Young House Love

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Twenty Favs of Twenty-Thirteen

2013 has been quite the year. It began with a book tour, mid-pointed with us moving into a new house, and ended with us finding out that we have a baby boy on the way. And in between there have been lots of projects, announcements, transformations, and other good stuff. So we thought we’d make our last post of the year a look back at our 20 favorites – from makeovers to personal moments – of the last 12 months. We fell off the “monthly superlative” train somewhere around our move, so we’re well overdue for a little retrospective anyways (cue the slow jazz). So here we go, in no particular order…

RoundUp Grid

#1 – Refacing Our Old Fireplace: Perhaps one of the things we miss most about our old house is fireplace and its total facelift. We marble-tiled the surround (including our first stab at herringbone) and constructed, trimmed out, and painted a whole new surround. More on that here, here, here, and here.

FirePaint Detail Left Side

#2 – Clara’s Cheery Big Girl Room: I think we’d all vote that our favorite space in our new house is Clara’s room, where we’ve had fun with a soft pink ceiling, some chunky crown molding, colorful raindrops & a rose-colored door, no more crib, and a wall o’ fun.

RoundUp Big Girl Room

#3 – Our Much-Nicer-For-Now Graphic Bathroom: The stenciled subfloor in the sink nook off of our bedroom is SUCH an upgrade from the old worn carpeting that used to be there – and it was such a cheap solution. We’ve also ripped up that old carpeting, painted the walls/trim, hung a nice big window-ish mirror, and updated the vanity by adding shelves and new hardware along with refinishing it.

Bathroom After

#4 – The Pergola, Er, Cargola: The pergola we built on our carport (hence, the “cargola”) fulfilled our lifelong dream of having a pergola. Okay, maybe lifelong is a stretch, but having constructed it from scratch (even building those brackets) gives us quite the confidence boost for someday adding one above our double garage at this house. You can read about the entire process here and here.

Pergola After Side Angle

#5 – An Imperfectly Perfect Painted Pillow: It’s not what she initially envisioned, but we ended up loving the bleed-tastic outcome of this colorful painted pillow that Sherry stenciled using a metal screen and some sponged-on craft paint.

Grate Art4

#6 – Striped Stair Makeover: It was plenty satisfying to finally rip up the old carpet on our stairs, but we’re so glad we didn’t stop there. Instead, we painted lots of blue trim and bannister posts white, also went white with the stair risers, painted the stairway walls and ceilings a light gray-tan color, and stained the railing a dramatic dark tone that picked up on the new black & white runner that we installed. More on that here, here, and here.

Staris 23 After Straight Up1

#7 – Simple Frames For John’s Favorite Art: Although we haven’t found a new home for them yet (maybe the nursery or the office?), I loved creating these super simple wood frames for my big bike posters when they hung in our old sunroom. And they were only $7 each!

Bikes 11 After Frame Close

#8 – Spreading Cheer at The Children’s Hospital: How could we not include this? The most rewarding project we took on this year – heck, this decade – was doing a holiday makeover for a family waiting room at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. You can read more about that process here, here, and here.

CHOR Room Alt Alt

#9 – Celebrating Our Little Dragon: We didn’t think we could top the fun of Clara’s worm-themed 2nd birthday, but celebrating Clara’s third birthday with dragons was a heckova good time. Speaking of which, someone’s already talking about her 4th birthday, and she came up with the idea of “a gold party” all on her own. So far she wants to wear a gold dress, serve gold food, and give out gold coins to everyone while they get their faces painted gold… should be interesting to see how this evolves over the next five months.

RoundUp Dragon Party

#10 – Making Over Our New Deck & Sunroom: We can’t wait for winter to ease on outta here so we can get back to enjoying the outdoor spaces that we spent so much of this year transforming. From patching, stripping and restaining the deck to completely overhauling the formerly closed-in sunroom (lofted ceiling! tiled floor!) we’re ready to kick of Spring out there already. You can read more about the deck makeover here, here, and here. And check out the sunroom reveal (with links back to each stage of that undertaking here).

