kokokara

DIY Home Decorating Projects, Tutorials, & Shenanigans

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Newspaper & (Some Big) Paper News

Considering that delivering The Washington Post was my first real job (because what 6th grader doesn’t like getting up at 5am everyday?), it’s kind of an “is this real life?” full circle moment for me that my current gig (this blog) has landed us in the pages of that very same newspaper. My dad (a.k.a. my newspaper delivery partner) has never been more proud. We had no idea it would be such a big write up (with a giant cover picture in the Local Living section, but after we got over our vanity (is my hair weird? does Clara look cute?) we couldn’t believe how awesome it was. Who are we and what did we do to deserve this? But enough blabbering. I gush when I’m excited.

Here are a few shots of the paper for ya (click ’em to enlarge) and of course you can see them in the flesh if you get The Washington Post. And you can read most of the article online , , and (there are three parts to the story, but some of the pics are different than the ones in the actual newspaper article). And if the article has been archived, you can download PDFs of the text here, here and here.

We especially loved this cool call-out thing they did with our old den about where we got stuff/what we paid for it:

As for the pics, the Washington Post scooped us on a few things. Haha. It takes us a few days for us to do projects, take pics, and write posts – so they slipped through and snapped photos of things we’ll be sharing in the next few days. Should be fun…

Anyway, thanks to Terri Sapienza for the write up (us? really?) and for coming down to our house to hang out for the interview (which couldn’t have been less scary even though it sounded crazy intimidating when we first heard that she wanted to do it). She was a blast to have over and we realized that her husband and I lead eerily similar lives (beyond being married to women with rhyming names).

Oh and how insane is it that they actually called Nate Berkus for a quote about us (remember when we met him here)? Sherry just about died when she saw that. There were no words for about ten minutes, which is a total record for her. Consider us flattered (or too giddy for our own good if you’re Sherry- really she’s doing that uncontrollable giggle thing over here). Here’s his quote:

“First of all, they’re adorable,” says talk show host and designer . In the fall, the Petersiks appeared on “The Nate Berkus Show” as DIY experts and judges for a design challenge. “Their delivery is particularly charming and endearing, and their information is delivered in a smart way,” Berkus says.  “ . . . I think kokokara could easily transition into a TV program.”

How crazy is that? Seeing the paper this morning was like an out of body experience for both of us. We also think it’s hilarious that Nate thinks YHL could be a TV show, because we’ve actually been approached a few times about that over the past few years but are always quick to decline. We’re definitely TV people (I mean we like to watch it) but we don’t want to actually be TV people (as in, be on it). We’re much more comfortable hiding behind the safety of our computer screens. And as Sherry likes to say “we don’t wanna Jon & Kate ourselves, ya know?!” Besides, putting the blog on hold for weeks of filming might leave us with a serious case of withdrawal.

Side tangent officially over. Anyway, you may have noticed some other paper-related news revealed in the article: we’re in the very early stages of writing a book! Like a real one. That they’d actually have in Barnes & Noble. How crazy is that? When a few book agents and publishers approached us over a year ago, we figured that with all of the writing that we’ve done online each day over the past 3.5 years (over 1,752 posts and 891,000 words published) perhaps writing something offline could be a natural side project for us – especially if the topic is DIY and home stuff. Because you know that does it for us. But don’t worry, the blog will still be priority numero uno. After all it’s our first baby (well second, the birth order goes: Burger, YHL, Clara).

So after over a year of fine tuning our book proposal (yeah, it took forever, and ended up being 150+ pages long) we sent it out, held our breath, and were shocked and awed to be signed by Artisan/Workman. For a few weeks we were scared they would come to their senses, realize we’re dorks, and say nevermind – but holy bananas, it’s a done deal. And the process was kind of crazy and interesting, so for anyone else out there who’s looking to write a book proposal (and eventually a book), we’re planning a post about how it all went down and what that experience has been like for us.

There’s still an entire manuscript to be written, so it would be premature to say exactly what the book will be about, but we do know that it’s not going to be some fancy interior design coffee table book or a sordid behind-the-scenes tell-all novel with shirtless Fabio (or shirtless me) on the cover.

We’re aiming to capture the don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously DIY spirit of our site without regurgitating a lot of stuff that you’ve already seen slash read here (we want it to feel fresh and new). And of course it’ll have budget friendly ideas along with fast & easy projects that anyone can do (except if you’re tied to a pole). Since publishing a book takes much longer than publishing a blog post, we’re scheduled for a fall 2012 release – and we’re mucho excited. We couldn’t wait to spill the beans to you guys after lots of months spent biting our tongues and keeping cats in bags.

