Note: This is a retroactive post I pulled together in December 2011 to create a complete set of monthly recaps for our very first year in the new house. I admit I’m a little type A — so here’s a March recap, presented like a high school yearbook, highlighting the projects, discoveries, and small victories we tackled that month.
Most Archeological: We spent an afternoon digging beside the driveway and uncovered all kinds of random treasures and debris. It was a messy, oddly satisfying hunt that ended with a thorough cleanup.
Most Likely To Result In A Crack Joke: Installing a ceiling medallion in Clara’s room to cover a crack in the drywall. A small decorative fix that doubled as a practical solution.
Most Times Square-esque: Hanging a new Ikea chandelier above our bed and ringing in the New Year with a little cheer. It brightened the room and felt like a fresh start.
Most Likely To Result In “The Sprinkler”: Disco-style kitchen dance parties inspired by a new light fixture — the kind of small home upgrade that leads to big, goofy fun.
Most Likely To Leave A Mark: Laying out a frame arrangement above the sofa only to discover we needed more frames — and made a few extra holes in the wall in the process. Lesson learned: measure twice, buy once.
Most Likely To Involve An Australian Outback Voice: Hunting for the perfect bedroom rug turned into a tongue-in-cheek saga, complete with dramatic declarations and plenty of back-and-forth before choosing the right texture and pattern.
Most Likely To Go Topless: Removing the top slats from our four-poster bed so the chandelier could be raised and the new rug could fit comfortably. We’re always tweaking things to make them just right.
Most Stodgy: We were featured in a short “Stodgy Is Sexy” mini-documentary filmed at our house — a little unexpected media moment that felt both funny and flattering.
Most Colorful: Crafting inexpensive artwork with colored paper from Michael’s. A quick, budget-friendly project that added bright, cheerful accents to the house.
Most Violent: Removing an off-center towel bar from the bathroom that had been driving me nuts. It was oddly satisfying to take it down and patch the wall afterward.
Most Predictable: Hanging another round mirror — this time over a living room desk. Mirrors keep cropping up in our decor choices because they always improve a space.
Most Tyra-esque: Holding a finial fashion show to decide which finials looked best atop our four-poster bed. It was surprisingly entertaining to compare options and pick the winner.
Most Anal: Using paper templates to map out a gallery wall before committing to nails — a careful, methodical approach that saved us from guesswork and misaligned frames.
Most Shocking: Seeing our mugs on the cover of the Washington Post’s Local Living section and announcing a book deal — a thrilling moment that felt surreal and very exciting.
Most Plush: Bringing home an extra-thick shag rug for the living room — perfect for cozy toes and adding instant warmth to the space.
Most Holes Made In A Single Wall. Ever. Installing a sprawling frame collage in the hallway required a flock of anchors, screws, and nails — and a lot of patience to get everything level.
Most Charitable: John’s parents generously passed down an old dresser when they were downsizing. It found a new life in our bedroom and saved us from buying something new.
Most Sentimental: A small 29th-birthday reflection that involved turtles, sushi, and bees — a bittersweet and tender moment worth remembering.
Most Tragic: An impossibly sad incident that still brings on the ugly cry when we think about it. Some moments stick with you, and this was one of them.
Most Likely To Make You Say “Time Flies”: Reflecting on our progress three months into life in the new house — it’s amazing how much can change in a short span of time.
Most Cheerful: Swapping out old brass knobs on the dining room built-ins for bright greeny-yellow ones that make us smile every time we see them.
Most Packed Car: Fitting eight patterned Craigslist chairs into a borrowed SUV — a chaotic but successful run that left us with vintage-style seating for the dining room.
Best Tan: Refreshing the look of a table by spraying its pale legs with oil-rubbed bronze paint. A small update that made a big visual difference.
Most Likely To Result In A Blister: Trimming back a magnolia tree to let in more light and restore the curb appeal so the house is easier to see from the street. Hard work, but worth it.
