We’re taking a break for the Fourth of July to spend time with family, but we wanted to share a look back at our June highlights. We’re a little late with this recap (sorry!), so we also included links to some past Fourth of July posts for anyone who wants more patriotic inspiration. We even snuck in a few never-before-seen photos, including a new family portrait Katie B captured for us while we were in Atlanta. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can browse our monthly roundups dating back to January 2011 to see many past projects and updates.
Most Refreshing
The new view of our yard now that the old bush border has become a lawn. It’s a nice change, even if the summer heat has already browned parts of it.
Biggest Surprise
How easily the old balcony came down when we removed it to build a new deck. It was surprisingly simple to dismantle, and we’re glad we didn’t try to keep it.
Most Worth the Wait
Our scalloped kitchen rug, which we found after an extensive hunt and finally bought at Urban Outfitters. It brought the space together perfectly.
Biggest Pop (Indoor)
Adding color to our kitchen stools was an easy way to bring cheer to the peninsula. A small change with a big visual impact.
Biggest Pop (Outdoor)
We introduced a tomato-red accent to the patio with new Adirondack chairs that we literally saved up cash for. They gave the space an instant lift.
Biggest Tearjerker
A custom plate we had made as an anniversary gift for my parents. Seeing our family dinner grace the platter brought a few happy tears.
The “Never Thought I’d Do That!” Award
Using a power saw on the brick exterior of our house to start deck construction felt strange, but it was the first step toward a long-awaited project.
Messiest
The bathroom floor after we demoed the outdated tree-border tile. It was a dirty phase of the renovation, but necessary to get to the better look we wanted.
Most Worldly
A fun wander through our local World Market to share colorful and interesting finds. It was a great source of inspiration for small-budget accents.
Most Sparkly
New glass subway tile installed in the bathroom to replace the old border. It gave the space a fresh, luminous finish.
Most Technical
We shared some favorite Photoshop tricks for improving photos. It was a detailed post, and we enjoyed swapping tips with readers in the comments.
Most Sentimental
An arrangement of frames in the bathroom with a photo from each of our wedding anniversaries. We hope to fill the last frame soon with a decent picture from year five.
Heaviest
The rented auger for digging deck-post holes. It was powerful and bulky, but it made quick work of a tough job.
Shiftiest
We rearranged bedroom furniture to break up a rigid symmetrical layout. The new arrangement gave the room better flow—took us a while to get there, but worth it.
Biggest Risk
Cutting the posts off our bed, Ed the Bed. It was nerve-wracking but ultimately made the room feel lighter and more open.
Biggest Sourpuss
I took it hard when we failed our first deck inspection and thought two days of work were wasted—fortunately we got better news a few days later.
Shakiest
The cameraperson on our most recent outdoor tour video had a shaky hand—proof that shooting steady video can be harder than it looks.
Most Well-Rounded
Our new office rug rounded out the room nicely (even if two workaholics made cameo appearances in the background).
Most Helpful
Clara was our little helper at the home-improvement store, happily assisting with the cart and even helping carry larger pieces of wood for a headboard project.
Most Improved
Our bedroom has come a long way, thanks in large part to a new upholstered headboard that elevated the whole space.
Most Unresolved
We wrote about a minor tiff when a towel bar accidentally ended up at Goodwill. Many readers sided with one of us, and many didn’t—so the debate is still open.
Most Likely to Make Situations Awkward
We (especially Sherry) had a few awkward moments while giving the keynote at the Haven Conference, but we also met other bloggers, let the kids run around, and had a blast overall.
Most Disappointing (To Some)
Our post titled “The Vow” wasn’t about a celebrity as some readers hoped; it was a Fourth of July tablescape Sherry put together for fun.
Friendliest
The “Twenty Northern Friends” figurines from a Father’s Day gift—small, cheerful items that brought back fun memories. (And yes, I once got voted “Friendliest” in high school band superlatives—humble brag.)
Smiliest
Our family portrait, where Katie B somehow caught all three of us smiling at the same time. Total miracle and a favorite photo from the month.
That was our June in a nutshell—along with some heavy-duty book proofing that’s heading to print soon. It’s good to pause and appreciate what’s been completed; that momentum helps us tackle big projects like the deck, bathroom and bedroom updates, and other outdoor work. What are you most proud of accomplishing last month, and what are you hoping to check off in July? It’s wild how quickly time moves—seems like the year just started and already we’re halfway through.