Holy cow, is it really going to be 2012 on Sunday? December flew by. So before it scoots away for good, we like to take a moment to look back on all that we’ve done at a glance (and gather all the links in one handy place for ya). And of course we tossed in some never-before-seen stuff for kicks. This month we were all over the place as usual, but focused a lot of our time on the kitchen along with tackling a few other projects in rooms like the living room and the hallway while shoving a decent portion of holiday fun in there too. So let’s take a walk down memory lane, with yearbook-esque superlatives, shall we?
Most Improved: The three switcheroos in our living room that made a big difference (a larger rug, square ottoman, and more refined office chair).
Most Memorable: Looking back at moving day 2010 in celebration of our one year anniversary of living in this house. Oh how far we’ve come… and oh how far we still have to go.
Most Artistic: Clara, after we repurposed our old desk into a toddler-sized drawing table for her.
Most Artistic (Runner-Up): Sherry’s Dad, who sketched this owl back in the 1970’s and sent it to us so it could be framed in our hallway.
Least Artistic: Us, since doing some minor paint touch-ups in the kitchen before the counters arrived required little artistic talent. At least there was a paint brush involved.
Craftiest: The vendors at the Richmond Handmade Holiday event that we hit up (which explains why we didn’t leave empty handed).
Most Advent-urous: Our homemade advent calendar that turned an Ikea scarf hanger into an ornament-a-day countdown to Christmas.
Cheeriest: The ribbon covered stars of our 2011 Christmas card. Burger should also win the award for “Best Tongue”… if there were such an award.
Merriest (Tall Edition): Our toddler-friendly Christmas tree that’s decked out in paint swatches, ribbon, and other unbreakables (see updated photos of it here as the added advent ornaments filled things in each day).
Merriest (Short Edition): Our lil’ table-top tree that brought some sparkle into the living room, loaded up with the Pinterest Challenge ornaments that we made in November.
Brightest: Our first go at exterior holiday decorating. Hello candy cane lights, Moravian stars, big glowing lanterns, and some all-red (you know, as opposed to just red-nosed) reindeer.
Brightest (Runner-Up): The twenty-something tweaks to our hallway frame wall to bring a bit of the holiday cheer to this tiny space.
Brightest (Second Runner-Up): Our new countertops! Bright white Corian landed in Casa Petersik before we knew it. Though “landing” involved a few crazy contraptions, including this device that eliminated seams.
Most Free Spirited: Okay, it’s not really spirited – but this microwave was basically free (we bought it for $84 after selling our kitchen’s original over-the-cooktop one for $90). And working with our existing cabinets (like repurposing this one to house it) allowed for splurges in other areas – like new counters, backsplash tile, a giant wall opening, and cork floors.
Diciest: Cutting up a few leftover cabinet doors so they’d fit a few rebuilt or secondhand cabinets that we added to tweak the layout. It was a bit touch and go there for a moment, but after some pro pocket holes and some heavy duty screws, they turned out totally solid. The jury’s still out on the final result (we don’t want to jinx ourselves, so we’re waiting until all the paint is cured before saying they’re seamless).
Best Backside: Our new industrial-inspired stools for the peninsula scored for $33 a piece at a school supply site (they’re actually meant for a science lab). Geek is the new black.
Most Tedious: Little pre-painting projects in the kitchen, like recreating the windowsill, adding some toekick and trim, cleaning the sunroom, and finally picking a cabinet paint color.
Sandiest (TIE): John and the kitchen, after going on a putty-sanding-deglossing spree in preparation for priming and painting.
Biggest Tool: Our tool-tastic list of gift ideas for the DIYer in your life. Maybe it’ll help you spend some holiday cash or those lingering gift cards.
Most Date-d: Our homemade 2012 calendar (you can still download a free template of it if you want to customize a version for your family).
Most Resolute: Tossing a few 2012 resolutions out there into the world, in the hope that it’ll light a fire under us to get ’em done!
Most Transformative: Priming the cabinet doors and frames. Sing it with me: it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas a new kitchen…
Cutest Hat: Clara, who after opening this leopard print cap from my godmother on Christmas morning, refused to take it off for the rest of the day. Once we get around to posting Christmas photos on Young House Life, you’ll be seeing a lot of it. In the meantime you can check out Clara’s fun with letters and numbers here.
So there’s our last month of 2011 at a glance. Can you believe it’s about to be ’12? What did you guys eke out in December? Have you ever made a list of accomplishments to look back on? Feel free to use the comment section of this post to list what you’ve done (or just toss out a few highlights). It’s so nice to take a break from adding things to the ol’ to-do list for a second, just to look in the rear view mirror and appreciate the crossed-off tasks. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY LAST ONE OF YA! We love you. Really. We do.
