Important Update: We apologize for the persistent “out of stock” messages appearing on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com for our book. To everyone who has reached out about acquiring a copy (your enthusiasm means the world to us!), we’re thrilled to share that you can order a signed edition directly here. They offer convenient shipping straight to your doorstep. Alternatively, we’ve heard that our book is currently easier to find by calling or visiting your local Barnes & Noble stores. We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work through these stock updates.
Happy Friday, everyone! As we wrap up another incredibly productive week, brimming with exciting home improvement projects and memorable experiences, it’s the perfect time to reflect. We’ve managed to tick off numerous tasks, from decorating our Christmas tree and framing our bathroom mirror to transforming our hardware with an Oil-Rubbed Bronze finish. Beyond our personal projects, we also shared a captivating craftsman house crash, a fantastic DIY link-fest showcasing reader creations, and a candid look back at some valuable lessons learned from past mistakes. Before we fall behind like last month, we wanted to dedicate this moment to our customary monthly recap for November. Taking the time to acknowledge our accomplishments is vital; it keeps our momentum high and morale strong, fueling our inspiration to tackle the next challenge rather than feeling trapped in a perpetual cycle of tasks. It’s this conscious appreciation that has allowed us to sustain our passion for five straight years. So, consider this your invitation to celebrate the journey with us!
November proved to be an exceptionally busy and rewarding month. With 14 out of its 30 days dedicated to our book tour events, we’re incredibly proud of how much we still managed to squeeze in. Despite our extensive travels, we made significant progress, including a nearly complete hall bathroom upgrade, a stylish buffet update, the installation of a new kitchen window shade, considerable advancements in our basement, and several charming fall-themed decorating projects. And let’s not forget the four exciting House Crashing posts we brought to you, offering glimpses into inspiring homes. If you’re keen to explore more of our journey through 2012, or even delve back into our 2011 archives, you can browse all 22 of our previous monthly recaps right here. This collection offers a far easier way to navigate our past projects than sifting through over 740 individual blog posts! Oh, and keep an eye out for a special clue about Monday’s upcoming giveaway at the bottom of this post. It’s a giveaway open to everyone, everywhere – so get ready to rock on! Or perhaps, ram on?
November’s Top DIY & Home Improvement Highlights
Most Likely To Be A Used Stuff Salesperson: Mastering Craigslist
This month, we truly embraced our inner salespeople after realizing just how much we successfully sell on Craigslist – the items pictured below are merely a fraction of our transactions! This experience motivated us to compile all of our best tips for both selling and buying on the popular classifieds platform. Learning to effectively navigate Craigslist is a game-changer for decluttering, finding budget-friendly treasures, and recouping costs on old items. It’s a skill we believe every savvy homeowner and DIY enthusiast should master.
Freshest Face: A Living Room Buffet Reimagined
Our rustic living room buffet received a much-needed facelift this month, transforming from a beat-up piece to a subtly refreshed centerpiece. Sherry meticulously color-matched paint to revive its surfaces, preserving its charming character while erasing years of wear. Following the paint application, several coats of polyurethane were applied, not only to seal but also to protect the buffet, ensuring its renewed beauty will last for years to come. This project truly highlights how a little paint and protection can breathe new life into existing furniture.
Most Inspiring: Nate’s Garage Workshop Ignites Basement Plans
Visiting Nate’s impressive garage workshop was precisely the motivation I needed to kickstart work on my own basement. We are eternally grateful to Nate and Michelle for inviting us to crash their beautiful Northern Virginia home. Nate’s organized and functional workspace offered invaluable insights and practical ideas for transforming our own often-overlooked basement into a productive and inspiring area. It’s amazing how seeing a well-executed space can spark a cascade of project ideas!
