You’ve asked about everything from how our concrete counters are holding up to how the grout stain in our foyer is doing, and how our new, scaled-back blogging schedule is working out. We don’t always update everything promptly (we tend to move on to the next project quickly), so here’s a comprehensive update covering the most-asked-about items in one place.
Our Ardex concrete counters: These countertops have been mostly fantastic. The sealer we chose has improved durability beyond our expectations. After about two and a half months of daily use we haven’t found obvious scratches, divots, or marks. That may be because we don’t do a lot of high-intensity cooking, and we keep two large wooden cutting boards on the counter for hot pots and chopping—both good protective habits. Note: darker stains on concrete can show more wear, and we went natural, which likely helps hide minor marks.
Most spills sit on the sealed surface and wipe away cleanly, similar to how water beads on finished wood. We did notice a few subtle dark spots where citrus or other acidic splatters sat long enough to soak in. They’re minor and fit the industrial look of the concrete, so they haven’t bothered us. I also set a piping-hot cup of tea directly on the counter once and a very faint haze ring appeared. It’s nearly invisible unless you’re an inch away at a certain angle, so we now use the cutting boards for hot items and haven’t seen additional issues.
The foyer grout stain: The grout staining product we used back in January still looks the same as when it was applied. With regular mopping, muddy shoes and paws, and heavy foot traffic, the grout has held up well. We’ve also heard from readers who used the same product in showers years ago and report similar long-term success.
Appliance paint on our fridge: Our repainted fridge still looks good and has picked up more magnets than ever. Magnets haven’t scratched or peeled the paint, though we did find a scraped area along the right side of the door—likely from something large like a piece of lumber brushing the edge. Everyday use, including frequent handling of the handles and magnet play by Clara, hasn’t harmed the finish. Just avoid dragging heavy or rough items across painted edges.
Our new washer and dryer: We love our new units. With a newborn in the house they’ve been working hard and performing well. The washer cleans thoroughly and spins clothes very dry, so items are only damp going into the dryer—less dry time overall and better for those items we want to hang to dry. The top-loader design also saves us from excessive bending, which is a real plus when carrying a baby.
Pantry reorganization: The pantry makeover has been a huge improvement. It’s not as perfectly organized as the day we finished it, but it’s far better than the previous dark, unstructured shelves. The microwave tucked inside, a door organizer, and hanging bread baskets are standout additions that created useful narrow storage where items don’t get lost at the back.
The game closet: Our toy library currently looks messier since the newborn arrived, mainly because I’m often holding the baby and can’t always help Clara put things back neatly. Despite the disarray, everything stays behind the closet door, which keeps the rest of the house tidy. Clara still follows the one-toy-out rule most of the time, so the chaos stays contained. The closet remains a lifesaver even when it’s a bit of a pit.
Fiddle leaf figs: People asked about our plants: they were on sale for $58 at Home Depot, the red pot and wheeled cart came from Lowe’s. I water them once a week with a deep drink—about 20 ounces—and they prefer indirect light. One is doing well in the office corner. The other didn’t adapt to being moved to the dining room and declined, so I recently moved it to the kitchen corner to see if it recovers. Crossing fingers for a plant comeback.
Our organic mattress: The mattress we built to be firm is about five years old and still feels supportive. We’ve heard from others who experienced body impressions in their mattresses, but ours hasn’t felt dented or pitted, and it remains comfortably firm for our preferences.
Target hooks: In addition to the picture hanger, I used a mixed set of white hooks inside a closet to keep necklaces organized. That simple change has made it easier to wear jewelry regularly and solved a tangle problem that used to live in a nightstand drawer.
White and stained kitchen cabinets: Our painted white upper cabinets and stained lower cabinets have been behaving well after about six months. The white uppers are fairly easy to keep clean with spot wiping and occasional dusting, and the stained lowers hide splatters more easily. Nothing has chipped or bubbled; the key was proper prep—sanding or deglossing and using a good primer and paint.
Homemade terrarium: Unfortunately, our terrarium didn’t make it. Despite keeping it in light and using activated charcoal as suggested, it failed. Chalk one up to my black thumb.
Expedit changing table: The changing table has worked very well. We keep diapers in a large basket and wipes within reach to the right of the pad. We use it often and even go upstairs to change the baby because it’s more comfortable than our downstairs setup. We haven’t fully committed to cloth diapers yet, but when we do we’ll likely store them in the same basket and use a wet-bag-lined trash pail to manage soiled items conveniently.
Upstairs hardwoods with Elastilon underlayment: Our chosen hardwoods and the Elastilon underlayment have performed well overall. The floors haven’t shown softness or excess scratching despite active use. The floating installation has remained stable with no visible gaps after more than a year of seasonal temperature changes. In most areas the seams remain tight and the floors feel solid—indistinguishable from nailed-down floors. However, one guest room spot sits over an area where the subfloor wasn’t perfectly level and that section feels slightly bouncy compared to the rest. Guests usually don’t notice, but we wish we’d addressed the subfloor level before installation. The takeaway: Elastilon is great, but uneven subfloors can cause localized flex.
Scaled-back blogging schedule: Slowing down has been the right choice for us. Fewer posts mean lower traffic and income, as expected, but the change has been positive. I’ve been more present with the baby and grateful not to miss early moments in favor of one more project or post.
Have you tried something recently that you love or regret? Share the wins and warnings—we’d love to hear what has worked (or not) for you.
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