It’s time for another CLJ Q&A! These episodes are shorter (around 30 minutes) and still have all the same fun and banter, but we answer YOUR questions. Although these are specific questions that come from real listeners, they are either questions we get a lot or we think can be applicable to many homes and situations. If you have a question you’d like us to answer, email us at podcast@chrislovesjulia.com.
Listen to the latest episode on: iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher.
Here are the four questions we answer this week:
1. I have a question about windows in the bathroom: I currently live in a row home in Philadelphia, my bathroom has two windows in it that back up to my neighbors patio and a restaurant patio. I have blinds on the two windows in my bathroom, to keep any peepers from being able to look into my bathroom but I feel like its a waste of perfectly good natural light to keep them closed all the time. My husband thinks we should put sheer curtains up and keep the blinds open to solve the peeping/natural light problem but I can’t say that I’ve ever seen curtains in a bathroom before, what do you think we should do?
Best,
Lane
The balance of natural light and privacy is a big thing in a lot of bathrooms, so we cover a few ways to frost a window (the most affordable option–check out this film for this method!), different blind options (the easiest option, we’d recommend cellular honeycomb blinds for maximum light/privacy balance), and even high tech electrically-charged glass that frosts with the flip of a switch (arguably, the coolest option–here’s a video of it in action). We also talk about mirrors in front of windows–are you for them? Image via.
2. I have a thorn in my side when it comes to organizing and designing…our “home office space” – that isn’t used as a home office. We don’t even use the desk…it’s a dumping site for papers. It’s in the corner of our bedroom :( We have one filing cabinet that is terribly ugly next to the desk that is already full. My question for y’all is if you’ve posted on this before? Or if you have any go-to pieces for putting “adulting stuff” when you don’t have an office. I need an organized space that looks pretty since it’s in my bedroom and I see it every day! Help!!! DevanÂ
Combination spaces can be tricky, especially in the bedroom where any horizontal surface tends to be somewhere that you lay things. But the first image (via) in this post sure sells it, right? We talk about some different approaches depending on how you use your spaces. We talk about evaluating the need for dual functionality in a room (is it being used for anything other than a dumping ground?) and how making things smaller can sometimes help in keeping them clean. Also, how we tackle the paper trail in our home!
Here’s a peek at my small work space I refer to.
3. Hello Chris, Julia, and Preston!I am a fairly new listener and have been binging your podcast. I have been so inspired by some of your recent episodes! You have me thinking we really can take on some DIY projects. We recently purchased our first home and have several projects we would like to tackle, but currently are working with very basic tools such as screwdrivers, a drill, etc. What tools do you feel are most useful and are must-haves for someone who is just starting to build their tool arsenal?Â
Thanks guys, love the podcast!
Casey
Here’s the room that we refer to when we talk about winning the contest that allowed us to buy our first set of tools.
Here’s how it turned out! And below is a round-up of what we consider the essentials.
4. Where did you get your upholstered, low-profile box spring mattress?
We shared a picture of our bedroom here, and had a lot of questions about our box spring, because it looks very low-profile. It’s actually the Sleep Number base for our mattress, and not fully low-profile. BUT we actually do have a low-profile, upholstered box spring in our guest room.
We talk about where to get one (here), and the benefits of switching to low-profile. We also share some ways to make a current box-spring look better, if getting a new one isn’t on your priority list right now.
They sent us their Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle with a Window Pane Sheet and their Bedford Smoke Stripe Duvet cover back in April and we could not be happier. Our listeners get $20 off PLUS Free Shipping with code CLJ at checkout!
Garnet Hill sells a fitted, pretty box spring cover in white or tan matelassé, for beds from twin to king, $58-88. I have one and love it. https://www.garnethill.com/matelass-c3a9-box-spring-cover/11794
Huncan Dines? You guys… at first I was just thinking it was some brand of frosting I hadn’t heard of before. After all I’m not a frosting aficionado or anything, and Chris knows all the good stuff about cooking! OMG. When I finally realized… I was laughing out loud. You guys are sooooo funny! I love the show! Keep up all the great the real-ness. :)
Hahaha! Thanks, Monica!
I love the question/answer podcast! Also, that room redo from 2011- totally remember you doing that and loving it! You’ve come a long way! :). I mean that in the very best way- I’ve loved your style at every stage, but really really love it now!
I’ve always put a fitted sheet on the box spring to hide its ugly pattern or color. It has worked well with the deeper box springs. If using a low profile box spring, the fitted sheet might not fit tight.
I love these Q&A sessions, they are giving me some great ideas! I actually popped a fitted sheet over our box spring because the bed skirt concept was collecting cat hair. I just thought I’d throw that in for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to upholstering their box spring. I didn’t look to see if your sponsor sells separate fitted sheets but that’s one way to get everything to coordinate!