While everyone else is organizing and freshening their homes for the remainder of the winter, I’m still in the thick of decorating for Christmas. I have to work a year ahead in my freelance writing and I have to do it while the fresh tree is still alive and the Christmas stuff is out. I’m making a final push to finish all of my projects, so the tree can come down and I can move on!
Since the only stuff I have to share is soooo last month, I thought I would share the big changes I made in my home this year, all gathered together in one post.
I’m surprised at how much my home has changed in a year. All of the before pictures were taken around January of last year. Here we go!
The dining room before…
…and now.
The living room before…
…and now.
The guest room before…
…and now.
My bed (the room isn’t quite finished, yet) before…
…and now.
Whew. I get tired just looking at all of the painting, sewing, refinishing and upholstering I did.
But there’s lots more to come. The projects on the list for this year are…
We’re working on our home office, which is a very awkward space. It basically became a glorified hallway when the 1940’s kitchen was removed and the addition was put on. We’re putting built-ins around the window with a wonderful chippy farm table between them as a desk.
A bench, bead board, hooks and a shelf are going on my two tone wall (that’s painted with chalkboard paint above.) The room will be much prettier and more functional. Can’t wait for this, too!
I’ll keep plugging away at my master bedroom and I’m sure it’ll be finished sometime this year. The kitchen and family room are still on my makeover wish list, but those have to wait until we reach some personal financial goals. Once those are met, I am getting new counters, floors, appliances, everything. I really can’t wait for that one! It’s where we spend the most time and it’s the space I like the least right now. The good thing is that the bones are great. It just needs some cosmetic changes to get it all to my liking. Hope you’ll come along for the ride!
Furniture Friday will be back this week and will post at the usual time – 10:00 pm EST Thursday night. Get your posts ready to share!
57 Responses
the living room has to be my favorite change!
but everything is beautiful. you can tell you work hard and love what you do!!
oh!…. and i can't wait to see your new spaces!! yay! so exciting!
So very beautiful! I'm about to copy your dining room table – If I can find the energy and the time!
-Trish
Wonderful improvements!
Theresa
aka:tot
I'm loving the guest room….that red really pops!
Sherry@Back2Vintage
Your room makeovers are outstanding. So much lighter and brighter after. I love your style! Looking forward to seeing what you do in 2011~
Whew!!! You have really worked hard and everything looks beautiful.I'm looking forward to seeing the bathroom redo.It must be kinda weird working a year in advance. I have trouble in real time!
Such amazing projects! I am reeeeeally looking forward to seeing what you do in 2011!!
love your work but i do get concerned if you ever sleep;).the white paint in living room really seemed to be the bigest change. also like the red in the guest room. i adore your new dining room set. its not my personal style but i so like it. the thing is i have followed you and i know this is just the tip of the iceberg. bless you and your family for 2011
Lovely makeovers, everything is so light and airy. Can't wait to see the bedroom finished!
Marianne
You have been a BUSY girl! Everything is just gorgeous and I can't believe the transformations! I don't know which is my favorite cos' I love them all!!
Can't wait to see your creations in 2011!
Lou Cinda
You definitely "opened" up that living room visually with the paint/color changes. Always amazes me what color can do.
Brenda
Love all those white rooms! great improvements! judy
Wow! You HAVE been busy!
You were definitely one busy lady in 2010 and just look at your list for 2011. I hope I catch your burst of energy.
What a difference colors can make? Everything looks just gorgeous. I can't wait to see your finished projects. No pressure or anything:)
Wow, you were busy. I love the white and blue hues. Everything looks great.
everything is beautiful, of course…and you can definitely tell that a) your either got a new camera (can't remember if you did), b) got a new lens (which i know you did) and c) your photography/use of light/editing skills have greatly improved! (or maybe you just weren't that interested in it last year?)
wow, pretty house. i can't wait to have a house. 🙂
thanks for sharing your life! i love following!
You won the True Value thingy? That's fantastic!!! What are you doing with the window to nowhere?? LOL
will def. go along for the ride to see the projects that you complete!!
Wow, you've had quite the busy year. Your home beautiful! All that hard work sure does pay off.
I LOVE the curtains everywhere and ADORE the living room mirror. You are one hard-working woman!
I, for one, love the new looks in the rooms you went with a 'white' look. I enjoy your site and love coming here 🙂 Happy New Year!!
what beautiful transformations! Can't wait to see what you have in store for 2011! happy new year!
