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As the year is winding down, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the best things that happened in 2011.  Today, I’m going to share my favorite projects we tackled in our home.  I did a lot of projects and makeovers, but I sold most of them, so I really enjoy projects I get to do in my own home.  We’re almost done with two that have been a long time in the making, but until those are finished, my favorite makeovers happened in the kitchen and family room.

I was itching to paint these cabinets from the day we bought this house five years ago.  It was a happy day when I finally got the “thumbs-up” from hubby and the courage to tackle the 52 cabinet doors.

…and what a difference.  It was totally worth all of the hard work.

 

 

I also love the changes we made in the family room.  We swapped out pale yellow walls for pale blue (Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore) and I made new drapes out of discount indoor/outdoor fabric from fabric.com.

 

 

We also recently ripped out our fireplace and found a perfect vintage buffet to anchor a flat screen TV.  The space is much more functional now and it looks so much better.

 

 

These spaces are *almost* where I want them and will look even better when we install hardwood floors in a few months.  (Notice I didn’t say the rooms will be finished when we install hardwood floors…)

More favorites to come…

I’m sharing this over at Home Stories A to Z Favorites of 2011 party.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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26 Responses

  1. Nothing like white kitchen cabinets to brighten a room! I would love to see more pics of your sofa in the living room. I purchased and antique fold out sofa at an auction and haven’t refurbished it yet, looks pretty similar. Any pointers?

  2. So fabulous!! We are wanting to install hardwood floors as well!! Can’t wait!!
    Love your kitchen cabinets!! I have yet to do mine…need courage and time! Ha!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  3. I have loved seeing all the transformations you’ve done this year, completed or not. The kitchen cabinets definitely make a huge impact and I just love the colors in your family room now!

  4. I love the changes you’ve made! And, I’m so happy you had a chance to do something that stayed in your home 🙂 My favorite are your drapes–those are my colors, so I guess I’m a little biased. Happy New Year!

  5. I love your rooms so much, so very much. Do you have a second fireplace that you use, though? It just seems like you might need the coziness up there in PA!

  6. I am so glad that I found your blog this year! I love how you have decorated your home and I really enjoy following your projects. Good luck in 2012.

  7. A lot accomplished this year for sure. Very proud for you… we just moved in a new (older)
    home and I also tackled a kitchen this year. Love the way it turned out. It’s nice to look back at
    what all was updated this year. We can all pat ourselves on the back … now what else can we
    change?

    Diana

  8. OMG I love Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore. Our pale yellow looked puke-like in the various light and we painted the living room, dining room and kitchen Glass Slipper (open concept) and it is always gorgeous no matter what the lighting is! Love it.

  9. The hardwood will look perfect in your living room! We recently completed that task – what a difference it makes. Great job on the kitchen cabinets! I am planning to paint mine as well – 56 total. Lots of work – any tips?? (going from natural oak to white)

  10. Love your projects!!! You cabinets are amazing….I really want to do mine!! Could you share the process you used to paint them white. I keep hearing horror stories of the paint peeling or chipping, and keep avoiding it because of that!

  11. Wonderful projects and I totally envy you your wonderful kitchen space, especially all painted white and beautiful like that.
    Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2012.

  12. Great inspiration! And a beautiful home, too. You are truly a talented woman and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2012. Happy New Year!

  13. I know I’m late commenting on this–I just wanted to mention, when we moved into our current house, we also got rid of a fireplace. It sounds horrible to do, but it wasn’t pretty or in-scale, plus in FL how much would it really get used? I really would like to paint our kitchen cabinets, but we have our eye on trying to sell later this year, so I don’t know if I’d get the benefit…? Happy New Year!

  14. I am looking at re-doing my kitchen cabinets as well. Love the white. Can you tell me what products you used and any pointers. Your kitchen looks awesome.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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