Explore every episode of Colorful Conversations: DIY & Home Design
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Pub. Date
Title
Duration
07 May 2019
An Introduction to Colorful Conversations
00:24:37
In this episode, we discussed:
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening we have an awesome FREE guide called 5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love. Text designtips to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
1:00 Let’s get to know Tasha Agruso, the brainchild behind Kaleidoscope Living and the beginnings of her blogging journey.
7:00 Learn more about Joe, he explains what he brings to the DIY blog table as “his cheapness”. And learn how Joe’s career as a firefighter has lent time to their DIY projects.
8:50 Learn more about Thea - currently she contributes to Kaleidoscope Living as the “Content Manager” her title has changed many times as she has journeyed with Tasha.
10:10 Why Tasha decided Joe and Thea had to be on the podcast, and the perspectives they will bring to the podcast. Joe’s perspective is very helpful and Thea is a think tank professional #truthteller.
12:40 Learn about Designer In A Binder! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.
15:00 Tasha decided some changes needed to be made, starting with updating their bedroom furniture and they were shocked at the price, so Joe proclaimed “ I will build it”.
16:15 Joe begins his journey from never building anything in his life and started his journey with a bottom of the line circular saw and palm sander. He began building his first piece of furniture starting with two end tables and a headboard.
18:35 Tasha has an “aha” moment, realizing they can decorate on a budget -we can do this, create a home that is amazing. They don’t have to spend a fortune to do it and they don’t need super fancy tools to do it--it all evolved from there.
19:35 mins: “Your home matters so much more than you think it does, and it really does set the tone for everything else. It affects your happiness as you walk out the door to go to your job for the day, when you come home at the end of a stressful day that is where you need to recharge your batteries. If you hate parts of your house, it will negatively impact you.”
As promised, we have added links to our favorite projects, so you can get a sense of how much you can accomplish without spending a ton or having extraordinary skills.
Easy & affordable DIY home projects that make a big impact (and happen to be some of our favorites):
DIY Herringbone Plank Wall- We created a statement wall in our kitchen for FREE using wood from an old fence we tore down.
DIY Modern Plank Wall- For less than $100 and in just 2 days we created this modern plank wall in our foyer. It makes a huge impact.
DIY Electric Fireplace- Did you know you can add an electric fireplace to any room? You can! We did it. It was an easy project and requires no special skills (just patience).
DIY Concrete Fireplace- We created our dream concrete fireplace for under $100 (after contractors told us it couldn’t be done our would cost thousands of dollars)
DIY IKEA Hack for a Built-in Look- We purchased some basic dressers and bookcases from IKEA about 8 years ago. I painted them and stacked them on top of each other for the vibe of built-in furniture on a tiny budget.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text designtips to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode we discussed:
2:10 - We start with our version of “The NewlyWed Game”, and this week Tasha and Joe answer a question about the Kitchen Renovation-- “What are you most excited about the renovation?” Joe nails it!
5:35 - Today’s Topic is “How do you marry two different decorating styles?” Tasha finds a survey that was conducted by uGallery that found nearly 60% of the women who responded thought that managing different home decor styles was one of the biggest challenges for couples. Also, an 2013 Survey by Houzz, the home decor website, found that 12% of people who responded considered separating or divorcing during a home remodel. Joe’s tip: Do what your wife says!
7:35 - Joe talk about the commonalities and differences in his and Tasha’s home decor styles. Joe says Tasha is a little more loud with choices of color and he is a bit more low key with a focus on comfort and organization.
10:00 - Tasha and Joe discuss design compromises that they have reached. They talk about finding Joe the perfect leather recliner (after 17 years of wanting one!), the compromises made in the current kitchen renovation and Tasha’s cutlery selection process when they were getting married.
19:30 - Tasha and Joe share concrete tips on how they have overcome different decorating styles. Joe walks us through each tip and Tasha elaborates. Tip One: First, open the lines of communication, talk about what you like about a room you want to renovate, and what you don’t like about it. Tip Two: Talk about the goals of the room, how will it will function for the family. The first two steps are about opening the lines of communication and finding common ground--no arguing or nitpicking! These two steps are so important and it is something Tasha addresses in detail in Designer in a Binder.
24:15 - Step Three: Start talking about how you want the room to look. Tasha discusses how you can effectively use Pinterest during this stage to visually show each other your wants for the room you are renovating.
29:00 - Step Four: Create a mood board. This is literally taking the individual elements you like and want to use in the room and putting them together in a way that you can determine what is working and what is not. It is a great way to really see the potential for the space and for each partner to enact their veto power!
31:45 - Free Mood Board Guide: Text all one word “Moodboard” to 44222 and you will receive a free guide on how to make a mood board!
37:00 - Tasha recaps the four steps to combining different decorating styles. 1)Talk about likes and dislikes of your current room. 2) Talk about your overall goals for the room. 3) Start to think and talk about how you want it to look and narrow down. 4) Start your MoodBoard!
38:00 - Next episode, we will discuss how to hire a contractor.
As promised, we have added links to our favorite projects, so you can get a sense of how much you can accomplish without spending a ton or having extraordinary skills
Easy & affordable DIY home projects that make a big impact (and happen to be some of our favorites):
DIY Herringbone Plank Wall- We created a statement wall in our kitchen for FREE using wood from an old fence we tore down.
DIY Modern Plank Wall- For less than $100 and in just 2 days we created this modern plank wall in our foyer. It makes a huge impact.
DIY Electric Fireplace- Did you know you can add an electric fireplace to any room? You can! We did it. It was an easy project and requires no special skills (just patience).
DIY Concrete Fireplace- We created our dream concrete fireplace for under $100 (after contractors told us it couldn’t be done our would cost thousands of dollars)
DIY IKEA Hack for a Built-in Look- We purchased some basic dressers and bookcases from IKEA about 8 years ago. I painted them and stacked them on top of each other for the vibe of built-in furniture on a tiny budget.
In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea, Tasha and Joe give useful advice for how to find a trustworthy remodeling contractor for your next home renovation project.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text "DESIGNTIPS" to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
0:32 - Today, we’re talking about how to find a good contractor. But first, updates from home! Joe talks about moving into spring, with more renovations planned after finishing up the renovations in the dining room. Tasha talks about packing up the kitchen to start the huge kitchen renovation.
1:55 - Test your love game--how well do Tasha and Joe know each other? On the topic of home improvement contractors, Thea asks about their least favorite renovations. Thea asks Joe what he thinks Tasha’s least favorite renovation project has been – his answer of the garage was correct, although she had blocked it from her memory!
3:33 – Tasha answers the same question for what she thinks is Joe’s worst renovation project. Her guess--replacing all of the carpeting upstairs with laminate flooring. The upstairs is not small, the layout made it difficult, Tasha did not want thresholds, but the end result was totally worth the work. Joe agrees that this was his least favorite project.
5:21 – This is not your ordinary podcast. Make sure to follow on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. If we pick your question, we’ll send you some swag!
6:04 – Today’s Topic: Finding a good remodeling contractor. Tasha and Joe have just gone through this process, so they know how important it is. Of course, nobody ever intends to hire a bad contractor, but sometimes it just happens. It can be stressful and awful, and possibly ruin your home! Tasha did some research for this topic and found that complaints filed against home improvement contractors rank among the top 5 complaint categories year after year in New York City. From the most recent stats from 2017, there were over 1100 complaints filed against contractors and $1.5 million in fees were issued. So finding a trustworthy contractor is a very prevalent problem, especially because you typically pay something up front.
8:00 – Tasha makes it personal by telling how and why she and Joe decided to hire a contractor for their kitchen renovation. They will walk listeners through their decision-making process and, in part two of the episode, there will be a checklist of questions and concrete tips that you can use if you ever decide to work with a remodeling contractor.