So that’s the news up our sleeve at the moment. I guess it’s only polite to ask – what’s new with you these days?

UPDATE: Check out this more recent post about the book-writing process.



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Comments

  4. Oh my you guys. Nate Berkus got it right, you’re totally adorable.
    What’s new with me? Well I got a new job and moved house in the space of a fortnight last autumn, so I’m enjoying just coasting along for a bit – not too much new over here. I did turn 26 on Monday, so that’s new…
    Oh! And my boyfriend bought me a super awesome brand spanking new Bosch jigsaw – I think that’s the sort of romantic gift you guys would enjoy!

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  5. Congrats x 10! I am so proud of you and think it’s awesome that you’re writting a book. I’ll be #1 in line to buy it. Keep doing what you love!

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  10. Congratulations to your whole clan! I can’t imagine how this must feel considering you started this blog as a way to keep family and friends informed.

    You two deserve every bit of this and should be insanely proud of all that you’ve accomplished and are still accomplishing.

    I only ask that you don’t let this go to your head and become Nate Burkus famous and abandon us. I couldn’t handle it.

    <3

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  12. Holy bananas is right! And holy bananas, I just shot cranberry juice out of my nose when I saw that book cover. LMAO. You guys are so hysterical.

    Nate Berkus is right – you would so make an awesome show, and I, for one, would watch. But I agree, Jon and Kate-ing yourself is not a good idea. However, Jon and Kate were douche-nozzles to start with, so that is why they went the way of the train-wreck. You guys are just so awesome and cute and precious – no way could you ever train-wreck!

    Yays for being in the paper!

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    • If we were drinking cranberry juice right now too it would be spraying out of our noses at “douche-nozzles.” That is definitely a new one for our vocabulary. Thanks for being hysterical right back!

      -John

    • Douche-nozzle is a great phrase. I alternate between using that one and “douche-waffle” on a daily basis.

    • I am officially adding “douche-waffle” to the other two insults I use that involve the wodk “waffle” (I won’t write them here, they’re definitely not PG… not that douche-waffle/nozzle is, I guess).

    • Hahaha. Douche-nozzle. I just choked on my smoothie. Note to self: add douche-nozzle to vocabulary.

    • haha, I laughed at the cover too. can you guys PLEASE sneak that in the book somewhere???? I’ll only buy it if you do.

      ok, that was a lie – I’ll pick it up anyhow, but if I promised to buy an extra copy, then would you????

    • I want to thank you for adding a new one to my list of douche-related insults. I am typically an on the go busy person so I resort to a quick “D-Bag” insult. But now I have to find the time to add a full “douche nozzle” in there. Freakin fantastic!

    • Awww, I am so glad I made my favorite bloggers laugh! :) I think my work is done for the day! :)

    • yeah, definitely.
      that picture would look great on the inside of the back cover, in the “about the authors” section.

  13. I saw the article first thing this morning… (living in VA and all)…. and thought… there’s the green rug!!!!!!!! Woo hoo! (It looks great… and so do you!) Very cool.

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    • …and I see in the Post’s online gallery your photo collage in the hallway! Also, is the hanging light in the living room back to being white/clear? Didn’t you paint it blue/green a while ago?

    • Good catch, Christine! I politely convinced Sherry that the light was better unpainted (the blue cast it gave that corner of the room with the light on was a bit odd to both of us) so she kindly wiped it clean. It was surprisingly easy to undo.

      -John

    • The green rug, the entryway collage AND sherry’s hair down on the book cover! Whoa! lol Congrats on everything guys! This is just wonderful!

  15. Congrats. Awesome news. I will totally buy your book. You guys make number two of my favorite bloggers to write a book. Meg at a practical wedding also has a book deal.

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  17. Congratulations to you all. What I really find refreshing about you is that you keep it real. There are no airs and graces, you are the ‘people’s decorators.’ So many times I read blogs that start out with the basics and then as they get recognized and well known, they start to tell us how much we need an Eames chair or a $2000 if we want style. You are thrifty and I appreciate that.

    Put me down for a book please!

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    • I totally agree. I think it’s much easier to have ‘style’ when you have unlimited funds. What YHL does is so much more appealing because they decorate with accessible things that are easy to adapt to your personal preferences, rather than using a side table found in a monk’s garbage in Borneo!

