It’s that time again. The end of the year. Time to look back at what we all accomplished. Doing projects during the year is not something that I always plan on ahead of time, but it’s fun to look back and see what all I did get completed during the year.
There’s always a feeling of accomplishment when you look around and see the results of hard work and yes, it makes me happy and proud too. We all want to make our homes the very best they can be and that’s what I try to share here all the time. Ways to improve our surroundings without spending a fortune.
Come along with me for the year in project review of 2010 from my casa to yours!
Last February, I kicked off the year with a master bathroom project. I tiled the tub surround with white subway tile. It was something that had bounced around my head for awhile and it was nice to get that one crossed off the list.
And just as I had envisioned, the subway tile really made a huge difference for not a lot of money. I DIY’d it myself, saving a bunch of $$ by borrowing my dad’s wetsaw, which is a must for this project. Back in March, I painted some chairs black. I didn’t do a lot of furniture painting this year, but did manage to do a few furniture projects during the year. It might be that I can’t fit anymore furniture in my house. 🙂
These harp back chairs went from plain brown to black and I loved the update.
Black is always a great choice for a piece of furniture.
Another chair that came home with me from a yardsale was this little beauty at only $15. I loved the lines of it, even though at the time I didn’t know where it would go. But, after I brainstormed it and decided to give it to my hubby, I named it the Alabama Chair and it sits proudly in his office. Roll Tide! Definitely not an old lady chair anymore. Now for the biggest and baddest project of the year.
Those painted black stairs!
You’ll remember the ripping of the carpet off the stairs, with the realization that I did NOT have nice stair treads underneath. That didn’t stop me, I dove right in and got this one finished and it went from boring and blah carpet.
To some stylin’ painted black stairs with a striped jute rug to dress it right up. I’m in love with these stairs still and they look just as good as Day One. One more look at what I had to deal with and I think you’ll agree that I was slightly nutso to take this on. Click here for all the details and how-to on this one.But, I managed to pull it off anyway. Carpenter, I am not, but they certainly pass MY inspection and everyone who comes in to see them loves them too. I also did a few updates in the living room by bringing in some aqua accents. I de-formalized the room by taking out my needlepoint rug and removing a tapestry I’ve had for many years and all of that really made a difference in the feel of the room.
I painted this yardsale find, a gold table.
And it went to a pretty aqua shade that really added to the new vibe of the living room. Just what I was looking for. More casual and less stuffy. This gallery salon wall achieved the look I was going for too and I love the casual, vintage feel of it. In the master bathroom water closet, I used more of my beloved beadboard wallpaper to add some needed architectural interest in this tiny space. And it works once again to liven up a space without spending a lot of $$. By adding molding along the bottom and chairrail at the top, it looks and feels like the real thing.
Happy Day! If you are interested in purchasing this wallpaper, the OLD PRE-PASTED version is now available again in my shop, so hop on over. Out back on the deck, I decided it was time to take the deck back and really utilize it for living. It looked like this when I started this project. By restaining the floor, adding some resin wicker and cushy pillows, I had myself a nice retreat, right out the back door. I spent many afternoons on my loveseat, enjoying the sunshine last summer.
It was truly my cozy retreat of the year and I loved being outdoors this summer. I made those shutters too out of fence parts, which added to the cozy feel. Back inside the master bathroom, this DIY cornice was made by me and this one was a snap. Made out of foamcore board, it’s a easy DIY project. Adding some pretty trim finished it off.
My cute and cozy office nook got it’s final facelift too. As much as I loved it, there was one more thing that I wanted to do and that was add a pretty feature wall of wallpaper on the back wall.
I got just the look I was going for with this pretty green damask and I also painted the rest of the walls in this little space lime green to bring it all together. With the addition of a new office chair, it’s my dream come true office nook. We finally got a flat screen TV in our master bedroom this year, so needed a piece of furniture to house it on. Out to the antique mall I went and found this little chest, formerly used in a child’s room. It was the perfect size for what I needed, so I looked past its childish exterior and knew that I could transform it into a TV cabinet with some paint and that’s just what I did. Fresh paint and new knobs and it’s revived again. And the last big project of the year was in the kitchen. Time to say goodbye to my red bunny fabric, I found the perfect fresh and modern fabrics to liven up my space. The Queen Ann’s were perked up once again with new yellow lattice fabric, which further enhanced their black paint. The window treatment was not overlooked either and down came the red bunny fabric for something a little more modern. Still colorful though, I love my colors! This sewing project was a DIY project too and I was happy to get it finished and up. Love, love how it turned out and the punch of fresh color it brings to the kitchen. So, that is my countdown for the year. Whewwwww, that was a pretty busy year, don’t you think? As I mentioned, I never sit down and figure out what I’m going to do from year to year, but I usually manage to get a lot of projects crossed off. So, how about you?
Are you a high achiever in the project department?
