Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 141 Comments

January Superlatives

January was one of those you-sneeze-and-you’ll-miss-it months for us. It just flew by! Is it really already February? Crazyville. So before our behind-the-scenes-book-stuff threatens to completely erase our memory of this month, we like to take a moment to look back on all that we’ve done at a glance (and gather all the links in one handy place for ya). And of course we tossed in some never-before-seen stuff for kicks. This month we were all over the place as usual, but focused a lot of our time on the kitchen along with making a mini kitchen for Clara and tackling some random stuff that we’ve been hoarding in the playroom in what we affectionately like to call our “Dude, Get On That Already” Challenge. So let’s take a walk down memory lane, with yearbook-esque superlatives, shall we?

Future Top Chef: Clara, considering the amount of time she spends using the play kitchen we made for her for Christmas. Although the thing she “cooks” most is a bunch of toy animals (they also get lots of fake baths in the sink).

PlayKitch After Full Kitche

Most Gifted: Us, at least when it comes to recapping all of our Christmas gifts – like earrings, art, art supplies, buttons, etc.

Most Secretive: All of the lady-bloggers (including Sherry) who participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange last month. January meant they could finally reveal their identities and the deets behind the gifts.

Secret Santa Paint After

Most Likely To Be In The Dark: Clara, thanks to her new blackout curtains. They’re still not officially sewed, but that doesn’t keep us from getting some rock star naps lately! Thank goodness. It’s like she knows we’re trying to knock out five secret book shots in a two hour period so she gives us an extra half hour just to be sweet.

Curtains1

Most Artistic: The wall in our living room, which got a small little art switcheroo (color mats became more muted linen ones). Oh and we shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our ottoman. Our over-sharing spirit knows no bounds, apparently.

Frames Full Angled

Class Stud: This stool that we made over for a feature in a recent issue of Do It Yourself magazine (after we gave it a little paint and fabric update with some nail heads).

DIYWinter Stool Feature

Most Deranged Re-Arranged: Clara’s room, which is on its third layout in one year. I guess that’s what you get when you try to configure furniture meant for a smaller differently-shaped room into a new space.

ClarasRoom After At Door

Best Couple: The new sheer curtain panels that joined the existing printed panels (well, half panels) in our living room to beef up their visual presence a bit.

Curtains Full Room 1

Book Worm: Our family yearbooks! Our big photobook featuring all of the highlights from 2011 arrived in January (and Clara has already learned to request “look at pictures” to go through it together – awwww).

Yearbook 9 Both Books

Most Faux-Real: The antlers we sprayed white and hung atop Sherry’s noggin in the kitchen as our first “Dude, Get On That Already” project where we have vowed to use things or lose them donate/craigslist them.

Fascinator

Best Tour Guide: Burger, for showing you around his “room” in our post about hanging a new light fixture in our master closet.

Closet 12 Burger Tour 2

Least Upright: Me, while snagging a few new closet chandelier pics while Burger supervised.

John Pic

Most Dramatic: The transformation of our cabinets, having (finally) gotten their paint makeover.

CabsDone Close From Hallway

Most Tedious: Installing our penny tile in the kitchen, which required a fair bit of time and concentration – so much so that the process spanned three whole posts. Including this one (where we covered how we figured out how to cut the penny tile)…

TileStart Blue Tape Cutting

… this one all about how we planned and executed our first (small) wall of tile…

Tile2 Spreading Thinset

… and this one about finishing up the whole thing (including a video of the thinsetting process). Fortunately it was all totally worth it in the end. We still find ourselves petting it every now and then.

Tile2 Starting Back Wall

Most Annoying: Me, for getting a Tears for Fears song stuck in lots of your heads thanks to my post entitled “Grout, Grout, Let It All Out.” Uh oh, did I just do it again?

Grout 5 John Spreading

Most Swiss Cheese-esque: The ceiling in our kitchen, which was rocking quite a few holes following a visit from the electrician.

Electrician Craziness Verti

Most Well-Rounded: Our new globe pendant lights over the peninsula in the kitchen.

Globes Off Extreme Close Up

Little Miss Perfect Award: Definitely not Sherry, who owned up to the fact that life isn’t always rainbows and unicorns at Chez Petersik in her “The Real $her-dog” post. But that’s why we love her.

Failed Project Boo

Mr. Mom: me (I’m feeling better about accepting this title thanks to lots of encouraging comments on my “The Real J-Boom” post where I talked about my insecurity about being a work-at-home-dad). Aw, shucks.

