Remodelaholic in Review: September 2015

What This “September 2015” Roundup Really Captured

Monthly review posts are more than a list of links. They’re a snapshot of what real homeowners were tackling on real weekendsprojects that had to survive
kids, pets, spaghetti sauce, and that one drawer everyone pretends not to notice. In September 2015, the big themes were clear:
kitchens that work harder, finishes that last, and decor that leans cozy without going full craft-store explosion.

The month balanced three kinds of content that still perform well today:
review-style wisdom (what holds up over time), how-to momentum (what you can build this weekend), and inspiration that feels achievable
(not just “buy a $6,000 chandelier and feel feelings”).

The Big Themes From September 2015

1) Kitchens were the main character

September 2015 leaned heavily into kitchensspecifically, the kind of kitchen glow-up that doesn’t require a demolition crew or a reality TV contract.
The focus wasn’t “tear it all out.” It was “use what you’ve got, but make it look intentional.”

• Painted and refinished cabinets: real-life durability, not just pretty photos.
• Countertops: butcher block and concretebeautiful, doable, and slightly high-maintenance (like a houseplant with opinions).
• Work surfaces + organization: the rise of smart desks and built-in storage was already brewing.

2) Cozy neutrals and “safe whites” were everywhere

The content around paint and palettes reflected something that never goes out of style: people want a home that feels calm.
September 2015 didn’t push wild color trendsit leaned into soft neutrals, thoughtful undertones, and picking colors based on how you want a room to feel.

3) Rustic got a glow-up (hello, Rustic Glam)

If “rustic” is your favorite flannel, then “rustic glam” is flannel… with earrings. September 2015 showcased how weathered wood and timeworn finishes can
look modern when paired with crisp whites, clean lines, and statement lighting.

4) Fall DIY wasn’t just decorit was “reset season”

The projects and printables carried that classic September energy: get organized, make things cozy, and prepare for the holiday sprint.
From a rustic fall banner to Halloween labels and playroom decluttering, it was equal parts “decorate” and “save my sanity.”

September 2015 Highlights, Explained Like You’re Actually Doing the Project

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing and Painted Cabinet Reviews

A cabinet painting post is useful. A cabinet painting review post is goldbecause it answers the question everyone asks after spending a weekend
inhaling primer: “Will this still look good next year?”

The value of review-style roundups is that they surface patterns across many real kitchens:
projects that last tend to have three things in commonserious prep, quality materials, and patience during curing.
Skipping steps is tempting, but cabinets live a hard life: oils, steam, sticky fingers, and that one cabinet door that gets slammed like it owes someone money.

The September 2015 energy wasn’t “paint is magic.” It was “paint works when you treat it like a finish, not a craft.”
That means cleaning, sanding or deglossing, priming when needed, and using products meant for cabinetrynot whatever was closest to you in the garage.

Butcher Block and Concrete Countertops Reviewed

Countertops are where dreams go to be tested by hot pans, lemon juice, coffee rings, and whatever science experiment happens when kids “help” bake.
September 2015 highlighted two popular DIY-friendly surfaces:

• Butcher block: warm, welcoming, and surprisingly durable when sealed and cared for. It rewards people who wipe up water quickly and don’t treat
  the sink edge like a splash zone.
• Concrete: tough, customizable, and full of character. It can also be picky about sealing and stainingespecially if you love bright berries,
  citrus, or anything acidic.

The “review” angle mattered here, too. Instead of just saying “concrete looks cool,” it surfaced what living with it is like:
resealing schedules, stain risks, and why some imperfections are part of the charm (and not a personal attack from your countertop).

Modern Desk With Organizer Plans: The Lindsay Desk

The Lindsay Desk plans fit a very September vibe: back-to-school, back-to-routine, back-to-trying-to-be-a-person-with-a-functional-workspace.
A desk with built-in organization isn’t just furnitureit’s a daily friction reducer.

The lasting lesson is that “modern” doesn’t have to mean cold. September 2015 leaned into clean lines and usefulness:
integrated storage, tidy silhouettes, and proportions that make sense for real rooms (not just staged photos).

Decorating with Style: Rustic Glam

Rustic glam works because it balances opposites:
rough + refined, matte + sparkle, old wood + crisp white.
The September 2015 approach wasn’t complicatedit was a formula you can use in any room:
pick a rustic anchor (reclaimed wood, worn finishes, vintage textures), then add glam through lighting, reflective surfaces, and intentional “pretty” details.

