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.
Victoria@Whimsy by Victoria says
Rhoda, many great projects you accomplished this year!! Loving your staircase and that pretty office you did! On to a new year and many more great projects ahead!! Wishing you a very Happy New Year! Thank you for hosting…off to see many other great top projects.
Hugs and love friend,
Victoria
Mary @ SailingSimply says
You have been really busy yourself! I love your stairway transformation. What a beautiful change! I also really like your back deck changes too. I really need to do that! Thanks for hosting such a enjoyable party!
Fran n VA says
Love your blog. Great ideas. Does anyone have a good blog /website on how to make curtains? I have a couple of rooms that need the “designer” look curtains. Thanks. Happy New Year to all…..
Teresa says
Thank you for hosting this party and Happy New Year.
Beth @ Free Stylin' says
I’m a little late to the party! 🙂 Thanks so much for hosting!! This is my first year blogging, and what a blast it’s been. 🙂
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode says
Rhoda, what fun to see all your projects on one post. You’ve been a busy bee this year. Can’t wait to see what’s up your sleeve in 2011. Happy New Year!
Valerie
Alice A says
Happy New Year, Rhoda,
Wow, you got some major projects done, I would say…. (those stairs had to have been a killer!) thanks for this linky party… it will take me at least another week to go thru all of them… but what fun!
Just a minor request… it may be my computer won’t let me see them- but everytime I go to your blog list…. none appear on the page. In the past I have used this as shortcut to visit these, and I wonder what’s wrong. Maybe it is something you will be able to fix on your end…. in any event, thought I would give you a “heads up”
Best wishes for the happiest new year ever !
Kat says
Hi Rhoda!
It’s always fun to stop by and see what you’ve been up to.
I hope your Christmas was wonderful. Ours sure was.
Happy New Year!
Much love and big hugs,
Kat
Mama Zen says
That aqua table is just gorgeous!
colette says
Love that back patio! The kitchen chairs are pretty great too!
Nancy says
You’re amazing! I love your work. I am a new follower and I hope you will visit me too. I have referenced your site on my blog “best of 2010”.
Have a great New Year!
Nancy
Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
Such a great look at all you accomplished this year! Happy New Year!
Roeshel@the DIY Show Off says
Wow – busy girl! You’ve accomplished so much in 1 year! The stairs are my favorite – your hard work and creativity and style = awesome!
Happy New Year, Rhoda!
Leanne says
Thanks for this fun recap. I love your stairs! Happy New Year and I’m excited to see what you have for next year.
Roberta says
Wow…found your blog via Censational Girl’s blogspot and love this link party. It was hard to choose just one project a month but I did it and now I’m going to enjoy my day off tomorrow reading all the links. Thanks for hosting and hope you have a Happy New Year, fondly, Roberta
Amanda @ House Revivals says
Hi Rhoda! Thanks for hosting a 2010 favorites party! I just linked up, and am a new follower.
~Amanda
erin m. says
So many amazing projects! I am totally inspired 🙂
Carla Marie says
Hi Rhonda, I’m so inspired by all of these projects! Also, thanks for the comments you left on our blog, I thought it was very cool you visited our blog since I have been reading yours for so long now 🙂 Can’t wait to read through more of your posts! Gosh, that table with the frames and birdcage is AMAZING!