Most Secretive: Concealing a Hall Bathroom Mishap
Sometimes, DIY projects don’t go exactly as planned, and that’s when creativity truly shines. This cleverly constructed boxy floating shelf became the perfect solution for concealing a tile eyesore. This unfortunate leftover occurred after Sherry’s attempt to remove a built-in soap dish in our hall bathroom resulted in unexpected damage. Instead of a costly re-tiling, this discreet shelf provided an elegant cover-up, proving that even “woops” moments can lead to innovative and stylish design solutions.
Juiciest: Behind-the-Scenes Book Chaos Revealed
We were ridiculously excited to finally share this candid behind-the-scenes post, offering page-by-page tidbits about the delightful chaos that transpired during the photoshoots for our book. We’d been sitting on these stories since January, eager to pull back the curtain and reveal the less-than-glamorous, yet incredibly fun, aspects of creating a DIY home decor book. It’s a testament to the dedication and humor that went into every shot, and we loved sharing those intimate moments with our readers.
Most Mouth-Watering: Pretzels and a Moldy Acorn Art Lesson
These seemingly delicious pretzels served an unexpected, yet humorous, purpose: Sherry was using them to prop up acorns for one of her fall projects. Unfortunately, the acorns ended up getting a “smidge moldy.” This little DIY mishap taught us a valuable lesson! Next time we venture into acorn art, we’ll be sure to follow your brilliant suggestions and slowly heat them in the oven to thoroughly dry them out. Your collective wisdom in the comments section never ceases to amaze us; you truly are a smart and helpful community!
Most Welcoming: Cincinnati Hosts and a Beautiful Home
Rich and Jessie in Cincinnati exemplified gracious hospitality during our book tour stop. Not only did they invite us to crash their stunning home, but they even went above and beyond, picking us up from our hotel after patiently waiting an extra hour due to a flight delay. Their warmth and kindness, coupled with their beautifully curated home, made our visit truly memorable. It’s these personal connections and generous spirits that make our book tour experiences so special and rewarding.
Most Granny Chic: Our Hall Bathroom’s Subtle Transformation
Our hall bathroom received a surprisingly sophisticated makeover this month, taking on a “Granny Chic” vibe. We chose to paint it a beautiful purplish-gray, drawing inspiration from the muted lavender color we selected for my Granny’s bathroom renovation back in September. This subtle yet impactful color choice adds a touch of classic elegance and warmth, proving that sometimes the best inspiration comes from the most beloved and unexpected sources.
Most Likely To End Up On The Weather Channel: Navigating New England’s Storms
The New England leg of our book tour certainly earned this title! Between the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Sandy impacting our Connecticut and New Jersey stops, and a subsequent Nor’easter-induced snowstorm hitting Boston, it was undeniably a weather-filled start to an already travel-heavy month. Despite the challenges, we were deeply moved by the resilience of the communities we visited. Our hearts continue to go out to everyone affected by Sandy, including many of Sherry’s friends and relatives. Travel can be unpredictable, but the spirit of community always shines through.
Most Faux Real: Sherry’s Ingenious Kitchen Window Shade
Sherry’s creativity shone bright with this clever faux roman shade she crafted for our kitchen. Using just about a yard of fabric, a scrap piece of wood, some iron-on tape, and a handful of pins, she conjured a stylish window treatment that looks incredibly custom-made. This project was one of two quick window transformations she tackled this month, demonstrating her knack for creating high-impact decor with minimal time and materials. It’s an ideal solution for adding visual interest and softness to any window.
Most Fishy: Lesley & Jeff’s Eclectic Richmond Home
During our travels, we had the pleasure of crashing Lesley and Jeff’s wonderfully eclectic Richmond home. Among the many memorable items we discovered was this striking sailfish adorning their guest room. Their home was a vibrant tapestry of unique finds and personal touches, showcasing how individual style can truly make a space sing. It’s always inspiring to see how people infuse their personalities into their decor, creating truly one-of-a-kind environments.