Psst- You can check out July’s superlatives here, August’s here, September’s here, October’s here, and November’s here.
Alissa says
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your year with us. You’ve given lots of inspiration, and laughter – 2 wonderful things to give.
Cecelia says
You made a GREAT call in going to the beige woven matting on your living room pictures too.
As with the new rug, the soft tone balances the bright colors and adds refinement to the room.
Well done!
GreenInOC says
My most consistent activity for 2011?
Reading Young House Live every day!!
GreenInOC says
OMG!! Young House LOVE!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I knew what you meant. And I love it. Haha.
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
Same here!
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
My year went something like this.. went back to work after having my first baby, found blogs, got hooked on blogs(thanks to yours!), started a blog…. forever entangled in it all now lol.
Here is hoping that the new year brings all of you love, hope and joy, we are all nothing without this. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I love that you’re entangled! Happy blogging!
xo,
s
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says
Happy New Year!
Such a great round-up of your December. I think the counter tops are so great!
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012!
Christy Bryan says
Love that hat! Where is it from? Baby girls have so much cuter clothes than baby boys.
YoungHouseLove says
Good question. It was a gift but I think it came from Baby Gap. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
Awww Clara’s hat is so cute! Happy New Year!
Alanna says
the past month we took a break from our typical house diy stuff and shifted the focus instead to family. we celebrated my daughter’s 2nd birthday (http://www.alanna-wendt-to-tennessee.blogspot.com/2011/12/baileys-2nd-birthday.html), traveled to see famiy out-of-state for the holidays, and now we’re taking a week off from work to focus on potty training. maybe next month we’ll get back to our project list.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh good luck with potty training!
xo,
s
Jasmine says
Geek is the new black! I love that, and it rings so true.
Happy New Year to you all, thank you for a year of inspiration and entertainment-love you guys! (Can’t wait for your book-eek!)
And to finish, a quote from my son’s blog (he’s a speedskater) “Be your own happiness”. You both seem to do that very well.
Jasmine says
Oops! meant to add that link for ya!
http://www.freakishlylargequads.com/
xo
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- love the name!
xo,
s
Lisa says
Clara in her new hat made me smile, so adorable. :)
Happy New Year!
LARY says
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR! Next year will be the best year of your lives! (I always say that to myself every new years) and I think it works! :)
melissa says
What a productive month…and year its been! Im loving all the kitchen updates and can’t wait to see more! Happy New Year YHL!!
Linda @ It All Started with Paint says
Oh, I’ve had a crazy busy year that started long before I finally launched a blog at the end of October … I painted our kitchen cabinets (though I went dark but am now reconsidering revisiting and going light) … refurbished our front porch (which really needs to be rebuilt but I just don’t have the funds; so I covered up the mess with a paint-on porch rug and numbered steps) … and gave my entry a major new look …
Phew, I’m tired!
But I’m really looking forward to seeing the kitchen completed … I too have a bright white countertop (mine is Silestone quartz that was my one big kitchen “splurge”) … and am curious to see how the light cabinets and white cabinet works together …
Have a very Happy New Year!
Emily says
Busy beavers! I have to say visiting your blog has inspired me to make some changes in my own house. Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! So glad!
xo,
s
jeannette says
i’m torn between cutting down the cupboards and clara’s little face at her new table as the major events of december, if not 2011. good work, all.
jeannette says
p.s. COLOR!!!! COLOR!!!!
Fran says
Love this!
I recently re-found your blog and I love it more than before, I’ll definitely be drawing some inspiration from here!
Chrissy says
Another busy month (and year)! And one adorable hat. :-) Happy New Year!
christie says
saw this while browsing and thought you guys would appreciate it.
happy new year!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77209323/map-drawer-pulls-or-handles-cabinet?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=drawer+pull&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
YoungHouseLove says
They’re amaaaaaazing!!!
xo,
s
22209 says
Hello! I am compelled to let you all know that I feel like I just joined a little (big!?) club today. I bought, used, and now absolutely love your favorite little 2″ angled paint brush. I also bought a can of Rustoleum ORB that I plan to use tomorrow on a DIY wall art thingy.
Happy new year, and thank you for your help!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo- so excited for you. Those are two of life’s simple pleasures! Enjoy.
xo,
s
Rhonda says
In this post Clara in the hat looks SO MUCH like you Sherry.She just has John’s coloring.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! I love hearing that.
xo,
s
paola says
I love the changes you have made in your house , its lovely and your baby too. Have a happy new year.
