Year in Review 2012

There’s such a mix of emotions at the brink of a New Year, isn’t there?  Excitement and anticipation about what the new year will hold, and a bit reflective and thoughtful about what the past year held.

As I look through the Musings posts for 2012, not only is my exhaustion validated, but there’s a ton o’ satisfaction in the projects accomplished.

Without a doubt, my favorite client projects were both bathroom renovations, an Ensuite/Master Bath that was brought out of its 70’s funk…..

and a fun, family bathroom  that was extremely budget conscious and yet still so gorgeous.

Each with different challenges, but beautiful results.

Another bit of excitement on the career side was the 2 features in the Toronto Star online Home section this year. The first was on the Cape Cod style rooms I designed for a client last year, and the second was about the DIY projects in my own home.  If you want to read them, go here and here.  That was super exciting for me!

 
All of the projects the writer talked about in her article can be found in a Musings post, if you’d like to learn more about them (they might even be below in my faves list!). You can also always email me directly – I love hearing from you, and I especially love hearing about projects you tackled because you were inspired here!  The whole reason I write this blog is to connect with you.

Here at our casa, we still have sooo many projects on the ‘To Do’ List…..but we really got some amazing projects crossed off the list this year. Well, that sounds like there was a list to begin with, which there wasn’t. It’s more of a “so, I was thinking….” kind of conversation that starts something. Anyhoo. These are actual real projects, not just the dreamy Pinterest house I built.

Here’s my faves from 2012.

I absolutely LOVE our black interior doors on the second floor – it’s such a simple change, but every time you go upstairs, it’s a WOW.

My other favorite has to be our Master Bedroom – a complete make over, and a process that was actually many separate projects, over several months.
So in no order whatsoever, they included:

We made over some old washstands into mirror topped nightstands, and changed the bedside lamps to vintage hanging lighting.

We built a curvy linen upholstered headboard with nail head detail, and I shared a complete step by step tutorial.

The tufted, upholstered bench, from-scratch drapes, and fence gate TV wall all added to the vintage-y, elegant vibe we were creating.

The secondhand, re-vamped dressers were a lot of work, but so worth it – I loved the way the wood stained tops turned out so much.

Last but not least for the Master was the Ikea mirror makeover – this was definitely a Pinterest favorite as well!

So yes, for sure a lot of work went into creating the room we wanted – but I will tell you that every night when I get into bed, I completely love where I am.

I’m enamoured with how it looks, and how it feels, because it’s what peaceful and serene and beautiful are to me – and that’s the whole point of decorating and room design, isn’t it? Creating spaces that you love to live in.

I hope our friendship continues through 2013, and that you’ll be here for all the non-planned (and planned!) projects that we tackle. I hope that you have a wildly wonderful New Years, and that it’s just the beginning of a wildly wonderful year.

Link Parties I participate in:

Between Naps on the Porch ~ Southern Hospitality ~ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia ~ Savvy Southern Style ~ JenniferRizzo ~ SettingforFour  ~ The DIY Showoff Project Parade ~ Under the Table and Dreaming ~ Dining Design + Diapers ~ Serenity Now