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, Your website is one of my favourite things. And now, you’ve led me to another: The “We are THAT family” blog. This woman is incredible. Because of your amazing grace, I have another amazing person whose life is a real example of how we should be living. I particularly love her posts on her wonderful husband, because I have a wonderful husband too.
Thank you so much. Your blog continues to more than make my day. Your blog challenges me to live my best life. THANK YOU.
I love the decorating you have done this past year. I’m thinking this takes a lot of energy and I hope I can do some of these project this coming year. I plan to follow your blog and if I am successful I’ll link to your blog.
Rhoda, love all of your ideas. The bright colors are wonderful. Thanks for putting this together, love to look at everyones ideas!
Rhoda, I thought I left a comment, but don’t see it!
Thanks for hosting this fun party. I love before and after projects! And thank you for sharing ‘Jo’s” comment with me. MADE MY DAY!
I plan to participate but I am having trouble loading pics on blogger for some reason. I think it’s because all these crafty ladies are loading pics this afternoon, too!! What a lovely party, and I love all your projects. You are da bomb!
Suzanne
Hi Rhonda,
This is so fun. Your Top 10 are gorgeous. Thanks for a great year of learning for me. 🙂 I posted my best Project of ’08. 🙂 Hopefully, this year I will have more to chose from soon. 🙂
My first try on linking didn’t work, so you may want to delete the one without a link. sorry about that. 🙂
Have a blast at Blissdom!
I love it all! Especially the bookcase with the scrapbook paper and the cheetah print letter “m”. ALL GREAT IDEAS! You have a beautiful home! Can’t wait to try some of your projects.
Also love the color in the guest bedroom. Mind sharing the name?
Love the lamp shades! Love before and afters–Thanks!
Wow, Rhoda…you were one busy lady! And soooo creative! I love all your projects. My favorite is your office with the green accent wall. What a nice gift for yourself…beautiful!
Susan
P.S. Thanks for hosting this great party! 🙂
i’m in LOVE with your blog…i love b/w damask, zebra print, monograms, and DIY projects.
Thanks for hosting this fun event! I enjoyed participating even though I seem to be having some problems with my links. Hopefully, they will solve themselves – I sure can’t figure it out as I’ve tried everything. Your projects are so inspiring – gets us geared up for 2009!! Sally
What a great idea! Thanks for hosting it. It helped me realize I did get some projects done even though it was a tough year. 🙂
Thanks Rhoda for this opportunity to share and view all the wonderful before and after projects folks have done. Amazed at the creativity out there. Yours were so good, those lamp shades turned out wonderful, I need to do that to some lampshades so I can save some $$. Always your projects are tops. Look forward to what you do it 2009. Thanks for dropping by, please come back and visit anytime.
Blessings-
This is so much fun. I love all the ideas that I am getting from you and all the gals that are participating.
Looking forward to visiting often
Becky
http://www.oneshabbyoldhouse.blogspot.com
I don’t have anything to share this year. I love your porch…outdoor areas make such a big difference! Great job!
Wow! You were busy!
Great before and afters…especially that bedroom!
AMAZING transformation.
I’ll have to go see if I have any good before and after pics.
Kimberly 🙂
Congratulations on such a huge success, Rhoda! I joined the party really early this morning (California time), then off to work I went. Just getting home now and seeing how many people joined you! I’m looking forward to visiting everyone in the next couple of days.
Yes, I’ll see you on Twitter, and thank you again for your gracious “southern hospitality!”
~Arleen
I had fun looking at your projects! I have the same lamp as the first one you posted in my attic…I’ve been having trouble deciding what kind of lampshade to do, but now I’ve been inspired!!
Your projects are great. I’m going to look at everyone else’s now!
Everything looks great, Rhoda! I somehow missed the burlap lamp, but that’s an awesome idea. I have some burlap just waiting around on me and I just might try that one. 😉