Year in Review: My DIY Edition

As I looked back through all of the projects I took on for myself, I came to the realization that I don't have a single room in my house that is "finished".  I've stained, painted and created various pieces of furniture and DIY art but I have yet to take a project in my own home from start to finish.  With that in mind, one of my goals for 2012 is to knock out a couple full-on room makeovers.

Let's take a look at some of the things that happened around here in 2011.


1. After spying this diamond in the rough (Oh my god, I almost said "ruff"!  Can you tell I have too many dogs??) at my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, I took her home for some much needed TLC.  I knew that under an ugly brown faux-wood veneer, she had gobs of potential.

So I took her home where I sanded, primed and painted her a deep turquoise that brought out all the beautiful details that were previously hidden.

Now I'm thinking of doing a little (just a leeeetle) glazing and distressing to make her look aged. After all the long hours I put in painting this table, it's scary to even think about roughing up the finish I worked so hard for.  I'm still mulling this one over.

2. A couple of my favorite thrift store finds of the year include this silver dish that I found at a local Goodwill store for about a dollar.  It only needed a little help from toothpaste (I know!) and now she shines like new.

Before:

After:

The dish became an ideal jewelry holder.  It now sits atop a particle board chest that I repainted and outfitted with new hardware to create a pretty dressing area in our master closet.

3. I reorganized an area of my studio to hold office supplies and fabric samples:

The lamp was a $2.99 thrift store find that I spray painted and topped with a new, updated shade.

4. Speaking of lamps, I scored a few lovelies in 2011.....whether I had the space for them or not!

See that little green price tag on the one in front?  Yep, 5 bucks each.  In yo face!!

This brass urn lamp is just so damned fabulous.  It only needs the perfect setting for its true glory to be appreciated.

5. I also picked up this midcentury lounge chair that has new cushion covers in progress.  Confession: they've been "in progress" for about a month now.  I started them and haven't mustered up the gumption to forge ahead and complete them.  Looks like I have Goal #2 for the new year!

6. A DIY art project made from a scrap piece of plywood, some wood stain and acrylic paint. This came out a million times better than it looked in my mind.  I took a risk (for perfectionist me) by free-handing a good bit of it and thankfully it worked out!

7. I launched my professional website with a TON of help from my insanely talented designer Ellen.  Ok, she did it all!  She created a killer logo and branding that I couldn't be more proud of or more in love with. Bring on the clients!

8. I did take all the photos however, putting in many, many much-needed hours improving my photography skills.  I still have a ways to go but I'm getting there!

9. We got two new members of our family and I've begun a room makeover especially for them.

The progress of their room so far is limited to a new paint color but more changes are in store for 2012.

10. Finally and for our household the most important makeover of all belongs to this little sweetheart.  My boyfriend found her abandoned and through the efforts of an organization of amazing animal rescuers, Maddie (as she is now named) got the very best "after" of all. 

Before:

As we found her

After:

With her new BFF, Milo (another rescue dog saved by her new family) who she follows absolutely everywhere.  Aww, tears!

2011 has been a busy year, with its share of change and turmoil as I came to the realization that starting a design business of my own was the only thing that would make me truly happy in my career. I was fortunate enough to land a wonderful client and we achieved our goal of having her family room completed in time for the holidays.  This experience was absolutely the high point of the year for me professionally.

I'm working hard to keep this momentum going with more new and fabulous clients, focusing on increasing my e-design clientele and hopefully getting published.  I've got a whole mess of other goals planned within an inch of their lives for 2012.  I'll be sharing some of them with you all next week.

So those are some of the goings-on of my year.  What are some of yours?  A new addition to your family, job changes, achieving a milestone?  I'd love to hear all about it!