2023 in review: This year was so different

In 2024, we are celebrating 15 years of Chris Loves Julia. It's a huge milestone and, to be honest, there was a time this year when I didn't know if we were going to make it to that bench mark. Not because there was anything at risk with our relationship, or our brand or opportunities were drying up. It was just a really personally heavy year. We found ourselves juggling so much behind the scenes, while trying to carry on as normal as we could with projects and renovations and new ideas, on the forefront. And there was definitely a point in early fall where we thought, "If something has to give, then we have had a wonderful run." We were at a fork in the road. And after a long weekend away and a lot of thought, we came to the conclusion that we still loved what we did. And wanted to continue forward. We needed to adjust our expectations. We made big changes within the structure of our company and we realized, most of all, that accomplishments are not measured by how many projects and renovations we completed.

In the past, if we revealed our kitchen and our bathroom and our backyard and our living room (and more!) all in one year, it felt like we were on top of our game and we gave ourselves an A+ for the year. I see it differently now. At the beginning of the year, I slipped on a bracelet that said "balance" on it. And throughout the year, I really tried to prioritize that in my work, our company, my health, my relationships, and in our home.

We certainly did a lot of projects this year, but we did a lot so much more as well! Here's a little diary of our year:

January

We did a one-day makeover on Becca's dining room. I love these makeovers because the whole team rolls up our sleeves and grabs and paint roller, and it's so inspiring to see what's possible with a little planning and a little elbow grease :) At home, Chris and I organized the attic — a feat! (And, is it already time to do that again??) We also flew to San Francisco to shoot our Pottery Barn collection. And I had Cricket, our new puppy, on my hip at all times.

February

We did our air mattress test (and it was eye-opening). We started planning out our front yard. Our off-site office space got floors and wallpaper. I decided I wanted to repaint the study (I didn't know that would become a theme this year). That lead to building out the study. And that lead to thinking about painting the trim on the outside of our house. Oh, and our 13-year-old had a pool party for her birthday. In February. So, we celebrated our mild-to-warm North Carolina winters.

March

The pocket doors and the built-ins went in in the study. We flew out to Idaho to makeover a nursery for our dear friends, the Fullmers. I organized some kitchen cabinets (that felt like big open boxes). We shot our Shades of Light collection. We did our self tanner test. We went to Mexico with our team as a rewards trip for all the work they do.

April

We gave my sister's deck a mini makeover. We hosted a baby shower in the backyard for Brooke, who was on our team. We moved into our new office space. I spoke on the Loloi panel. We launched our Shades of Light collection. And, I went to the Taylor Swift concert in Atlanta (a life highlight, really).

May

We launched our collection of furniture and decor with Pottery Barn Kids — a career highlight. Faye chose a wallpaper. Chris and I demo'ed her closet. We posted a round-up on spring (faux) trees. I got new outdoor stools for the pool bar, and we hung string lights in the backyard. We had a lot of paint issues in the study (read this cautionary tale). Looking back, I wish I could put my arm around that Julia and tell her it all turns out okay :) We spent Memorial Day in Rodanthe with my family and it was rainy and romantic.

June

We swapped out the chandelier in our dining room to make room for one from our Shades of Light collection. I went to Idaho to help take care of my Dad. We furnished Faye's room. We took the girls on a Disney Cruise where I realized our girls are the perfect ages (13, 9, 6) to travel with now and I want to do so much more with them.

July

Shop Faye's Room

I went back to Idaho, spending time and taking care of family. We hosted a fun Color School for our audience — a topic I'm extremely passionate about. We hung the gallery wall in Faye's room — and some controversial curtains — and revealed a room that our 7-year-old loves. A sour: All of our girls had swimmer's ear :/

August

We started painting swatches on our windows outside. Chris and I went away for a night to plan our bathroom renovation. Chris's brother moved to North Carolina, and we had a big pool party. We took the girls to see Wicked and started tile selections for our bathroom. And I discovered a cup that makes slushies like magic and quickly bought one for each member of our family.

September

We went to the beach for Labor Day weekend. We refinished the countertops. We shot our new Walli cases. I started my long Sunday walks. We filmed a house tour. We hosted the Lola Blanket crew for a photoshoot. We introduced plans for the mudroom. We went to Lancaster to consult on our giveaway winner's room. My bestie, Meaghan, came to visit. We went to New York for my sister's art show. We traveled so much this month that we promptly came home and cancelled our anniversary trip because we were so exhausted.

October

We celebrated Chris's 40th birthday in Mexico. We put an offer in on a perfect house for my parents and coaxed them into moving to North Carolina. Chris started cold plunging. We all went to Hogwarts for Halloween (figuratively speaking).

November

We started measuring for a dining table so that we could host Thanksgiving. We got a leather sectional for the playroom. Chris and I celebrated our 15th anniversary at home with our kids, and I celebrated my 37th (IYKYK) birthday at home, too, where we sang all 10 minutes of All Too Well instead of Happy Birthday. We started renovating the upstairs powder bath. We hung a gallery wall in the dining, which started a ripple effect of moving art. And my parents moved to NORTH CAROLINA!!! We hosted 26 people for Thanksgiving!

December

Lawrence Floorpops

Renovation started in the mudroom! We removed all the floors in the back hallway in preparation for tile and new drywall and a new pocket door are in place. My parents moved out of our guest house and into their new home 10 minutes from us! We finished the powder room off the playroom (More on that coming soon!).

2023 was a real-life year. They're ups and downs and successes and failures and lots of change and heartache and huge wins and milestones, as well. I hope when you look back at your year, you can see your whole, as well.