Your Home Story

Changes to windows and doors can make a huge effect to make a home look more custom or updated. Some of these changes you can do yourself… others could be a huge nightmare, mess, time suck, or worse! Ashley and Suzannah talk through their experiences and when to hire or DIY on both window and door projects. Projects we talked about: Ashley's kitchen window project (enlarging) Ashley's dilemma enlarging or updating glass in exterior doors Suzannah's DIY door/trim update See how Ashley at The Gold Hive added a door to the backyard from her master bedroom You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram: Suzannah is @suzannahstanley Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus The podcast is @yourhomestorypodcast We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

Most half bathrooms or powder baths are not too exciting or pretty to look at right away. But they’re often used by guests or you, all the time, so might as well express your style in them! They can have function issues, too, like small sinks and no cabinets. Plus, updating a powder bathroom is a GREAT way to dip your toes into DIY projects or just do a quick, easy, fun update to a space you use a lot! Ashley and Suzannah have experience redoing several bathrooms and half-baths and share some great budget-friendly and custom-look project ideas! Projects and resources we mentioned: Easy half bathroom update: Suzannah’s faux chair rail look Suzannah’s faux wallpaper project and how it looked when she painted over it Suzannah’s 90’s home $391 powder bath total makeover (and video about that lightening-fast bathroom project) Suzannah’s palm leaf removable wallpaper and chair rail project Ashley’s modern powder bath vanity round-up Plus, we talk through the elements you can change in a powder bath to upda

We are answering YOUR questions today! Tune in to hear about where/how to buy Benjamin Moore paint, our favorite tools, how to get your partner on board with home decor, and about decorating when you have an eclectic style but don’t want your house to look like a circus. Also hear how the podcast came to be, who had the idea, and even a bit on how we actually make the podcast. And, if you are just getting started with tools… we rounded up our favorites for you. Orbital Sander Drill Bit Set Jig Saw Miter Saw Saw Horses You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram: Suzannah is @suzannahstanley Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus The podcast is @yourhomestorypodcast We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

Sometimes YOU know how you want to decorate, but do you know how to update a space or do a big project with your spouse or significant other? If others in your household care about the decor, you may have to get creative and figure out how to work on your home together. Ashley and Suzannah have lots of experience with this and share what’s worked well for them! These questions will help you discuss with your significant other: What do you envision the space to feel like? How are you planning to use the space? Do either of you have any specific “wants” for the space? Find what each of you does well and let you both run with it. E.g. budgeting, plumbing, design... You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram: Suzannah is @suzannahstanley Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus The podcast is @yourhomestorypodcast We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

There are great deals out there on secondhand items direct from sellers (online or in-person), but it takes work to find them. Plus, selling your furniture, rugs, etc. can be a great way to get some extra cash to cover new purchases! We share our experiences and tips for both buying and selling items on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and buy/sell groups, garage sales, and more. Resources mentioned: check out Suzannah’s tips for shopping at estate sales here. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram: Suzannah is @suzannahstanley Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus The podcast is @yourhomestorypodcast We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

We’ve had some big personal and home/project-related updates lately and wanted to share in more depth, let you get to know us even better! This episode shares what’s up with us as we enter summer and a new phase of life for Suzannah. Suzannah’s updates: 0:57: Personal (new baby) 6:21: Personal (fitness after baby) 8:47: House hunting (1930’s FSBO project) Ashley’s updates: 16:19: Personal (summer childcare and routine) 18:02: Personal (sleep and anxiety) 20:40: House projects (outdoor spaces) 26:01: House projects (living room dream light fixture) You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram: Suzannah is @suzannahstanley Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus The podcast is @yourhomestorypodcast We’d love to get to know YOU better, too! Share your questions and projects in our Facebook group here or email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

How do you pick window treatments? What type of window treatment do you need in your living room, kitchen, or bathroom? How do you hang window curtains? Tune in today, as we chat all about window curtains, blinds, shades and more.   In this episode, Ashley chatted about the great pinch pleat tutorial that she came across, how she cut her own bamboo blinds to save money and her $10 fencing to bamboo shades hack.   Suzannah shared her DIY curtain in her kitchen and her insulated window blind tutorial. Here’s her post about her favorite custom bamboo blinds. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

