Note: This is a retrospective post I put together in December 2011 to create a full set of monthly recaps for our first year in the new house. I admit I’m a little type A, so here’s a look back at what we accomplished during June — presented a bit like a high school yearbook.
Most Improved: Finally painting our kitchen paneling. It felt great to see the dark, dated paneling transformed into a bright, fresh backdrop that made the whole kitchen feel newer and more open.
Most Annoying: Priming the paneling proved to be one of those tedious tasks that took multiple coats and a lot of patience. It was messy, repetitive, and very time-consuming, but essential for a lasting finish.
Most Destructive: Removing a few cabinets and patching the floor opened up the space and prepared the kitchen for its makeover. Taking things apart always feels destructive at first, but it cleared the way for improvements that made the disruption worthwhile.
Most Goal Oriented: We announced a nightly household goal to clear the kitchen table of miscellaneous clutter before bed. It’s a simple habit aimed at keeping the main living area calm and orderly — we’re still working on consistency, but even small wins make mornings easier.
Most Snow White-esque: Planting fast-growing evergreens gave us instant privacy along the side of the house, and along the way we made friends with a resident frog and an occasional visiting duck. The new greenery quickly softened the yard and improved the curb appeal.
Most Gifted: For Father’s Day we commissioned a sketch of our first house as a thoughtful keepsake and hung it on the hallway frame wall. The custom piece felt personal and meaningful, and it was a small, heartfelt way to celebrate the house and family memories.
Most Organized: We tackled and reorganized the junk drawer. It’s one of those tiny spaces that can make everyday life easier when it’s organized — finding small tools and supplies quickly saves time and reduces frustration.
Most Likely To Get Dirt Under Our Nails: Our overgrown mailbox got a full makeover: weeding, installing landscape fabric, planting, mulching, and relocating a few signs. It was hard work, but the cleared and refreshed area made the entry to the yard much more welcoming.
Most Edible: We created a small container garden for farmer’s market herbs using a galvanized tin and a drill. It’s a practical, compact way to keep fresh herbs on hand and brings a bit of the garden to the kitchen windowsill.
Most Desperate: We made eight living room curtain panels by halving and hemming discontinued Ikea panels. The quick DIY solution saved money and gave our windows a finished look, even if the process felt a little frantic at times.
Biggest Hearth: Painting the fireplace updated the focal point of the living room and made the space feel cleaner and more cohesive. The new color helped tie together the surrounding decor.
Class Hothead: We removed an old wood stove after realizing it posed safety concerns for our curious child. The project was physically demanding but necessary to make the home safer and more functional.
Most Circus-esque: I shared a wildly strange, elephant-themed dream that was as odd as it was memorable — sometimes house life brings unexpected, surreal moments that are fun to recount.
Most Incoherent: Thrifting in Georgia with Katie B turned into a giggly, hyper outing. It was all about hunting for unique finds and enjoying the camaraderie of a spontaneous shopping trip.
Most Colorful: I sewed dining room curtains from imperfect discount fabric, turning flaws into charm. The project added vibrant pattern and personality to the room without breaking the budget.
Class Nomad: We moved a dresser and a mirror into the guest room, improving that space’s functionality and creating a more welcoming environment for visitors.
Most Superstitious: Using painter’s tape and a scrap of wood, we made a small “lucky seven” art piece — a simple, handmade accent that adds a playful, personal touch to a shelf or wall.
Most Likely To (Not) Succeed (At Least On The First Attempt): We experimented with dyeing inexpensive slipcovers for the dining room chairs and ended up repeating the process a few times. Dyeing fabric can be unpredictable, but persistence paid off and we eventually achieved a color we were happy with.