8:33 – Joe talks about how it came to be that they ended up hiring a contractor. He speaks to their prior projects in their former house, where they did most of the renovation work themselves. For this kitchen project, however, Joe and Tasha are making major changes to the footprint of the room (like removing walls) and decided it was safer and more practical to hire someone. After talking to a contractor and reviewing their plans, the contractor pointed out several issues that wouldn’t work in their kitchen reno. The timing of DIY-ing both the dining room and kitchen at the same time would also create complications and strain on the family.
16:40 – Joe will cover tips to help you find your own remodeling contractor.
16:51 – First, let’s take a quick break to hear from our sponsor! Learn about Designer In A Binder, a comprehensive, step-by-step workbook and e-book that teaches you how to design spaces that you love! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.
18:03 – Tasha and Joe share actionable tips on how to choose a good remodeling contractor. Joe walks us through each tip and Tasha elaborates. Tip 1: Understand what your area requires in terms of licensing. Different areas have different rules and regulations. For example, in North Carolina, a construction project that costs $30,000 or more requires a licensed contractor. Tasha tells us how their contractor is specifically licensed to do kitchen and bathroom construction projects, instead of being a general contractor. Vet the information about your contractor and don’t assume that they’re licensed!
19:23 – Surprise Extra Tip: Make sure your contractor is knowledgeable about what they’re doing! You wouldn’t go to just anybody if you needed surgery… same goes for home renovation.
20:02 – Tip 2: Have a general idea about what you want before you get estimates. Knowing what you want and what is a must-have for you helps you have much more productive and useful conversations as you plan for who to work with. Have a vision of what you want and you’ll get a more accurate estimate.
22:58 – Tip 3: Do some research and ask around for recommendations. There are so many ways to do this. You can use internet sites like Angie’s List, Facebook Groups and the Nextdoor app. Joe prefers word-of-mouth recommendations because you know it’s coming from a trusted source. Tasha says you can make general observations as well. How long has your neighbor’s bathroom been under construction? Maybe don’t ask for their contractor’s business card if it’s taking six months.
27:25 – Tip 4: Review your list of potential contractors. Check out the Better Business Bureau and do some research on the web to see if there are any red flags about anyone on your list. You can also check with your state’s Consumer Protection Agency to make sure they haven’t received any complaints too.
28:31 – Tip 5: In addition to checking if a contractor is licensed, you’ll want to ask if they are bonded and insured. This is so important!
29:04 – Ask your contractor for references. Get a first-hand account from previous customers about their experience and the results. It might be a red flag if your contractor doesn’t have any references that they will share with you.
30:10 – A good contractor will give you detailed drawings of the renovation plans, a line item estimate, and an anticipated timeline for the renovation. A professional working on a big project like a kitchen renovation should have the capability and technology to provide these items to you. Always have good communication with your contractor, and always have things in writing.
31:30 – When you get the estimate and scope of work, make sure the payment terms make sense and are not alarming. It is common practice with contractors to take advance payment or a deposit before the work starts, with a middle installment, and then a final installment at the completion of work. Ask for a final walk-through to review the work and make sure everything is done to your satisfaction. A key point in this is when you give any money to your contractor, make sure it’s going into an escrow account. This is because they are holding this money in trust for you and your project; it shouldn’t be going directly into their bank account!
34:11 – Tip 6: Make sure that your contractor is paying the sub-contractors, and don’t be afraid to ask for proof of these payments. Even though it’s the contractor’s responsibility to do this, it’s ultimately your house, and unpaid sub-contractors can put a “mechanic’s lien” on your home for unpaid work.
36:30 - Tasha and Joe recap these steps but encourage listeners to also use their intuition and trust their gut. If you don’t feel confident about who you’re working with, even if they check all the boxes, then trust that feeling.
37:58 – Next time on Colorful Conversations, Joe and Tasha will talk about love and renovations.
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media, and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea, Tasha, and Joe discuss open concept kitchens and how to decide if this design concept is right for you, what pros and cons to think about, and how to go about making it happen!
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text "DESIGNTIPS" to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode:
0:33 – Today, we’re going to talk about open concept kitchens and how to decide if it works for your home and your life. But first, updates from the homefront. Tasha discusses her life-changing discovery of high waisted jeans and how great they make her look (very flattering) and feel (they’re super comfortable)! For Joe, he highlights their nightly reading of Harry Potter with their girls. Thea recommends buying the illustrated version of Harry Potter to make it more exciting for the kids.
3:24 – On to the “Newlywed” style questions (even though Tasha and Joe are heading into their 17th anniversary). Thea asks Tasha what she thinks is Joe’s favorite room in the house. Tasha guesses that it’s the family room because it houses the “famous” recliner, they finally have everything situated how they want it, and he just loves it… and Joe agrees! Joe guesses that Tasha’s favorite room is the dining room because the renovation is finished, with new paint, bookshelves, and lighting, so everything looks great. Joe is spot on with his guess!
5:27 - This is not an ordinary podcast. Make sure you’re following on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope because that’s where we announce our upcoming topics and where you can submit your questions for us to answer. If we pick your question to be on the podcast, we’ll send you a free gift! We got a lot of great questions for this episode’s topic, so be sure to keep that up! Also, if you want to see the video footage and behind-the-scenes from any of our episodes, be sure to catch up with us on our YouTube channel.
6:15 - Okay, let’s get into everything about open concept kitchens. Joe starts with a definition of an open kitchen design: this idea mainly applies to kitchens with a lack of walls that divide the kitchen from the family room and/or dining room. It’s more commonly known today as “open concept” or an “open floor plan.” The main feature (or lack thereof) is the absence of walls between the kitchen and other living spaces. Open concept living spaces are all the rage right now on TV and social media.
8:01 - Today, we want to talk about the practical considerations of having and living in an open concept space, and deciding if having an open concept kitchen actually works for you. Joe brings up that he found over 77,000 online advice discussions on the topic “open plan help.” In Tasha’s research for the episode, she found an article (linked in the show notes) titled “Is 2018 the Beginning of the End of the Open Concept Floor Plan,” and Tasha fully believes that walls will be making a comeback. The article notes that brokers, designers, and architects have noticed that an increasing number of buyers are looking for closed floor plans or hybrid floor plans, which provide at least some separation between rooms.
9:41 - First, let’s take a quick break to hear a word from our sponsor… Do any of these words apply to how you feel about your house: uninspired, embarrassed, tired, boring, overwhelmed? If you’re looking for design advice to change those words, you need to check out Designer In A Binder! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.
10:49 - We’re back and we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of open kitchen design. Tasha starts on the positive with a pro, explaining that open concept can be a great way to make a small space or small home feel much larger. Small spaces can feel closed in by walls, so removing them can visually open up the space and make it feel bigger. Joe jumps in with another pro, saying that opening the space brings the rooms together which in turn brings your family together, making you feel more connected to the people in the house.
12:42 - Another pro from Tasha is that an open concept can help create a great space for easier socializing and entertaining. Having an open kitchen design means guests can enjoy themselves in the dining room or family room, while the host can prep food or dinner in the kitchen while still participating in the conversation. Joe’s pro point is the beautiful, open sightlines and how visually appealing an open concept space can look (with the proper staging and designing).
14:03 - Tasha’s number one con for the open concept is the noise factor. Joe actually pointed this out to Tasha - he commented that it’s not super great listening to their kids’ cartoons on the TV while they’re preparing dinner or having a more adult conversation, and on the other hand, kitchen noises can be very loud and distracting if someone is trying to watch TV in the living room. Noise in an open space is a big consideration that many people don’t think about.
16:30 - One of Joe’s cons about an open concept is the lack of privacy. If something is going on in the kitchen, like a conversation you want to be private or preparations that you’d rather do uninterrupted, having an open space can make that challenging. Tasha agrees, saying that her and Joe’s time cooking in the kitchen together is really their only one-on-one time to check in and chat with each other. This kind of separation and privacy may become even more important with older kids and teenagers in the house.
