So, 2011 is coming to a close.
As is tradition, here’s a roundup of the projects and memorable moments from the past year. It’s been a busy and rewarding twelve months filled with home updates, travel, family life and a few surprises along the way.
January
January began with a tour of the rooms that still had the very pink, flesh-toned paint I jokingly called “swine” colored walls. Looking back at those before photos makes me grateful for the changes we made. Early in the year we had an unfortunate paint mishap that set us back briefly, but we pushed on and updated a number of paint colors around the house. One of the highlights was a bathroom refresh where we chose a bold, bright color that made me laugh — and then added faux board and batten to give it a more finished look. The completed bathroom reveal will appear in January.
A sneak peek of the bathroom.
January also included my annual trip to Nashville for Blissdom, where I connected with many talented home bloggers. While I enjoyed the experience, I decided to spend more intentional months at home this coming year after a busy travel schedule in 2011.
Old light fixture
After: new lantern
February
February brought a favorite update: a new dining room lantern. It transformed the space and remains one of my most-loved changes.
March
March highlighted the ongoing evolution of the dining room with “before and so far” photos. By June we added new recycled curtains that refreshed the look and continue to hang there. March also saw the arrival of a new dishwasher, a small but joyful improvement.
April
April focused on organization and community. I shared how I organize the kitchen and everyday papers, and also gave a behind-the-scenes look at our efforts to relocate and redesign our little startup church into a coffee-shop style space. That building project later received an update in September.
That month I launched two new sections on the blog — Room Tours and DIY — which allowed me to showcase other bloggers’ rooms and projects. I also ordered affordable, stylish chairs for the dining room that have worked wonderfully so far.
May
May included a cross-country trip to New York that was both a family getaway and a professional opportunity. I had a memorable time with my mom, daughter and sister, and even met Nate Berkus and Kate in Soho — an unexpected and fun experience. At the end of the month I picked up a new pillow that inspired a small seasonal refresh.
June–July
Summer began with a small backyard makeover that included a family-friendly fire pit we all enjoy. I traveled to Utah for the EVO conference, which was both fun and restorative. I also painted a wooden pallet bright yellow and turned it into a small privacy screen and planter for the yard — a simple weekend project that still delights.
July brought an energetic addition to our family: a Goldendoodle puppy named Jack, who quickly became a source of mischief and joy. That month also included a very serious scare when my daughter faced a life-threatening emergency; we are incredibly grateful she recovered and safe now.
August
August featured small outdoor projects like a potting table garden and a miniature tabletop fairy garden. My husband and I also escaped to the San Juan Islands for a brief getaway, where I shared some of the charming local architecture.
September
September brought progress updates for several outdoor rooms. Simple, affordable updates refreshed those spaces and made them more welcoming for everyday use.
October
October is always full: I ran my annual 31-day series with fall and holiday inspiration, and I finished an ebook titled “NOT a DIY Diva” that launched that month. I also traveled for a restorative break on Hilton Head Island with friends and later attended the Relevant conference — another busy but rewarding month.
November
November brought thoughtful posts about perfectionism and finding contentment in the home and life you have. I was delighted that a spontaneous mantel idea was featured in Cottages & Bungalows magazine. That month was extra special as both of my daughters launched their own blogs — a proud moment for our family.
December
December was full of holiday decorating: the Christmas house tour, an updated striped wall in the entry, mantel styling and new light fixtures. Of course, the season included typical holiday chaos — including the unfortunate episode when Jack used the Christmas tree as a bathroom — and a joyful unraveling of parties, decorations and family moments.
The entry updates, including the stripes, mantel and new fixtures, will be featured soon.
Overall, 2011 was a year of creative progress and personal growth. The blog continues to evolve, and I remain grateful for the community that reads and encourages me. I’m looking forward to 2012, which already promises many before-and-after projects, more home updates, and plenty of everyday life to share.
Thank you to everyone who read and supported The Inspired Room this year. You make this so much more fun.
What’s coming in 2012? Lots of home projects in planning stages, many in progress now, and several ready to share. Expect plenty of before-and-afters and progress reports from my home.
For now, I’m planning a cozy rest by the fire.