RoundUp Sunroom2

#11 – Dropping Our First Single: I just watched this again and half-laughed, half-buried-my-face. We are SUCH BIG NERDS. But hey, it’s all in the name of some good fun & foolishness (pun intended).

#12 – Upgrading Our Vacation Jars: This easy update to our little vacation time capsules – which up until now had been housed in mason jars – breathed some much needed life into one of our favorite projects of yore. It was nice and simple – and now we’ve got an even bigger collection of these personal “travel snow globes” of sorts.

Memory Jars Out

#13 – Hardwood Floor-ifying The Upstairs: This almost didn’t make the list because the process was far from my favorite time of the year. But ripping up the carpets in our upstairs to install new hardwood floors (and painting all of the doors and trim) was certainly well worth it. You can read more on that process here, here, here, and here.

RoundUp Hardwoods

#14 – Taking On A Showhouse: Accepting the challenge of helping to design an entire house for the 2014 Richmond Homearama (to benefit Habitat For Humanity) has been both exciting and more than a little intimidating. Over the last month we’ve transitioned from the planning stage to full on let’s-get-this-thing-built-and-finished mode. It’s been a bit hectic lately, so we totally owe you an update (beyond just what’s been showing up on Instagram). The house is now framed, sheetrock is going up next week, and one of our favorite elements – the exposed wood porch detail (made from reclaimed wood) – is coming together right before our eyes.

RoundUp ShowHouse

#15 – Our $51 Guest Bath Update: Embracing the vintage-y feeling of our old guest bathroom, meant sprucing it up with simple (and extra budget friendly) ideas and accessories. First we painted the walls, tended to the window, and then added art and accessories. I’m not sure we’re ready to start putting yellow tile in anywhere voluntarily, but it was undeniably charming in the end. We actually kind of miss it!

Bathroom After Full

#16 – Clara’s Jellyfish Costume: In our second year not doing a store-bought costume, Clara threw Sherry a curveball with a request for a jellyfish fairy/princess/queen (depending on the day). But with an umbrella, some pretty dangly things and a string of LED lights, we had one happy jellyfish on our hands.

Jellyfish Blowing

#17 – Cheap & Easy Hallway Upgrade: Another project from the last house that we’ve earmarked for this house is hallway board & batten (although I’m sure it will evolve for this space – maybe in a chunkier and more detailed way). This hallway update cost us less than $60 and was something the new buyers loved during their first tour, so we’re so glad we got ‘er done. You can read more about the process here and here.

BatNew Side Detail

#18 – Interviewing Jonathan Adler: Put a line through this on Sherry’s bucket list: she talked with one of her design idols, Jonathan Adler. And we got all of her extra-gushiness on tape to prove it. If you missed it before, here’s her giddy interview below:

#19 – Finalizing Our Curb Appeal: In addition to the aforementioned pergola, we also stepped up our front exterior by boxing out the porch columns to make them match the chunky columns that were already on our carport (more on that process here and here), painting the siding for contrast, and even adding some window boxes.

RoundUp Curb Appeal

#20 – Announcing The Barnacle: And of course, we can’t make a list of favorite things in 2013 without including a nod to what will surely be the highlight of 2014: the new baby boy (er, “bun” if ask Sherry, “barnacle” if you ask Clara) that we’re expecting in April. Which reminds us, it’s just about time to start working on that nursery!

Questions Announcement Picture1

And of course, a big reason that these moments are our favorites is because we get to share them with you guys. So a big thanks for being part of our 2013. We can’t wait to continue this wild ride with you guys in the big ‘1-4. Sherry’s currently going through 10,000 photos and writing a big tutorial about Clara’s homemade Christmas gift, so we’ll be back with those details on the 2nd! Haaaappy New Year to you and yours!

Now it’s your turn. What’s topping your list of favorite life moments / house projects / rapping attempts of the past year? Is there anything in particular that you’re excited for in 2014?

Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job. 

Comments

  1. Rebekah says

    Loved reading this! I have been browsing your blog for the last six months as my new husband and I are saving for our first home. Thanks for giving young couples like us the inside edge on budget friendly home makeovers. You are really an inspiration! You guys have awesome taste and we really enjoy reading all of your posts! We hope to be using a lot of your tutorials soon :)

    Reply

  2. Krystal says

    I juat started following your blog and I’m so inspired! Thanks so much for sharing–this was a great intro post.