18:37 - Tasha brings up another con. While open concept spaces look great on TV and in magazines, these spaces are super clean, staged well, and designed by professionals. In real life, people aren’t always tidy and clean and organized. If there are things not put away in the space, it can make an open concept space look really disorganized and dirty. An open concept kitchen design will make it so you can constantly see into your different living spaces, and real life is hard to keep clean 100% of the time.
20:54 - Joe says if you’re thinking about renovating an existing house to make it an open concept floor plan, this means removing load-bearing walls and using the proper load-bearing beams, which are very expensive.
21:22 - There can also be safety concerns with open concept spaces. Joe says that firefighters have found that fires spread faster in open concept homes due to the lack of walls. One fire safety survey found that 30 years ago, people had an average of 17 minutes to safely escape a house fire, because rooms were more compartmentalized and the fire could be contained easier. Today, people only have about 3 minutes to escape a house fire, largely due to how fast a fire can take over in an open concept house.
22:32 - Tasha tackles a question submitted online from a follower. Dionne asks, “does the open concept kitchen enhance or deter from the family dinner conversation, given the available distractions like TV?” Tasha finds this to be a really interesting question that she hadn’t thought of this before. But it makes sense that distraction is possible from other rooms. Tasha explains that in their house, they and their kids have dinner together every night, and the children are expected to sit and participate until the meal is over. Dinner together is routine and “required family fun time.” For most people, Tasha thinks that there is potential that an open concept can take away from family time. However, you can implement a “no screens” rule at dinner, so no TV and no phones at dinner. It truly depends on your family, how you live together, and your house rules.
27:55 - Joe talks about the path that they decided to take when it came to an open concept kitchen within their own house. Tasha says they initially were aiming for a much more open space, but after looking at some of the pros and cons, they decided to incorporate some walls and separation into their home’s floor plan. They decided to do a cased opening between the kitchen and dining room, allows for a 9 foot wide opening between the rooms.
32:39 - Between the kitchen and the family room, Joe and Tasha have decided to open up the standard doorways to 6 feet wide. This way, they have the option of adding french doors if noise between the rooms becomes an issue. Joe says their dream door may be one of the sliding barn doors, but no decisions have been made yet.
34:32 - Next time on Colorful Conversations, we’ll discuss love and renovations. Make sure to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on social media. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. As a big thank you for listening to this podcast, we have an awesome free guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design a Room You Love” which is full of great tips for what you want to accomplish in a space. To get this guide, text DESIGNTIPS (all one word) to 44222 and you will get the guide delivered to your inbox.
36:01 - You can also email us at podcast@kaleidoscopeliving.com! We’d love to hear from you and we’ll pull listener questions from our email too. Remember, if we use your question, we’ll send you some free swag!
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a podcast is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
How to Find the Time and Motivation to Work on Your Home
00:37:33
In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea and Tasha talk about how to find or create time to improve your home! Their goal is for you to learn something useful and have fun every time you listen.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode:
0:31 - Today is a little different - We’re without Joe, as he’s at work, but Thea and Tasha are leading the way with their discussion on how to find or create time to improve your home.
1:00 - What’s happening on Tasha’s homefront? Tasha tells us about embarking on the demo & reno on the kitchen, hallway, foyer and dining room a few days ago - it’s honestly more like a first-floor renovation! The family is on their way to finally setting up their temporary kitchen.
3:26 - Because we’re Joe-less today, Tasha and Thea are taking on the Newlywed Game to test each other’s knowledge of their friendship. The question is: what is the biggest time suck in the other person’s life? Tasha guesses that Thea’s biggest time suck is loading and unloading the dishwasher. Thea admits that she fully avoids that chore, and her actual time suck activity is spending time on social media. Thea guesses that Tasha’s biggest time suck is work because it’s what she spends the most time doing! Tasha agrees, saying work is a big time suck because it’s hard for her to turn her working brain off.
5:50 - Just a reminder that this is not your ordinary podcast! Make sure to follow on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. If we pick your question, we’ll send you some free swag!
6:50 - The question that Tasha gets by far the most often is How do you have all this time to work on your house? (Thea has asked this as well!) Tasha and Joe both work full time, have twin girls, and enjoy their busy work schedules. They have to make time to work on their house!
11:40 - Tasha shares her tips to find more time in your schedule or create the time needed to improve your home. Tip #1 is a big one: Do not begin until you have a solid plan! You need to think about what you want to change or keep, create a budget, pick color pallets and patterns, and actually plan for what you want to do before you buy any supplies.
14:30 - Tip #2, which can be a tricky one for some people, is once you have your plan, you have to make it a priority. This can mean that you may have to say no to other things that take up your time and money. Set a deadline to complete your project by and don’t treat it as an optional task.
17:00 - Tip # 3 is to shift your mindset. For Tasha and Joe, this meant that they reframed “house project time” as “fun relaxation time.” Taking on work at home has become an enjoyable way to spend quality family time together, while also making progress on their home projects. Make a great playlist to listen to while you paint (or listen to a great podcast, like this one)!
21:55 - Designer In A Binder Pre-Sale! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.
22:12 - Tip #4 is you need to set deadlines! You didn’t get through school without a deadline, and life works the same way. Give yourself realistic deadlines for your projects. It’s okay if you need to change it, but you have to work towards something.
25:20 - Tip #5 is to ask for help, which is a big struggle for Tasha! Don’t be afraid to ask others for help picking up or taking care of your kids if you’re taking on a project, or ask for extra hands if you’re taking on something big. Setting deadlines can also really help you plan for when you need to have extra help.
27:45 - Tip #6 is for anyone with kids--get your kids involved when you are working to improve your home! Parents often feel that big projects aren’t really kid-friendly, but there are ways to get them safely involved. Kids can help with yard work, help with smaller parts of the project, or simply be coloring in the same room, and it can be a great source of pride for children to feel like they contributed to their house. This can sometimes slow the pace down on a project, but Tasha feels that the benefits of involving the kids outweighs any inconvenience.
30:55 - Tip #7 is to take breaks between big projects! These types of home projects are exhausting and can take a toll on the family. Time to mentally and physically recover between projects is important so you can rest and reset, but also so that you can really work on a cohesive plan for your next big project (remember Tip #1?).
34:35 - Tasha is holding Thea’s feet to the fire and asks her to set a deadline for a home project, keeping in mind these tips. Thea has been meaning to paint her dining room table for a while (even bought paint) and agrees to get it done by the end of April!
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
Why Your Home Matters So Much More Than You Think It Does
00:35:27
Hear Tasha talk about why it matters so much for you to love your home. Tasha and Thea discuss key points about the relationship that exists between us and our house and why this plays such an important role in our quality of life!
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode:
0:30 - Today, we’re talking about why you should love your home is so important and why it matters more than you may think. But first, updates from the home front! The kitchen renovation is still underway with the contractors, but Tasha and Joe are getting ready for their DIY piece of the project. Tasha is going to be working on tiling the kitchen backsplash and they both will be installing the new floors themselves.
2:30 - It’s time for the newlywed game for Thea and Tasha! Today’s question is what do I love least about my house? Tasha guesses that Thea’s least favorite thing about her house is that she has one bathroom, and there are several things about that one bathroom that Thea doesn’t like. Thea agrees, but adds that she thinks her house is haunted and that is what she was thinking of! Thea guesses that Tasha’s least-lovable feature is her master bathroom, which she describes as “the most 80s explosion of tile you’ve ever seen.”
7:40 - This is not your ordinary podcast because we announce our upcoming topics so you can submit your questions for us to answer! Make sure to follow our Instagram, @tasha.kaleidoscope so we can see what you’re asking. If we pick your question, we’ll send you a sweet free gift!
11:00 - So, why do we believe it matters so much to truly love your home? Home is where we start and end our crazy busy days and home is usually a place where you spend a lot of time. You don’t need to have a magazine-style, perfect home to be happy, but your home should be a place that you love, that you’re proud of, and is beautiful to you.
