Before we dive into the Reader Redesign features, a quick Burger update. Yesterday was terrifying for us. Burger was sitting on Sherry’s lap when Clara and I came home. He got excited and jumped off her lap as he always does, but this time he somehow lost his balance, flipped in the air, and landed on his back and neck. He yelped. Sherry scooped him up and checked him over — at first he seemed okay, shaking his head as if nothing had happened. Then we set him down and discovered he couldn’t walk properly. He had no coordination, bumped into walls, and couldn’t put weight on either of his hind legs, repeatedly falling over.

While we were rushing to get everyone into the car to take him to the vet, Sherry called ahead to let them know we were coming. During that call Burger appeared to have a brief seizure: his body went rigid, his eyes were open but unfocused, and his whole body shook violently. It lasted around twenty seconds. By the time we arrived at the clinic he was behaving normally again — walking, responsive, with vitals that checked out. The vet believes the stumbling, loss of balance, and the likely seizure were caused by the shock of the impact. He passed the exams and tests the clinic ran, so we are incredibly relieved.

The vet advised we monitor him closely for the next 24 hours for any signs of lingering issues. We’re still a few hours short of that window, but Burger is back to his usual self: jumping, running, and full of energy (as hyper as ever). We were absolutely terrified for a time, but we’re so grateful he seems fine.

Now, onto the reader redesign. As we shift our focus from kitchen projects to bathroom updates, we’re seeing more and more inspiring powder room makeovers land in our inbox. One that caught our attention is Michelle’s renovation. It’s not a complete gut job; instead, a handful of thoughtful changes—paint, pattern, and molding—create a dramatic transformation without a full remodel. Those relatively simple updates deliver a big impact.

As fellow stenciling survivors, we thought you might enjoy our powder room transformation!

Michelle added moldings and used the Nova Trellis stencil from Royal Design Studios to turn a plain powder room into a striking, lively space. The contrast between crisp white trim and deep black stencil work creates a bold, confident look that reads as sophisticated and playful at once.

The white paint used is Ultra White by Valspar, and the black is Black Leather by Dutch Boy.

Michelle notes she still plans to add crown molding and wall art, and she may swap the mirror and window treatment later. The finished room is a bit bolder than her usual style, but she’s loving the result — and we do too.

We appreciate readers who share their projects. Michelle’s powder room is a great example of how scale and detail matter: in a small bathroom, embracing pattern and contrast can make the space feel intentional rather than cramped. The stencil introduces rhythm and interest; the white molding and trim give structure and polish; the rich wood floors warm the palette and anchor the design. Even a modest pedestal sink becomes a focal point when paired with thoughtful finishes.

This kind of makeover is inspiring because it shows how manageable updates—paint, trim, and a bold stencil—can completely change the character of a room without a large budget or major demolition. It wakes the room up and adds personality, and the layered details create a sense of craftsmanship.

We’d love to know what you notice first in Michelle’s powder room. Is it the clean, bright molding? The dramatic stencil pattern? The warm wood floors or the classic pedestal sink? Which detail would you copy in your own bathroom?