January felt like one of those blink-and-it’s-gone months for us — it just flew by. Before all of our behind-the-scenes book work buries the memory of this month, we like to pause and recap everything we tackled (and bundle the links in one convenient spot for you). We also slipped in a few never-before-seen bits for fun. As usual, we were all over the place, but much of our energy went toward the kitchen: finishing cabinet painting, installing penny tile, hanging new pendants, and even mounting a Jenn-Air range hood we scored on Craigslist. We also built a mini play kitchen for Clara and finally dealt with a bunch of lingering projects in the playroom that had been on our “Dude, Get On That Already” list. Ready for a yearbook-style stroll down January?
Future Top Chef: Clara — she has been nonstop at the play kitchen we made her for Christmas, whipping up pretend meals for both toys and stuffed animals, and staging lots of imaginative sink-side “baths.” See the play kitchen.
Most Gifted: Us — we rounded up and shared the small, thoughtful items we loved from the holidays: jewelry, art, supplies, and odds-and-ends that made us smile. Our holiday gift recap.
Most Secretive: The ladies who joined our Secret Santa swap (including Sherry) — January was reveal month, so we finally shared identities and the sweet stories behind the gifts. Secret Santa revealed.
Most Likely To Be In The Dark: Clara again, thanks to the new blackout curtains we put up so naps are longer and more restful — lifesaving when we have short windows to shoot book photos. They’re still awaiting final hemming, but they’re already doing their job. How we made blackout curtains.
Most Artistic: Our living room wall got a subtle update when we swapped brighter mats for more neutral linen ones, a small switch that changed the room’s tone. Plus we shared a behind-the-scenes peek into how we style our ottoman. Living room art switch.
Class Stud: A little stool we refreshed with paint, new fabric, and nailhead trim — a simple makeover that was featured in Do It Yourself magazine. Stool makeover.
Most Re-Arranged: Clara’s room — we switched furniture around again, marking the third layout in a year as we try to make pieces meant for a smaller space work in a larger room. Room rearrange details.
Best Couple: New solid curtain panels that joined our patterned panels to balance the window and add more visual weight where it was needed. Curtain pairing.
Bookworm: Our annual family photobook arrived — a big yearbook-style volume of 2011 highlights. Clara already asks to “look at pictures,” which is the sweetest. Our family yearbook.
Most Faux-Real: A set of antlers we sprayed white and hung in the kitchen as part of our “Dude, Get On That Already” challenge to either use or donate things we’ve been holding onto.
Best Tour Guide: Burger, who walked you through his closet “room” when we hung a new light fixture in the master closet. Closet light install.
Least Upright: Me — grabbed a few chandelier shots in the closet while Burger watched like a true supervisor.
Most Dramatic: Our kitchen cabinets — they finally got their long-awaited paint makeover and the difference is dramatic. How we painted the cabinets.
Most Tedious: Installing penny tile in the kitchen — a time-consuming process that we documented across three posts, covering planning, cutting, and the thinset/grouting steps. It took patience, but the result is worth it every time we run our hand across the surface. Cutting penny tile, planning and the first wall, and finishing it up.
Most Annoying: The fact that I got a Tears for Fears song stuck in people’s heads after titling a post “Grout, Grout, Let It All Out.” Guilty as charged. The grout post.
Most Swiss Cheese-esque: Our kitchen ceiling, which collected a few extra holes after an electrician visit — all part of the renovation dance. Electrical updates.
Most Well-Rounded: The globe pendant lights we installed above the peninsula — they helped finish the kitchen’s look and added the perfect touch over the workspace. Globe pendant lights.
Little Miss Perfect Award: Not Sherry — she posted an honest, funny piece about real life at our house that reminded everyone we’re far from perfect, and that made the post even better. The Real $her-dog.
Mr. Mom: Me — I opened up about feeling insecure being a work-at-home dad, and the supportive response made me feel more comfortable embracing that role. The Real J-Boom.
Best Bargain: A Jenn-Air range hood we found on Craigslist for $60 — a steal and one of our favorite deals so far. Range hood find.
Most Supported: That same hood — we showed how we hung it and later finished the surround so it blends with the new cabinetry. Hanging the hood and covering it.
Most Commented: Our post about handling criticism — it sparked more than a thousand comments in a weekend, proving that honest conversation resonates. Dealing with criticism.
Most Chaotic: Our house — the overlap of kitchen renovation, book photo shoots, and everyday life produced a glorious mess. Amid it all we managed to shoot over 35 projects (before, progress, and after), so the hard work is paying off.
Biggest Chicken: Jarvis, our oversized ceramic rooster, got a new life with a coat of aubergine spray paint and a place of honor. Jarvis the rooster.
Most Dated: Our monthly roundups page — we finally organized a full year of projects into one spot so it’s easier to find everything from 2011 in twelve posts. Monthly roundups.
How was your January? Do you keep a list of accomplishments to look back on? If you’d like, share one or two highlights in the comments below — it’s nice to pause, celebrate what you’ve finished, and remember that crossed-off to-dos matter. Here’s to a productive and creative February!