Most Non-Sensical: Embracing the Awkward Middle of a Project
We dedicated this post to reassuring everyone about the often-frustrating “middle phase” of a project or room makeover. It’s that point where your vision hasn’t quite materialized, and things can look a bit chaotic – much like this mid-point of our office makeover. The key, as we emphasized, is perseverance. Pushing through this awkward stage almost always leads to a beautifully cohesive and sensible outcome. It’s a valuable reminder that great things take time and a little faith in the process.
Most Chaotic: Our Playroom Awaiting Its True Potential
Our “playroom” definitely earned the title of “Most Chaotic” this month, even after a thorough cleaning and purging of items accumulated from book photoshoots. This room is still very much in a transitional state and likely won’t achieve a truly “put together” look until we address the random colors and stenciled patterns applied for the book’s photography. Beyond that, the fundamental challenge of figuring out a functional furniture arrangement still lies ahead. It’s a testament to the real-life ebb and flow of home design, even for us!
Most Likely To Open A Paint Store: Our Organized Collection
We’ve certainly amassed quite the collection of paint over the years, especially with all the colors needed for book photoshoots, making us prime candidates to open our own paint store! This month, as part of my larger basement organization efforts, I tackled the task of tidying up our extensive paint collection. It felt incredibly satisfying to bring order to the chaos. In an effort to make a significant dent in our accrued inventory, I cleverly reused one of the existing colors to paint the pegboards in that very room.
Moose-iest: Canadian Encounters on the Book Tour
What, your high school didn’t have a “Moose-iest” award? If it did, it would undoubtedly go to the charming moose we encountered during our Canadian stop on the book tour! Our visit north of the border provided some wonderfully unique experiences. We covered more details about this delightful moose-fest and other highlights as part of our comprehensive tour recap covering Richmond, Chicago, and Toronto. It’s these unexpected local encounters that truly add flavor to our travels.
Quickest Upgrade: Instant Charm in the Hall Bathroom
Sometimes, the simplest changes yield the quickest and most satisfying results. This month, the new Hobby Lobby knobs we added to our hall bathroom took virtually no time to install – perhaps 0.00 minutes, if I’m allowed a slight exaggeration! This tiny upgrade made an instant impact, elevating the overall aesthetic with minimal effort. Frosting the window in that same room (also detailed in that post) took a little longer, but the added privacy and diffused light made it equally worthwhile.
Most Unused: The Great Bedroom TV Debate Continues
This month, we shared a post about finally crossing a personal threshold and joining the ranks of those with TVs in their bedroom, utilizing a leftover television from our living room. However, in a humorous twist, we have yet to actually hook it up to anything, meaning it remains entirely unused! We also ran a poll on Facebook, sparking an incredibly engaging debate among our readers. The “No bedroom TV” camp narrowly edged out the “pro bedroom TV” people, highlighting the diverse opinions on this topic. It was fascinating to hear everyone’s perspectives on technology in personal spaces!
Most Heartwarming: A Birthday Tribute and Reader Love
The “Most Heartwarming” award undoubtedly goes to this incredibly sweet post Sherry wrote about me for my birthday last month. It was a truly touching gesture that resonated deeply. Among the many lovely comments, my favorite was from Kay, who declared, “Great. Now I’m in love with John.” (And to be fair, Tracie later echoed a similar sentiment!). Moments like these remind us of the wonderful, supportive community we’ve built, and how much joy we find in sharing our lives with you all.
Most Cringeworthy: Conquering Chalkboard Aversions for Thankfulness
Adapting our annual thanks jar tradition to our chalkboard wall was a wonderful idea, but it required me to temporarily put aside my strong aversion to the grating sound of chalk on a chalkboard. It’s a sensory thing, folks! However, the comments section, as always, came to the rescue. You all generously offered fantastic tips for my next attempt at chalk art. *Update: I’ve since tried dipping the chalk in water before writing, and it indeed seems to help significantly reduce the dreaded cringe factor. Thank you, clever readers!*
Shadiest: The Hall Bathroom’s 15-Minute Ikat Shade
This month, Sherry masterfully whipped up a vibrant 15-minute window shade for our hall bathroom. Crafted from some bright and lively bean-tastic ikat fabric, this quick DIY project proved to be incredibly impactful. It instantly added a pop of pattern and personality to the room, becoming one of our absolute favorite elements in the entire space. It’s a perfect example of how a small, well-chosen textile can dramatically alter a room’s character.
