Dateline-Worthy True Crime at the Beach House

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When a neighbor shared some historic documents about our 100-year-old beach house, we were astonished to discover a 1936 tale of jealousy and even murder. This week we’re sharing what we learned about that dramatic chapter in the house’s past, along with several other surprising historical details. We also help a listener find creative ways to maximize storage and uncover additional hiding spots for belongings (because no one ever says, “I have too much storage space”). Plus: a Christmas gift that’s helped Sherry with insomnia, and an inexpensive accessory that’s made John’s work with lasers much clearer.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify, or listen to it through any podcast app. Use this page to find the links, notes, and photos we referenced. If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see additional media or the player.

What’s New

Here’s a peek at the pantry we worked on at the beach house over the holiday break. We’ve posted more about this in our Instagram Stories—viewable on our profile in the IG app by tapping the circles above the photo grid.

Below is a photo from the official Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel site that gives a sense of how massive the 23-mile bridge is, the route we take to Cape Charles. Viewing it in Google Maps also highlights how much water separates mainland Virginia from the Eastern Shore peninsula.

As promised, here’s the playful “crab pot” structure the town hoisted by crane for New Year’s Eve in Cape Charles. It was charming and festive—worth seeing in person if you get the chance.

On a darker note: we found an online clipping from 1936 about the murder mystery connected to our house’s past, and a more recent article from the dentist’s hometown that revisits the case. Those pieces give context to the decades-old story tied to the property.

Storage

We talk about storage strategies in Episode #60 with Clea and Joanna from The Home Edit—there are practical tips for making storage functional and attractive, starting around the 14-minute mark of that episode.

Below are links to the organizing projects we referenced:
Our coat closet that became a toy closet in the foyer (pictured above).
The built-in bookshelves we installed around a doorway in our living room.
Built-ins in our son’s room, shared across three posts detailing the process.
Built-ins in our bonus room that store toys, games, and overflow linens.

We also posted a full breakdown of how we organized our kitchen, including a walkthrough of what’s kept in each drawer and cabinet.

In our powder room we replaced a bulky vanity with a console sink and added a pretty basket for toilet paper storage—small swaps that improve both style and function.

If you need some practical storage-focused furniture ideas, here are items we like for making spaces work harder:

An upholstered bed with a lift-up frame for under-mattress storage—available in multiple sizes.
A coffee table with a split, rising top that creates hidden storage and a usable surface for working or dining.
A classic wall cabinet that provides extra bathroom storage without taking up floor space.
Ready-made closet systems to optimize underused closets with minimal effort.
A “Hide ’N Seek” shelf that offers both display areas and concealed compartments for clutter control.
Wall-mounted shelving systems to add vertical storage without sacrificing floor area.
An upgraded laundry hamper with a furniture-like look to disguise dirty clothes.
A back-of-door organizer to add usable space inside closets or pantry doors.
An under-bed basket in an attractive material that’s more presentable than a clear plastic bin.
A storage ottoman with segmented compartments that can be used for shoes or other items.

We’re Digging

That’s John above wearing his laser-enhancing safety goggles. They make laser lines far easier to see while cutting wood. If you don’t already have a pair, an affordable DeWalt safety goggle option works very well.
We also ordered a weighted blanket for Sherry when sleep got difficult. We chose a size and weight based on a general guideline (about 10% of body weight) and selected a neutral cover. The blanket lives in our podcasting setup photo, where blankets and pillows help reduce echo and make our space sound warmer.

If you’re trying to find an item we mentioned on a past episode but don’t recall which show notes to open, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been “digging” across past episodes for easy reference.

Finally, we want to thank Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. They offered a gift set including a tin caddy and Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning supplies when new members spent a qualifying amount. We appreciate brands who help make our projects and routines easier.