DayInLife 13 Folding Laundr

Cheapest: Our Jenn-Air range hood found on Craigslist for $60 (after we talked them down from 65). I’d say it’s our best deal of the year, but it doesn’t mean much considering we’re just one month in. It’s like seeing a movie preview these days that says “Critics are calling it the best film of the year.”

Vent Hood

Most Supported: The aforementioned vent hood, which you saw us hang earlier this week (and a bit later – though technically in February – you saw it get all covered up too).

Hood 12 John Hanging

Most Commented: Our post about how we handle less-than-kind feedback (wowsa, it wracked up over 1000 comments in one weekend). Must have been this picture…

Cheesy Burger Picture

Most Chaotic: Our house, as the perfect storm of kitchen renovations and book photo shoots converge in one typhoon of craziness. Hey, on the bright side – one week of three is officially complete! And we have over 35 projects fully shot (before, progress, and afters) and in the can. Go team!

ShootDay1 Burger With Kip

Biggest Chicken: Jarvis, the oversized ceramic rooster that we amped up with some aubergine spray paint.

Rooster5

Most Dated: Our page o’ monthly round ups that we finally organized (so you can see virtually all our 2011 projects in 12 posts). Guess we gotta go add this guy now…

Monthly Rundown

What did you guys squeak out in the first month of 2012? Have you ever made a list of accomplishments to look back on? Feel free to use the comment section of this post to list what you’ve done (or just toss out a few highlights). It’s so nice to take a break from adding things to the to-do list for a second, just to look back and appreciate the things you can mark “done!”

Comments

  3. Kristi says

    I was going to email you but maybe you will get this sooner. What is on your front door at the top? Is it a door handle or a door knocker? I am looking for something similar if it is a door knocker. I have no idea what to type in to search! Ps: Kitchen is coming along nicely!

    Reply

  4. Heather says

    And Tears for Fears officially restuck in my head :) I can’t believe how much you guys got accomplished already this year. You’re such a inspiration to get my rear in gear and cross things off my own to-do list. Still swooning over that penny tile by the way. So pretty!

    Reply

  8. Meredith says

    I was all set to say, “hmm, I didn’t accomplish much” but then I realized I threw a baby shower for 20, went on vacation for a week (maybe not an accomplishment, but getting all the stuff ready for leaving for a week felt like one!), started a new two-hour-per-week volunteering gig, took my first-ever yoga class, and cleaned out a closet. That does feel good—thanks YHL!

    Reply

  10. Christa Mae says

    I managed to accomplish only 2 things in the month of January…
    1. I uber-organized our pantry
    2. I [finally] bought us a dining room table… oh wait, that was actually February… cuz It was yesterday. Let’s scratch that.

    So I accomplished one teeny tiny thing…In 31 days…fail.

    I did book two elements of our wedding, and even FINALLY started the blog I’ve been dreaming about for almost 2 years, so that feels amazing. I’m counting it.
    Maybe someday I’ll have as much to be proud of in one month as my favorite bloggers :)

    Reply

  11. christina M says

    Don’t take this as a “real” gripe…but the superlative posts are such a let down. :) ha…but only because I get so excited to see that y’all have posted something new and then when I take a closer look its the monthly superlatives! I LOVE when y’all post updates or new projects. It gets me all giddy!

    :) Happy Friday!

    Reply

  14. Annabelvita says

    We left London and moved to the English countryside! We both left our jobs but found out today we got brand new ones and can love our country dream! Yay! During my unemployed month I made bread for the first time ever and a whole load of cakes. But the achievement I’m proudest of is I made my first quilt! http://annabelvita.com/my-first-quilt ! Yay sewing.

    Reply

  17. Tyra says

    Love it! Possible typo? At the end “first year of 2012” …. Should it be first month?!?
    This month I finally got my scrapbooking up to date (yes I’m that cool) and started an office makeover. Yippe!

    Reply

  20. Annie Swift says

    Well, Gosh. We’ve been to the same zoo on 4 out of 5 weekends in January, painted our radiator cover, painted and remodelled our TV cabinet, bought & set up a new home for our guinea pig, painted moulding, some hallway painting, test swatches on walls awaiting a weekend where we can churn it all out in one weekend, bought a new rug, mirror, lamp, artwork, ordered 2 new sofas and a footstool, a new bedspread, hung new curtain rods (this is a chore in itself in our house), started a fitness DVD ( also a chore but he makes me lol on week 3/6), baked many loaves of bread, peach upside down cake, flapjacks and roasted some chickpeas. Phew! You’re right though, it is nice to look back at what you’ve done. x

    Reply

  22. Lilly says

    Hi just in case I missed it can u tell me where did u buy the new pillows on Karl? I love them especially the blue star looking one. The texture on them is really nice.

