My Home Improvement Editor and Mother of 3 Talks About Contentment in Chaos

When September hits, school is in full swing, sports are gearing up and it’s basically pandemonium at my house. Well-intended (albeit half-started) summer projects decorate the house, laundry is piled high and the beach bag is still sitting at the garage door waiting to be dumped of sand—or just plain dumped—before it can be packed away. I’ve been aiming to simplify things all year—continuously purging, re-organizing and brainstorming projects that might gird both efforts—and it’s made me wonder as we slide into another busy season, do things ever even out?

Honestly, I hope it doesn’t, really. I am conditioned to the craziness by now, but there is also excitement and renewal in the constant evolution of life at home. There’s something to be said for contentment, sure, but the potential of curiosity and creativity might be a lot more fun.

That’s evident in this issue, readers. A collection of some of my favorite projects we’ve featured, like the tropical outdoor shower on page 20 or the backyard-tree-turned-basement-island on page 16, (click to watch the amazing start to finish video) are evidence of unleashed creativity at its best. And the gorgeous flex spaces featured on page 25 go even further to illustrate how not being content with our spaces can actually make life more efficient (yes, I’ve made a lot of notes in my tear-sheet binder!).

Perhaps most exciting is the curated list of the home industry’s best that make whatever new project your brain births something easier, already, because you know exactly who to source. Voted on by you as My Home Improvement’s Best of 2023 on page 35, and celebrated by our community, this talented group has earned its reputation and we’re excited to share it and see what projects come out of your connections!

I want you to send me pictures of what you do this season! Email me at jcolosimo@atlantabestmedia.com so I can show it off.

Here’s to a new school year, a new season of (maybe, restarted) home projects and, in general, a collective sigh of relief as we embrace the potential amidst the pandemonium.