Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 168 Comments

August Superlatives: Accidents & Fish Baskets

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone! That means that both summer and the month of August are coming to a close. Let’s all shed a communal tear. But before we mentally check out for the long weekend, it always helps us keep the ol’ momentum up by taking an appreciative look back on all of our happenings from last month (along with some bonus never-before-seen stuff). It definitely inspires us to keep plugging away, plus it makes browsing our archives a lot easier (you can read back through January of 2011 right here in just 19 posts instead of 665). Woot! And below you’ll also find a hint about Monday’s giveaway, so feel free to guess away at what that might be…

Most Redeemed: Me, after Sherry’s little accident with the lamp made me feel a little less bad about my tendency to break things around here (a certain ceramic dog comes to mind).

Lamp Broken 1

Mood-iest: This mood board Sherry created to start planning what items would eventually go on our deck. There’s still some work to do, but I think we got off to a good start.

Deck Mood Board

Freshest: Taking a trip to Ikea to check out all of their new stuff now that the 2013 catalog is out. And based on the comments, we’re not the only ones to have drooled over their crop of new chairs. Might wanna wipe those seats before you sit down…

Ikea Hoosten 89 Stors 119

Most Painful: The fall I took while starting to put down deck boards. Fortunately the big marks I got across my back and inner thigh from smacking them on some joists are now gone.

Decking 13 John My Back

Least Musical: Sherry, after she managed to butcher The Brady Bunch theme song into a post about framing art around our house. Let’s hope none of the Bradys read our blog.

Art Update8

Most Blushy: Us, after the incredible response we got from you guys when we officially announced that our book is available for pre-order (and shared a little behind-the-scenes story about the cover). Seriously amazing. We’re so grateful and so excited to tell you more about it soon!

Front Back

Most Organized: My side of the closet, now that Sherry upgraded me from a few woven baskets to these sleek white bins from Ikea.

Superlatives Baskets

Most Athletic: A bunch of you guys. I was so excited to see how many of you revealed yourselves as runners (whether casually or of the more expert variety) in this post about why I’m a runner.

Running Monument 10K 20062

Most Fun You Can Have With A Circular Saw: Finally finishing the deck boards. There was something so satisfying about ripping through a bunch of boards knowing that it put me that much closer to calling the deck done-zo.

Decking 7 Cutting

Comfiest: This new chair that we snagged for the corner of our kitchen. It sure beats the old too-small one that had been sitting there since we moved in and plopped it down.

Chair Ottoman1

Longest: Our house to-do list, which we updated for you this month. There’s definitely more crossed off, but there’s still lots to do… like tackle the third bedroom (which looks a heckova lot more chaotic than this pic, because it’s now full of secret book projects that we’re saving for a charity auction this fall).

Playroom Prog

Most Improved: The mirror situation in our kitchen. We didn’t realize how small the existing one looked until we replaced it with this larger spare from our guest bedroom.

Mirror After Far

Best Deal: This $295 outdoor lantern that we scored for $19 and hung in our carport so that our too-tiny light could finally get the boot.

Carport Light15

Most Likely To Get Vertigo: Anyone afraid of heights (like my sweet wife) who crossed the bridge on the High Bridge Trail near Farmville, VA (she felt much better by the time we shopped the huge furniture outlet nearby).

High Bridge Bridge

Most Fascinating: Learning the origin of the basket that we used to make this new DIY light fixture in our kitchen. Apparently they’re used to catch fish – just check out this Flickr photo to see it in action.

Basket Light 28

Most Egg-sessive: Sherry, at least when it comes to egg chairs – hence this post with an egg-tastic update, including egg chairs for Clara’s dollhouse (gotta start ’em early!).

Egg Chair1

Most Versatile: These $5 tulips that Sherry had fun reimagining a trio of times.

Superlatives Tulips Three Ways

The “Goliath” Award: The finally completed deck, which this “David” finally knocked out after ten sun-drenched, sawdust filled weeks of figuring out what the heck I was doing. But unlike the classic story, I’m getting pretty friendly with this giant.

Deck 13 John Kissing

Most Well Traveled: Us, although only in the sense that we sure do get around when it comes to hitting up thrift stores in Richmond. Here’s a recap of our six-store tour of the River City’s thriftiest spots.

Orange Book

Most Moroccan: This cool little side table that we found a thrift store (we especially loved hearing everyone’s ideas for what they’d do to him).

Mor Table 4

Wordiest: This award could probably go to us for every post we write, but this month we’re giving it to the text-y art hack that Sherry performed on the painting in our dining room.

Love Art9

Most Delayed Gratification: Using this teak oil on our new deck chairs (along with polying our table) to help prevent them from getting damanged over time. Sure felt like lots of rubbing for little results… for now – but we hope it’ll add up to less work on the back end.

Furn Prep8

Most Likely To Include A Gratuitous Burger Shot: This little mantra that we shared in this post about how we decide what to post about.

Blog Like No One Is Watching

Future Fashionista: Clara (who actually insisted that she bring her purse to Home Depot yesterday). And here’s where we spilled the beans on where and how we buy clothes for our little lady.