    • So well said, Nicole and Desiree… Especially about the table found in monk’s garbage in Borneo!!

      And congrats, guys – great spread in the Post and exciting news about the book!! Very well deserved.

  19. Nice work! I’m also excited to see the book. Also, what are the DIY plans for Clara’s birthday version 1.0? My baby is around the same age and I’m interested to see what you guys are up to.

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    • We’ve just started brainstorming for Clara’s 1st birthday and we’ll definitely keep you guys in the loop as to how it’s shaping up. Can’t believe our little lady is almost the big O-N-E!

      -John

    • Oooh, I second the DIY birthday party ideas. My little girl turns 1 in June and I’m already planning her 1st party. Don’t want to go overboard (which is so easy to do!) so definitely need some ideas to peruse. Congrats on the book!!! Yay! It’ll look good on my Ikea coffee table. :)

  20. WoW!! this is so amazing, i can’t wait to see the book! You two are surely inspirational, i loved reading the article!

    Loved the sneak peek of the wall collage in the article…looks beautiful from the little bit i can see! can’t wait to see more!

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  21. I got all teary eyed while reading this post. You two are incredible, and so inspiring (Ohh and funny too ;) Which makes me keep comin’ back for more.) & you totally deserve this! (& THE BOOK!!)

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  22. Awesome! Glad the blog will still be up and running…gets us through the day! BTW, I spy a green rug! Can’t wait for the official reveal.

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    • Official “reveal” in the queue for this afternoon. Just gotta get through our live chat on washingtonpost.com first and then catch our breath. It’s like a question-answering sprint over there!

      -John

  23. i see a green rug in that picture! When do we get to see it in blog form? That is really awesome for your guys about the newspaper and the book. Uber excited for you!

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  25. Haha, i laughed out loud when i saw your romance novel! So funny! Whats new with me? I moved in with my brother in his piece of crap house which we are fixing up together! I’m actually super excited about it and it’s been interesting so far. Also, just finished stripping my stereo console table and its definitely looking good! Super excited to see the outcome!

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  28. So much to say congrats about! You must be floating on clouds right now. How exciting! Count me in on buying your book the moment it hits the shelves. ;)

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  29. Wow that’s awesome! And I can’t wait to see your book. Hee hee I love the mock cover..is sherris hair falling off? Thank you for your wonderful blog, I love your sense of humor and your affordable ideas.

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  32. This seems to be right post for my first comment. :o)

    WOW you guys! Congratulations! And I really think you should consider this great book cover you came up with. Lol!

    I do hope we’ll be able to get your book over here in Germany, too. I’m totally hooked to your blog!

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  33. That is fantastic news y’all!!! I can’t wait to read your book, and I would definitley tune in for some TV time with you and the fam!! It would be really cool if you could DIY your own TV segments so you wouldn’t be invaded by camera and crew–just like the videos you do, but maybe for HGTV or something–endless possibilities!!

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  34. Oh MY!!!!!! I am totally freaking out for you guys! I had goose bumps just reading that you were featured in the Washington Post!!! Congratulations!

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  35. Wow! So cool! Congrats!
    What is new here in the DC suburbs is that we sold our house by owner thanks to your online tutorial! We actually had two full-priced offers in three days. We move to London to start a new adventure in a week! I’m spending extra time scooping my favorite house blogs in preparation for decorating our new London flat! We think it has loads of potential:

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  38. Amazing, you both are so deserving of all the success. I will be picking up a copy when it hits the shelves. Nicely done!!

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  40. When I read this, I got the whole “omg, I know them! I’m so proud” feeling since I have followed your blog since the beginning. What an amazing accomplishment for an incredibly deserving team!! Congrats! :)

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  43. Such great news! You are the most approachable DIY home improvement blog, site, book I have ever read. Yes, EVER! I am inspired each day by your work and can’t wait to watch you soar.

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  44. The Post write up is cool and all – but THE YHL BOOK! I’m so excited I can barely spell! I’m going to run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves! Hurry up and write it people. Thank you.

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  45. OMG!! That is so exciting!!…..Especially for those of us who have been following you for a couple years now :)

    Congrats!!!!

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  47. If you ever do decide to do a show, I vote reality TV and Sherry has to act like a Jersey Shore cast member.

    And, ahem, is that a fuzzy green rug I see living under Karl?

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  50. Wow, wow, wow! So excited for you all =) I hope to someday have just a modicum of the success you have created. (Did I really just use the word modicum?) Congrats you guys!!

    xo,
    Anna

    Reply

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