Seven months! Can you believe it’s truly been seven whole months since we last invited you inside our humble abode for a comprehensive house tour? That’s far too long to keep you waiting, especially with all the exciting progress we’ve been making behind the scenes. We are absolutely thrilled to finally pull back the curtain and share an updated glimpse into our constantly evolving home, giving you an honest look at where we are now and where we’re headed next. This latest eight-minute video captures all the candid, lively, and yes, sometimes delightfully shaky, action as I guide you through our spaces, sharing anecdotes, insights, and a few laughs along the way. Think of it as a personal, unscripted peek into our world, embracing the imperfections and celebrating the milestones as we continue to shape our dream home, one DIY project at a time.
We felt this was the perfect moment to document our journey and share our progress, particularly now that the undeniable heart of our home – the kitchen – is not only beautifully complete but also fully functional and thriving. The transformation of this space has been a labor of love, and we’re eager for you to see the final results. Beyond the kitchen, our minds are buzzing with plans for a host of ambitious new projects set to kick off soon. From transforming our outdoor living space with extensive landscaping that promises to create serene retreats and vibrant entertaining areas, to tackling a much-needed upgrade in one of our three bathrooms, which has patiently awaited its turn for a modern refresh, and even embarking on the construction of a grand, spacious deck designed for ultimate relaxation and memorable gatherings, our home improvement agenda is packed. So, without further ado, come on in, kick off your shoes virtually, and enjoy poking around our home!
As you watch this unedited tour, you might notice a few quirks or hear some interesting sounds – that’s just part of the authentic charm! Here are some behind-the-scenes notes and candid observations from the making of this very personal house tour video:
- It seems my voice decided to stage a minor protest, still carrying a lingering scratchiness two full weeks after battling a rather persistent bout of the flu. My sincerest apologies if the croakiness is distracting – sometimes, the show must go on, even if your vocal cords aren’t quite ready for their close-up! We were so eager to share our updates and connect with you all that a slightly gravelly voice couldn’t deter us from hitting record.
- During my narration, I may have committed a minor linguistic gaffe, innocently referring to two items as a “trifecta.” For those counting, I absolutely do know that a trifecta inherently involves three distinct elements, not just two! My brain, clearly still a bit “fried” from a combination of post-flu recovery and the endless whirlwind of renovation decisions and daily life, momentarily forgot its numerical duties. Please chalk it up to authentic, unedited human error and the comedic reality of home life.
- In a moment of genuine triumph and perhaps a clear sign of our slowly improving household organization, I can proudly report that this time around, my bra is not conspicuously draped over our bedroom chair for the world to see! This, my friends, is monumental progress in the ongoing saga of keeping our private spaces just a touch more tidy for public consumption. Small wins, but incredibly significant ones, especially when the camera is rolling!
- Building on that theme of domestic progress and authenticity, it also means I was, in fact, wearing a bra while filming this entire video. This stands in stark contrast to that memorable occasion (as humorously revealed by Katie, who delightfully blew my cover about my ‘one-bra-ness’ here, following this earlier video). While we always aim for genuine representation of our lives, sometimes a little more readiness helps make the filming process smoother for everyone involved.
- Many of you have playfully suggested in comments that you hear echoes of Natalie Portman or Mila Kunis in my voice. I’ve honestly listened to this video about five times now, with a keen ear, trying desperately to catch even a faint resemblance. While I truly appreciate the incredibly flattering comparisons, I just can’t hear it myself! But I promise, I really, really tried to channel my inner Hollywood starlet for you all.
- Behind the scenes, this video almost didn’t happen as planned. I had filmed about five solid minutes of the tour when I walked into the bedroom and realized the front of the door — which cleverly concealed a super-secret book project we were working on at the time — was clearly visible in the frame! A quick mental panic, followed by an immediate decision to hit delete and start the entire filming process all over again. Woops! The lengths we go to for a spoiler-free reveal and to maintain a bit of mystery around our creative endeavors!
