Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a 2008 Top 10 Projects Party today! As I was looking back through my blog I was very shocked to see how much I accomplished last year! It was hard to pick my top 10 but I did and here they are in no particular order:
#1 This blue china cabinet above was one of my big makeover projects. I bought it at a thrift store for $49 and I had originally painted it white but quickly realized I didn't like it. I took a chance that it would look better painted a gray-blue and now I love it! You can see the before pictures and also what it looked like painted white by clicking here.
#2 Ahhh the armoire...my most famous project! This armoire made me a prime-time star! No, not really but I was on HGTV's Rate my Space because of this armoire! This piece of furniture will always hold a special place in my heart because of that! What a dream-come-true to be on HGTV!!! It looks like my episode is still airing in Feb. and March, click here for the schedule. To see what the armoire looked like before I painted it, click here!
#3 Another big project last year was my dining room table and chairs! I actually painted two dining room tables last year! When I found this one I sold the other one. I bought this set at the Salvation Army. It was originally $300 but I waited and it finally went on sale for $175. To see the before pictures of this , click here. I also added some rose appliques to to the top of the chairs and recovered the seats.
#4 I also painted my kitchen (cabinet and walls) in 2008. This was a huge project but well worth it! To see the really ugly before pictures, click here.
#5 Another huge project...painting the hutch. I really can't believe I did ALL of this last year but I did! I bought this off of craigslist for $125. I first painted it all white but then later in the year painted the back of it a light blue. That made a huge difference! Click here to see the "before" pictures.
#6 Here's a smaller project. This chandelier was also bought off of craigslist I paid $65, they were asking $80! I decided to paint it white and hang it in my bedroom. You can see the "before" picture by clicking here. 
#7 This birdcage was another deal I couldn't pass up! I found this at the thrift store for $9.99!!! All I had to do is paint it white and add a little "Rub N Buff" to give it a shabby chic look! I love this birdcage. Click here to see the "before" picture and poor Beau in the cage!
#8 The shell wreath, not really a makeover project but I loved this wreath. I donated this to the Nie Recovery Auction . You can see how I made it by clicking here.
#9 Here is another small project. I bought this cute picnic basket at the thrift store and painted in green and then white-washed it. Click here to see how I did it.
#10 Fixing up my very small backyard patio has been an ongoing project since I moved into my place almost 5 years ago. Little by little I've added plants, and patio furniture and over time it's evolved into a nice little retreat. It seems like every summer my patio looks a little nicer as the plants begin to mature. I wish I had taken a "before" photo of what it looked like when I moved in. It was almost bare. I think there were two small plants back there. I'm looking forward to this summer, most of my projects should be done and I will have more time to relax on my patio.I hope you enjoyed my top 10 projects of 2008. Please be sure to stop by Rhoda's blog to see all the other bloggers participating in this party!
70 comments:
What a year filled with LOVELY projects!! I especially LOVE the Dining Room Table and Chairs...and the Hutch!!!
All lovely projects but I really love the shell wreath! Maybe I'll use some shells this summer. You were a busy bee last year and I'm sure you'll be just as busy this year!
Manuela
I am swooning over all of your redos. You have been my inspiration to paint my hutch. I am not quite there yet...but it will be in my before/after of '09. :)
I loved seeing all of your projects. You are so creative and talented! I'm always amazed by what you come up with. Thanks! :-)
Cindy,
I have enjoyed reading your blog for quite awhile now, and even though you have already received this award from another sweet lady, I wanted to ALSO give it to you. Even though you have already received it, I would love it if you would go over to my blog and read my tribute to you. You have been such an inspiration to me and I am sure to others too by the way you have chosen to live your life, and I just wanted to express the reason why.
Blessings on your day today!
Kymber
Amazing transformations~well done!
A lovely year and lovely projects, Cindy. Everything is perfect and my favorite ? THE HUTCH....
you've inspired me to make a "to do" list for 2009...also a "honey do" list for the hubby. ;~)
I also recall a really cute laundry basket being created. Wasn't that one of your creations I'm thinking of?
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas and inspiration!!