    Reply

  24. Lisa@wanderdownpennylane says

    Thanks for reminding us to take a step back and appreciate what we’ve accomplished!

    Sticking to updating my blog, getting healthy, cooking healthier and getting our house ready for some MAJOR DEMO has definitely helped January fly by for me!

    Seeing your house a little chaotic has helped ease my fears about my own being torn apart soon. Sounds weird but I meant that as a compliment, I swear! haha

    Reply

  25. Darcy says

    Hi y’all! Just wanted to say that I can’t believe you got 35 projects done, photo’d, and “in the can” this week!
    No wonder you were so giddy with yesterdays’ post!!! Thats a really great start for a crazy 3 weeks — hopefully that means that each week will be “slightly” easier/less projects to do!

    On a different topic, with Superbowl coming up — since your from Jersey — are you a Giants fan, or do you not care about football?!? Inquiring minds want to know…
    :-) LOL!
    Either way — I hope you don’t do a single “work” related thing this weekend (except maybe shop for a new light fixture — that seems like fun)!!

    Reply

  26. Kelly says

    I have found another reason to love the re-caps. A post I didnt know I missed! I usually read everyday so I never look backwards, and I never knew I missed a post about a ROOSTER. And in fact, I think my grandmother had that same rooster, except painted to actually look like a rooster. Sadly I think she got rid of it when they moved to a smaller place or poor lonely Jarvis could have had a buddy!

    Reply

  28. Dona says

    Sherry,

    Your “Yearbook” post was a great inspiration for me. As a die-hard scrapbooker, I was years behind trying to make awesome albums for my family. (I have to admit that it took a lot for me to finally give up film for digital, so as you can see it took almost as many years for me to move from pretty paper, stickers and tape, to a digital book.

    When I saw your Yearbook, I downloaded the My Publisher software that very moment and set about working on my 2007 pictures. I am happy to say, in less than 2 weeks from your post, my 2007 Family Album arrived yesterday and I am basking in all it’s glossy glory.

    Check that one off my “Dude, get it done already” challenge.

    As always, thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  29. sara says

    I dunno what I dislike more, the monthly superlatives or the reader redisgn. booring. Isnt the whole point of a blog so that everythig is documented so you can remember it? we dont need to re-remember it. I know this wont get posted and if it does I will be attacked for being negative, but just thought Id over share.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re certain no one will love every post that we share, so no worries! We just move at a pace that works for us (as much as we’d love to share major projects and reveals every day, it’s just not humanly possible for our fam). From the comments it seems like many folks enjoy these roundups and we like ’em too (both for taking a short breather to appreciate our accomplishments and for archival purposes since it makes looking at an entire year possible in 12 posts instead of 400+). There’s just one of these every 35 posts or so, and looking back at this roundup hopefully you can see that we’ve shared a ton of actual projects this month – so it’s a nice balance in our eyes. Hope that makes sense!

      xo,
      s

  30. Courtney says

    I’m new to your site as a co-worker just turned me on to it, so I absolutely love how you provide links to your older posts to give the background on current posts. I had been wondering how the pictures behind your couch came to be, and now I know! I am interested in doing something similar. Have a great weekend!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Courtney! Those are Ribba frames from Ikea with some small photos that we got from a gallery (they’re actually greeting cards we cut up) and frames on burlap.

      xo,
      s

  32. Anna says

    You guys are kicking everyone’s butts on the New Year’s resolution bandwagon! Kudos on a productive January. Your kitchen is coming along beautifully, and I can’t wait to see the finished result!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, yes. iPhone pic (since the canera was in John’s hands and pointed at the ceiling). We also try to work in some extra details we’ve never revealed (like our book shoot progress).

      xo,
      s

  36. Sarah H. says

    I love the monthly round-up posts! Keep up the good work!

    We have been working on nursery stuff and in January we totally rearranged all of our closets and even our garage and outdoor shed to make room for baby stuff. We also painted the closets, finally got the crib and assembled it, hung art in the nursery, and bought a bunch of home storage accessories (those vacuum storage bags really do work!). I still need to make curtains for the room and Sherry, you inspired me with your no-sew method. I have no idea how to sew, so we bought some fabric glue and I’m going to try to make it work. We also made a 2009 and 2010 family yearbook on Shutterfly after I read your family yearbook post. Thanks for all the inspiration!

    Reply

  37. Terri says

    Good for you guys that you are able to do so much work around your house yourselves. I know it’s not easy with a toddler running around. We try to take one project at a time, but every room has something unfinished. Your decorating has given me inspiration. Thanks :)

    Reply

  38. Wrenaria says

    Since I don’t think I mentioned it on the original post – that picture of John and Burger outside just might be the best thing ever. Hilarious and adorable.

