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.
Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
What a wonderful idea! I don’t have much to contribute this year, but maybe next time. 8-}
All your projects are AbFab! I LOVE your Eiffel Tower clock and PARIS faux books! Are those things I could get somewhere? They’re exactly what I need to go with my PARIS letters from Dockside Imports.
Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^
Wonderful Before & Afters! I especially love your Guest Bedroom transformation. Thanks for hosting!
rhoda,I loved a recap of your DIY projects.I especailly loved the lampshade post.I have an addiction to lamps,never met a lamp I didn’t like.Maybe this will make it less expensive on my pocketbook.Very inspiring. You are now on my blog list for sure.I will be back for more inspiration in the upcoming New Year. Kathysue
You are the quuen Rhoda – I bow to you!
p.s. The leopard print tissue paper is FABULOUS!
Joy
Great projects, What creativity you have. Love the patio! The momogram on the lampshade is a really nice touch.
Stop by and join in the fun to see What’s Cookin’.
So many great projects under your belt for 2008! It all looks wonderful Rhoda and I’m sure it gives you great satisfaction once a project is completed.
Can’t wait to see what all you do in 2009.
Hugs!
Kat
Wow Rhoda!What great work you did in 2008…Gorgeous!!
And what a fun idea of a post!! I added a couple of our kitchen that we did in 2008.
Rhoda,
You are always so gracious to host these fun parties for us. Thank You!
You work amazing magic with your finger tips! ( a personal favorite was your festive mailbox:)
I hadn’t seen the bookcase finished and it looks wonderful!!!
Everything has the wonderful Rhoda touch.
I look forward to seeing what everyone has in store this coming year.
Beth~♥
Sorry about the extra *Beth* which was a slip of my finger:-)
WOW Rhoda! You’ve had a very busy year, not to mention creative and beautiful. I found some nifty new blogs through your Top 10 Projects participants. May 2009 be even more creative and profitable for you. xoxo
Rhoda, thanks so much for this inspring party. I always love all your projects, your bookcase is beautiful. I really love the office nook.
I know I’ll have countless hours of beautiful inpirations to look at the next week or so.
Thanks again!
Hey Rhoda! You had some great projects in 2008. At first I thought I didn’t really have anything to post but when I went looking back over my blog, I did find a few things. Thanks for prompting me to take a look back and see that we actually did accomplish a few things last year!
Oh my, What a party! I always love to see your projects! You are so talented! I love most the bookshelf with the beadboard back. Then your office is my next fav. I wish I had the energy you girls have!!
Suzanne
Off to see if I can get my post ready!
Wow! You have been busy this year…the backyard is fantastic…bedroom so dreamy…I love the leopard M…my oh my I missed out on so many great projects this year. So glad I found you for 2009!
Rhoda, I recently found your blog and had to tell you I LOVE it! You are such an inspiration and have so many clever ideas! I too, will be reusing a beautiful frame (now gold) with moire matting, etc. The frame now contains a picture of a vase of flowers and it is hung vertically…but I’m going to change out the picture, rework the gold frame and then hang it horizontally. Thanks to your great frame/picture makeover, you have inspired me, I NEVER would have thought of it if I hadn’t seen it on your blog! Thanks!
Desiree (aka desid on RMS)
What a really great idea for a party! I have some really great before/after shots, but they’re all from 2009! Go resolutions 🙂 Hope you throw this same party next year so I can share!
Well, you inspired me to make a LONG post!
Thanks!
Thanks for the party and I love your bedroom makeover
I am sure glad you didn’t ask what our favorite was because I love them all! I am inspired by the bedroom shots and the lampshades!
Hi, everyone! Thank you ALL so much for coming by & participating in my party! I'm so happy that so many of you have accomplished a lot too & we will all be busy the next few days going around to visit everyone.
PARTY ON! It will take me awhil, but I'm determined to come & see everyone of you who linked.
Rhoda,
I am embarrassed I linked to Mr Linky.. wrong.. TWICE… Please remove the other beth attempts and I know better:-) That’s what I get for trying to be sneaky and talking to my daughter at the same time;) Your beach bedroom redo is so lovely. I adore those colors!
Thanks again for hosting this wonderful party!!!!