13:00 - Studies done by environmental psychologists recognize that for most people, their home is part of their self-definition - it helps define who you are! You’re in a relationship with your home, so you need to do a little work to make sure it’s a good relationship.
16:35 - We have conscious and sometimes subconscious reactions to our space, and finding frustration in your home, whether it’s ugly tile or just untidiness, can cause unnecessary stress and negativity in our lives. Conversely, creating a space that you feel relaxed and happy in, those positive emotions affect the rest of our lives too.
19:27 - Tasha feels strongly that when you really love your home, it gives you the energy to take care of your space. You may be tired, but you have more motivation to clear the dishes out of the sink or make your bed when those spaces make you feel joy. Remember, “home is a feeling, not a place.”
25:50 - What Tasha and Joe are going through right now with the stress of their kitchen renovation is a perfect example of how loving your home matters for your mental health. Tasha even got a comment on Instagram from a woman who had gone through chemotherapy and a kitchen reno… guess which she claimed was harder?
29:15 - Tasha encourages people not to feel selfish or guilty for wanting to create a home that they really love, which she herself has experienced. When we feel at our best and feel good about our home base, we can do more for everyone else and help be a part of the solution for our larger world problems.
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
Love & Renovations-How to Survive Renovation Stress
00:41:22
In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea, Tasha and Joe talk about how to live your best life by creating a home you love through DIY, home design, and life at home. Their goal is for you to learn something useful and have fun every time you listen. This time, we’re talking about love and renovation and how to survive renovation stress.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “Design Vault.” Text “DESIGNVAULT” to 44222 and you will get the password to access the vault in your inbox!
In this episode:
0:30 - Today, we’re talking about Love and Renovation- How to Survive Renovation Stress. First, let’s find out what’s going on on the homefront. Joe and Tasha talk about their ongoing kitchen renovation, which is fully underway. Things have been ripped out, inspected, roughed in, and drywall is expected soon!
2:30 - It’s time for Thea’s favorite game, testing how well Tasha and Joe know each other. Today’s question is: What is the most annoying thing about doing a renovation with each other? Tasha thinks Joe finds it annoying when she says “Oh, that’s good enough,” and “I can caulk that!” For perfectionist Joe, those aren’t always the phrases he wants to hear during renovation. Joe guesses that Tasha gets annoyed by his need to do everything perfectly, even if it means re-doing it. However, what really gets to Tasha during renovation is Joe’s need to over-secure things - nails, wood glue, screws, and more. Everything needs to be super secure because “safety has no holiday.”
5:40 – This is not your ordinary podcast. Make sure to follow on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. If Instagram isn’t your jam, you can also find us on Facebook to ask your burning DIY and home design questions. If we pick your question, we’ll send you some swag!
6:20 - As always, Tasha has done some research for today’s topic of Love and Renovation. The article, How to Survive Home Renovation Without Killing Your Spouse, is funny but definitely has some truth thrown in! Renovation stress is real and can cause problems, but Tasha and Joe haven’t approached the danger zone yet.
11:34 – So, what are the tips from the article for not killing your spouse? First, whichever parent has to stay at home during the renovation, either caring for kids or because they work from home, always wins the whose-day-was-worse argument. The stay-at-home parent has to deal with all the disruptions that come along with a renovation, while the other partner gets to escape the madness of the house!
13:50 – Surprisingly, Tasha’s research uncovered that going through a home renovation is not one of the top ten most stressful life events. However, Thea, Tasha, and Joe all agree that home renovation should definitely be on the list.
14:45 – Truman Sponsorship Spot
17:50 – Tasha and Joe each share two tips each about how to survive a home renovation together. Joe’s first tip is to be ready to compromise. Even though you love your spouse, sometimes you have to pick and choose your battles throughout home renovation and design.
21:40 – Joe’s second tip is if you’re talking about renovation, you must talk to your partner about money! Talk about your budget and where you want your spending limits to be going ahead of the renovation, so you can both be on the same page if unexpected things come up or if plans change. Leave yourself some budget leeway and keep communication open as you move through the renovation, because reno budgets are rarely less expensive than expected.
23:40 – Now, for Tasha’s tips. Tip #1 is to keep an open mind, which can be difficult depending on personality types. Tasha is a very decisive person and it can be hard to change her mind, while Joe is more flexible depending on the situation and finances. Regardless of what your personality type is, it makes life easier if you are open (or force yourself to be open) to plans changing throughout your renovation.
29:22 – Tasha’s second tip is to give your partner a little more space than usual. Home renovation means there are lots of people in your house, there is dust and dirt all over the place, and it can really be exhausting. Remember to communicate when you can, but also take a break from talking about decisions all the time. Being a little bit more thoughtful towards your partner during renovation stress can help a lot.
33:25 – Now, time for a listener question! The question is: How do you manage or control the dust during a renovation? Renovations are so dusty, especially when installing drywall. Tasha and Joe’s tips for dust management are:
If you can function without a room while going through renovation, seal it off with plastic and tape to protect it from the dust.
For rooms that you need to access during reno, use a zippered door to keep as much of the reno dust from getting in as possible.
Accept that, despite your best efforts, dust will still find a way to get everywhere.
You can make touch-up cleaning up a fun, family event. A once-per-week cleaning can really help with dust accumulation.
Make a rule that shoes stay out of non-renovation areas of the house, and use doormats to help get rid of dust as you transition from a reno-room to the other parts of your home.
39:30 – Remember to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts, and stay tuned for the next episode! Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
39:50 – As a thank you for listening, we are offering a free, digital guide to help out with your decorating decisions! Tasha’s Design Vault has a bunch of free design tips like how to choose paint chips or how to create a space plan. Get the password to access the Design Vault by texting “DESIGNVAULT” to 44222 and we’ll email you the password to log in!
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
Once a huge renovation is finished, there are always lessons learned. Our massive kitchen remodel is no different! We wanted to share everything we learned and answer reader and listener questions about the choices we made, any regrets we have, and all the lessons we learned along the way.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode:
0:35 - Today, we’re talking about the big Agruso kitchen renovation! Joe and Tasha are going to share the lessons they learned and answer questions from social media.
0:58 - Before we get started, let’s get an update from the homefront. It’s pool and swim practice season, but Tasha’s also getting the kids to exercise their creative side with an online Watercolor for Kids class by fellow blogger Emily of Jones Design Company!
5:07 - It’s time for Thea’s favorite game, the test of how well Tasha and Joe know each other! Thea’s question for today is: What was your biggest compromise in the kitchen? Tasha guesses that Joe compromised on the overall amount of stuff in the space - if it were up to him, she thinks there would be more empty, clear space (and he agrees). Joe thinks that Tasha’s biggest compromise was that they didn’t open up the wall to the living room. However, Tasha feels her big compromise actually was not tiling the entire wall - that was a hard vision to let go of!
9:25 - You know this is no ordinary, regular podcast. Make sure you’re following us on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. We also love your reviews and feedback on iTunes, so leave us a 5-star review! If we pick your question or share your review, we’ll send you some great, free swag! (Keep listening to hear a sneak peak of what this sweet swag is!)
13:05 - Today, we’re diving into the questions, challenges, and lessons of the Big Agruso Kitchen Reno. The first lesson is: be prepared, have a plan, and be organized at the beginning! Joe and Tasha had a great contractor with specialized knowledge of kitchens and bathrooms, and he really helped them create a solid plan to move forward with.
15:00 - Tasha and Joe had to live with and use their kitchen for over 6 years before the reno, which really helped inform them of the changes they wanted and needed to make. The lesson learned is: the longer you have to actually live in and use a space, and understand how your family uses it, the easier it is to plan for big changes that work best for you long-term.
16:45 - Joe wants to change his answer to the NewlyWed Game! He thinks his biggest compromise was actually deciding to use a contractor for the renovation from the very beginning of the project.