    That vintage bathroom is amazing. I’m a sucker for old bathroom colored title, and rarely see them anymore–your bathroom is fantastic–loved the simple, adfordable updates to the space with the tile still left in tact.

    Reply

  4. Lauren@FilingJointly says

    Unless the lady baby currently dwelling in my uterus decides to make a surprise appearance in the next 12 hours, 2014 will be the year my first baby is born and I CAN NOT WAIT (I’m due in 9 days).

    And I don’t think I’ve said this before on here so, SO SO MANY Congratulations to both of you on your upcoming child.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Lauren! I love that you’re prego too, and can’t wait to see that lady baby of yours! All the best in 2014 (and the last 12 hours of 2013, haha).

      xo
      s

  6. Laura & the Shell says

    I can’t decide if I love the Rap video or the Adler interview more! You guys are so entertaining! Wishing you a wonderful 2014!!

    Reply

  7. Allyssa says

    I got you’re book Young House Love for Christmas this year, and LOVE it!!!! Then I found you’re blog… I’m addicted. Thanks for all the awesome advice and stuff you put out! Happy New Year Petersiks!

    Reply

  8. Mia says

    Regarding your upstairs hardwood floors, for future before/after shots, please update the after photo to show the improvements to the railings. Those blue balusters still kinda hurt my eyes :)

    Reply

  9. Eri says

    I just cannot believe photos both from the second and the current houses are in the 2013 list… so, right, I had to rub my eyes and make sure you haven’t been in the current one even in this entire year. Wow. A LOT happened in this year, huh!?

    Thanks for lots of fun, laughter, and inspirations!

    Reply

  10. jeannette says

    I have to say I think Clara’s jellyfish costume is the best thing EVAR. the rest is — yannow, awesome. but the illuminated j-fish outfit is immortal. happy new year, you krazy kids, and thank you for all the love. <3

    Reply

  12. Sheila F says

    No biggies for 2013. But nothing bad either. Just a lovely year of memories. Happy New Year to you and your dear family. May you be blessed with many happy memories and just enough bad to help you appreciate the good.

    Reply

  14. Larissa says

    I’m really looking forward to all that 2014 has in store – for my family and yours!

    So glad you guys had a wonderful Christmas. Now go enjoy a happy new year!

    Reply

  16. kat says

    Thanks for your blog! Happy New Year!
    You are an inspiration to me as I am renovating my house with my husband, our fourth! Kitchen right now….in Prince Edward Island Canada. Having fun like you guys!
    All the best in 2014!

    Reply

  17. Teresa says

    You know, I noticed in the picture of Clara standing at her “kitchen” that as tall as she is, she seems to be outgrowing it already! I had thought about that before…spending so much time to build it, making it appropriately sized for a child when you first give it and then sadly they outgrow it pretty quickly. They can continue to play with it awkwardly and no doubt still enjoy it but I bet one could build a platform of some sort to raise it to a better height as they grow…as long as it is anchored to the wall it would not pose a tipping risk and you could integrate the platform by making either cabinets with doors or drawers and painting it to match. Just a thought…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, it’s crazy how much she has grown in two years! I think four little legs added under it (or casters) to raise it up could work if she keeps sprouting up (right now the height seems to still work for her). We also could extend the base (we added the base when we built it, so we could build it up higher pretty simply) would work. Thanks for the suggestion!

      xo
      s

  18. Inês Figueiredo says

    Very fun post!! Loved it. All the best for you in 2014, thank you for all the fun time we have witnessing how everything happens with your house.
    xoxo from Portugal, less then 5 hours to 2014

    Reply

  19. Julianne says

    So amazing to see all that you’ve accomplished in one year! My absolute favourite has to be your video, though. Had to watch it again…love the humour! You both definitely have a true talent there & a second career, if you ever get bored of reno’s. ;O) Have a great New Year and see ya in 2014!

    Reply

  21. Joy says

    I hope that Threat Level Midnight and Goldenface (from The Office) will make an appearance at Clara’s birthday party.