- It’s always fun to turn our house tours into a little game of “Where’s Waldo” for our eagle-eyed viewers. This time, keep your eyes peeled for “Where’s Burger” – yes, our beloved canine companion makes a fleeting but adorable cameo somewhere within the footage! And if you look really closely, my BFF is randomly visible through a window for a fleeting second or two. She was just arriving as I was scrambling to get this video made for you all, because, hey, if the house is clean and the camera is out, it’s now or never for capturing these moments!
- You might notice a rather animated shadow wildly gesturing as I narrate about the struggle to open our playroom door. It turns out I communicate quite enthusiastically with my hands, regardless of whether there’s an actual audience to witness it. It’s just my natural way of adding emphasis and probably burning a few extra calories while I’m at it – a true testament to my passion for sharing these updates!
- Let me once again humbly apologize for any noticeable shakiness throughout the video. Despite my best intentions and efforts, I am truly terrible at the delicate art of walking around, talking engagingly, and simultaneously holding a camera steady. It’s just too much multitasking for my brain to handle efficiently! Please pardon the Blair-Witch-esque moments; they’re merely a testament to the raw, unpolished, and very human effort behind these authentic home tours.
Switching gears slightly, here’s a second completely random, yet utterly delightful, *CougarTown*-related side tangent for the week. For those of you who tuned into Tuesday’s episode, did you happen to catch what was lurking prominently in the background of one of the scenes? Our very own distinctive ceramic rhino made a star appearance! It was such an unexpected and thrilling moment to see a piece of our quirky decor find its way onto prime time television, a testament to its unique charm and perhaps a subtle hint at an emerging trend that we were already ahead of. It’s these little, serendipitous connections between our home life and pop culture that make sharing our journey so much fun and keeps us on the lookout for unexpected design inspirations.
I’m absolutely taking this as a definitive sign that rhinos are rapidly becoming the new ‘it’ animal in the ever-evolving world of home decor, potentially dethroning the long-reigning elephants and owls. Seriously, mark my words: soon, people are going to be putting a rhino on everything from shelves to tabletops! This isn’t just a fleeting thought; it’s an observation based on the burgeoning presence of these magnificent, sculptural creatures in various design contexts, reflecting a shift towards more bold and unique statement pieces. Have you also noticed the rather large and undeniably charming ceramic dog prominently sitting next to Cee-Lo Green on *The Voice* when he announced which members of his team were battling it out? It’s undeniable – ceramic animal sculptures are having a serious moment in interior design, and we are absolutely here for it. “Ceramic animalz 4 eva,” as we like to playfully say! And let’s not forget the mysterious, fluffy white cat that Cee-Lo so randomly holds and maniacally strokes during his appearances; it’s quite the fantastic accessory as well, adding another layer to the celebrity pet and decor trend. If only I weren’t so terribly allergic to cats, I’d probably be embracing that particular fluffy trend with open arms and a whole lot of sneezes!
Our journey of transforming this house into a beloved and personalized home is an ongoing adventure, filled with exciting discoveries, challenging DIY projects, and, of course, plenty of updates to share with our amazing community. This current tour is just one chapter in our larger story, showcasing our latest achievements and hinting at the exciting future ahead. If you’re keen to see how much our home has evolved and what we’ve tackled over the years, we invite you to delve into our comprehensive archives of past tours. You can check out all the other house tour videos we’ve filmed since first moving in and beginning our renovation odyssey by clicking here, here, and here. Each video offers a unique snapshot of our progress, design evolution, and the personal touches we’ve added over time. And for a refreshing glimpse of our outdoor spaces, which are just as integral to our home’s charm and functionality, be sure to watch an outside tour we enthusiastically shared last year. Thank you for joining us on this incredible home improvement adventure; your support and engagement mean the world to us and fuel our passion for continuous transformation!