20:55 - The next lesson learned along the way is to pay attention, which sounds super obvious, but when life gets busy and the room reno gets underway, it gets harder to remember to check-in daily and get progress updates. Tasha remembers the can-light situation, where a plan had been laid out for where the lights would go, but they were actually installed in the wrong place. It wasn’t a big deal to move them because they checked and caught it early!
24:50 - Lesson #3: Never underestimate the power of the hunt! And by hunt, we mean the hunt for knowledge and research to make informed decisions. This is crucial in catching small details, like where a microwave door hinges and how that will impact the space where it is positioned. Do your research and you’ll find options that work for you (and always check out IKEA)!
29 03 - One thing that Tasha and Joe have questioned is if they wish they had done an appliance garage to hide some of the kitchen gadgets? While an appliance garage is great at clearing some counter space, it can sometimes be a functional hinderance.
31:30 - Other mistakes can come with the stressful situation of appliance shopping. Tasha and Joe made the decision to stick with the same brand for their kitchen appliances to ensure consistency in quality and appearance - this works great for the kitchen and the overall look! However, while loading up the brand new fridge with food, Tasha noticed there was no meat & cheese drawer… something they didn’t even consider while shopping. Small details are still important when you’re making big decisions.
36:35 - Joe talks about the dishwasher - their old dishwasher had a utensil basket right at the front, where they could just slip in their dirty utensils. Now, the new dishwasher (and most new dishwashers, it seems) have these utensil baskets on the side. Not a major issue, but another one of those weird inconveniences you don’t think about while shopping.
37:30 - Sponsor break! Today’s episode is brought to you by Article. If you’ve seen pictures of our kitchen on the blog, you’ll know that one of our favorite things about it is the colorful seating nook we created - it’s perfect for us to have some time to connect over coffee or wine! Article helped us find the perfect, mid-century modern furniture to create a beautiful seating nook at a super reasonable price. Check out our navy blue velvet and walnut armchairs and round, leather ottoman, and grab some quality pieces for yourself! Ordering from Article.com is simple and easy, has reasonable shipping fees and even offers fast, free ground delivery for orders over $999, and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee to really see if a piece is the right fit for your home! Check out all they have to offer at kaleidoscopeliving.com/article.
40:50 - It’s time for listener and reader questions! The first question is “Why did you get rid of the eat-in area in the kitchen?” Joe explains that there were just way too many sitting areas in the space, and Tasha points out that they now have four seats at the island, as well as open access to the dining room. The eat-in area just wasn’t necessary anymore!
43:27 - Next question is “What is your favorite thing about the kitchen remodel?” Tasha says her favorite thing is the tile, which is surprising because she didn’t expect to love it so much! It was a bit of a struggle to make a decision about the tile and she didn’t feel super excited about it, but once it was installed, it felt like a big win! For Joe, his favorite thing is opening up the kitchen and dining room because they actually use the entire kitchen-seating-dining space. Additionally, Joe loves the garbage disposal (importantly, a batch-feeder disposal) from Build.com! It was a little bit of a mistake-turned-ideal purchase, and the way it works is super safe and efficient.
49:00 - Next question: “How long did the renovation take?” It was a really quick renovation, only taking about 5 ½ weeks! The contractor wrapped up the build at that point, leaving Tasha and Joe to add some finishing touches to the floor, adding the quarter-round, the vent hood, and putting up some shelving.
49:30 - “What DIY projects did you tackle?” The backsplash, the flooring (in the kitchen, dining room, and foyer), open shelving, and the custom vent hood were all done by Tasha and Joe!
50:35 - Another interesting question is “Are you glad you didn’t use IKEA cabinets?” This, as Tasha says, is the great debate. The cabinets they chose to go with are very high quality, made with solid wood and dovetail joints, and just felt like the right choice for the renovation. However, IKEA cabinets are still a good go-to choice, have a great aesthetic and function, and Tasha and Joe do still have them in another spot in the house.
53:55 - Some people want to know “What is the best thing about working with a contractor?” The greatest thing was being able to come home and, instead of putting in a couple of hours of reno work, just seeing the progress made every day. Things were also able to move a lot faster because the contractor and his staff dedicated full days to getting things done. Tasha feels especially lucky that she didn’t have to deal with the permits and licenses to green light the construction! Another perk is having access to sub-contractors who could come and address challenges quickly.
56:52 - Last question! “What are your money-saving tips?” For Tasha, the best tip that comes to mind is really to hunt for the things you want. The most expensive things will be the easiest to find, but you can take your time to explore options to find something both beautiful and affordable. It took a long hunt for Tasha to find the kitchen backsplash tile, but it was so worth it! Also, don’t think you’re stuck with having only one or two options (like with a left-hinged microwave) - what you want is out there, you may just have to dig for it! Joe says they saved money by listening to their contractor and learning from his expertise. His honesty and transparency helped Tasha and Joe make solid decisions without breaking the bank.
58:37 - Make sure to like and subscribe to Colorful Conversations wherever you get your podcasts. Please leave us a review so we know what you love about the podcast! Remember, if we read your review, you can get some free swag! And don’t wait to get in contact with us! You can always find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
People automatically assume that having a beautiful home is impossible on a budget. We are here to tell you that not only is it possible, it is not as hard as you think! With a few mindset shifts and some creativity, you can have the home you always wanted.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode:
0:37 - Today, we’re talking about affordable interior design (and if it’s even possible), but first, what’s happening on the home front? Joe and Tasha are tackling yard work in the crazy North Carolina heat - mowing the lawn, putting pine straw out, and having some sprinkler fun with the kids! Remember to check out Rachio, the smart wifi sprinkler system that Joe and Tasha use.
5:00 - Sidebar: Game of Thrones is over! Joe may have fallen asleep during the episode… What did you think of the ending?
6:33 - Back to business - it’s Joe and Tasha’s 17th wedding anniversary this week! That means we definitely have to play How-Well-Do-Tasha-and-Joe-Know-Each-Other (a.k.a. the “oldywed” game, according to Thea). This week’s question is what is the other person’s favorite thing to splurge on? Joe guesses that Tasha’s favorite splurge is on their vacations, while Tasha thinks Joe’s (rare) splurges may be more practical, like a new trash can or a couple more dollars in the retirement account.
11:52 - You know that this is no ordinary podcast. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. We also love reading your feedback on iTunes, so leave us a review! If we pick your question or review from social media to feature on the podcast, we’ll send you a free gift!
12:21 - One of the things that Tasha hears most often is “I just don’t have the money to decorate my house.” But there are some great, affordable, and fun ways to decorate your home! Affordable interior design is 100% possible with some creative ideas. Some of the “roadside rescue” furniture pieces are Tasha and Joe’s favorites in their home.
18:25 - It’s tough love time. If you don’t love your home and you’re blaming it on a lack of budget, you may not be trying hard enough! Re-evaluate where you’re spending your money, see where you can save some pennies, and make conscious choices if you’re serious about making decorating a priority.
21:57 - Let’s take a quick break to hear from our sponsor! Today’s episode is brought to you by Designer In A Binder, a comprehensive, step-by-step workbook and e-book that teaches you how to design spaces with the intention to create a home that you love! The physical copy of Designer In A Binder includes a custom three-ring binder, custom tabbed pages and worksheets to design six different spaces in your house. To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com.
24:10 - It’s tip time! Tasha and Joe share their favorite, practical tips for affordable home decor and interior design. Joe’s first tip is a great one for listeners who love a $0 price tag; it’s to declutter and clean up your house! You can clean and freshen your home, simplify your possessions, and even sell what you no longer need or want!
26:37 - Tip #2 is you can do it yourself, which is literally how Joe and Tasha’s home reno adventures got started! Joe’s frugality paired with Tasha’s design desires pushed them to start DIY-ing to achieve a beautiful space on a thrifty budget. The internet and websites like Pinterest are great for finding DIY projects, but there are so many basic DIY projects to try out (like painting) if you’re just getting started.