    Reply

  22. Morgan says

    I don’t know how I missed the Hush video the first time you posted it but OMG that was pretty funny!

    Happy New Year!

    Reply

  25. Michelle K. says

    Omg. This year has flown by!!! I’m cracking up over your April fools video all over again. And as I sit waiting for my semi-annual MRI for the same craptastic disease, I’m thinking of your Aunt Kay and hoping I can keep my smiles and happiness until the end. (Also hoping that will be a long way away!!!)
    I did have a name pop in my mind as I thought of your Aunt Kay…. Kaiden (pronounced KAY-DEN) I know how difficult boy names are, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to throw one at ya ;) good luck with figuring out a name for the Captain!!! Happy New Year!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw, I’m sending you lots of love and good test result wishes, Michelle! And as for Kaiden, you’re so thoughtful to pass that idea along! We actually just welcomed a nephew named Cayden, so I think it’s too close, but still really a sweet thought!

      xo
      s

  26. Jen says

    You guys have had an amazing year! Luckily the beanacle is arriving in 2014, so you have at least one amazing thing to review a year from now. :-)

    Reply

  27. Amanda Sheren says

    You guys, oh my goodness. I just love reading your blog. Number 11, somehow I totally missed this back when you posted it?? That’s just straight up greatness right there. Thanks for posting that!! You’re fearless.

    Reply

  30. Jessica says

    2014 is going to be great! About 3 hours ago I got a big promotion at work that I had been hopeful for, I turn 30 in a few days, and things are taking off with my crush :) :)

    Looking forward to reading more about your lives in 2014. Thanks as always for sharing!

    Reply

  31. katalina says

    I have not read through the comments…

    but YOU are one of my favorites of 2013 and since you began…

    something about the nice habit of checking your blog every day in the midst of not so normal life of too many parents hospital visits in 2013.

    I would add your new foyer with star pendant in there!

    and Burger snuggle photos!

    best to your family in 2014!

    Reply

  33. Heather M says

    Thank you, Petersiks, for doing what you do! Happy New Year! My highlights of the year were paying off all my debts, getting out of the sling I had on my arm for six months- and through excruciating physical therapy, getting my first job in the field I went to school for (and 40 miles closer to home!), going to Napa with my boyfriend, and getting a better field job when the first ended up being a poor fit. I can’t wait to read your 2014 adventures. Much love from Southern California <3

    Reply

  34. Darcy Y. says

    What a fun update! I loved catching up on all the stuff I missed out on your site throughout the year…and reliving all the neat stuff that I did manage to read about the first time around. I have no idea how the heck you guys get so much accomplished around there (maybe because it’s your job?) with a pre-schooler around (and soon an infant! Woohoo!).

    As far as an update of what I loved about 2013 – I will spare you that. But, I’m hoping and praying for a fresh 2014. Possibly with a New Year’s resolution (which I never do!) and a year long project/undertaking. We’ll see.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw, good luck Darcy! J and I are chatting about our personal resolutions in the morning together. They’ll probably be the same thing they always are, but maybe this year they’ll stick. Haha!

      xo
      s

  35. Bethany says

    Loved revisiting many of these posts! Im kind of surprised your book tour didn’t make it, though I suppose that was 2012 and 2013. However, Im willing to forgive you because you reintroduced me to the magic that was Hush. LOVE IT. Just saying- provided the bun/barnacle hasn’t arrived on April Fools this year, you should do a post announcing his arrival with some really horrendous name :) Happy New Year Youngsters.

    Reply

  36. Erika says

    You guys have been absolutely PROLIFIC! I feel positively lazy in comparison! Very inspiring, and love, love, love all the beautiful projects you’ve done.

    Highlights here: fought off litigious ex yet again (three times in 2013 alone), nearly finished painting the interior of my house (all by myself!) and finally broke out the bold color — love my peacock blue accent wall, expanded my garden, started a new career, adopted a rescue pup (much to the disdain of the resident feline), and rocked the single mama gig. Looking forward to 2014! Happy New Year to you guys!

