WELCOME!
Are you ready for a party?! I just love Before and After pictures, don’t you? This is just the ticket to help us get some inspiration for the New Year and perhaps find a project or two to add to the list of things we’d like to accomplish this year. I know I sure get a lot of inspiration out there in blogland from all of YOU, so I’m happy to pass some of that on. For my new readers, come on along for a year of projects at my house. Hope you get inspired too! Just follow the links in my post if you want to read more about a particular project.
From January, you will probably all remember this before and after in Modernizing a Vintage lamp. As a refresher, this lamp was picked up in my neighborhood at a yardsale for $5. Someone’s mom or aunt probably had this thing hanging around since 1962 or so and all it needed was a fresh new look to bring in into the 21st Century.
Nothing that a little black and cream damask fabric can’t handle. Add some trim and call it done and it sits proudly on my foyer table! Just so you know, I’m counting all these lampshade redos as one project. 2008 was a good year for lampshades. 
So…speaking of lampshades, I can’t let this one go by without a mention. Just a little update to the lamps I have in the diningroom, with the addition of burlap and a cute monogram. 
And this pair, yardsale finds which got transformed for the guestroom redo you’ll see below. 
Newly covered lampshades and rub-on decals and it’s a magical change. 
Then, in March, I told you all about the gold urn that got a repair job. Don’t let a broken handle stop you from using something. Get some air-dry clay and fix that pretty thing! 
Paint it white and it will be the star of the sideboard. 
Again, in March, I got inspired to do a little tweaking to my office nook, so I painted the feature wall lime green like my laundry room and outlined the wall with rope trim for a new fresh look.
Along with the bookcase that got a wallpaper treatment of scrapbook paper, seen all over blogland and I believe started by the popular Nester. 
A big outdoor project was completed in May, when we took the muddy under the deck area of our backyard and transformed it into an oasis of sorts with a newly constructed patio. 
And what a difference this made! The after Decorated Patio pics really show it off. 
This is definitely my favorite outdoor seating spot now! Ahh, Spring…just look at the green. 
In August, I did a little decoupage project of a monogram letter.
Simple leopard tissue paper did the trick. 
In September, we all got ready for Fall and I got inspired to try some white pumpkins. 
A little white spray paint later, and Hello Fall, classy white pumpkins for the season. 
In October, after a fun yardsale shopping trip and finding a beautiful bookcase in need of a makeover, a guestroom was reborn. 
With a newly painted and beadboard clad bookcase to showcase some treasures. 
In November, a lucky yardsale find (for $10) made way for a new chandy in my cottage guestroom, where once there was only a lone little ceiling fixture. What a difference a cute little chandelier can make, don’t you think? 
In November and in preparation for the final project of 2008, the Beachy Glam guestroom redo, I made over a framed print in that room to take it in a new direction. From traditional gold to…
A newly painted black frame and much more modern look. 
Which brings us to the last and final project of the year 2008, the Beachy Glam guestroom, which went from being rather Granny…
To a completely different direction of an updated color palette of black, white and soft blue. This one made the Birmingham paper in December and I was so proud! 
So, that wraps up my Top 10 Favorite Projects for 2008. Whew! Didn’t realize just quite how much I had accomplished last year until I looked back. How about you? Do you have something to share? I hope you do. It doesn’t have to be 10, but any number will do, even if it’s only one.
Share by adding your link to Mr. Linky below! Let’s get this party rolling.
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Rhoda, I am proud of you for all of these projects. NOW, come to my house and help ME! LOL! I can’t post today because my projects aren’t finished. 😉
XO,
Sheila 🙂
Amazing projects Rhoda! I think I’ll print out this entire post so I can study it. You got a lot done over the year.
Sorry ya'll!! Mr. Linky wasn't working right, but he's up & going now. Please come back & add your links too.
This is gonna be a fun party!
Rhoda
It’s amazing to look back and see all that you’ve accomplished. Love the the lamp with the monogrammed “M” – that would work really well for me 🙂
Thanks for hosting the party!
Manuela
Yay! Mr Linky’s back! Got mine added.
Loved seeing all of your amazing makeovers from 2008, Rhoda. I really love that office nook. It looks like something out of a magazine. And the chandelier in your cottage bedroom really does top things off nicely. So pretty!
Thanks for hosting the party! 🙂
Oh, shoot, I had copied your permalink to link from my post to yours and inadvertently added that to Mr Linky. Can you delete that first link for me, Rhoda? You’d think I’d be better at this by now! -Julia
Rhoda, going back to the mongrammed lampshades…do you have the fabric monogrammed before making the lampshade or after?
Hi Rhoda 🙂
He must be gone again, but here’s mine for now until he comes back…
http://ruespeanutbutterandjellylife.blogspot.com/2009/01/rhodas-top-10-projects-of-2008-tour.html
I love all those projects that you did last year. You are such an inspiration sweet friend 🙂
hugs,
rue
I found you through Between Naps on the Front Porch and I’m so glad I did. I love your blog! I’ve added myself to your followers. 🙂 Michelle
I love all of your make overs Rhoda! What a great year! I hope next year is an even better and more productive one for you!
It’s a tie! I love the lampshades and guestbedroom equally. Thank you so very much for hosting.
Never mind. Just figured out I could delete it myself.
I’m very high-maintenance today, aren’t I? 😉
FANTASTIC! Rhoda, really – what can’t you do!? So happy to see all of these, some of which I missed – but I have to say, the bookcase and the burlap lamps were among my top faves! Happy 2009 – can’t wait to see what transformations you make this year! Artie
Thanks for hosting this Rhoda! I have joined the party. Brought some chocolates along. And those Hershey’s peppermint things. Yum!!!
I came here by way of Diane. You are amazing!
I love the lower deck/patio makeover. Ours looks like your “before”. I saved the newspaper article about your ‘redo’ and plan to show it to DH. Need to right timing. He is not exactly ‘looking’ for something to do right now. LOL!
So much fun!
Thanks for a having this before and after party Rhoda!
Great motivator to make changes in the homes…
Happy decorating in 2009!!
Smiles,
KayEllen
I’m so excited that you’re doing this and can’t wait to peruse all these great projects…I feel lots of inspiration coming on! I’m mostly inspired by your office! Love it!
Wow, I love those lamps! I need to start looking for some ugly lamps that I can remake! Thanks for the inspiration and the party! I posted my 1/2 bath re-do, I love the way it turned out.
I am so excited to visit all the link’s…Thanks for hosting this awesome party!! I am sure my wish list is about to get much bigger 🙂