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2019, the Year of Balance

At the end of every December, we like to take a moment to look back at the past year. Here’s a collection of our experiences and favorite projects!

Our family sitting on the front porch steps, adorned with garland. Our dogs are nearby, and Lucy is wearing her reindeer pajamas. Happy Holidays! via Yellow Brick Home
boots | coat | reindeer pajamas (similar) | sconces

The Year of Balance

When I asked Scott how he would sum up our entire 2019 with only one word, he easily replied: balance. Balance! It couldn’t be more true. 2019 was the first full year that Scott and I have worked together, fully, on Yellow Brick Home. It’s also the first full year that we’ve had a toddler (what!), and it’s the first full year that we’ve allowed ourselves the grace to take the weekends off. We’ve found – scratch that – we are still finding our groove between work and family, business and play, but I can confidently say that we’re getting better every day.

2019. It brought us a new adventure in the form of our Two Flat! It was a year that taught us to flex our quick-thinking-muscles – the ones that need to make decisions fast and blend practicality with design wishes. It was a year of (almost!) wrapping up the Tree House, completing the renovation of the last untouched space in our Chicago home and diving deep into photography tutorials – my favorite nerdy topic in the world. We also celebrated Lucy’s first birthday and started new traditions with cross-country DIY friends and family adventures! And somewhere along the way, we celebrated 10 YEARS of blogging. Whoa. But 2019 also saw loss; both Scott and I said goodbye to a grandparent, and with heavy hearts, we hugged our beloved Libby one last time.

Have a happy holiday, friends.

Over the next two weeks, we’re pushing the reset button. We’ll be focusing on our family, rest, mornings of sleeping in and brainstorming of projects to come. We’ll see you on the blog next year(!), but let’s be honest, we’ll still be hanging around on Instagram! We wish every one of you a warm and happy holiday, and we thank you, truly, for being here. It’s you that allows us to do this thing that we love, to share and grow and stretch and learn! This home-loving community can’t be beat.

A Look Back | 2019

Below, we’re sharing the projects and stories across several categories that topped our list in 2019. Click on any thumbnail to take you right to the post! xx

DIY + Renovation


Family + Motherhood


Photography Tutorials


Round-Ups + Resources


Our Favorite Vlogs


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  • Karen T.12.20.19 - 7:46 AM

    Thanks for bringing us along. Here’s to an even better 2020!ReplyCancel

  • Claire12.20.19 - 9:10 AM

    Recently, I was telling my mom about a post I was reading to which she responded, “Oh your friends?”. I said, “No, I don’t know them”. And then she looked at me and said, “But they are friends, right?”. To which I had to be honest with myself, and answer, “Yes, they’re my friends.” Thanks for taking us along!ReplyCancel

  • Lori12.20.19 - 11:43 AM

    I got sucked back into your bathroom off the dining room reveal & have a question– how exactly did you guys install the window above the shower? I want to do the same thing when I gut my master bath because the shower in the master shares a wall with the shower in the hallway bathroom, which has no natural light at all. Did you have a window frame made, or is it a sheet of glass basically caulked into place with trim? Also, how high are your ceilings in there (trying to figure out whether I even have room for a window if I need an 8″ header)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
    I hope you guys have an excellent and relaxing holiday. I’ve really enjoyed following along with your projects & travels this year!ReplyCancel

    • Kim12.20.19 - 12:20 PM

      Great question! After our contractor made the opening above the shower, we custom ordered a window with frosted glass so it was a perfect fit. Our ceilings are about 9.5’ but I think you could still do it by adjusting the height of your window!ReplyCancel

      • Lori12.20.19 - 3:41 PM

        Gotcha, good to know! Maybe I could also do multiple smaller windows that wouldn’t require such large headers? Something to ponder. Thanks for your reply! :DReplyCancel

  • lak12.20.19 - 1:59 PM

    A Merry Christmas to you all!  Great blog.  I don’t thing I realized that your porch ceiling is striped, just like you guys to sneak in an unassuming interesting detail.  Love your homes, makes me want to be more intentional on what I bring into mine.  Enjoy the Xmas vacation!ReplyCancel

    • Kim12.20.19 - 3:49 PM

      Ahhh that porch ceiling. The whole thing actually needs to be replaced, along with our siding! But that’s another project for another day… Merry Christmas!ReplyCancel

  • AmandaKB12.20.19 - 8:09 PM

    I hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Year festivities!  I can’t wait to follow along in 2020!ReplyCancel

  • at home with Ashley12.23.19 - 9:17 AM

    I’m a big fan of your photography tutorials, keep em coming next year! Thanks for all your great posts, I love reading along!ReplyCancel

    • Kim12.23.19 - 9:56 AM

      Thank you, Ashley! Your feedback is invaluable. Happy holidays!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa1.4.20 - 9:02 PM

    Looking forward to seeing what 2020 brings for your renovation and family! ReplyCancel

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Kim and Scott

We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

Join us as we renovate and nurture vintage homes across Chicago + SW Michigan!

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