29:27 - Tasha and Joe have done a lot of the legwork already. Check out the links below for more insight and research on paint, find inventive ways to fill up empty wall space, and work your way up to bigger projects like the DIY Plank Wall!
31:04 - Tip #3: Customize things yourself! Many of the things we see and covet on Pinterest and Instagram are custom items with hefty price tags. While custom home decor can be a worthwhile investment, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a custom look on a budget too. IKEA hacks were invented just for this - check out 10 of our favorite IKEA hacks, and then go see 10 more amazing custom hack ideas!
35:00 - Tip #4 is all about creating a focal point (yes, on a budget!) A focal point really helps to ground a room and make it more inviting. Most people think of art pieces being a focal point (which can be pricey), but let us introduce you to the magic of digital art prints. Etsy.com is a great place to find affordable and unique digital artwork that you can download and get printed at an office supply store, or Tasha’s go-to website, printful.com. Don’t want to spend money on frames? Try hanging with some chic gold binder clips or fun washi tape!
39:12 - Looking for some digital art to get started? Kaleidoscope Living email subscribers get free access to Tasha’s library of downloadable prints! Text “ARTLIBRARY” to 44222 and we’ll email you the link and password to access the free print library.
41:04 - The main takeaway? You can have a beautiful house on any budget! Use our tips to help you get started on creating a space that is uniquely yours.
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
Anyone that has a family understands the delicate balance of decor that is kid-friendly and stylish. Trying to design spaces that work for kids without sacrificing your design aesthetic can be so tricky! These kid-friendly decorating ideas will help you understand how to work with your kid’s stuff so everyone is happy in your home.
If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!
In this episode:
00:45 - Today, we’re talking about stylish and kid-friendly decorating ideas! But first, what’s happening on the homefront? It’s summertime, which means swimming and camp for the kids (carpentry camp, to be exact, how cool is that?!). The girls are currently working away on crafting some birdhouses for the yard.
3:50 - This week’s Newlywed Game question is: what is the other person’s least favorite thing about summer? Tasha thinks Joe dislikes mowing the grass all the time at the beginning of summer, but Joe actually enjoys taking care of his lawn. Instead, Joe’s least favorite thing about summer is the heat, especially when tackling projects. Joe guesses that Tasha’s least favorite thing is also the heat (and humidity), which she wholeheartedly agrees with.
8:40 - Before we get started, make sure you’re subscribed to Colorful Conversations wherever you get your podcasts, and please leave us a review! If we read your review or comment on an episode, we’ll send you some free swag. This week’s review is from Elizabeth, who enjoys the laughter, home improvement tips, and the dynamic viewpoints from Tasha, Joe, and Thea. Thanks so much for listening, Elizabeth! (If you hear your review or comment on the show, but don’t hear from us, it might be because we don’t have your contact info! In this case, please email us at podcast@colorfulconversations.com).
10:30 - Tasha offers some opening comments on kid-friendly home decor. Many people seem to think that style and kid-friendly are mutually exclusive and you can’t have both. Because of this, so many people wait for their kids to get older to decorate their house. Please, don’t wait to decorate and enjoy your home! There are also huge benefits to teaching kids to respect their home (yes, it’s their home too) by not coloring on walls or cleaning up after themselves.
16:42 - Here are some great, practical tips for how to have a kid-friendly home that still suits your style. Tip #1 (this may be Tasha’s biggest tip) is stylish storage. You gotta hide the ugly! Kids toys and playthings aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, so cleverly storing it and keeping it organized can help balance having an intentional style while also making it a happy home for your kids. Store kids items in beautiful wicker baskets, a functional dresser with drawers, or an upholstered bench that gives a more grown-up and organized feeling.
24:27 - On to Tip #2: Once you’ve hidden the ugly (and if you’ve already done this, you’re winning), be smart and intentional about the fabrics that you choose for your space. There are so many fabric choices to suit all types of styles while also being super durable and easy to clean. For example, Tasha and Joe have vinyl barstools, but the fabric looks like a lovely cream leather. Microfiber, twill, even denim and velvet are great, versatile, and durable fabrics that can really bring out your style! Check out our own distressed velvet sofa, which was recommended for people with kids.
34:05 - Before we move on to Tip #3, let’s first hear from this week’s sponsor! Today’s episode is brought to you by Designer in a Binder. Now, you can order a physical copy of Designer in a Binder, shipped straight to your door! This is not just a book, it’s really a shortcut - it’s a system to teach you how to think and design your home like an interior designer, but you get to do it yourself! Because you are creating your own interior design plan, it’s way more customized to your style and what you really love (and it costs less than a one-hour consultation with a licensed interior designer). To order your copy of Designer in a Binder, just visit designerinabinder.com.
35:45 - Now for Tip #3, which is that you just have to carve out some space for your kids’ stuff, which can be accomplished even in the smallest of homes. If you’ve got a lot of space, maybe the kiddos can have a dedicated playroom. As Tasha and Joe’s girls have gotten older, they moved out of their playroom (now Tasha’s office) and have claimed a part of the family room for themselves. Organizational furniture pieces like IKEA’s Trofast storage series can help create a great, organized place for children within shared living spaces. Designated spaces make everybody’s life easier!
49:03 - Tip #4 is about area rugs. Tasha feels that every room should have an area rug because it’s such an effective way to bring color, texture, and patterns into a room. These days, you can find great rugs that aren’t crazy expensive, but also think about indoor/outdoor rugs. These things are UH-MAZING. Indoor/outdoor rugs are super durable and easy to clean, so they are perfect for kids to play on, spill things, and get dirty. You can also try FLOR carpet tiles, which are adhesive, square tiles of carpet that can easily be replaced if they get stained, but also allow you to get creative with different patterns, colors, and layouts. Ruggable is another great option that offers affordable, machine-washable area rugs. Let us know if you’ve tried FLOR or Ruggable and what you think of them!
54:07 - Moving on to Tip #5 is all about establishing basic house rules, which is especially important with kids. Kids are capable of a lot more than we think they are - don’t assume they’re going to ruin or break everything - but you still have to let them know what the expectations are (like, the paper is for drawing on, walls are not).
55:37 - Tip #6, which may be Joe’s favorite, is to purge the unused kids' stuff regularly and make sure that your kiddos are involved in that process. Involve them in the decision making of choosing what to get rid of, especially with things that aren’t as age-appropriate anymore. A useful tool is a one-in-one-out rule - kids should understand that when they want a new toy, an old one should go to make space for it. (P.S. This rule also applies to adults! A cluttered room will never be a beautiful room.)
1:02:00 - We’re going to close out with some listener questions and comments. First, from Instagram, “I have a 3 year old boy and twin girls who will be 1 next month. I can’t quite merge their toys because of choking hazard issues, so what is the best way to organize their toys separately?” Tasha’s tip is to take advantage of the height and gender difference in your children. Store your boy’s toys higher up than the girls’ toys, and use different colored storage to show them which toys are for who. If your son has some smaller toys that could end up in a baby’s mouth, find some stackable storage bins with lids! Tasha and Joe have a couple storage bins with hinged lids that the 3-year old can access but would still protect your younger daughters.
1.7.18 - Remember to subscribe to Colorful Conversations wherever you get your podcasts and email us with questions and comments at podcast@kaleidoscopeliving.com. Also, please share the projects and DIY home design that you’re tackling while you listen to Colorful Conversations! We’d love to see what you’re doing to create a home that you love (and let us know if you use any of our tips to help your DIY jobs)! If you tag us on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope, we’d love to share your post with our followers!
Join the Conversation
Our favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
Every room in your house may be different, but they all need two things in common! Find out what these important (and easy!) two things are on this episode of the Colorful Conversations. We go through the easiest ways to add them to your room and what a difference it makes once you have them. Aren't you dying to know what they are?!!?