If you want the style without the chaos, keep your color palette calm and let the chandelier (or statement pendant) do the talking.
Rustic glam is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel elevated without becoming precious.

Color Spotlight: Intense White + Choosing Colors and Patterns Without Losing Your Mind

September 2015 paired two super-helpful ideas:
a reliable off-white paint color and a framework for choosing colors and patterns.
That combo is powerful because it takes decision-making from “vibes only” to “vibes with a plan.”

The best takeaway from the “questions” approach is this: start with how you want the room to feel, then build a palette that supports that feeling.
Neutrals aren’t boring when they’re intentionaland an off-white that behaves nicely in different lighting situations can make an entire home feel more cohesive.

Wallpaper Removal Without Chemicals

Wallpaper removal is one of those jobs where you learn two things:
(1) you are stronger than you thought, and (2) your home has been quietly judging you for years.
September 2015 highlighted a method that focuses on practical steps and patiencesoften, peel, clean up the wall, then prep properly for paint.

The key idea is that removal is only half the job. The real “finish line” is getting the wall smooth and ready for primer and paint so you don’t trade
wallpaper texture for “mystery bumps under fresh paint.”

Link Party Features: The Reader Projects That Stole the Show

One of the most fun parts of Remodelaholic in Review: September 2015 was how it spotlighted reader creativity.
These weren’t theoretical ideasthey were “I made this, it works, and yes, it was a bit of a mess” kind of wins.

Monogram Wall Hangings

Monograms had a moment (okay, they had a decade), but the best versions aren’t cheesythey’re textured, layered, and personal without screaming “wedding registry.”
The September 2015 vibe was clean and crafty: simple shapes, thoughtful materials, and a finish that feels intentional.

Patio Table With Built-In Drink Coolers

This is peak “why didn’t I think of that?” DIY: take a patio table and integrate cooler space so drinks stay cold and guests stop playing
“where did I put my cup?” every twelve minutes.

It’s also a reminder that the best outdoor projects consider real use: weather exposure, drainage, cleaning, and finishes that can handle sun and spills.

Bathroom Storage Cabinet Using an Old Window

Upcycling a window into a cabinet hits the sweet spot of form and function:
storage you need + character you can’t buy easily. It’s the kind of project that looks custom because it isbuilt around a unique piece.

Rope Chandelier + DIY Tufted Bench

Lighting and seating are “high impact” categories for a reason. A rope chandelier can soften a space and bring texture overhead,
while a tufted bench adds polish in an entryway, bedroom, or even at the foot of a bed.

Together, they show two different DIY victories:
the “wow” upgrade (lighting) and the “this makes the room work” upgrade (extra seating + style).

Rustic Wood Art Frames + Smart Organizing Projects

The frames were a classic September choice: warm wood, simple construction, and a look that pairs well with fall decor.
On the practical side, playroom decluttering and the upcycled desk organizer project showed a quieter kind of DIY win:
the kind that makes daily life smoother.

Tribal-Inspired Planter Tutorial + Fall Wood Slice Banner

These projects are the “seasonal serotonin” category: quick(ish), creative, and mood-boosting.
A planter makeover adds texture and pattern, while a fall banner is an easy way to make a room feel festive without committing to a full decor overhaul.

What September 2015 Still Teaches DIYers Today

Durability beats novelty

The cabinet and countertop reviews weren’t chasing trendsthey were answering real questions about performance.
That’s why the content still feels relevant: you can love a look, but you have to live with it.

Prep is the secret ingredient (and yes, it’s annoying)

Whether it’s cabinets, countertops, or wallpaper removal, the invisible work determines the outcome.
September 2015 was basically one long reminder that the unglamorous steps are what make a project look “professional.”

Style is easier when you use a framework

The paint color spotlight and the “five questions” approach show something smart:
you don’t need to be a designeryou just need a method. Decide how you want a space to feel, learn your warm/cool preferences,
and build from there.

DIY doesn’t have to be huge to matter

Not every project is a renovation. A better organizer, a smarter desk, a refreshed planter, or a seasonal banner can change how a home feels.
That’s the charm of a good monthly roundup: it respects the weekend warrior.

A “September 2015 Weekend Plan” You Can Steal

Want to recreate the spirit of Remodelaholic September 2015 without burning out? Here’s a balanced plan that mixes impact with sanity:

Friday Night: Set Yourself Up for Success

• Pick one “messy” project and one “fun” project (so you don’t rage-quit).
• Do supply runs earlynothing kills momentum like a 9:17 p.m. hardware store trip.
• Prep your space: drop cloths, painter’s tape, a trash bag, and a playlist.