Old Navy Dress

Most Chillaxed: Burger, who’s already testing out several relaxation spots on the freshly furnished deck.

Deck Furn8

Most Likely To Result In Underwear Chatter: This post about how the wife whipped up a “so so shiny hoop” for the bean. Leave it to Sherry to bring underwear into it…

Basketball Clara Playing

Most Cryptic: This visual hint for Monday’s giveaway. Let’s just say there are three distinct clues in this image…

Superlatives Giveaway

How did August look for you? Did you get any major projects completed? Make any particularly fruitful shopping trips? Or did you just enjoy the last few weeks before the kids went back to school to their fullest? Can’t believe our little one goes off to preschool for two mornings a week in a few short weeks. Sniffle.

Comments

  3. Nikki Burke says

    What a great month! Did you happen to see the moroccan side table in the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens? I don’t have the magazine with me, but it’s on a left hand page toward the middle. It’s not within a story, but a “style finds” type of page. Thought of your new find!

    Reply

  5. Laurie says

    Feeling a sense of accomplishment for crossing my entry way spruce up off my to do list: painted an old inherited credenza a spicy orange (Crisp Autumn Leaves by Martha Stewart) and added ORB hardware, found the perfect slipper chair scored for $75 at Kirkland’s, a gorgeous green bubble glass lamp from Home Goods ($50 kind of a splurge) and lastly FINALLY found an amazing piece of art to hang in the entry way above the credenza, originally priced at $250 final price paid: $53 after an additional clearance markdown and coupon applied (From Kirkland’s). Hosting a big birthday brunch for my daughter on Sunday and loving that my entry way looks amazing in time for the party. Whew, I think I am ready for a nap.

    Reply

  6. Lauren@FilingJointly says

    I do a series of posts on my blog called “How Ryan Met Lauren” which is basically just the story of my husband and I from preschool to wedding. I started it in November of last year and FINALLY got the conclusion up just yesterday. The posts take me like six hours with text and picture editing and such so it’s always such a huge post to tackle. I’m SO HAPPY I finally finished that project!

    (Sherry, I think I made you look at one of the other posts in this series because they had some of my wedding photos? But anyway here’s the conclusion!)

    http://www.filing-jointly.com/2012/08/how-ryan-met-lauren-part-iii-part-ii.html

    Reply

  8. Nicole Puckett says

    Thanks for the update! It was a great month for us readers too.. BTW: I absolutely love the rug in your third bedroom. It’s exactly what I am looking for for my living room.. Please tell me it’s not like 10 years old and there’s a chance I could find one???

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The yellow one in the guest room is from Pottery Barn a few years ago (as is the floral one in the messy playroom). Maybe try eBay? That one is called the Clara rug of that helps.

      xo,
      s

  10. Amy @ a new old house says

    Love the round up- I missed a lot because we took a beach vacation, so am enjoying catching up!
    Have a great weekend!

    PS- we stopped at that antique barn in Denton, MD on our way to OBX- so much fun! Thx for the tip!

    Reply

  11. Nora Rose says

    Woohoo! Your book is #1 in two Amazon categories, congrats!! I’m still waiting to pre-order so I can order something else and get free shipping… Sorry I gotta save!

    Reply

  13. Andrea hudson says

    Will y’all be announcing when and where the charity auction will be? We just moved to Virginia and if it is close I would love to go!

    Reply

  15. Laura says

    I love your mood board for your deck. I saw something crazy somewhere else you might find entertaining (you probably already have, being so trendy and all :). A lady bought a chandler that was nonfunctional and after painting it, she put small solar lights in the bulb sockets and hung it over her deck. Crazy but kind of fun.

    Reply

  17. Kelly P says

    Hmmm…. not a clue. Pop (soda?) frame rug. I’m terrible at riddles.

    Happy Labor Day to you guys. Unlike most of the country, I’ll be celebrating the end of summer. Literally jumping for joy. Summer in Arizona is like living on the surface of the sun. Or perhaps worse :-)

    I loved the deck project, by the way. It was so interesting to follow the various stages in real time. Well done!

    Reply

  19. Bella says

    My august?
    Scored a cheap appartment for my boyfriend and me, found some cheap used furniture in great shape for little money and already did a floorplan of the place and tweaked out what furniture will go where.
    I actually commented on your running post and literally 3 days later I twisted my ankle so badly while running, that I tore a ligament and can’t run for 2 and a half months and by then it’s winter. I’m from Austria so it get’s super cold here in winter. Which is good because you can go ice-skating and snowboarding but I’m not allowed to do that stuff for half a year and by then it is spring again (bad timing I have!)
    So as my lovely email-friend from the US would say: EPIC FAIL ;)
    But I’m looking forward to the new place even though we can only move in by the end of september

    Reply

  20. Todd says

    I just thought of this when looking at the picture of the entry at the top of the post, but have y’all ever considered hard-wiring in a sconce on each side of the artwork when you have the electrician do the wiring for a light over the dining table? I figure it could make the entry area look very intentional and mirror the two book cases on the opposite side of the room. Just thought I’d mention.