Focus on one space in your home with us today and learn more about how to make your entryway work for you and your family. Whether you need decor ideas such as art, lighting, or rugs or more organizational ideas such as how to create a drop zone, coat storage and more, you’ll leave this episode with practical ways to update your space. Interested in hearing about the podcast that Ashley has been loving? Here’s the link to the Practical Minimalists podcast. See Ashley’s entryway makeover, her DIY coat rack and her “Hello” string art that she DIY’d years ago. See Suzannah’s entryway with stairs here. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

“Small electrical” may not sound very exciting, but it is SO empowering to have the skills to make small changes in your home with light fixtures, light switches, and more. Ashley and Suzannah share their experience with lots of DIY electrical updates, plus talk about what to expect working with a contractor (such as pricing and process) and when you should consider hiring a pro instead of doing it yourself. Resources you may find helpful: How to replace a light fixture How to replace an electrical outlet You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

“Minimalism” is an aspirational term for many of us… but hey, what does it mean, is it realistic, and will it bring us happiness? We talk about Marie Kondo’s books and philosophy for reducing clutter in your home and wardrobe, plus the documentary Minimalism and why our culture is pointing some of us to this extreme. Resources mentioned (contains affiliate links): The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things Capsule wardrobe background Marie Kondo will have a series on Neftlix soon, too! You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

We focus on the guest bedroom and what design choices are great for this space. Whether you are thinking about hosting guests short- or long-term, these tips for creating a welcoming guest bedroom are all easy to implement and will go a long way in making your guests feel right at home. In talking about design, Ashley chatted about the cool ¾ painted wall that she put in her guest bedroom and Suzannah mentioned her navy accent wall in her first home guest room. Suzannah mentioned a metal bed that she really loves and although she might not put it in her master, it’s a contender for the guest bedroom. Chris Loves Julia actually used a very similar one in their guest bedroom. Also hear what we think MUST go into a guest bedroom and why. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

Who doesn’t love a good rug? Rugs add character, coziness, and more to our spaces yet they can be hard to select. Listen in as we chat about rug placement, rug sizing, what types of rugs work best within specific types of rooms, how to clean rugs, and more. Ashley mentioned her posts on where to find affordable vintage rugs, how to search for cheap vintage rugs online, and how to clean vintage rugs. Sometimes diagrams and pictures can help you learn more about what type of rug might fit your space the best. Here’s a great helpful post on how to figure out what size rug to buy as well as this one that helps you choose the right rug for your space. We also linked up Suzannah’s fave very affordable Target rug that she has in two colors. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

If you are thinking of selling your home in the next 5 years (or working with sellers as a buyer right now), this episode is for you!   Real estate can be so exciting but also so stressful! We’ve had a variety of experiences selling a few houses between us, Suzannah very recently with plenty of issues but also a very successful outcome. In this episode we share our experiences plus several tips we’ve learned for selling homes, staging them for real estate photos and tours, AND thinking long-term for future resale. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

We love to talk about when to DIY vs. when to find a pro--and this time we focus on wallpaper installation and removal. We’ve both installed wallpaper ourselves (different kinds) and Ashley has had some very good and some very bad experiences removing it. We also talk about options for wallpaper installation and removal, and other wall treatments.   Posts we mentioned: Ashley’s wallpaper installation in her dining room Tutorial for removable wallpaper in Suzannah’s powder bath which used chair rail on the bottom half Suzannah’s laundry room post about hanging removable wallpaper sideways You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

We all struggle with contentment and the need/want to do more, make more, and buy more. How to combat that in the home decor world? Tune in as we give practical tips for how to be content even while being inundated with beautiful spaces, amazing renovations and more.   Suzannah mentioned inspiration from Molly Galbraith of Girls Gone Strong, who believes you can love your body exactly as it is right now, while wanting it to look or perform differently. (Check out her free 7-day Love Your Body Challenge!)   Get practical tips from Suzannah for 12 ways to love your home (almost) exactly how it is and how to redecorate with pieces you already own.   Ashley refreshed her old bedroom and shared a how-to change your decor without spending money. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