I love your blog and I have a question if you could help me..At my new apartment the front door has a side window, and i don’t like that people can look into the house, any idea on how can i cover it without using a curtain? I saw in a tv show that they used some kind of sticker , could I use a wall decal to cover it? any sugestion please I need your help, I love your creativity…
Happy New Year!!!!
Paola
Please help me…
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, go to any home improvement store like Lowe’s and ask them to show you where the frosting film is (it’s usually in the aisle near the blinds) and grab something basic (they sell it mirrored or in all sorts of patterns but we like the frosted look best) and follow the directions to apply it. It’s 100% removable, so it’s great if you rent, but it will give you awesome privacy! Good luck!
xo,
s
paola says
Thank you so much for your help….
I love you guys you are the best …
Happy New year!!
Paola
Patti says
Happy new year to the Petersiks and thank you for all the diy help/ideas this year! We love you out here in blogland! Keep on rockin’ on YHLovers!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Patti! Right back atcha!
xo,
s
Jolie Goodnight says
My goodness what a tremendous job you’ve done! I’ve never been to you blog until today…& I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! So glad you found us!
xo,
s
Nedra says
Just had a thought. Did you all reveal who your blogger Secret Santa was?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t know yet! Can’t wait to find out! Maybe this week everyone will spill the beans?
xo,
s
Karen L. says
Happy New Year, Petersiks! I do so enjoy all that you include in your blog. I think y’all are two of the most organized folks in the blog world, or regular world for that matter!
One of the things I have done for many years is to read back through my calendar on the last couple of days of a year to just think through and remember what all happened with us. I have always used a calendar to record all kinds of things anyway, not just appts, so I enjoy seeing the names of people we’ve had over, grands we’ve had for a few days,what we did for fun, etc. When I have a meal for company (or even family) I often write down what I served which is fun to read later on. (It’s been handy for a number of reasons over the years.)
My family jokes that if I ever got arrested and am asked the famous question, “Where were you on such and such date?” that I would be able to answer it going back 33 yrs! That’s how many years/calendars I’ve kept—ha! So, I like how you look back on your year and inspire us with all you’ve accomplished.
YoungHouseLove says
That is amaaaazing! I love that you have those awesome little notes and memories to look back on!
xo,
s
Nicole says
Oh how I love thee Clara and Burger, they always make me smile. I wanted to wish you a very Happy, Healthy, Joyous and Prosperous New Year!! I look forward to your blog every day to see what new adventure your taking on. Thank you for sharing!! Love Nicole :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Nicole! Right back atcha!
xo,
s
Dana says
I love all the projects that you have done. It looks so fun and something that any DIYer can do. You have inspired me to complete some of the lingering project have to do.
Stephanie says
My littlest sister is 3 weeks older than Clara, and for christmas this year my 18 year old sister bought her a little tricycle and helmet, and I bought her a little shell paddling pool (Its summer in Australia!) Well Bella spent the whole day sitting on her new tricycle, wearing her helmet, in the (empty) pool! She even had her helmet on during her nap, and would not take it off for anything! Its such a great age they are at. :)
YoungHouseLove says
LOL, sounds like a good day to us!
-John
Anne @ home improvement blog says
Wow! You seem to have done as much as we have on our house. We’ve been in our home for 6 months longer than you’ve been in yours. It’s amazing that you’ve managed to accomplish so much in a year. I did all the design and decorating myself and it took sometime to get through it while working and raising a family as well.
Like you, we still have some work to do, but as you know, the things that you’ve accomplished help you press forward. Great stuff!
Shauna says
Bonne année 2012 to your family! You are such an inspiration to those of us who consider getting to work on time a major accomplishment. Really hope you can have as much positive progress during the year to come, with quality family time to boot.
Best from the French Alps!
Dee says
I am a relative newcomer to your blog but have been captivated by the extent of your projects and the well rounded content in your website. I just read about you in the top 10 professional bloggers to watch in 2012 (http://www.problogger.net/archives/2011/12/31/20-bloggers-to-watch-in-2012/)
and was very impressed that you had made the top 10! Congratulations and keep living the dream! Happy New Year – hope 2012 is even more successful for you!
Jeanine says
I can’t believe how much you accomplished in one month! I had high hopes for December in my house, but all I did was put Christmas decorations!
Shelley says
I am so impressed with all of your amazing accomplishments! I love watching your home develop and you are such an inspiration! I must say, every time I see that living room rug I love it more and more! Just perfect! Happy New Year to you all!