Saturday: High-Impact Project Day

• Option A: Start cabinet prep (clean/degrease, remove hardware, label doors).
• Option B: Wallpaper removal + wall prep (slow and steady).
• Option C: Build a small piece (desk organizer, frames, or a simple bench).

Sunday: The “Make It Pretty” Day

• Pick a neutral paint test area (especially if you’re considering an off-white).
• Add a quick win: planter makeover, banner, or a simple styling refresh.
• Finish with organizationbecause clutter is the villain in 90% of home stories.

Real-Life DIY Experiences Inspired by September 2015 (Extra Thoughts)

If September 2015 had a motto, it would be: “You can totally do this… but you’ll need snacks and patience.”
And honestly, that still checks out.

People often romanticize DIY as a montage: a quick sanding shot, a paint roller swoosh, a dramatic before-and-after reveal, and then everyone
applauds while your living room sparkles. In reality, the “September 2015” experience looks more like this:
you start motivated, you discover your project has layers, you question your choices around hour two, and thensomehowyou end up proud anyway.

Cabinet projects are the perfect example. The first surprise is how much time “not painting” takes. Cleaning and degreasing feels like
a punishment for crimes you didn’t commit (“I didn’t cook with aerosolized olive oil, the previous owners did!”). Then you label doors and hardware
like you’re running a tiny cabinet library. The actual painting is often the easy part. The hard part is waiting:
letting coats dry, letting finishes cure, and not slamming doors the second you hang them back up because you’re excited.
The DIYers who end up happiest are usually the ones who treat curing time like part of the projectnot an optional side quest.

Countertop experiments come with a different kind of learning curve. Wood countertops feel friendly and warm right away,
and then you realize wood is also… wood. It reacts. It has opinions. If you’re diligent about wiping up water, using trivets,
and refreshing the finish when needed, it rewards you with that cozy, elevated look. If you’re not, it will gently remind you by developing
a “patina” in the exact shape of your favorite mug.

Concrete is its own adventure. Some people love it because it feels solid and custom, and the natural variation makes it look expensive.
Others discover that “custom” also means “you’re in a long-term relationship with sealing.” The best mental framing is:
concrete isn’t fragile, but its surface protection can be. If you go in expecting a little maintenance, you’ll be less annoyed later.

Wallpaper removal is an emotional journey disguised as home improvement. It starts with confidence:
“How hard can it be?” Then you learn about paper layers, paste behavior, and the possibility that someone once wallpapered over wallpaper
because they were tired. A chemical-free approach can feel gentler, but it still requires time. The most common “aha” moment is that the goal
isn’t just getting the paper offit’s getting the wall ready for the next finish. Skipping wall prep is how you end up staring at bumps forever,
like they’re little topographical reminders of your impatience.

And then there are the quick winsthe projects that keep your morale alive.
A rustic banner, a planter makeover, or even building simple frames can give you that “I did something!” feeling without
turning your whole house into a construction zone. That’s why the September 2015 roundup worked so well: it mixed big upgrades
with smaller creative projects, so there was always a path forwardeven if your main project needed drying time.

Finally, the most relatable “September” experience of all: decluttering and organizing.
It’s not glamorous, but it changes daily life fast. People often find that after a couple decor projects, they suddenly care more about
where things live. A tidy playroom, a better desk organizer, or a cabinet that closes smoothly makes everything feel calmer.
That’s the quiet genius of these roundups: they celebrate projects that look good and make your home easier to live in.

If you’re taking anything from Remodelaholic in Review: September 2015 into your next project,
let it be this: choose one upgrade that improves function, one that improves mood, and one that improves your future self’s patience.
(Yes, that last one is usually “prep.” Sorry. I don’t make the rulespaint chemistry does.)

Conclusion

Looking back, September 2015 wasn’t about flashy trendsit was about smart, livable upgrades.
It celebrated the practical magic of durable finishes, thoughtful color choices, and DIY projects that earn their keep.
Whether you’re tackling cabinets, testing countertop materials, or just making your home feel more like fall,
the spirit of the month still holds: do what works, do it well, and keep the process fun enough that you’ll actually do it again.

Sources Consulted (No Links)

This article was informed by a synthesis of home improvement and design guidance from reputable U.S. sources and the original September 2015 roundup.

• Remodelaholic
• This Old House
• Family Handyman
• Real Simple
• Benjamin Moore
• The Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• HGTV
• Better Homes & Gardens
• Martha Stewart
• Apartment Therapy
• Southern Living