the whole family as the kids grow up and you move into this new, more personal chapter.
JC says
I will miss seeing updates on the kids and your family. I have children just older than each of yours and it has been fun watching yours grow as mine do. I also have been waiting to see what you ever did with the dresser you bought (for Clara, way back when)…I have the exact same one and was hoping for inspiration. *wink*. I am sorry you feel your journey here is over so abruptly – I have enjoyed watching your new home trasforrmation, but hope that your family finds a good groove with your new pursuits.
Amber says
Ugh tears! (really) So proud of you 2 for making this decision, it had to be a tough one. I’ve been with ya since the beginning, you guys are the ones that inspired my passion for this re-doing and DiYing i love so much. So thanks and i will miss you guys…feels like we’re losing a family member or best friend! Good luck with everything, and please post pics of your little family from time to time on facebook. I loved watching them grow. <3 Good luck and the best of wishes to the sweetest little family.
Michele says
Love you guys. :) happy trails… Till we meet again. (My boys are singing this as their “goodbye” song daily at school, it feels appropriate.)
Autumn Beach says
Oh, man…I have missed you guys SO much. But I just can’t be sad about something I know is right. So genuinely happy for you guys. I almost feel a sense of weight lifted FOR you. Enjoy, my friends…enjoy! I know you are. :) Lots of love and best wishes for this intentional and purpose-filled life you are creating.
Cameron says
Wow, I’ve been following since Clara was a baby and you were still in your first house. I’m sad to see you go. I was really looking forward to seeing all the things you woukd do in your new house. And it seems weird to “lose” you guys after checking in with you every day. But I wish you the very best in whatever the future holds for your sweet family. God bless!
Colleen B. says
The tone of this post (and especially the update at the end) is so much lighter and, most of all, you sound much happier than you have been recently (more like the old John and Sherry). I’m sure this was a very difficult decision, and please know that we are so grateful for all that you’ve shared and shown us over the last several years. I wish nothing but the best for all five of you (Burger counts!) in the future! Thank you!
J3Jewelry says
I’m really going to miss you guys. I learned about you through my local newspaper a little after you moved into your 2nd house. Your story had reached Central Florida. I’ve followed the blog ever since. Lots of other blogs too, but yours was always my favorite. By far. Please don’t take offense, but I’m going to miss Burger so very much. I’ve just spent some time trying to find another blog to take your place (you know, because of the withdrawals), and there really isn’t any other blog out there like yours. In a sea of DIY blogs, you’ve outshone them all. I feel lonely all of a sudden. Somewhere deep inside, I’m thinking we’re going to be seeing you on TV with your own show one of these days…. whatever you do, you’ll be doing it. Take care, and stay fresh. Ya done good.
Becky says
well you guys, its been a slice :) thanks for the past 6=7 years of fun! much love and and all the best!
Chloe says
Well this made me tear up and gave me a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach like I’ve just been broken up with! I’ll miss you guys so much. You’ve been one of my favourite blogs for years and I have loved watching your little family grow. I just scrolled through your updated house tour and I’m so upset that I won’t be able to see how things evolve. But I’m glad you’re making this decision for you. Best of luck to you, and give Clara, Teddy & Burger a big huge for me. Oh, and please keep posting on Instagram! I’d love to keep up with snippets of your life every now and again.
Jen says
I shouldn’t be as sad about this as I am. You will be missed greatly oh the DIY shenanigans I got myself into from being inspired by your blog. I am happy for you all that you found peace in moving on. I hope life brings you only the best!!!
Julie says
I’ve been thinking all day. I really want to write a super happy comment about how exciting it is that you are moving on to new adventures. But I can’t because I feel so sad. Have you seen The Fault In Our Stars? The main character has a favorite book where it ends in the middle of a sentence. I feel like this ending is in the middle of a sentence. Even though we’ve never met! Augh so hard. I love DIY thanks to you. I purchased my first art piece thanks to you. I don’t like stories with no endings. I selfishly wish I had grown apart from you before you grew apart from us. :( I know life changes, but I’m wishing for occasional blog posts and life updates, because as you said, I just can’t quit you. I came for the DIY and stayed for your beautiful life story and fantastic writing style. It’s like suddenly losing a friend. I do appreciate your second update, it was very helpful. Still incredibly sad. But, I do wish you all the best. I hope that whatever adventure is next is a really great second part of that sentence.
Melissa Koshiol says
And you ended gracefully on your # 7! How perfect. I am so glad I had the pleasure of meeting you both. Best of luck on your new adventures. We will miss you.
Erin says
If emojis were enabled there would not be an appropriate one to use to sum up your readers’ feelings. But I salute you for putting family first and following your dreams. We are so lucky to have been able to enjoy a peak into your lives as well as so many home improvement hints along the way. I selfishly hope you’ll still be on Instagram and share a few Clara Conversations, and in time, Talks with Teddy, along the way. Cheers to you guys-onward and upward!
