Work on the deck continues (we’re hoping to have an update for you on Monday unless an inspection throws us a curveball), but to close out the week with a little Father’s Day cheer, here’s a belated recap many of you asked for. The day included a few home-related moments and some nice gifts, so it felt right to share.
The morning began like many Father’s Days do: we headed to one of our favorite brunch spots, deLux, and enjoyed french toast in their open-air back room. We actually arrived about 20 minutes early and took an impromptu walk while we waited for them to open, which was a pleasant start to the day.
Things took an unexpected turn when we learned the night before that a New York Times photographer wanted to shoot our kitchen at noon. We’d already been interviewed about using online floor-planning software for renovations, but the timing of the photo request—about twelve hours’ notice—gave us a quick burst of busy-cleaning energy. The photographer arrived with big cameras and was friendly and efficient, which helped calm the chaos.
The article ran last Thursday while we were at the Haven Conference. While we were excited to be included, we weren’t entirely happy with how our quotes appeared; a comment about designers and defining personal taste was shortened in a way that made it seem like we were critical of architects, which isn’t true. Interviews and edits can sometimes shape a story differently than intended, but we were glad the photos turned out well—no closed eyes or spinach in the teeth—so that was a win.
Between getting the house photo-ready and the photo shoot running right up to Clara’s nap, our Father’s Day plans wound down sooner than expected. We had other work to wrap up before the Haven trip and a presentation to practice, so a quiet afternoon felt fine. Sherry, Clara, and Burger did surprise me with thoughtful gifts centered around home and art, which made the day special.
One of the gifts was a new dishtowel for the kitchen—yes, I admit it, I get excited about a good dishtowel, especially when it has a fun design like a bike on it. The towel immediately felt like a small, useful way to refresh the kitchen’s look. Sherry also found a print called “Twenty Northern Friends,” a clever piece that nods to our Alaskan honeymoon while sharing fun facts about lesser-known animals. It’s the kind of art that’s personal and a little nerdy, which I love.
We’re planning to frame that print and hang it in the living room; the dark gray beams there will be a good backdrop. Thankfully Target sells a frame size that should fit the print, so this is one of those projects that will likely move from “to-do” to “done” soon. That’s been a pattern here—frames and pillows migrate around the house quite a bit until they find their spot.
Speaking of frames, we finally tied up a few lingering decorating details. The map of Maui from our recent trip ended up in what we jokingly call our “frame hallway.” It fit perfectly in a standard-sized frame we picked up at Target—sometimes standard sizing really saves the day. We moved an old Richmond map to kitchen shelves, and a wooden letterpress print we bought in Portland now lives elsewhere in the hallway. Lots of little changes, but they make the house feel more like us.
After a busy start and a lot of running around to prepare for the photographer, the quieter parts of the day were the most meaningful: spending time with my girls and our little chihuahua. That’s what Father’s Day is really about for me. As always, blogging about the day makes me notice how many small home projects we start and forget to share—frames waiting to be hung, prints waiting to be framed. It’s a good reminder to close the loop on those updates.
How was your Father’s Day? Did anyone else end up with new art to hang or a small home upgrade that made the day feel special? We’ve got a few frames to finish, and we’ll share pictures once everything is hung—promise this time.