What to Care About (and Ignore) When House Hunting
00:23:25
Stop focusing on the wrong things when you are house hunting. Knowing what is truly important makes it SO much easier! Follow these simple tips to narrow down your search and focus on a few key things for finding your dream home. We have bought and sold homes four times, and I think we are finally REALLY good at knowing what to look for. There are things that matter and things that don't matter when you are looking for a new home. I am here to tell you the majority of people are focused on the wrong details and totally miss out on their dream home! In this quick episode we go through the only formula you need when looking for your new house. Listen to this and avoid wasting everyone's time on homes that don't meet your needs and learn about the key points that you should be paying attention to!
5 Room Updates for Under $100 (Some are even free!)
00:29:53
Don't let your budget keep you from a home you love! These 5 EASY tips teach you how to update your rooms for under $100. And some are even free! I hear people say they can't afford to change their home because they don't have any budget. We have been there and I am here to tell you that you absolutely can make changes with little to no budget. I give you five tips for how to make room updates that are under $100. And a few are even free, so no excuses. Get to work making small changes until you can afford to make big ones!
5 IKEA Insider Tips That Will Change Your Life + What We ALWAYS Buy at IKEA
00:51:54
IKEA is a game-changer for finding amazing and affordable decor and furniture. We give you five insider IKEA tips from an expert will change your home and your life! We have shopped there so many times over the years I believe we have seriously refined the IKEA shopping experience. To know IKEA is to love IKEA, but you have to know how to work the shopping process or you may leave with nothing due to sheer overwhelm! Once you understand how IKEA does things and how to be an efficient shopper, you will never leave disappointed again. And I am here to help! These 5 insider tips will help you navigate the best ways to make the most out of your time and money. And we share what our favorite IKEA things are and what we always buy when we are there. We want everyone to love IKEA and be as efficient there as we are!
How to Sell Your Stuff (When Your House Feels "Overstuffed")
00:35:47
Does your house feel full of stuff? Are you battling overwhelm at the amount of things in your home? Do you feel out of space, like you are tripping on things? It is time to get rid of some stuff! We are pros at unloading items we no longer want or need and making money while we do it. We discuss the feelings that "overstuffedness" can create and how to alleviate them quickly and easily. It takes some work, but the payoff is worth it!
Debunking Decorating Trends (a.k.a. giving the middle finger to "decorating trends")
00:29:00
Stop chasing trends and start thinking about what you really love and want in your home. We debunk why trends matter and tell you how to decide what is right for you!Every day we are inundated with messages telling us what is cool-- what we should be wearing, or eating, or doing. The interior design world is no different! I hear all the time that certain things are "in" or "out" and it simply isn't true. My best interior design advice is...if you love something, it is always in style! Decor pieces, furniture and colors I LOVE are at the center of every plan I create when designing a space. By staying true to what I am drawn to, versus what someone else says I should buy, I can honestly say that I love my house. I want you to do the same! If you love it, it will always be in style.
Changing or tweaking a room until it is exactly what you want is not a bad thing! No one gets it perfect on the first try (not even professionals) so don't be afraid to make some adjustments to your decor. So many of us are averse to change for one reason or another, but we are here to tell you why changing it until it is exactly what you want is not a bad thing. It is actually all part of the process! Don't be your own worst enemy when it comes to creating a home you love. We tell you how to give yourself room to make the necessary changes to make your house perfect for your life and family.
Everyone is shocked we are moving! We are filling you in on the all details-- the what, why, and where AND we answer all of your burning questions about our upcoming move. I announced about a month ago in a blog post that we have decided to move. It has been giving me all the feels, but I was shocked to find out how floored you all are, not to mention you all have a lot of feelings about it also! I could never have predicted the flood into my Instagram DM's with questions about All. The. Things. When it came time to sit down and answer them all, I decided the easiest way to discuss it is to resurrect the podcast. Thea and I have been itching to restart, and this was the perfect reason to get it going again. We have loved this house, but are SO excited for the changes having a new home will bring not only to our family but also to the blog! Listen along to Thea and me talk about the reason the move is happening and I answer all of your burning questions about it!
When Joe and I started talking about buying a new home, we really had to prioritize and compromise to create our must-have list. Thea and I started comparing our lists since we are both in the process of moving, and our lists of must-haves in a new house were vastly different. In this episode, we compare our wish-lists and discuss how trying it can be to juggle wants and needs while compromising with your spouse. Spoiler alert--it is tricky!
We are in the process of listing our house and it is overwhelming! Thea is also moving toward selling her home, and facing similar challenges. We both know how hard getting your house ready to sell is and we talk about the ins and outs of the prep work in this episode. Not to mention a few, ahem, "disagreements" between the spouses about what's important and what's not! I also give you a few hot tips about how to list your house once it is ready. Get ready ffor all of our funny stories and great ideas about getting your house ready to sell!
In this episode, we talk all about the things that are happening BEFORE we move in. We are finally at a place where we can have a little bit of space between our moves and this allows for some pretty big jobs to be done prior to moving almost anything in. This is the first time we have been able to afford to do this, and to say the hard work is all paying off is an understatement. For the first time I am walking into a house that is going to be mostly ready for me to tackle the fun design work that is the part that I REALLY love. Join us in the closets for another fun discussion!
Today we discuss what will happen AFTER we move in! I have a plan for how I want it to go, but as we know, things can change (I already have revelations on this as we talk in the podcast) so who knows how well we will stick to the plan?! But we do want to have our living spaces ready for the holidays, so that is first on the agenda. We go into detail about what really needs to happen and all the plans I have! I am so excited for a blank slate (thankfully no longer a brown slate, LOL) to do whatever we want and I cannot wait to turn it into our dream home.
This episode tells you all about our VERY exciting new project (that is not new to us, since we have been discussing it for years!). Creating the House to Home journal was a labor of love and I could not be more excited to release it into the world! We talk all about it and what it looks like and how you can use it to keep track of turning your house into a home you love. But before we can get into that, the podcast goes sideways (as if often does when Thea and I start talking). We first discuss an ALMOST as an important topic--misheard lyrics. Listen below for all the details on Thea's best misheard lyrics and all the details about the House to Home journal.
Looking for a way to bring some happiness into your life after a crazy year? Decorate for the holidays now! Bring instant joy and coziness to your home with your Christmas decor. We discuss how much everyone in the world is craving holiday happiness. People want some relief from the pandemic and Christmas seems like the perfect diversion. I love decorating early, and I do my best to peer pressure Thea into jumping on the bandwagon also. This year I think it is extra important so we can really enjoy some new scenery. We have all been stuck mostly at home--changing things up a little (or a lot) is just what the doctor ordered!!!
The Secret to Picking Winning Color Combinations Every Time
00:30:51
I get a lot of questions from people about how to chose colors and how to know what combinations work together. In this episode Thea and I discuss a secret weapon I have found that anyone can use to chose winning color combinations! I also give you a glimpse into how I move through picking paint colors during the design process. This episode is for anyone that wants more color in their home but doesn't know how to get started! Listen below and get all my tips and tricks for finding colors that work well together.
This week Thea and I are discussing our complete and utter exhaustion lately. It turns out that women everywhere are seriously suffering and we want you to know you are not alone! Un moms are doing all the things--working, mothering, teaching, cleaning, cooking, and on and on and on. If you are feeling all this and the occasional rage, then you are in very good company. We talk about all the ways the pandemic has affected us and then we share the ways that we are attempting to combat our endless exhaustion.
Living in a small space requires some serious organizing skills to maximize every square inch, but it’s well worth the effort. Learn the best tips for organizing small spaces so you can enjoy your cozy home!
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Nicole Blackmon from @Sweet_Domicile last year for my Beautiful Home, Beautiful Life Summit. Since Nicole lives in Manhattan, she is an absolute expert at organizing small spaces and maximizing every square inch of living space. And she shares all her best (and surprising) tips in this podcast episode.
