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, you are good!! Very, very GOOD!!
I would have loved to joined in on your party and list my 2008 Projects, but I’m just too busy and time got away from me. I’m just too busy doing more projects I guess LOL!! Big, dirty, cleaning up and out project. Nothing glamerous like yours.
Blessings,
Sher
I haven’t done any renovations, but I was lucky enough to get three HUGE bags of greens do decorate with at Christmas. I put the link to the decorations on my 1880’s rowhouse and my mother’s flat.
Gosh Rhoda, I posted my Top Ten list on the 4th of January and had no idea there was a party going on! It looks like I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go!
I have had SO MUCH FUN reading your blog this evening. I had gotten out of touch with you!!!
I love your office nook. But my favorite was your new patio area. The change was amazing and you really created a beautiful outdoor room.
I am grabbing your button before I leave and putting it on my sidebar.
Be blessed Rhoda!
a belated p.s. — I just added you to my blog roll. Hope you don’t mind!
I’m arriving late to the party. Thanks for being such a great host!
As always, I love your blog!
Those are the best before and after’s I have ever seen. Everything you touch turns to gold. You are so very talented! I love the demask : ) Happy New Year!
Oh my gosh, Rhoda – you have been BUSY this year!! It’s so hard to pick a favorite – although I LOVE how the area under your deck turned out!! And your painted furniture – and the pumpkin project… heck.. I loved them all!!! Thanks for hosting this party!… Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage
Rhoda,
How did I miss this? 🙁 What an amazing batch of transformations! You’ve given me so many ideas over this past year and I am so excited to visit all of the party guests to see what everyone did!
Hugs,
Dena
Hi Rhoda! I’m joining in a little late! 🙂
Melissa P, if you come back to see this, the wall color in my guestroom redo is by Sherwin Williams, called Rainwashed. Didn't see a blog for you to get back with you.
Thank you ALL for coming by my party! I am so happy for the success of it & it's so fun to meet all you new ladies!
What a great thing this is and I’ve come back everyday since I fell upon Rhoda’s place to see what’s been added. I’m enjoying this greatly!!! Thanbks for sharing!!!
Well, Rhoda, I cannot claim to be as handy as you and your friends here, but I did have my one contribution to add at the end here. Unfortunately, I did not have the presence of mind when we started it to take BEFORE pictures! Duh. I was a new blogger, what can I say? 🙂
Anyway, I REALLY enjoyed all your projects…and I’m feeling a little inspired!
Hi Rhoda! Thanks for your e-mail. I don’t know what’s going on with the comments. I tried posting earlier. Hmmmm! Anyway, thought I would try again.
Rhoda —
Thanks so much for hosting this party! I love all of the projects that you have done. I especially love your bedroom – fabulous!
Jen
Got a question on lamps…I have a glass beanpot shaped lamps that I’d like to paint the base on…can I lightly sand it and then spray paint it with paint for glass? I’d like an opinion before I screw it up 😀
This is such a fabulous idea! I can’t wait to see everyone’s projects, thanks for doing this!
Hi Rhoda! Even if I am late, I would like to join this FAB event! Thanks for hosting,
Monica.
Wow! I have read about this all over blogland, so came to see for myself. I do have to say, my favorite is the office ( I have the same Ballard Design desk!) and the bedroom. That is just wayyyyyy fabulous!
As you can see if you visit me, I am int he middle of a whole house renovation and I LONG for the days when I can fuss with accessories again 🙂 instead of plaster.
I’ll keep watching.
Anita
Really enjoyed your post!
love to see before and after photos.
smiles,
Sandy