    Reply

  21. Jenny says

    We’re right there with you: our little guy started nursery school this month when I went back to work as Art Director at RH (interim-it’s four months of maternity leave coverage). He loves it and he’s doing great, so we’ll probably keep him in a couple days a week after I go back to freelancing. I’m sure Clara will love it! xox

    Reply

  22. Luke says

    I think you’re going to use the top of the pop cans as a stamp with paint to make a design in green and white like the rug on the canvas.

    I still love the words on a tired painting idea, but I can’t figure out the right words. Maybe something from Golden Slumbers…

    Reply

  23. Elizabeth says

    Canvas pop! I have a good feeling that’s the giveaway! If so, my boyfriend just ordered a print from there and they did an AMAZING job!

    Reply

  24. Dana says

    I insulted Barry Williams (who played Greg Brady) to his face once, so of any of the Bradys read this blog and try to start something I got your back, since I have NO problem taking on a Brady! (Yes I do; it was an accident and it was horrifying…)

    Reply

  25. Natalie says

    Ha, the “underwear chatter” made me giggle :)

    Great looking month guys! My month wasn’t nearly as productive, partially because my husband and I went to Olympic National Park for our official honeymoon. But you could call it a “dude get on that already” project, because we’ve been married for nine months now ;)

    Reply

  26. Joanna says

    Your third bedroom makes me feel a lot better about my “office” aka storage disaster. Granted it still looks more organized than my office, but I’m so glad you shared that!

    Reply

  31. Rebekka says

    i loved the basket light fixture to begin with, but i think it’s so much cooler that it’s food -related!! happy labor day weekend!

    Reply

  32. diane says

    While we are at different stages in life ( as evidenced by my empty nest remodeling blog) I always enjoy reading yours and you had quite a summer, as did we. Briefly, we sold our beloved and large home and moved back onto a 2000 sft townhome that has been a rental for the past 15 years, hence the remodel. We did score an amazing deal on a bath vanity and for anyone living in So Cal check out builders surplus in Santa Ana….amazing prices! Almost done with our kitchen, fireplace, etc and can move out of the downstairs bedroom and enjoy a WHOLE house. BTW..congrats on the book and take some kleenex when you drop your “bean” off at school…you will need them

    Reply

  34. Megan says

    We built a castle/slide tower for my daughter after my parents gave her a slide for her 3rd birthday. It was definitely a labor of love, time and lots of sweat as we were working in 100 degree weather every time we had the chance. But it’s definitely been worth it to see the smile on her face and the long “weeee!” as she slides down the spiral slide. Here it is, although I haven’t put the final pictures of it up here yet with the rest of the cedar boards added. http://thebrickbungalow.blogspot.com/search/label/Lily%27s%20play%20yard

    Reply

  37. Rowena says

    I was looking on Houzz and saw “Shoreline” Unframed Canvas Art By Caroline Gold. I couldn’t think why it looked familiar to me, then I realised…..I think is your picture (pre art-hack)! You probably already know this, but it seems you really did get a bargain for $20! It’s selling on overstock.com for about $200US

    Reply

  38. Kaitlyn says

    We are celebrating the successful installation of a dishwasher in our tiny outdated kitchen! It only took about 2 days to get the new electric and water installed, but about 3 weeks for the correct dishwasher to come in! It was worth the wait–we have been without a dishwasher and disposal for 2 years!

    Reply

  40. Tamryn says

    Random comment… in the pic of the world globe you can see South Africa. I ran my cursor over it and squealed – I LIVE HERE! {Actually I live on the east coast of SA, Kwa-Zulu Natal province}

    Thank you for an awesome blog – you inspire me.

    Reply

  44. Jess says

    Hey guys!

    I’m a huge HUGE fan of your site and I’m a self-proclaimed DIYer myself! I couldn’t help but notice that you guys have the white West Elm daybed in white. I just purchased the frame from the outlet for $100! What a steal! The problem is that it was missing hardware, and with 4 trips down from Lowes and endless calls to west elm, we are unable to find anything that will hold it together! Do you guys have any recommendations on what we can do? I’m beginning to think that my bargain was not so great after all :(.

    Thanks for the laughs and the awesome info!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh no! Can you use heavy duty metal l-brackets? Maybe take a photo of the parts that need to connect and bring that to a local hardware store where they can help you hunt for something?

      xo,
      s

  45. Caroline says

    I can’t wait to see your book — it’s already on my Christmas list! Also, I loved the “Words Up” post. I’ve been looking around the house for any less-than-lovely paintings I can improve upon…!

    Reply

  46. Mary says

    Hello and Happy Labour Day!
    Love the buffet and I like the colour, but until now, I’ve resisted telling you guys that it always looks dirty to me (and not in a shabby chic sort of way). If you were to ask me, I’d suggest freshening it up with a new coat of paint. But of course you haven’t asked. :).
    Keep up the great work!
    M.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Mary,

      We noticed that in photos it can look kinda grungy but in person we love how it looks! Of course if that ever changes we’ll be the first to paint it :)

      xo,
      s

  48. Cat Hines says

    Sherry,

    What is the style name of the new gray chair you placed in the kitchen sitting area? I’d love to hunt for the same style online.

    Reply

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *