Can you believe it has officially been over a year since the words pandemic, COVID and quarantine entered your vocabulary and punctured your plans?
Raise your hand if you too dipped your big toe into the pool of project land during this past year of living out the days of passing the time in quarantine?
Anyone?
If you have been around here for any length of time…well then you already know. I have been keeping my handy man husband very busy.
So, today I thought it would be fun to round up a recap of our best home renovation projects from this past year.
Sound good to you?
Great come on in!
1. The Shiplap project that started it all.
Including…ALL the things being rearranged.
The week before Covid hit our county we had already started our very first shiplap project…on the biggest wall of our entire home.
The decision to hang shiplap on the fireplace wall led to a ripple effect of rearranging the entire first floor furniture layout…and not re-hanging Shawn’s beloved television back up, above the fireplace. You can read more about our very first shiplap project, entire first floor furniture re-arranging process along with my early thoughts of quarantine life here in this post.
2. Project “Rearrange the Room” ripple effect took place.
Over the last year, we have spent many hours puzzling at this table, eating dinner and sharing smaller holiday meals and celebrations. The memories we made are certainly different from all the years past…gently held inside the tender nooks of my heart.
I also have SO enjoyed the easy flow from the kitchen to the dining table. This new and improved furniture flow makes much more sense for our family.
I often wonder why we waited so long to flip the rooms. I think I was scared it would be a flop.
But…here is the thing to remember:
It’ can’t hurt to try something a new way.
It can only give you more options to consider.
If you don’t like the way the new way flows? Then, simply move the furniture back to the original way you had it. EASY and FREE re-decorating…nothing ventured…nothing gained.
3. The Garage became a “Bonus Room”
My husband loves his garage.
I mean, I think most men do?
So when I suggested we hang the TV that did not go back up on the wall inside…he loved the idea of hanging his TV up in his garage.
The man wasted no time implementing this project idea.
So, we joined the thousands of families across the nation who found productivity in passing the quarantine hours by purging the garage.
And then?
Shawn’s TV dreams were quickly taken over by three tiny humans who also fell in love with the new space.
Would you believe it if I told you we have a sofa where those director chairs are now?
Don’t judge. It has saved our sanity friends.
4. Home-School Room & Home Office Created.
With the dining room table now moved into what was the old family room and the sofa from the family room now moved into the front room of our house.
It left the dining room open for new beginnings.
And new beginnings were definitely unfolding.
At the end of the Summer, we made the decision to de-enroll our two youngest daughters from public school and the virtual learning platform that was offered and I opted to try my teaching hand at home-school for my very first time.
We have been using The Good & The Beautiful curriculum and I simply cannot say enough good things about our homeschool experience.
That to say…we needed a space for our daughters to work and learn and the old dining room was transformed into a space to work, think and re-set.
5. The Book Wall was born.
This little wall was therapy to my worn out heart in the Fall.
Choking on endless decision making, brushing back salty tears as I loosened my grip of Summer days and wrestling with wishes that things would be easier by now. This little project was way more than a fun DIY decorating project.
It was balm to a bending heart in need of creative refreshment. You can read all about the DIY book wall and inspiration on the unwritten pages of our own stories in this blog post.
6. The Shiplap Ceiling
This was a fun little weekend project that I was surprised that Shawn said “Yes” to!
Total aside – have you seen the movie “Yes Day” yet? So cute.
I love Jennifer Garner. She is my favorite.
You can see more pics of the Shiplap ceiling in this post.
The source info for the brackets we used along with DIY steps on how to build these floating shelves yourself for under $30 can be found in this post.
This bathroom was a HOT MESS of PINK…clearly.
It had seen it’s days of three tiny toddler girls and needed a major refresh. The details on the new vanity and more before and after pics are in this post, along with 5 ways to add peace to your life.
9. This Master Bathroom makeover was a HUGE success – thanks to painted cabinets!
Deciding to paint our bathroom cabinets and update the cabinetry hardware, faucets and mirrors was a HUGE game-changer. You can find all the details, more before and after pictures as well as all of the source info for this makeover in this post.
Before we painted the bathroom cabinets in Gray Screen by Sherwin Williams, we had tested the color out on our kitchen island and discovered that we loved it! There are more before and after pictures of the painted kitchen cabinets and painted kitchen island in this post.
Of course..shortly after we experimented with painting the kitchen island? We decided to rip the entire kitchen island out and begin our FULL DIY kitchen demo!
11. DIY Kitchen Remodel – Starting with the new hardwood floors
First thing was first..ripping out that lovely cracked ceramic tile floor…piece by piece.
We decided to gut this pantry to create a small bar area with beverage refrigerator and of course our DIY floating shelves. More B&A pics are in this post.
And soon enough…all that hard work…
(albeit, some of us had to work harder than others)
paid off…
13. NEW Kitchen!!
This post has all the deets on our DIY kitchen island remodel. But really what you need to know? My husband did an incredibly AMAZING job. He was a good sport ad he made our dream kitchen come to life.
Want a few more Before & After for the road?
Oh good.
These oldies but goodies were inspired by items left on side of the road literally – so it fits.
Remember this post about new beginnings and the piece of lattice that we turned into a vertical planter?
Remember this post and learning the lesson of “Process over Pressure” gleaned from the transforming process of re-purposing this old window?
And how about this old chair that was left out for the garbage that I decided to carry home?
Turns out?
It is worth a pretty penny.
There you have it friends.
A run-down of our best before & after projects from this last year while making the most of our extra time at home.
In some ways…it has been a busy year during a strange and slow year.
And I feel like…actually…I know..
We are still in process…aren’t we?
Tip-toeing inside this juggernaut of push and pull. Perhaps this week as your life pace has begun to pick up a little more, you too felt the familiar wave of overwhelm slowly begin to twinge and taunt you.
Here is what I know:
When the faint, yet familiar wave of overwhelm begins to recirculate, trace over and squeeze your heart…
Use that trigger as a reminder and a pathway to lead and circulate your heart rhythm back to depending on Him.
Dependency on him is the pathway to freedom from overwhelm.
Take care of your heart friend.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
isaiah 41:13 NIV
Father God,
You know all things.
You see all things.
There is nothing beyond your control.
Thank you for continuing to sustain me and remind me to seek you and rest in the right now.
Amen.
Living on a prayer,
Heather
*Photography Credit: Breanna Kuhlmann Photography
*Shopable Affiliate links are picture above at no additional cost to you.
What color are your walls in the homeschool room?💓
Hi Rebecca! The homeschool room is now my home office and is painted “Serenely” by Sherwin Williams. Before we transformed the home school room with IKEA Billy bookcases, the home school room was painted in a custom color match, which I shared the exact details of in this post about all the paint colors in our home: https://heatherkrout.com/favorite-blue-gray-paint-colors-where-they-are-in-our-home/
Hope that the post with all the paint color information helps! 🙂
Thank you! It’s beautiful!
I love how you did a roundup of your projects. Each and everyone is fabulous! I need to do that when I feel like I’m not getting anything done. Have a lovely day Heather!
xo, Linda
Aw thank you Linda!! I am so glad you enjoyed the round-up! It was fun to do and it DID make me appreciate the progress we have made over time!! Thanks for being here and commenting!! It means a lot! XO, Heather
I love working with Heather! She has been amazing as she reimagined the first level of my townhome from make-do furniture – to a bright inspiring living space. Her ingenuity and out-of-the box thinking truly give you the feeling you’re in a new home!
Thank you so much Cecilia!! You are so kind to share this word of encouragement and vote of support! I loved helping you!! XO, Heather
Heather, I also have an amazing carpenter husband, who does the “heavy” work, but I want you to know that YOU’RE job is so very, very important! A mother, wife,lover , teacher, cook, chauffeur, councilor, book keeper, secretary, so many, many positions you have! Being a stay at home mom is some of the “heaviest” work there is, not many women can do it, you are the GLUE that holds the family together.