    Reply

  39. Shannon says

    I think January was one of my favorite months on your blog. You achieved so much and such great post balance– loved the little projects sprinkled in (since I am not yet a home owner these are the ones I tackle — this month I spray painted an old creepy owl and made him whimsical- thank you Jarvis! and I am getting my globe light up in the my daughter’s room this weekend- thanks to dude get on this!) Plus your two posts about yourselves were right up my alley. My fiance is a stay at home dad and I never realized how he could be feeling about that. Thank you both! Great month. And I am salivating to read your book.

    Reply

  40. Sharon says

    Thanks for the recap. Since you guys are such prolific posters it is helpful.

    I have a question about painting kitchen cabinets, which I’m planning on doing myself soon. Since some of your cabinets don’t go all the way to the ceiling, do you bother painting the tops?

    Your house is looking amazing, btw!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You’re welcome Sharon! We didn’t prime and paint the tops, but we made sure from every angle they wouldn’t be seen. So for example if you have a second level and you’d see the unpainted tops of yours from the stairs, I’d paint them!

      xo,
      s

    • Heidi P. says

      That reminds me – did you sand the sides or fronts of your cabinet…frames…? That probably makes no sense. The cabinets, but not the door parts. Like the side of your fridge built-in thing. All that frame work for the cabinets doors – did you sand it at all before you primed?
      Oy. I hope you can decipher what I mean in all that.

  41. Annegirrl says

    My big accomplishment for January was the tea party birthday for my 4 year old daughter. Everything came out exactly as I envisioned it in my head. A dream come true, literally. I did realize 3 days later that I totally forgot to get fresh flowers for the party. I don’t think anyone missed them.

    Reply

  43. Karen F says

    You guys had a great month (and accomplished more than I do in a year)!

    Let’s see…I cleaned out/organized/restocked my medicine cabinet (and the shelf above it, as I use a cabinet above my pantry for that stuff), which was inspired by the William Morris project on the Pancakes and French Fries blog. We also bought a new console table for our living room and plan to put our wall o’pictures above it (but haven’t done that part yet – maybe this week!). Organized hats and gloves so we can actually find them when we need them. And planned my daughter’s birthday party (which is tomorrow) and did a ton of the prep myself (the pinata came out awesome, btw – thanks for the inspiration and instructions!)…So, I didn’t get a whole lot done, but since I work full-time and have 2 young kids, I’ll take what I can get. I’m hoping to be able to catch my breath this month and figure out what to tackle next!

    Reply

  44. Angie@Echoes of Laughter Blog says

    Oh! That picture of John and Clara folding laundry together is just precious! {Love you too Sherry!} I know that your book will be fabulous and it will be a New York Times bestseller! I hope you take your little family on a fabulous vacation after the book is done to get some R & R! Go to Hawaii or something! Angie xo

    Reply

  45. Sharon says

    Thanks Sherry! You guys are awesome so don’t let any nay-sayers get you down (I was reading through some of the previous posts).

    I figured I wouldn’t paint the tops of my cabinets since no one will see them (no 8 feet tall friends or relatives thank goodness) so why bother? Have a great weekend!

    Reply

  46. Alyssa says

    Welllllll we started finishing off our basement which will soon add 700+ ft of living space to our 1300 sq ft ranch we built on 2009:) we are expecting baby boy #2 so we need the space! I’m looking forward to a new office, 4th bedroom, and a great big rec room/man cave/play room. We will also have another full bath! Wahoo!! Now our guests will have their own space and we will be able to watch movies in a new and larger space than our current living room. My hubby and some family members have been doing all the work and I guess I should get back into blogging with this project since I can’t really help with the heavy lifting:( , but we shall see! I’m just pumped for the extra living space! And all this is coming after we tried selling last year with one low ball offer, I’m hoping it gives us a fresh look at our house and we decide to stay for a while longer.

    Reply

  49. Casey says

    First, I can’t wait to see Clara on Top Chef!
    All of your accomplishments make mine look meager, but this month I was able to accomplish organizing my craft and reading area, getting my taxes done, and start the search for our first home!

    Btw, a possible typo in the blackout curtain section, getting rock star naps instead of rock start?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh man, I miss them too! I try to do them just for fun but have been so swamped with kitchen stuff and “Dude Get On That Already” stuff and Clara stuff and book stuff that it’s just random enough to fall off my radar. Thanks for the request though- would love to get back to them soon!

      xo,
      s

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

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