Favorite DIYs of 2018 and to do's for 2019
January 08, 2019
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Hello there! The holiday decor has been packed away (most of it anyway...) and I'm dreaming up DIY plans for this year. I'm ready to get my hands on my tools again and start creating in our home. I always miss it after a few weeks "off" at the end of the year.
Today I'm sharing my plans for this year, but I wanted to look back on last year as well. We moved into this house in fall of 2017 and then I was slowed down by a back injury. It wasn't until around April of last year that I felt like myself again. Because of that, I'm especially proud of what I was able to accomplish.
The powder room makeover was the first full room redo and it was one that made this house really feel like home. It has everything I love -- wood and brass, board and batten on the walls and the lovely contrast of the peel and stick wallpaper:
I finally tackled the basic IKEA dressers/nightstands we've had for years. I used a mix of stain and paint to finish them for our master bedroom:
The simple $15 update I made in the foyer is still one of my favorites because it still feels so fresh!:
I got a ton done in our family/great room this year! I'm so happy with this space so far. I painted the tall fireplace (that was scary), built the bookcases on each side, and then built the simple picture ledges under the staircase:
So many of my favorite projects involve stain -- I just love the warmth it adds to our home! This DIY wood staircase wall was a copy from our last house, but I love this one even more!:
The warm wood accents struck again in our master bedroom when we added faux beams around the tray ceiling. The warm gray color, stained wood and brass light fixture make our ceiling a beautiful focal point in this room!:
And finally, another favorite (I know, I say that about all of them). I worked hard in the morning room later in the year to update it with dark walls, a window seat build and adding the built ins on either side of the windows:
It's such a pretty spot in our home and I just love it! (**See how this room looks now here!)
Now onto the plans for this year! I had hoped to do this first one already, but I'm determined to get it done before this fall. That back wall in my office will be covered with built ins and I cannot wait!:
I plan to copy our wall of DIY built ins in the last house very closely. I'm excited to get started on this one!! (**I finished this one -- see the bookcase reveal here.)
I have a few smaller projects planned and perhaps a couple bigger ones in our kitchen:
They are all additions that will continue to warm up the space and add more character. One of the bigger projects is this one that I told you about last year. I think it will make such a big difference in here and will be functional as well. (**I completed a bunch of the projects! Go here to see.)
This next one is a smaller project as far as size, but I'm hesitating because I'm so intimidated. I plan to wallpaper this small hallway with some beautiful wallpaper I bought last year:
I was going to use it in the morning room, but decided against it because it was going to get really busy. I think having it as an accent in this smaller area will be lovely! But I don't think I could have picked a harder space to wallpaper. Ha! 😳 (You can see how to hang a light fixture from a recessed light here.) **See the reveal of this sweet little hallway here!
The BIG project this year (other than the built ins in the office) will hopefully be our kitchenette in the basement. We carved out a spot for one in our old basement and in this house we are lucky to have a dedicated space for it. To save money, we decided to hold off on it and do it ourselves. I knew I'd want more time to decide on finishes anyway:
You can see how I made that farmhouse table/IKEA hack here! It's currently covered in Lego sets. ;)
The layout is pretty much set, but I need to figure out the details as far as colors and tile -- stuff like that. As you can see, I had the builder keep the carpet out of this space to save us some work later. I'm really, really excited about this project! We use our basement a lot so this will be a wonderful addition.
I got a ton done in this newish house last year, and I have a good feeling about what I'll accomplish this year too! I'm looking forward to sharing the process with you all. Thanks so much for following along with me! :)
In your $15 foyer update did that include the new crown molding? Did you do that yourself or hire out. Crown is always something I'm intimidated with and it is the cherry in top of the wall treatment that makes it look awesome.
ReplyDeleteYes we ended up adding that too -- crown is hard BUT once you get it down it's not too bad. I wrote about it here, https://www.thriftydecorchick.com/2011/01/before-and-after-party-installing-crown.html.
DeleteIf you try it, keep samples and label them so you can use reference them later. It helps a ton!
I love everything you've done already, and can't wait to follow along in 2019 as you continue to customize your amazing house!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you do in 2019. You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHello! I just discovered you on Pinterest! I love your style and your home is beautiful ❤️ Could I bother you and ask where you purchased the round wall decor that looks like a doily? I am smitten��
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I got that from HomeGoods!
DeleteThe art was from HomeGoods. :) The floors are hardwoods -- Diamond Living brand in auburn.
ReplyDelete