Cheers!
-Shelley
monica says
Wow- have not checked in for a bit- great to see all the progress you made in December – will be waiting to see the finished kitchen! Only thought I have is that you will drive yourselves crazy with a microwaved behind a cabinet door, but that would be easily fixed if you change your minds!
Happy 2012!
Shelley says
Favorite sentence: Geek is the new black. I’ve been waiting for this day. =) And I just might need those stools. Happy New Year, guys!
Amy @ this DIY life says
After two years in our house and not feeling like we had done very much, I took a play from the YHL book and made a list of what we’ve done. Still more rooms to do, but I loved seeing the list so far. List here: http://thisdiylife.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/home-two-years-later/
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t it amazing how much you’ve really done when you write it all down and take a moment to soak it up? Congrats!
xo,
s
Sam says
So, turns out the last half of 2011 has been one of the busiest and best we have ever had, because inspired by your blogaversary post (in which you guys said ‘the best way to start a blog is to just do it!) we did!!! And, we seriously couldn’t be happier. It is just one of the loveliest things in our little world.
So, thanks young house love, we read your blog everyday, and Happy New Year!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Your blog is so much fun! And your pictures are gorgeous (and mouthwatering!).
xo,
s
*camp1899* says
john & sherry..
happiest of new year’s wishes to you both..
hoping 2012 is a great one!!
*tiffany*
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Tiffany! Right back at you!
xo,
s
Paula M. says
LOVE the photo of Clara in her little leopard-print cap! Cutest photo ever! Is she looking at herself in a mirror there, I wonder?
She certainly has Sherry’s eyes, doesn’t she?
DeeJay Conley says
Yet another super month, guys! Loving that last picture of Clara. Adore!
Nancy S. says
Happy New Year!
Mamaw03T says
Have a Safe, Healthy, Happy, DIY New Year from the Wherrys in Canyon Lake, Texas!
Grace says
I’ve really enjoyed watching you transform your house bit by bit. I did a year in review post as well (http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-year-in-review.html) which included more about our travels since I traveled over 13,000 kms this summer than about our home projects – although there are a few of those too.
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun!
xo,
s
Andy says
Happy New Year!
Target has fat little white ceramic birds in their valentines display area for under 5$!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
My daughter is the same age as Clara and is in LOVE with everything leopard or animal print right now. She has a leopard coat that she refuses to take off for the majority of the day. She would love Clara’s hat. Do you know where it’s from? Happy New Year!
YoungHouseLove says
We think it was from Baby Gap although it was a gift so we’re not 100% sure. Hope it helps! Your daughter sounds adorable btw!
xo,
s
john says
I,ve alway told my children to find something you like to do and get paid to do it
looks like you found your something. Good on you. I can see that you are very busy, If you don,t reply that,s o.k. Love you blog. Do you think there is a market for a blog on building a log home and advertising all the products that go in to all the aspects of construction and the day to day stuff that go on at the work site. You guys should teach a class on this stuff. I know I would attend. Thanks John
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that sounds like a super interesting blog! I think there’s a market for any blog that you’re interested in! If you’re writing about something you’re inspired by and passionate about, I think people can sense your excitement and keep dropping in to see what you’re up to!
xo,
s
Christy says
I LOVE the changes to you LR! I have been searching for a new rug for my family room-many dhurries have caught my eye but they end up feeling very rough to the touch-like an itchy wool sweater – wondering if most dhurries are like this? Or are there some that are”soft” for little kids to sit and play on?
Thanks! Happy 2012!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve spent lots of time sitting on ours playing with trains and balls and tiny plastic animals (Clara’s new favorite!). We’re totally comfy but we’re wearing long pants. I keep wondering in the summer if we’ll still snuggle down on the floor in shorts and crawl around. Although now that I think about it when we crawl around now our hands and arms are against the rug and we don’t mind. I would say lying on it naked and rolling around wouldn’t be awesome- haha. But sitting down there and playing seems comfy. It’s softer than jute and not as soft as a plush wool rug- maybe right in the middle of those two? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
jenn says
Wishing my favorite DIY duo a happy and healthy New Year!
Cora says
OK, that picture of Clara with the hat is adorable. Is is weird (yes) that I think of Clara saying “is my hoo hat” all the time? I remember you guys writing about it once and it made me giggle and when I see an owl I just say it and giggle again!
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! Too funny – we’ll have to teach her a new phrase about this hat. Maybe “is my Jersey hat?” to honor the leopard print?
-John