2016 was an eventful year full of firsts and finish lines. Between launching a podcast, buying a beach house, creating a coloring book, and tackling a steady stream of projects at home and for others, it felt like one long, productive blur. Here’s a look back at the highlights that shaped the year.
One of the most memorable projects this year was a fast, emotional bedroom makeover for a local family. We refreshed a shared bedroom with a space-themed update so Hudson could begin sleeping in the room again after the sudden loss of his younger brother Mason. Staying connected with the family has kept the project close to our hearts, and we’re grateful for the chance to help them create a healing, comfortable space.
Another standout was a teacher’s lounge makeover at a local public elementary school. It came with some unusual constraints—like designing around a large soda machine—but it was rewarding to transform a tired staff space into something more functional and welcoming for teachers and staff.
We also helped friends and family settle into a new home nearby. One small but satisfying update was converting a single duvet cover into two smaller covers for a child’s bedroom—an economical, creative solution that added immediate polish to the space.
At our own house, a lot changed. Early in the year we completed the bonus room: we installed hardwood floors, built cabinets and floating shelves, and engineered a wire-free TV solution. What began as an unfinished storage area turned into a cozy extension of our upstairs living space, perfect for movie nights and relaxed family time.
Following the bonus room, the kitchen underwent a full renovation. The update delivered both aesthetic improvements and practical gains: a brighter, cleaner look plus a more efficient layout and deliberate cabinet organization. Those changes have made daily routines, meal prep, and the morning rush much easier.
The kitchen remodel included a thoughtful layout reconfiguration and clever storage solutions that streamlined functionality. We also documented mistakes and lessons learned during the process so others can benefit from our experience when planning a major renovation.
After the kitchen, the living room received finishing touches with custom built-in bookcases that completed our long-running renovation. Those built-ins tied the main living spaces together and added both style and storage to the heart of our home.
We also tackled smaller, meaningful updates: repainting our bedroom and office in neutral tones, which created a calmer atmosphere, and transitioning our daughter’s room from a twin daybed to a full-size bed. Tracking the many phases of that room through photos and posts was fun and surprisingly nostalgic.
We recorded video tours of the house that show the progress on both the upstairs and downstairs. Those walkthroughs capture how the rooms interact and give a sense of the flow after the renovations.
Outside, we added a backyard shed that’s already serving as a practical workspace and storage area. It’s made organizing tools and materials much easier and freed up space in other parts of the property.
The biggest acquisition of the year was our beach house. Buying a second property opened a whole new set of projects—some exhilarating and some daunting. The place needs significant renovation before it functions as a true getaway, but we’ve begun planning layout changes and updates and have already started making progress on the most pressing repairs.
In June we launched a podcast, which quickly grew into a creative outlet we love. Nearly 30 episodes later, we’re still experimenting, inviting guests, and enjoying the flexibility the format offers. The podcast has become a fun place to try new ideas, share lessons from remodeling, and talk through design dilemmas in a conversational way.
Another project that surprised us with how much joy it brought was an adult coloring book based on house interiors. Working with an illustrator to turn rooms into line drawings and seeing readers color and share their versions was a delightful, unexpected creative collaboration.
We even experimented with launching a small app this year—an idea that didn’t become a big hit, but that we enjoyed creating nonetheless. All of these varied projects—renovations, makeovers, a podcast, a book, a shed, and a beach house—made 2016 a year of growth, learning, and a lot of dust.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about continued beach house renovations, more podcast episodes, finishing remaining rooms (including two bathrooms that still need major attention), and more projects for friends and neighbors. If you missed any of this year’s posts or want to revisit specific projects, our blog archive has the full collection of updates, tutorials, and before-and-after photos to explore.
We hope 2016 brought you moments worth remembering, and we wish you even more good things in the year ahead. See you in January.