Maria says
Thank you for the good times. I’ll miss you! Wishing you the best. Hugs.
Paola Shotwell says
Please, come back! less posts are good!!!
Mizden says
I’m happy you guys are certain and happy with your decision but so bummed for us! Can you just keep it as lifestyle blog or something? I want to know how teddy is doing! And Clara omg, I feel like we’ve known them their whole lives and well, we kind of did, hopefully you will feel that iChat to come back sometime soon
Good luck in all your future endeavours!
Lynn @ Safebeauty says
Awww man…so I learned this dance for today’s post for nothing? http://youtu.be/6ycn5VmBUYY
Cause now I’m all like…http://youtu.be/ee925OTFBCA?t=13s (why do I still laugh at this? I’m a terrible human being.)
Now this will have to be my new 10:00 am daily happiness…http://youtu.be/4L5WHcXInE0
And now some parting words that I tell all my friends: always leave the house with clean undies, dress in layers, always use your blinkers, dance a little every day, if you ever go Paleo look up nomnompaleo.com (ya welcome! ;)), go Paleo, smile and kiss dem babies! OH! And DON’T catch ebola (that’s been a recent update…) :P
I LOVE YOUS GUYS!!! I’LL MISS YOU GUYS!!!
My absolutest mostest bestest…everything,
Ermilene “Lynn” Coultrup (I feel like you should know my government name, we have come this far :D) But I will always be Lynn @ Our Useful Hands/Safebeauty to you mmmkay?
misapb says
I hope to be as brave as you are some day. Best of luck and lots of love. Goodbye, friends.
TinaG says
I, like everybody else, am truly saddened to hear the news that you have given up this wonderful blog. After receiving the amount of supportive and caring posts that you have gotten over the last month, I was hoping you would change your mind. I am not trying to sound like I am being critical, but I just don’t get it. You have spent 80 months building your brand, developing your skills, and accumulating a very large fan base that has driven you to publish two books, have products in a national retail chain, etc……all of which you have rightly earned! Why close it all down now??? Again, I am not trying to be a Negative Nancy, I just know how difficult it is to develop a large customer base and based on the amount of comments you have received in the last month or so, you have LOTS of fans! Best of luck to you and your beautiful family in whatever comes your way and thanks for all the help, inspiration, and laughs.
Kara says
Gosh. I made a big attempt to stop clicking your page every day knowing you’ve been on a break (it’s my first bookmark and I’ve read you over my breakfast for years now). I finally achieved a few days from checking until just now and got so excited before I started reading.
I’m trying to say I’ll miss you and your blog terribly. I’ve been reading your blog since I was living in a dorm in college; now I’m a homeowner in downtown Los Angeles, who has made lots of updates inspired by your blog (we copied your old teal chemistry-lab chairs EXACTLY last year!)
I’m happy for you and wish you all the best in your next phase. You’ll never know me but you were MY breakfast buddies every day as I finished up college, got married, and started building my own home! Thank you for sharing so much of yourselves with us!
Sarah says
So sad to see you go, but happy that you’re taking the right path for your family! Like others have stated, I hope you still post photos on instagram; both family photos and house update photos. I wish you all the best!
Amanda Costanzo says
I’m glad you’re taking a break. In the nicest way I could ever possibly say this: It was pretty obvious you needed to let it go (let it gooooooo). I loved you guys since your first house, and I will miss my daily check of your blog, but not only will this be good for your family, but I think it will be good for your creativity! Keep writing down all the things you want to, and photograph what you’re doing! If not for here, just for you. :)
Tania says
Not sure if you remember me but I am a long time reader although haven’t been commenting lately since I read YHL mostly on my phone now. I am thankful for all the home improvement inspiration over the years but I am most grateful that you shared your lives with us. After two early miscarriages, when I was pregnant with my daughter, I was very much “head in the sand” as to the things that could go wrong late in the pregnancy. But I read your post re: Clara’s birth and I remembered it. A couple of weeks before my due date, I had a bunch of bleeding and when I called the advice nurse, she thought it was just the mucus plug and advised me to stay home until active labor but I knew it was more serious than that. We ended up calling an ambulance — thankfully our little girl was born safe and sound despite placental abruption. I don’t know if I would have known that I needed to take action immediately had I not read your story and knew how dangerous it was. So thank you from the very bottom of my heart — know that there is one fiesty toddler and one very grateful mama in San Francisco because of your generosity of spirit in sharing your stories with us. I was so sorry I missed meeting you in person during the book tour to thank you live. I have especially really enjoyed all the posts about Teddy this year — I have a little guy (3 months old!) of my own now too. With two kids, at times it seems like a such task to compose a coherent email, I can’t imagine producing substantive content for a blog everyday. Enjoy your precious family and good luck with your future endeavors! I’ll be hoping you pop up in what ever way works best for you when the time is right! In the meantime, I’ll be buying the 2nd book the minute it comes out. I always thought you guys could write an AMAZING book about DIY kids stuff (the toys you made for Clara were my hands down favorite projects) in case you want to write a 3rd book…
Beatrice Chan says
Sherry and John, I’ve been following you since you were “This Young House” and have loved seeing you go through so many changes, challenges, and joys. You have helped me decorate my house, my furniture and my overall style. For that, I thank you. May you embark on this new adventure with pride and a sense of accomplishment and know that you have positively affected so many of your readers.
