It’s been a while since we’ve caught up and had a chat, and good gravy, so much has happened with the Two Flat, with our family, with our life and our feelings and everything in-between. While we share much of our renovation life here and on Instagram, there’s also a lot we don’t share. And lately, we’ve been playing the never-ending game of catch-up and feeling the beginnings of burnout. If something has the potential to go wrong with the Two Flat renovation, we have learned: It will go wrong. Some things we’ve shared (hello, flood!), some we haven’t.
This has me thinking: How do you stay positive during a renovation? Is staying positive in the midst of a renovation (while in the midst of an overdue human rights movement while in the midst of a pandemic) possible?
Truthfully, I don’t know – we’re still trying to figure it out. But what I do know is that while this year has been hard, it’s been necessary. It has opened our minds and hearts and eyes and ears to understand the things that we value more clearly. (Family time. Togetherness. The fight towards equality, anti-racism and education.) The world is seeing growth and others’ true colors and none of that could happen without the events of this year unraveling before us. Every day has been a reflection. Are we doing the right thing? Is it okay to feel this way? How many times in a day can one person cry?
This week, we shifted our focus towards small victories. We needed to feed our souls with a tiny win, and we found that through our DIY roots! We shared the journey of building floating shelves for the sweetest little nook (see above!), and it all went down in Stories. #Instashelves? It was fun and rewarding to share that process with you, and from the feedback we received, you enjoyed it, too!
Would you be interested in more Instagram-only DIYs?
What Else?
I smiled the whole way through this video.
I’ve only recently discovered Trouva, and I’m obsessed! It’s a curated home goods + lifestyle site made up of independent makers, and although it’s London-based, I found shipping to be quick and hassle-free! Here are some favorites:
OK, here is what you should know about bail.
As if Arlo’s playroom couldn’t be any cuter, Molly did this.
This opinion piece gave me pause. (The comment section is also respectful and thought-provoking):
I’m not telling you I have the blueprint for a beautiful new world. What I’m telling you is that the system we have right now is broken beyond repair and that it’s time to consider new ways of doing community together.
– via
A guide to Chicago home styles (as illustrated by @cape_horn_chi): Our Two Flat is actually a dead-ringer for a Worker’s Cottage! Chicago friends, which style best represents your home?
Daniel’s kitchen lived up to every expectation (naturally), and now I’m like, do I want creamy putty-colored cabinets?
We’ve been working to further diversify Lucy’s bookshelves, and a current favorite is this beautiful book. She’s also loving The King of Kindergarten and anything by Grace Byers!
This denim skirt is the perfect wash, perfect length and perfect summer day essential. Hot tip: size up!
IG I Love
I was recently invited by @albieknows to take part in #SharetheMicNowHomeEdition, and it was such an honor to hand over our Instagram feed to Danielle @tuft_diymckim. Danielle was generous with her story and conversation, but did you also know she is an ah-mazing DIY-er? She made this bed. I repeat, she made this bed!
July 4th Sales!
- Anthropologie: Extra 50% off sale
- Article: Up to 40% off July 4th sale!
- Brooklinen (below): 15% off the Summer Sale
- CB2: Up to 40% off outdoor
- Crate & Barrel: Up to 30% off sitewide
- Everlane (below): Up to 40% off Choose What You Pay
- GAP: Up to 75% off EVERYTHING
- Loft: Extra 60% off sale with code HBDUSA
- Lulu & Georgia: 20% off the Summer Sale with code SUMMERTIME
- Madewell (below): 30% off sale with code GIANT
- Old Navy: 75% off all clearance
- Overstock: Up to 70% off July 4th sale
- Pottery Barn: Up to 25% off Buy More, Save More event
- Rejuvenation: 25% off everything!
- Rugs USA: Up to 75% off 4th of July
- Schoolhouse (below): 15% off fans and hardware
- Target: Up to 25% off furniture
- Unison Home: 20% off sitewide with code SUMMERSALE
- West Elm: 20% off furniture, 25% off everything else!
- World Market: Up to 50% off sitewide
Wishing you all a safe, happy, restful and fulfilling weekend, friends. xx
This is such a great post filled with so much valuable info! So glad you gave a step by step on those shelves Scott &. you installed – they made such a difference to a “blank” space. And that bed by Danielle – gorgeous, Enjoy the 4th!
Thank you, Lynn!
The kitty video made my morning. As a trauma survivor, I totally understand. Animals are IT in so many ways. Our 72 pound rescue thinks he’s a lap dog and he always knows which person in the room “needs” him. It’s so wonderful to see him melt stress away, especially for my visiting family members who don’t have animals. I also Loved the giant sun in Arlo’s play room! So perfectly imperfect
Pets = stress melters. No doubt.
love this !!! And love my animals
Your blog is great! I have learned so much in following you guys. While I may never do most of what you have posted, I have enjoyed watching you guys do it. You have been a bright spot in my world. I am a nurse who has worked during this pandemic, seen people at their worst, sickest, saddest, most frightened, you name it. When I see the news, I now see some people at their ugliest. Because visitors are restricted I have delivered messages to and from family members and patients, people who are so distraught and afraid, asking me to tell their loved one to “hang on”, asking me to describe their “loved one” to them, or worse giving them the most dreaded news. While I have seen the worst of people, I have also seen the best. People protesting for basic human rights, sending food, making mask, and caps, writing signs of hope on the street and windows , checking on neighbors, yelling hello from porches, purchasing from minority owned businesses, standing up for each other, the list goes on. So after my night shift, I tune into to you guys and some of my other favorite blogs. Then I pet the dog (my sweet Pitty who also suffers occasional discrimination) and I go to bed. Thank you!
Thank you. Thank you so much for this comment, but more importantly, for everything you’re doing! I can’t imagine what it must be like for you. We are so lucky to have a great community here. Give your Pittie an extra squeeze from us tonight!
I think staying positive is not only possible, it is a necessity. After all, how can we effect any sort of change if we don’t believe we can do so? That goes for our homes, our communities our political systems – everything! Yes, it’s incredibly hard – I live in Los Angeles and this week’s huge surge in cases has me pretty down-hearted, I will confess. I feel like we’ve wasted the last 3.5 months. But I persevere, I post a daily reminder on my FB page to wear a mask, and I donate to organizations and political causes that I feel are doing good things.
On a lighter note, loved the Insta shelves story this week, and would love to see more of that sort of thing!
Well said!
Love your blog! I totally inderstand needed to put content into a space that will bring most revenue, but I hope you don’t move all the content to Instagram. I am not a fan of Facebook as a company, which means I won’t get Instagram accounts. Instagam is a closed walled garden — content there is only available for those with an account. Sadly more and more internet content is moving in that direction.
Yes! My thoughts exactly. We are not on social media — left in 2016. Would appreciate content across all your channels to be consistent. You guys are great!