Some of my bloggy friends are way busier than I am and seem to crank out the projects at lightening speed. I love sharing all these projects with so many of you too throughout the year. It’s really fun to celebrate our successes together.
Me, I’m just happy to have accomplished all of this in one year!
And let me just take this time to thank ALL of you readers out there (and lurkers who never comment!) :), those that stop by faithfully and take a look at my posts every week. Without you all coming by, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun blogging, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s like having a whole bunch of friends out there, even though we may never meet in person.
Link up your Top Project too and it will be fun to share and share alike.
Sarah says
Thank you so much for hosting! What a wonderful idea and I absolutely ADORE! Your new stairs. What a huge project and it turned out lovely, you must be so pleased. Happy New Year!
Emily@remodelingthislife says
Thanks for hosting such a fun party, Rhoda! Your projects are all so beautiful. Can’t wait to click through.
Happy new year!
xoxo
sandy says
I haven’t had much time to comment lately, but you know I love your blog. Thanks for taking the time to make this “Year in Review”. I loved it!
the cape on the corner says
thanks so much for hosting…i am thrilled to link up my 2010 projects, which is amazing to someone who never thought they’d have a blog! i so enjoy looking at your projects, and look forward to what next year will bring.
Lucy Farmer says
Rhoda! You are so inspiring! I haven’t done near this many projects this year! I love all your updates. They look amazing!!
Chrissie says
Hi Rhoda, thanks so much for hosting this great party! I have been looking forward to it! You really did some amazing projects last year, I can’t wait to see what you bring in 2011 ! Happy New Year~
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
Hi Rhoda, thanks for hosting! I’m already looking forward to the yard-sale party starting again in the spring! 🙂 Happy New Year!
Jenn (GreenDoorGirl) says
Thanks for hosting – can’t wait to see everyone’s projects (and I loved looking at yours) it will be great inspriration for 2011 – as a new blogger my project list is small for 2010, but 2011 – here I come! 🙂
Wendy says
Rhoda,
Thank you for hosting a fun party. I had so much fun last night going through my posts and looking back at they year!
Your projects and photo’s are a great inspiration and can’t wait to see what 2011 brings!
Wendy
Yanet says
I love the stairs! Looks like a labor of love but they look great!
I’m a new follower and had a great time looking around your site last night. Actually, this morning. I stayed up ’til 3:30 am lurking around. My husband thought I was nutty. 🙂
L.Duncan says
Okay, so people think that I’m a busy bee…. Girl you have done some things around your home that will give us younger gals a run for our money! The stairs–BEAUTIFUL! the tub surround–LOVE IT! The bathroom with the wall paper–MY ABOSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!
You’re a rock star when it comes to home improvement and I can’t wait to see what you have instore for us in 2011!
THanks for hosting the party!
Shelia says
Hi Rhoda! Oh, my goodness, you’ve been a busy girl. I’ve seen most of your makeovers and I do believe your office spiff up is my favorite.
Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful fun party!! I’m linking up with you too! Happy New Year!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Samantha says
Thanks for hosting this party Rhoda! I am having so much fun looking back at all the other bloggers’ projects, and even finding a few that I might just have to use for inspiration!!
Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says
All great projects! Love, love, love your stairs!
Thanks for hosting and Happy New Year!
Beth says
Dear Lord, Girlfriend!!! Gorgeous! You are so talented! Your house is beautiful!!! I can’t get over the changes you make…you have an excellent eye for detail! Want to come to my house? 😉 Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see what else you’ve got up your sleeve for 2011! xoxo Beth 🙂
Kindra says
Thanks so much for hosting the BEST of 2010! How fun to see everyone’s links! Plus, it looks like I need to look back on your posts…especially your stairs makeover! Wow!
Vanessa@Decor Happy says
You are one busy, talented lady! I love your stairs especially and can’t wait to see what you do in 2011. I know I need to step up my game around my house after reading this!
(You can delete my first Art Wall entry as I deleted the post I wrote. I linked up to the original post in the end.)
All the best in 2011!
Jami @ freckled laundry says
Such a great party idea, Rhoda. I’ve been instantly introduced to some amazing blogs! Thanks! I adore every one of your projects! Your office transformation and gallery salon wall are my favorites, inching me one step closer toward cracking open a can of Robin’s Egg Blue paint! I am certainly following you now & adding you to my roll. I’m with you on being happy to achieve what we have this year. I am amazed at how quickly some bloggers whip out fantastic projects! Happy New Year!
xoxo,
Jami
beth says
Hi Rhoda! I love all of your projects, especially the stairs, beadboard wallpaper in bathroom (I am going to HAVE to try that), and the tv cabinet makeover. Very pretty!
I’ll have to do a post on my top projects of the year. That’s a great idea. I love going back and seeing all that we have accomplished around our place in the last year. I feel like we got quite a bit done. Can’t wait for the big projects of 2011!
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas. And Happy New Year!! 🙂
Beth.