I was a stay at home mom, my children are grown and married now, 48, 47, and 46 yrs. old now, it was the loveliest most rewarding position the Heavenly Father gave me!
Keep up the absolute great work that you, and your husband (it takes two to Tango) provide your children.
Sincerely, Terry
Hi Terry! You are so sweet to leave such a beautiful note of encouragement! Thank you so much! Your words ad descriptions really do help to identify all the things!! I am sure you have such fond and dear memories of the days when your children were young…I truly try to treasure all of these fleeting moments that I am blessed to receive.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave me this word of encouragement – your lovely supportive message touched my heart in many ways! Thank you so much!! XO, Heather
What a beautiful way to maneuver through the past year. I am loving following your life through this blog. Your faith and your family speak volumes that connect and keep me connected.❤️❤️❤️
Aw Leslie! Thank you so so much!!! I am so grateful to have connected with you. I can’t tell you how much your supportive encouragement means – thank you for sharing your feedback and continued connection! I am grateful for you!! Happy Sunday! XO, Heather
Heather,
What beautiful transformations! So glad KariAnne shared your post today.
Hi Rachel! Thank you so much for popping over from Thistlewood! I was honored to be shared on Thistlekeeping and am so grateful for your kind comment! I so appreciate you being here & stopping to say hello!! XO, Heather
Just found your blog through KariAnne and I an so glad!!! You have used your time wisely and your creativity well. Your before and afters are so inspiring and beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your home and your heart;)
Hello Maria!! Thank you so very much for stopping by and saying hello! I was thrilled to be shared by KariAnne yesterday on Thistlkeeping and so appreciate you coming over to read about a year of DIY projects!! Thank you so much for taking the time to introduce yourself – so glad you are here! XO, Heather
Heather, I have been following you on IG for a long time. I feel like we are virtual friends and I was so happy to see my sweet friend, KariAnne featured you on her Saturday post. KariAnne was the inspiration for me to start my bog and I finally got to meet her in person in October 2019. It is fun to see this circle back to you. Love your blog and you and your family!
Hi Mary!! Yes! I too feel as though we are virtual friends!! I love all that you share over on IG at Life at Bella Terra!! I love that you and I have similar connections to the wonderful KariAnne at Thistlewood too! She is just the BEST and I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and the ways she has connected me to such a supportive community that includes YOU!! Thank you so much for popping over here to check out my blog and leave such a sweet comment – it means SO much to me!! Thank you! XO, Heather
I’m so glad KariAnne shared your blog this morning!! So much gorgeousness and I love a good DIY project!!
Aw thank YOU Jennifer for coming over here from Thistlekeeping!! I was honored to be featured by KariAnne and so thankful you are here!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed the DIY project inspo! XO, Heather
Hi
I’m new to your blog. I love what you did in your dining room, mainly because I did the same thing.
We also put our dining room where our family room was and made the dining room a sitting room.
I love how much room we now have in our new DR.
Your home is beautiful.
Hi Rose!! Welcome to the blog! Thank you for coming over to take a peak and comment! It means so much! I am so happy to hear that you connected with the post and the swap of the dining room and family room! I am sure you are loving your new sitting room!! I just love re-thinking spaces and creating new ways for rooms to serve us! Thank you for your kind words! XO, Heather
You definitely have had a busy and successful year of projects! I absolutely love your bathroom transformation and the floating shelves seemed so easy and inexpensive! Great work, friend! Love it all! 👏🏻💛👏🏻
Thank you Kim!! We are all about decorating on a budget so YES we were very happy with how the floating shelves turned out too for a fraction of the cost! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words and for showing up here – I love reading your comments! XO, Heather
What an amazing year of projects! They are all amazing! We, too, have had so many projects!! Ours are still in “not completed” stages.
Loved today’s post.❤️ Happy Sunday!
Hi Leslie! I can totally relate to the “still in progress” stage – we have quite few of those going on here too! :). Trying more to enjoy the process VS drink the pressure to hurry up and get it done. Although it IS NICE to stand back and look at the progress we have made this year! Thank you for reading!!! XO, Heather