    Reply

  37. Kristen says

    I still love the rap, I was very impressed! You’s got beatz gurl! Reminds me of Natalie Portman’s SNL rap skit. Happy New Year! (hopefully more raps :P)

    Reply

  38. Meg says

    Just wanted to say that as the old year ends and the new one begins I’m thankful for you guys and your blog. While I can’t really explain why in a concrete way (different demographic – single, no kids, renter…), this is my favorite online place to visit – it just feels good. Thank you, thank you, for your positive energy, creativity, and inspiration (in many ways). Happy 2014!

    Reply

  39. Karin says

    Happy New Year YHL! I’ve been reading your blog for some time now. Actually I usually start my morning with you guys. I love anything DIY, but life is keeping me from it right now. Our 12 year old son is autistic and requires a great deal of care and least year (I am so over 2013) we found out my husband has throat cancer and had to go through surgery and grueling treatments. He is on the mend, slowly. I wanted to start this year by letting you guys know how thankful I am to be able to live out my DIY dreams through watching your house projects unfold. And to have some reminders that not everyone else’s life revolves around autism and cancer. Keep up the good work! Good luck with your baby! And thank you for giving us such a bright and cheery window into your lives!

    Reply

  40. Rachael says

    Happy new year to you! I’ve enjoyed following your emails all year! We also have a little boy on the way (36 days!) Hubs has new windows and a closet project to finish in the nursery! !! Hoping our big project this year is enclosing the carport! Yes… with a newborn and four year old in the house :) you guys are great…. keep up the fun in 2014!

    Reply

  41. amanda says

    I really didnt like the monthly superlatives, at all (although I totally get why others would like it), but I really enjoyed this 2013 recap post! I’m looking forward to see what Clara’s gift this year is. We plan on making a kitchen for our children next year.

    Reply

  42. kristen haggart says

    Ugh, I just love your site/stuff/posts/ideas so much. I’m not a comment-er and don’t normally post comments on any blogs I follow, but I figured now was as good of a time as any to take the opportunity to do so. I always wish I could move into every room you decorate, and you guys seem like such sweet, genuine people that it makes the whole package of what you do so appealing. Not many people pull that off. Looking at my Young House Love book makes me itch for a house of my own that I’m not renting to rip apart and start over on!

    I do have a couple questions for you. First of all, how in the world do you keep your hard wood floors so clean and shiny all the time? I feel like I could spend my life cleaning mine and they wouldn’t look like that. Second of all, where, oh where, did you get the fabric for the curtains in Clara’s room? I just love them and cannot find anything similar anywhere.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Kristen! I just use Mrs Meyers mild soap with water (50/50) on a moist mop (like an o-Mop from Target) or a swiffer with a fabric pad. Other than that, I just vacuum regularly when I can (and try to ignore the dust bunnies when I can’t, haha!). Oh and Clara’s curtains are from Ikea, but they don’t sell them anymore, so maybe try ebay?

      xo
      s

  43. Tara says

    You guys may be big dorks (teehee), but what I love about your music video (had to watch it again) is that it shows how in tune you both are with each other. You always seem to have so much love and FUN together, and that’s so great to see in a young couple managing a business, new home(s), and all the changes a baby (or two) bring to your relationship. Dorks? Nah, you guys just do it in style :)

    Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year!) from Hawaii…
    Tara

    Reply

  44. Rachel UE says

    I’ve been reading your blog for a while and decided I should finally comment and say thank you so much for sharing everything that you do; call it a New Years resolution! Hubby and I are rehabbing the house I grew up in and every time we need an idea I turn to your site, I basically use you as the authority for good ideas. So, thanks, and I wish you all good things to come in 2014 :)

    Reply

  45. robyns says

    I’m so in love with the idea of the bicycle art as part of the nursery decor! run with that emerald green color! and be prepared for Katie bower to want to carjack (bikejack?) the room!

    Reply

  47. Ayu H. says

    Wow, you’ve done a lot last year!
    It’s my first visit your site, so it’s really good recap post.
    I love what you’ve done on your deck! Good job!

    Reply

  50. Sara says

    Best thing from 2013 has to be the safe arrival of our first child, Luke! And in 2014, my sister-in-law is getting married and my cousin (who is more like a sister) is having her first baby! So excited!

    Reply

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