Looking for the show notes for Episode #5 of Young House Love Has A Podcast? You’re in the right place. In this episode, designer and self-proclaimed ceramic animal fan Jonathan Adler checks in with a voicemail full of design insight. We talk about how a simple bedroom bed swap uncovered a big truth about rugs, John times Sherry as she shares fast curtain tips in under 60 seconds, and we describe how a landscaping plan plus the strategic use of a social network are helping us upgrade our home’s exterior. Below you’ll find links, photos, and notes referenced on the show so you can explore anything that caught your attention.

You can listen to this episode on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or play it using the embedded player on this page. Use these notes to quickly find the references, products, and photos we mentioned during the conversation.

What’s New

• We revisit a post from 2012 about using a discounted offer to secure a short landscaping consultation. That LivingSocial deal turned out to be 60 minutes (not 30) and helped us create a clear plan for our yard. It’s a helpful example of how a modest consultation can jump-start a big exterior upgrade.

Jonathan Adler Voicemail

• We referenced a longer interview with Jonathan Adler from 2013 that remains one of Sherry’s favorite conversations. That extended chat contains many of the same playful, practical insights he shares in his voicemail here.
• If you loved Jonathan’s tone and aesthetic, check out his work and shop his collections; his ceramic animals and decorative pieces are exactly the kind of joyful accents he talks about on the show.
• We also mentioned one of his books as a favorite resource — a compact, inspiring read to keep on your coffee table or to give as a design-minded gift.

Rug Realization

• On the episode we describe a recent discovery about rugs that started with swapping beds in our daughter’s room. We linked that story to a full recap titled “Evolution of a Bedroom,” which shows the room’s transformation over three years and highlights how a rug can change the way a space reads—its size, placement, and color all matter more than you might expect.

What’s Not

• We shared a palette inspired by New York City—a collection of paint color names like Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Central Park, Brooklyn, Fifth Avenue, Tribeca, Astoria, Times Square, Empire State, Off Broadway, and Subway Tile. These names reference specific hues and finishes that help create an urban, layered look in interiors. We pointed listeners to brand-specific swatches for more precise matching.
• We also mentioned a helpful House Beautiful piece listing common decorating mistakes. It’s a useful checklist for avoiding predictable errors and making smarter design choices, especially when you’re tackling larger projects or working with a designer.

What We’re Digging

• Practical painting tools that make small projects easier: a compact paint cup for precision work, a handy paint tray for quick touch-ups, and disposable tray liners to keep cleanup fast and simple. These are the kinds of inexpensive upgrades that save time and frustration on weekend projects.
• Turkish towels and similar lightweight towels with stripes and fringe have become favorites for their texture and versatility. We mentioned versions we purchased and suggested a few similar options for anyone hunting that same look. Towels like these work equally well in bathrooms, beach bags, or layered on a bed for a casual, global-inspired touch.

Psst — If you’re trying to remember an item we featured in an earlier episode, we created a master list that collects everything we’ve recommended across shows. It’s an easy way to find a product again without digging through every single episode.

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