Thank you again,
~Beatrice
Pia says
I wish that I got to see your master bathroom when phase 2 was completed. And the unfinished attic area. I already have some pictures in my head. I have enjoyed to see your progress through tree houses and to see if what I think is the same that you actually do and it never is. Your solutions are usually much better. I guess that I have to make do with other blogs instead. Thanks for all the inspiration that you have provided. Best of luck in the future!
Kristin Bates says
I’m really, really going to miss you!
blaugblondie says
Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Omigosh, what am I going to do??? I think the blogosphere might get sucked down the black whole left in your wake! I am so sad. You guys were always there with the right fabrics, the right diy post at just the right time for me and so many others. Yes, this is selfish of me, I admit. But it’s coming from a place of love! Seriously, my decorating skills are going to starve to death without you. And I will sorely miss your fun and open and quirky and kind and funny and genuine personalities. I just love you guys and will miss everything! Man I wish I had gotten to meet you on your book tour. Is there talk of doing another one when this next book comes out?? Please say yes! I so want to meet you guys someday.
You are wonderful people and a wonderful family. I wish you, seriously, all the best this life has to offer. Thank you for sharing your talent and lives with us!
Megan says
I feel a bit like I do when a tv show I love is canceled and I don’t get to see the ending the way it was originally intended. Here’s hoping for a few updates when you do the kitchen, bathroom, media room renos, I’m really curious about what you’re going to do with them.
I’ll miss reading YHL, best of luck in your next endeavour!
Leah says
You two should be so proud of all you’ve accomplished! You will be missed. It must feel a bit like leaving a really great job, knowing it’s the right decision, but still feeling a sense of loss.
Thank you for all of the many times I laughed out loud reading posts and for all of the wonderful personal glimpses of your design process. Best of luck to you and your beautiful family on the journey ahead!
April says
Please drop in at least once a year for an update, like a Christmas card from family. Please. We all love you and will miss you so much.
I am so upset for myself, though I am very glad for you.
April says
I literally feel sick to my stomach with grief.
Katy says
Agh so sad! Y’all will be missed, but all the best in whatever the future holds.
Jessica W. says
I will miss you guys, I am super sad about this but I understand , I hope you do pop up every now and then and best of luck with everything !
Heather says
I am so sad. There are tears welling up. It feels so fast and so sudden. :( You have made such a big contribution to design, and to my home and family personally. I was so excited when I saw the new post and then instantly crushed. Best of luck in all you do.
Jen says
I’ve religiously read your blog for the past 4 years and I just wanted to thank you for all the inspirations, hard work and fun times. I hope you guys someday entertain the idea of starting another blog down the line. It’d be nice if you could pop in from time to time on your own terms. Your voice in the blogging world will be missed! Thank you for everything Young House Love.
mribaro says
Apart from reading your posts, I’ll really miss seeing Clara and Teddy grow…
Katie Young says
Hi guys, I’m so sad to hear that you’re going to be leaving. I was hoping it wouldn’t happen but thought that it probably would and I don’t blame you at all. It must be exhausting sharing your life in the way that you do.
Just before you went on your break I had been hoping to ask you a question. I’ve been following your blog for the last 4 years, have loved it and recommended it to so many friends who have also loved it. This year I bought a house in Manchester, England with my husband (Matt Young) which we’re gradually renovating with inspiration from your blog and your book. In August this year we got married, and now I am Katie Young. So for many reasons, the name Younghouselove has a lot of significance to me.
We want to put some artwork up in our house which means something to us and I was wondering if you’d consider sending me the Jpeg / PDF version of your website sign as a memento (I’m sure it has a technical name but I really don’t know what that is!) I am happy to pay you for it!
Don’t know if you’re still reading these comments, so perhaps I’ve left it too late, but I just want to wish you all the very best for the future, you have been a huge inspiration to me and I will miss catching up on your progress every Sunday over a cup of tea.
All the best
Katie
Tamryn says
Thank you John and Sherry for sharing your lives with us :) its been awesome.
Going to miss you guys like crazy.
Heiðdís Björk Brandsdóttir says
So sad :( Good luck in your next adventure. Thank you for all the ideas and everything else.