Love your house. The colors you have chosen are wonderful!
What a lovely home. I love all of your make overs.
I love your style. It's so welcoming! But I got to say, I love the fact that your house is a work in progress. I saw your living room and thought "no way can I ever have a house like that". It's good to see it's a process, even for super talented people like you! 🙂 THANKS!
Wow! You got a lot done last year!
Great transformations!
Hi Marian. FIY ~ I just sent you an email. The changes you made the year are really awe inspiring. Love them and I'm looking forward the the office/hall makeover and the bath redo this year. Congratulations on all the media attention and work you've been receiving and taking on.
Hugs…Tracy 🙂
Wow, you did such a nice job on each and every project! Doesn't it feel good to look back on all that you accomplished? Thanks for sharing your tips and finds with us!
I love everything you have done, but I am totally inspired to replace my window treatments. I love your new curtains. And of course the dining room furniture is to die for.
Those are amazing changes! Your livingroom just floors me! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful transformations (And information) I always feel inspired each time I visit but never comment. Just wanted you to know. Vanna
The living and dining room transformations are stunning. You are amazing, simply amazing!
I can't believe how much you have been able to do; I'm so impressed! I'm looking forward seeing the final touches to the master bedroom :o)
Love the new look of your dining room and living room!
Blessings,
Linda
HOLY CATS! So, when does your show on HGTV start…when does your book come out???!!! You're amazing!
m ^..^
Change is good! I love what you've done!
Marian, only one word comes to mind when I see what you've accomplished over the past year – AMAZING! Love it all!
Amazingly gorgeous. I love the color sand window treatments You are inspiring. -K
All the rooms look like magazine worthy, awesome job..
Wow! I just love your make-overs! looking forward to seeing more.. take care, Maryann
I love your "afters"!! Simply stunning! Especially the dining room…that is my fav!!
I need to re-do my master, guestroom and master bath. Sigh! I just can't settle on a color. I tried one color and it just isn't working. So, back to the drawing board.
Hugs
SueAnn
I love them all! but how do you find the time? I just wish I didn't have a "real" job…..oh the things we could do. Please tell me this is your full time job?….I'm jsut a little jealous.
Your home is so pretty and I love your style!
I am sure you know this, but I always throw it out there- for your kitchen update consider hitting a architectural salvage place like my own fave Green Demolitions or Habitat for Humanity Restore
If you've seen my blog on what we did to this house with the help of salvage… well you know what a fan I am:
http://solongfarm.blogspot.com/2010/09/pssst-i-have-secret-to-share.html
http://solongfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/butlers-pantry.html
I love seeing everything you've done. We're definitely DIYers around the home here, too, and seeing how your rooms have changed is great inspiration. Thanks! Oh, and I love ♥ that snowflake!
Breathtaking. The infusion of color into the dining room blows me away. Good for you for not being afraid of color! 🙂 Also, the ironstone platters over the bed make me swoon. I, too, like the ones that are all crazed and discolored. They are much more interesting!
Your home is lovely, and I continue to adore your blog.
Amy
I lover your living and dining room transformations. Thanks for the inspiration!
– Emily
I love your living and dining room transformations. Thanks for the inspiration!
– Emily
What great work!! I love everything you did especially the wood on the horizontal in the bedroom! Just fabulous! You have such a great eye for design!! Great work – can't wait to see the rest of the house!!
xx-Gina
amazing! I love how even just the curtain changes made such a huge difference in the two rooms. Excited to see what you do this year too! 🙂
It's okay to still have your Christmas decorations up. This is Christmas eve in Russia. Tomorrow, Jan 7, the whole Orthodox world will be celebrating the birth of Christ! Enjoy!!
Amazing what you can get done in a year! I am so inspired by all your hard work.
Great post, I love everything you've done with your home this year! Beautiful work! 🙂
I LOVE the afters. Do you have a tutorial on how you did the curtain behind your bed? I would love to "borrow" that idea from you. So inspiring ~ Deanna
Wha ha ho! Are you kidding me! You were busy this year. Those afters are pretty spectacular!
The rooms look gorgeous. And I used that exact fabulous fabric in your dining & living rooms in my library! Love it!
Wow is all I can say. Your rooms were beautiful before… but…Wow!! Now they are GORGEOUS and loaded with oodles and oodles of charm. 🙂
~Crystal