Home projects, road trips & the in-between
Peg rails and shiplap, better lighting, a kitchen without paper towels, and the open road from the Badlands to Yellowstone.
Small projects, big difference
Some of the most-read stories on Jaz & Theo were never about weddings at all. Readers still search for the entry peg rail shelf and shiplap wall, how high to hang a dining light, and how to make a gallery wall with objects instead of frames.
This is the home-and-life side of the journal: weekend projects with real measurements, simple swaps for a calmer kitchen, and road-trip notes for when you need to get out of the house entirely.
- Measure twice: wall width, stud locations, ceiling height
- Size the dining light before you buy it
- Pick one wall for objects, not frames
- Swap paper towels for a stack of cloth
- Label the pantry (and be kind with the rest)
- Plan a weekend road trip
Tick these off as you go — your progress stays in this browser.
Most-read guides
- How to Build a Peg Rail Shelf on a Shiplap Entry Wall
- How to Hang Light Fixtures: Sizes, Heights and Spacing That Work
- Beyond Framed Art: 14 Wall Objects That Make a Room Feel Lived In
- Making the Switch: Cloth Napkins Instead of Paper Towels
- A South Dakota to Yellowstone Road Trip: Route, Stops and Photo Tips
Peg rails, lighting and walls worth looking at
Start with the entry: a Shaker-style peg rail gives every coat and bag a place and takes an afternoon to build. Then fix the lighting with our guide to buying and hanging lights, and give a blank wall some character with objects instead of art.
Thinking bigger? Our notes on choosing windows cover efficiency, light and the treatments that suit each room.
Badlands, geysers and the long way home
Our South Dakota to Yellowstone road trip covers the drive from Rapid City through the Badlands and the Black Hills to the geysers, with the stops worth a detour and the best light at each.
Closer to home, Lake Powell and Red Sands make easy weekend escapes with a camera.
Tools for the house
Peg rail spacing calculator
Peg count, exact center marks and rail height.
Chandelier size & height calculator
Fixture diameter and hang height for any room.
Cloth napkin savings calculator
What switching from paper towels really saves.
Golden hour calculator
Golden hour, sunset and blue hour times for any date.
Home, travel & photography stories
PhotographyGolden Hour Photography: When It Happens and How to Use It
Golden hour is not always an hour, and it is not always golden. Here is how to predict the light for your session and what to do when it does not cooperate.
HomeHow to Build a Peg Rail Shelf on a Shiplap Entry Wall
A peg rail shelf is one of the most useful things you can add to an entryway. Here is how to size it, make or buy the pegs, and mount it on shiplap.
HomeAll About Windows: Efficiency, Natural Light and Treatments
How to read a window label, which frames and glass suit your climate, where to place windows for good light, and treatments that keep heat where you want it.
HomeHome Organization Labels: How to Make Them Helpful, Not Hurtful
A good label tells everyone in the house where things go. A practical guide to labeling pantries, closets and kids' rooms, plus a gentle note on labeling people.
HomeHow to Hang Light Fixtures: Sizes, Heights and Spacing That Work
The rules of thumb for sizing a chandelier, hanging it at the right height over your table, spacing pendants and adding light to an empty corner.
TravelA South Dakota to Yellowstone Road Trip: Route, Stops and Photo Tips
From the Badlands to the Black Hills to Yellowstone's East Entrance: a practical route, the stops worth slowing down for, and how to photograph them.
HomeMaking the Switch: Cloth Napkins Instead of Paper Towels
A practical guide to swapping paper towels for cloth: how many napkins you need, where to find them second hand, and a laundry routine that sticks.
HomeBeyond Framed Art: 14 Wall Objects That Make a Room Feel Lived In
Baskets, plates, mirrors, textiles and tools: how to choose, arrange and safely hang objects that give a wall texture and story.
PhotographyThe Holiday Gift Guide for Photographers, Creatives and Homebodies
Gifts photographers actually use, plus ideas for the makers and homebodies on your list. No gimmicks, just things that earn a place in the bag or on the shelf.
PhotographyThe Amy and Jordan Course and Learning Wedding Photography Online
Online courses can shortcut years of trial and error, or waste your money. How to evaluate the Amy and Jordan course and other wedding photography classes.
Questions, answered
What's the easiest DIY project for a beginner?
A peg rail. It's a single board, a row of drilled holes and a few screws into studs — and it solves the pile of coats by the door.
How do I find studs before hanging a shelf?
Use a stud finder, then confirm with a small nail or a magnet that finds the drywall screws. In most US homes studs sit 16 inches apart on center.
Is shiplap still in style?
Painted horizontal boards in an entry or mudroom remain a durable, practical choice. Narrow boards, a matte finish and restrained use keep it from feeling dated.
Have a question, a story idea or a correction?
We read every note. Tell us about a venue we should cover, a project you want to see, or something we got wrong.