Most Serendipitous: Instagram Prints in CD Jewel Cases
Sometimes, the best discoveries are purely accidental. This month, we had a “Most Serendipitous” moment when we realized that our 5″x5″ Instagram prints fit almost perfectly into CD jewel cases! This revelation allowed me to create this super affordable photo display for my basement workshop. Not only is it a unique way to showcase memories, but it’s also virtually sawdust-proof, making it ideal for a working space. It’s a small detail that brings a lot of personal charm to an otherwise utilitarian area.
Most Insightful: Your Collective House Hunting Wisdom
The “Most Insightful” award goes to our incredible community of readers! When we shared our tips for what to prioritize (and what to overlook) when house hunting, you all chimed in with a wealth of additional brilliant suggestions. Your comments transformed the post into a truly comprehensive guide, filled with practical advice and diverse perspectives. It’s moments like these that underscore the power of collective experience and how much we all learn from each other.
Most Cheerful: Lesli’s Happy, Casual Farmhouse
We had the distinct pleasure of crashing Lesli’s delightful Charlottesville-area farmhouse last month, and it was a burst of pure joy! Like us, our readers seemed to truly appreciate her bright, casual, and incredibly colorful decor. Her home was a vibrant reflection of her personality, complete with many of her very own captivating paintings adorning the walls. It’s a beautiful reminder that a home should be a happy, authentic expression of those who live in it.
Most Potential: Our Sunroom’s Future Transformation
Our sunroom is bursting with “Most Potential”! At the close of November, we were just beginning to contemplate its future. It was incredibly satisfying simply to give it a good clean-up, but having dipped our toes in the water, we’re now more than ready to dive headfirst into a full transformation. *Update: In fact, some painting might already be underway! Keep an eye out for exciting progress pictures coming this Monday!* This space holds so much promise for becoming another cherished area of our home.
Most Entertaining: The Power of Your Comments
Hands down, the “Most Entertaining” award goes to you, our amazing readers! The comments on this post, filled with random facts about us, provided some of the best laughs we’ve had in a long, long time – truly, perhaps ever! I wholeheartedly recommend taking a moment to browse through at least a page or two of the now over 1000 comments. Your insights, wit, and humor are simply unparalleled. You guys are genuinely hilarious, and frankly, you all deserve your own talk shows!
Most Artistic: A Beavis-ified Portrait and Book Tour Laughter
This month, the “Most Artistic” title goes to the husband who drew this hilarious “Beavis-ified” portrait of his wife. He created it based on a fun (and admittedly risky) tip from our book, which suggests that sometimes a silly, unexpected drawing can be hilariously charming. She proudly showed it off at our Houston book tour stop, sparking genuine laughter from everyone present. That joy continued when we shared it as part of our recap of tour stops in Minneapolis, Houston, and Dallas. It’s a testament to the fun and playful spirit our book aims to inspire!
Most Iconic: A Global Giveaway Clue
Finally, for “Most Iconic,” we present the images below. Each one represents a word that might just help you decode the exciting prize for this coming Monday’s giveaway. And here’s the best part: this particular giveaway is open to absolutely anyone in the entire wide world! Keep your detective hats on and prepare for a truly global opportunity.
As we close the chapter on November, we’d love to hear from you. How did this month unfold in your world? Did you embark on a lot of travel, whether for work or for leisure? Were you able to complete any significant home projects or personal goals? Or perhaps you simply cherished those precious few weeks of calm before the delightful, yet often chaotic, holiday season fully kicked in? Share your November highlights with us in the comments below!