DIY projects

Looking back: 2012 DIY recap

As a DIY’er, I’m always taking a look at what’s not finished, what needs work and planning my next project. But at the end of the year, I love looking back and reflecting on everything we did accomplish. 2012 was a busy year! Here is a recap of some of my DIY. {Warning: This is long. Who knew? Some of these feel like a lot longer than the past year.}

First and foremost…whether you’re a long time DIY Show Off reader or it’s your first visit…welcome! And THANK YOU for your support and encouragement in 2012. 2013 will be my 6th year of blogging and I’m looking forward to many more years!

January – a DIY dressing room reveal with ideas for organization

dressing room

 a stairway/landing makeover

after {now} and all dressed up for Christmas…

stair landing Christmas time

February: vintage inspired craft room reveal

vintage craft room

Reading nook and living room updates…we’ve since installed new distressed wide plank bamboo flooring.

gallery wall, thrift store wall art, console table, stair wall, living room

blue Valentine DIY decorative accents

fun wood block accent tutorial

March: a painted foam puzzle playmat

painted foam playmat, rustic vintage restaurant sign, do it yourself, tutorial painted rug

a tissue paper pouf wreath

tissue paper wreath

 a DIY canvas table runner

clock theme dining room

Easter decorating DIY

 Easter, decor, do it yourself, faux chocolate bar sign, wood sign, centerpiece

DIY peacock feather triptych

April: easy DIY baseboard tutorial

DAP Dyna Flex baseboard caulking tutorial

and talking about chandeliers

repurposed coffee table

May: Styrofoam convex mirror tutorial

DIY convex mirror tutorial

opening the pool at mom’s! I shared my mom’s idea for hanging beach towels…a DIY beach towel rack from large double curtain rod.

curtain rod towel bar

In June, I found some “before” kitchen pictures and shared our kitchen makeover in reverse…

now…

farmhouse kitchen

{more of our eclectic farmhouse kitchen details}

before…

farmhouse kitchen before

The Haven conference was definitely a 2012 highlight: my favorite topics {DIY and decorating} and meeting others I’ve “known” who share my love of DIY and blogging…who’s going this year? This girl right here!

Haven 2012 swag bag

July – I had the pleasure of hosting the Pittsburgh I LOVE Thrifting Day for the 2nd year! An opportunity for my favorite past time: spending time with my girls and family, thrift store shopping and meeting local blog friends.

DIY Show Off #ilovethrifting

August: DIY distressed chevron sign {wood plank}…

garden sign

headboard door pediment

DIY repurposed headboard

Summer & Fall 2012:

before

 apartment walls before

Apartment renovation – I took on renovating a tiny three room apartment from minor cosmetic to interior decorating. From refinishing floors, lots of clean up and painting, a budget friendly bathroom makeover and tons of DIY thrifty decorating fun! While meant to be a summer project, it’s turned out to take a little more time. I don’t mind. You know I love working, DIY and decorating. I will be taking final photos this week and sharing the reveal in the next few days! So exciting! But here are some projects related to renovating and decorating the tiny apartment that I did have a chance to share…

after

Tiffany & Co. spray painted steamer trunk

bathroom floor before

bathroom makeover - before

bathroom floor after {tips for tiling}

Daltile Carrara ceramic tile

See all things related to the apartment renovation here! Reveal and more project updates coming soon.

herringbone accent wall

Rustoleum Countertop Transformations:

Rustoleum Countertop Transformations before and after

Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations/painting kitchen cabinets:

before

apartment kitchen before

after

Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations pure white

September: rustic DIY sign tutorial

distress sign tutorial at DIY Show Off

a kitchen bar makeover. An outdated kitchen bar set gets a new look for a tiny eat in apartment kitchen.kitchen island makeover

October: A little behind the scenes of the DIY Show Off blog. {more of my blogging story and the “real” life behind blogging…not as glamorous as it look!}

life of a blogger quote

November: how to turn a coffee table into an upholstered ottoman.

DIY upholstered tufted ottoman

Decembersitting room mini-makeover.

and a little motivation with colorful Christmas decorating to get the family room makeover going in 2013…

colorful eclectic Christmas

Coming up in 2013? It’s a little ambitious, but here’s a look at my DIY wish list:

  • family room renovation – time to get this eclectic room done! I’m considering making it a bit of a craft space as well. Current craft space is a bit jam packed and upstairs. Who needs a family room right next to a living room anyway?
  • front door and front entryway – I long for a front door, a beautiful welcoming front entry for welcoming guests.
  • pantry and kitchen island – these were meant for 2012 but never started.
  • laundry room makeover – I have the ugliest laundry room on the planet. When we moved in, I relocated it from the scary spidery basement to the first floor. That’s all I can say.
  • bathrooms…I have 2 upstairs that need renovated. Huge embarrassing bathroom spaces. I’m ready for a dream bathroom, relaxing cottage style.
  • master bedroom…always last on the DIY priority list, but maybe ’13 will be the lucky year. ?
  • Not DIY…rescuing a dog (working from home = little socialization and missing the company of our doxie).
  • Haven 2013! Bring it on!
  • Working on some blog design and layout changes as well. Toying with the idea of a new lifestyle blog (with DIY here of course) but thoughts of keeping up with two blogs is sort of scary!

Want to see more DIY?

Would you be interested in DIY Show Off continuing the annual yearly “looking back” linky party? In the past, it’s run the first week of January.

Like what you see? Stay up-to-date in 2013…
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