Decluttering becomes emotional when we get people and memories confused with THINGS. Learning to separate the two is key! Changing your mindset and creating solid systems will help manage your stuff and keep your home clutter-free.
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing New York Times best-selling author Ruth Soukup and founder of Living Well Spending Less last year for my Beautiful Home, Beautiful Life Summit. Ruth has written not one but TWO popular books on the topic of decluttering and simplifying. She is an absolute expert when it comes to decluttering and simplifying and in this episode she shares her best tips for how to conquer the emotions that often get in the way of decluttering.
How to Get Home Projects DONE (even when you are crazy busy)
00:45:32
For as long as I have had a blog and shared my home renovations and DIY projects, people have commented that they wished they could find the time to tackle their own renovations and projects. Well, I am here to tell you, anyone can CREATE the time to create a home you love. You just have to understand the secret recipe for making that happen.
Last year I sat down and talked with Megan Sumrell, a coach who helps women master time management, organization and productivity. Megan has cracked the code for learning how to plan your life so that tackling home projects is not only doable but easy. And in this interview, we talk about practical steps you can take to start getting those home projects DONE no matter how busy you are.
The Secret to Finding Room in Your Budget for Home Projects
01:06:28
Stop complaining that you can't afford to do anything to improve your house and then go buy coffee out at Starbucks! If you do that, you are lying to yourself. But the good news is that by shifting your mindset and approaching your budgeting by defining your VALUES first, you can make room in your budget for what actually matters to you!
In this episode, I share my interview with my good friend and money coach Nicole Rule of Greatest Worth. Her approach to budgeting is totally different from anything you've ever heard before. It will go from making you feel DEPRIVED to making you feel FULFILLED. Have a listen!
How Even the MESSIEST People Can Get and Keep Their House Clean
01:06:22
I hear from readers all the time that they just cannot find a way to keep their homes clean. I have always been a tidy and organized person, so it has been genuinely confusing for me to understand why people have a hard time keeping their houses clean. Just implement a system and stick with it. It seems simple to me.
But then I met my friend Rosemarie Groner from Busy Budgeter and I began to understand the fundamental differences in personality and basic psychology that affect how people approach things like laundry and cleaning their homes. It's not that people don't WANT to have a clean house. It's not that they don't understand how the system works. It's that the system does not jive with their personality. In other words, it's doomed for failure from the very start.
So Rosemarie has figured out how to lean into her natural "hot mess" tendency to figure out a way to get and keep her house clean for good. Instead of working against her personality, she works WITH it. And in this episode, she gives you her best tips so that you can do the same thing!
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Painting Kitchen Cabinets
00:59:56
Are you thinking about painting your kitchen cabinets but are scared to death? We are here to put your mind at ease and answer your questions about the EASIEST way to paint your kitchen cabinets yourself. This week we are discussing all. the. things. about how to paint your kitchen cabinets. It is actually so much quicker and easier than anyone believes! We give you all the secrets and tips for how you can get your whole kitchen done quickly and easily.
The Secret to Planning Home Projects Without Wanting to Kill Your Spouse
00:32:34
People ask me all the time how we get so much done around our house. We have a secret to planning our home projects and staying on track without killing each other in the process. We use one easy way to plan an entire year's worth of projects and it is SO much simpler than you can imagine! Through the years, Joe and I have developed a foolproof system for keeping track of our home projects. We are able to plan an entire year's worth of projects with (almost) no fuss or disagreements. In today's episode, I let you in our secret so you can kill the home maintenance/home project game without killing each other in the process!!! I LOVE to plan and do all things efficiently and this allows us to plan and execute lots of home projects every year without getting burned out or forgetting what we wanted to accomplish.
Make your life easier! We have some simple life hacks that will up your efficiency and give you more time in your day for what you REALLY want to do. People ask me all the time how I get so much done in a day. I don't work any more than anyone else, but I have some systems that I have developed that make my life run smoothly and save me lots of time! So today I am sharing my favorites life hacks that seem small, but really do make life easier! If there is ONE thing I am VERY good at it is efficiency. It really is a passion of mine :). I consider life hacks to be the ultimate efficient shortcuts. The sign of a really good life hack is that when you start doing it, you really don't know how or why you ever did it any other way!
Want the best secrets for shopping? Let the pros give you their favorite tips for easy ways you can find exactly what you are looking for and get the best deal on it. I like to think I am a shopping ninja! Anytime we need to find the perfect thing for our home, I make it my personal mission to find exactly what I want at the best possible price. And I am REALLY good at it! Today Thea and I spill our shopping secrets and give you all the tips on how to find what you are looking for and some unexpected tricks to find the best deal on it. They are super simple and can potentially save you tons of money and time.
Curious how we can do a room makeover so fast? We get asked ALL THE TIME how we finish a room so quickly. In today's episode, I am walking you through our process and what it actually looks like! Even though it seems like it only takes a few days, there is a lot of lead-up work that is done for weeks before we actually tackle the room. Listen below and get the real behind-the-scenes of how we get started, work through the design process, and do the actual makeover, and then add those little finishing details.
Do you have a "dumping ground" in your house? You know, the spot where papers, mail, boxes and any other random thing in your house lands? In today's episode, we are sharing our tips for minimizing and managing the dump zone (or zones) in your house. You may guess Thea and I have different dumping ground issues AND different solutions, lol!
In this episode, Tasha and Thea talk about the importance of picking the right paint sheen for your painting projects. How a paint sheen looks is just ONE TINY consideration. There's so much more to consider, but it isn't complicated. Pinky promise. You'll be a pro at picking paint sheens when you are done listening!
Mind Blowing Ways to Use Your Alexa (or other smart home devices)
00:49:26
In this episode, Tasha shares the mind-blowing ways she uses her Alexa devices to make her life sooooooo much easier. Listen in as she (kind of) inspires Thea to start using her Alexa devices to their full potential!
In this episode, Tasha shares her best furniture painting secrets. Thea shares her best secret (you'll laugh out loud when you hear what it is) and asks some of the most common questions that we get asked about painting furniture. If you have ever felt lost when it comes to painting furniture or wonder if there is a better way, this is the episode for you!
In this episode, Tasha and Thea share all their best tips for making absolutely any space cozier. Because there's nothing better than a cozy room that you want to sit down in and never leave! They also chat about Thea's nickname (which has the word "cozy" in it) AND about Thea's favorite cozy pants that make Tasha's eyes hurt.
How Color Affects You: What You Need to Know Before Choosing Colors
00:33:30
In this episode, Tasha and Thea dive into the psychology of color and its important role in interior design. Color affects how we think, feel and act. Yet most people choose colors based solely on what they like and don't consider how they want to feel or what they want to accomplish in a particular space. You will never make that mistake again after listening to this episode! Learn the basics of color psychology and hear all about how Tasha got it very wrong in her first home which caused her some serious sleep issues (literally).
In this episode, Thea and Tasha discuss all the options for updating outdated tile, from hardest to easiest! And Tasha answers all of your BURNING questions about tile stickers, which she has used in her laundry room and most recently in Avery's bathroom. If you have tile you don't love, this is the episode for you.
This week, Tasha and Thea talk all about how to plan a gallery wall. Gallery walls seem to overwhelm a lot of people, but they don't have to be that complicated. In fact, Tasha who usually approaches everything in a "Type A" way doesn't approach gallery walls that way. Listen in to learn about everything from choosing a color story for your gallery wall to how to pick an anchor point that will then help you plan the rest of your layout.
In this episode, Thea talks about her ongoing house hunting adventure. Plus Thea and Tasha both talk about their house hunting heartbreaks! Listen in to find out if Thea is moving soon and to find out how many houses Joe and Tasha put offers on before their current house. Plus hear how Tasha REALLY feels about her current house.
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