2013 was an incredibly productive and memorable year for projects around my home.
I truly enjoyed transforming the house into a space that feels like home. So many updates, makeovers and small projects came together throughout the year that summarizing everything in a single post felt overwhelming. Instead, I’m sharing highlights from several rooms and areas so you can get a clear sense of the year’s progress without getting bogged down in every detail.
This post focuses on the kitchen, entry and backyard in bite-sized segments. I’ll follow up with more rooms and projects in a second post. You can find PART TWO here on my site for the remaining updates.
If you’re new here or missed some posts over the holidays, you might enjoy reading my recent account of the imperfect journey toward a dream home, where I share both the wins and the real challenges that came up along the way.
Below are highlights of my favorite kitchen, entry/hall and backyard projects from 2013, along with a few crafty moments I loved.
Two favorites from the year:
I enjoyed creating a DIY bottle lamp and designing a map wallpaper feature. Both projects were fun to make and gave the rooms real personality.
Entry updates:
This year the entry received attention with a thrift-store dresser find that became a welcoming focal point, seasonal fall styling, and a broader entry makeover that helped the space feel more organized and inviting.
Crafty moments I enjoyed:
Some smaller projects brought charm and personality throughout the year: a felt heart garland for the mantel, delicate teacup gardens, book page art, and a handmade pillow inspired by a favorite store. These little creative touches helped make the house feel lived-in and loved.
Garage and backyard projects:
Outdoor and garage improvements included a teacart plant stand, a simple DIY firepit for cozy evenings, pegboard tool organization to tame the workspace, and progress on a pea-gravel patio to make the backyard more usable and attractive.
The kitchen — the biggest project of the year:
The kitchen remodel was a major focus and one of the most rewarding projects. Along with the reveal, I shared updates on the pantry organization, a DIY island makeover using unfinished furniture, and having the trim professionally painted to pull the look together.
I also created a coffee station to make mornings easier, and I focused on bringing warmth and texture into the kitchen by styling everyday items like wooden spoons and display dishes.
Styling open shelves:
I had fun arranging open shelves with colorful and white dishes, adding cookbooks, and experimenting with display combinations that balance function and beauty. These styling moments helped the kitchen reflect a personal, lived-in style.
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You can read PART TWO of the house projects to see the rest of the makeovers and updates from 2013.
Thank you for visiting — your support and friendship mean so much to me.
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!
I’ll be back soon with more highlights from other room makeovers, favorite recipes, puppy stories and other things I didn’t fit into this post.
Want to get your house more organized this year? I also shared a roundup of my top home organization tips from the year and my four daily routines for keeping the house clean enough. I’ll continue posting organizing and decorating ideas in the new year as I work on more projects around the home.