If you are ready to start a kitchen renovation, planning a small kitchen update or just want to be inspired by what you can do to freshen up your kitchen, then this episode is perfect for you.   Listen in as we chat about how a kitchen function matters and what you can look for in adding function to your space. Whether it be adding an automatic faucet (which Ashley loves) or microwave placement, you’ll be sure to gain valuable food for thought to make changes to your space.   Need help with budgeting for your kitchen remodel? Here’s a resource you can use to remodel a kitchen.   Want to see more inspiration and budget breakdowns? We love Anna’s full kitchen reno with her her follow-up on how to remodel a kitchen. Other great kitchen renovations or updates include: Francois Et Moi, Chris Loves Julia, The Sweetest Digs  and Southern Hospitality.   And, if you haven’t seen our kitchen reveals and breakdown’s, make sure to check them out! See Ashley’s Before and After Kitchen Reveal and Suzannah’s Before a

We’ve gathered questions from listeners from our Facebook page, Instagram, and email and are answering several of them together in this episode! Tune in to hear our take on: How to budget for a remodel. benefit vs. value/equity gained, how you’ve chosen to allocate money, pitfalls and surprise expenses, etc. (Also see Suzannah’s post on this here) Beautiful and practical ideas for outdoor living spaces Top tips or mistakes to avoid when starting a home blog (one of them is Blogtalk 2.0) What to do with decor pieces that are gifted to you that are not your style Where to start decorating a whole home that doesn’t fit your style Tips on arranging furniture in awkward spaces, like living room and bedroom When making mood boards, how to lay out measurements of the room and scale the furniture/decor pieces We also share what we’re working on and into now--see this bathroom inspiration by Carpendaughter and Suzannah’s newly organized pinboards. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagra

Ashley and Suzannah both have some serious DIY backgrounds - for crafty, sewing, and art projects (for better or worse) and have found that sometimes it’s totally worth it to DIY, sometimes it’s better to buy or hire out. Tune in to hear when to hone your skills and save money and when to let someone else do it! Some of our favorite DIYs include Ashley’s vintage rug bench recovering and Suzannah’s master bathroom (a successful all-DIY reno that took forever). You’d have to search WAY back in our archives for some of the fails! ;) Plus, hear Ashley’s least favorite types of painting and what Suzannah made 120 of! You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.

If you love the look of gallery walls but are scared to try to put one up, we are here to help! We are breaking down the confusion on frame sizing, how to pick art, how to decide on photographs, whether your gallery wall should be symmetrical or 3D, and much more! Join in as we give handy tips for installing your gallery wall and whether or not your gallery wall should be the focus of a space or just add to the space. *Affiliate link below. In our chat, Ashley mentioned a great modern bookcase that she scored at the Goodwill and then shared about her large gallery wall that she used to have in her living room. Still want to know more about determining frame sizing for your wall? Use this handy gallery wall how-to to help you plan your next gallery wall! Find loads of inspiration on gallery walls on this gallery wall board on Pinterest. See Suzannah’s 2013 dining room gallery wall here See Suzannah’s 2017 dining room with multiple art pieces here You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us o

Trends affect us whether we follow them or not. Tune in to listen to us chat about what trends are coming in and which ones are going out. You might be surprised to hear our thoughts on trends in general and how to incorporate them into our homes and when to disregard them completely. We referenced: Refinery 29 2018 trends, The Everygirl 2018 trends and what’s out from 2017 (via this Zillow trends piece), Country Living 2018 trends and My Domaine 2018 trends. If you want some modern barn door ideas, we are loving this black and glass barn door and this dark barn door that hides a bathroom. The giveaway with Framebridge has officially ended. JoyJoyNelson you are the winner! Please email us to claim your gift card. You can find us on our blogs or connect with each of us on Instagram. Suzannah is @suzannahstanley and Ashley is @biggerthanthethreeofus. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts! Join our Facebook group here and email us at yourhomestorypodcast@gmail.com.