Note: This is a retroactive post I put together in December 2011 to create a complete set of monthly recaps for our first year in the new house. I’m a little type A — so here’s what we tackled in March, presented yearbook-style.
Most Archeological: Digging in the dirt beside our driveway turned up all kinds of finds. It was a mini treasure hunt, followed by a thorough clean-up once the adventure ended.
Most Likely To Result In A Crack Joke: Installing a ceiling medallion in Clara’s room to cover a cracked section of drywall. A small fix that made a big aesthetic difference.
Most Times Square-esque: Our new chandelier from Ikea, which we hung over the bed — a dramatic touch we celebrated with a very enthusiastic “Happy New Year!”
Most Likely To Result In “The Sprinkler”: Disco dancing in the kitchen thanks to a new light that practically begged for a dance party.
Most Likely To Leave A Mark: Laying out a frame arrangement above the sofa only to realize we needed more frames — which meant a few extra holes in the wall while we perfected the layout.
Most Likely To Involve An Australian Outback Voice: The long search for the right rug for our bedroom — rug hunting that involved much pacing, measuring, and debating.
Most Likely To Go Topless: Our four-poster bed after we removed the top slats so the chandelier could hang higher and the new rug could fit comfortably beneath.
Most Stodgy: Us, as featured in a short mini-documentary called “Stodgy Is Sexy” that was filmed in our home.
Most Colorful: Creating inexpensive art with colored paper from Michael’s — bright, fun pieces that made a big visual impact for almost nothing.
Most Violent: Removing an off-center towel bar in the bathroom that had been bothering me for months — a satisfying demolition and repair job.
Most Predictable: Hanging another round mirror, this time above a desk in the living room — mirrors are an easy way to brighten and open a space.
Most Tyra-esque: Holding a finial fashion show to decide which finials looked best atop our four-poster bed. The dramatic deliberation was totally worth it.
Most Anal: Using paper templates to plan our frame wall precisely before ever swinging the hammer — obsessively careful, but the results were worth it.
Most Shocking: Seeing our mugs on the cover of the Washington Post’s Local Living section — a big surprise and a fun moment, complete with a book announcement.
Most Plush: Adding an extra-thick shag rug to the living room that feels like heaven underfoot.
Most Holes Made In A Single Wall. Ever.: Installing a giant frame collage in the hallway required lots of anchors, screws, and nails — the wall certainly bears the evidence.
Most Charitable: John’s parents, who generously passed down an old dresser when they were downsizing — a perfect fit for our bedroom.
Most Sentimental: A reflective 29th-birthday post, full of small moments — turtles, sushi, and bees — that made the day memorable.
Most Tragic: A heartbreakingly difficult situation we still can’t talk about without getting emotional. Some moments stick with you.
Most Likely To Make You Say “Time Flies”: Sharing our progress after three months in the house — it’s amazing how quickly things changed.
Most Cheerful: Swapping out old brass knobs on the dining-room built-ins for lively green-yellow knobs — a small change that brightened the whole room.
Most Packed Car: Transporting eight $25 Craigslist chairs — with a wild hotel-patterned upholstery — in a borrowed SUV. Somehow everything fit.
Best Tan: Refreshing Karl’s pale birch-colored legs with oil-rubbed-bronze spray paint — a quick makeover that added warmth and contrast.
Most Likely To Result In A Blister: Trimming a magnolia tree to let more light into the yard — a sweaty, scratchy job that made the house much more visible from the street.
