Note: This is a retroactive post I put together in December 2011 so the year could have a complete set of monthly recaps from our first year in the new house. I’m a little type A, so here’s what we tackled throughout March — delivered in classic yearbook style.
Most Archeological: Digging through the strip of dirt beside our driveway uncovered all sorts of surprises. It was equal parts treasure hunt and clean-up project, and eventually we got the area tidied and usable again.
Most Likely To Result In A Crack Joke: Hanging a ceiling medallion in Clara’s room to disguise and repair a cracked section of drywall. It gave the ceiling a finished look while solving the problem in a decorative way.
Most Times Square-esque: Installing a new chandelier from Ikea directly over our bed. It was one of those silly celebratory moments — we hoisted it up and jokingly shouted Happy New Year as it went into place.
Most Likely To Result In “The Sprinkler”: Disco dancing in the kitchen under a brand-new light fixture. The updated lighting made the room feel lively, and we couldn’t resist a little kitchen dance party.
Most Likely To Leave A Mark: Mapping out a frame arrangement above the sofa only to discover we needed more frames than planned. The revised layout led to extra holes in the wall as we adjusted placement and added anchors.
Most Likely To Involve An Australian Outback Voice: The hunt for the perfect bedroom rug, where we tried different textures and patterns until one finally felt right. The whole process had a playful, dramatic tone worthy of a travelogue.
Most Likely To Go Topless: Our four-poster bed after we removed the top slats to raise the chandelier and make room for the new rug. It’s one of those small tweaks that made the bedroom feel more airy and intentional.
Most Stodgy: We were featured in a short “Stodgy Is Sexy” mini-documentary filmed at our house. It was odd and flattering to see a small slice of our life presented that way.
Most Colorful: Creating inexpensive artwork using colored paper from Michael’s. The “five dollar art” idea proved that bright, simple materials can make a big visual impact for very little money.
Most Violent: Ripping out an oddly placed towel bar in the bathroom that had always annoyed us. The dramatic removal felt strangely cathartic and opened up possibilities for a cleaner, more balanced arrangement.
Most Predictable: Hanging another round mirror — this time over a desk in the living room. It’s a simple touch that reflects light and helps a space feel more complete, and we keep reaching for that classic shape.
Most Tyra-esque: Hosting a playful “finial fashion show” to decide which finials looked best on our four-poster bed. We lined up options and chose the ones that complemented the bed and room scale the best.
Most Anal: Using paper templates to precisely mark where frames would go before we started hammering. That extra bit of planning saved time and prevented unnecessary extra holes.
Most Shocking: Seeing our mugs featured on the cover of the Washington Post’s Local Living section and announcing our book deal. It was a surreal and proud moment to have a little part of our home and lives highlighted like that.
Most Plush: Bringing home an extra-thick shag rug for the living room. Its dense texture makes the room feel cozy and offers a delightfully soft landing for bare feet.
Most Holes Made In A Single Wall. Ever.: Installing a large frame collage in the hallway required a surprising number of anchors, screws, and nails. The finished grouping was worth the effort and a few extra patch jobs.
Most Charitable: John’s parents generously passed down an old dresser when they were downsizing. It found a new life in our bedroom and added both storage and sentimental value to the space.
Most Sentimental: A quiet 29th-birthday reflection marked by small comforts — turtles, sushi, and bees — and gave us a chance to slow down and appreciate the little moments amid all the projects.
Most Tragic: A heartbreakingly difficult home moment that still hits us emotionally when we think about it. Some things are hard to put into words without getting teary.
Most Likely To Make You Say “Time Flies”: Sharing progress after three months in the new house and realizing how much had changed and improved in a relatively short time.
Most Cheerful: Replacing old brass knobs on the dining room built-ins with cheerful greeny-yellow knobs. The simple swap instantly brightened the room and made us smile every time we opened the cabinets.
Most Packed Car: Somehow fitting eight $25 Craigslist chairs — each sporting a wild hotel pattern — into a borrowed SUV. It was a triumph of stacking and strategy that resulted in new seating for our dining room.
Best Tan: Reviving pale birch furniture legs by spraying them with oil-rubbed-bronze paint. The finish gave the pieces a fresh, cohesive look that complemented the rest of the room.
Most Likely To Result In A Blister: Pruning a magnolia tree to let in more light and improve curb appeal. The work was sweaty and sore but rewarded us with a clearer view and a brighter yard.