~B
Good morning Cindy :)
Your projects always turn out amazing, but I think your kitchen has the most wow factor. Great job turning it from blah to beautiful!!
hugs,
rue
Hi, Cindy, thank goodness Mr. Linky cooperated & now we can get the party rolling. You've been SO busy, girl with all your projects. I think we both did a lot of painting & thrifting last year. I've been getting a lot of Google hits lately on Painting furniture Black & my blog was first & yours was right under there, LOL!
LOVE all your projects, you and I both think alike on getting things done on a budget. Your chandy in your room is just gorgeous.
You have been a busy girl! Everything looks so wonderful. Wanna come to my house and play now? :)
Wonderful makeovers of 2008 post, Cindy. So much beautful inspiration!! Thanks!
The kitchen makeover is fantastic - perhaps you've motivated me to get on my tiny little kitchen!!
You were indeed a very busy woman! I so admire your industriousness (not to mention your talent). I can't accomplish a tenth of what you do & I don't work outside my home. Way to make me feel bad! ;o)
Congrats on the HGTV! That's fantastic, and I love how you have transformed all of those pieces of furniture. That blue-gray color was a good choice.
Katie
You have done a beautiful job Cindy. I love your old country french dinning room set (the one your sold). I would like something like that for my kitchen. Not long after I discovered blogging, I discovered a formal caned french set just like the one you have now at our salvation army store. I think it came with a sideboard or china cabinet. Something like that.
Beautiful job on everything and lovely eye candy.
I love all your Armiores. But the kitchen . I know that that is a huge job painting those cabinets. I bet your landlord would love you to redo all the apartments, huh? . You are one talented, motivated women. mishelle
Wow! You have really gotten a lot done. Hopefully, I'll be motivated this year to work on things.
Wow!! You got so much done this past year! You are such an inspiration! It is all so beautiful!! You make me want to get off of this computer right now and go and work on some of my many projects. You go girl!!!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
I think my favorite has to be your dining room table and chairs. I also love your patio area.
You get more done during a year than you ever can imagine. And you've been a busy bee, we can see that.
Hope you have a nice evening.
Love Elzie
I loved this review of your top ten projects. Amazing...all in one year! Wonder what you'll do in 2009????
Hugs, Heidi
Everything is just so beautiful!
I love all your projects and have enjoyed reading about them over time. Your patio is very pretty and looks relaxing.
Hey! I am here from teh 2008 Before and After. Your place looks great! My favorite is the wreath. Stop by my place if you can.
Wow just beautiful
Cindy~ You have been a busy bee this year and I love all your projects but especially your wire fronted cabinet. I am hoping to find one here at a yard sale. Cross your fingers for me.
Fun going on at my blog. Stop over to see "What's Cooking" for the end of the month. It will be lots of fun.
So fun to see all of your projects in one post! And I have to admit that I remember them ALL!! That must mean that I'm a pretty devoted follower to your blog! Thanks for always inspiring me!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
So many beautiful projects all done in one year-quite an accomplishment!
Carolyn
Yes, you've been a busy bee.
Ciao
You have a beautiful home. Your look is what I would love to have and am striving for.
You are so amazing. I loved seeing all that you accomplished last year. Your home is so wonderful.
Well you sure did do tons of projects this year! What will you do with all your time this year? I know there will be more projects because you just can't stop! To bad you didn't live by me. You could have a field day helping me. LOL
Hey, how did you get your chandelier to hang up? I thought you couldn't hang anything in your bedroom?
Hugs,
Joanne
would you please come live with me??? I can feed you while you do all those great projects here! I am sure I have enough to keep you busy a few months! :)
Love it ALL!!!
Suzanne
Dear Miss Cindy,
What exactly is "Rub n Buff"? Is it a product or is it just plain ol' elbow grease and sandpaper? You mentioned you used it on your birdcage.
I really enjoyed your top 10 pics for 2008. My favorite is the picnic basket. It's my absolute favorite color, and the china and linens dress it up so nicely.
You've got a lot of work ahead of you for 2009 if you're going to top 2008!!! :)
Hugs,
Penny Suzie
I Love Love Love your kitchen!!! I can't believe how much it is laid out like mine! You already know I love the blue and white dishes, but I love the blue toile just as much! One question for you though, where is your fridge? I didn't see it in any of your pics My hubby and I have been trying to figure out a way to rearrange our kitchen and we've been having problems fitting the dishwasher, stove, and fridge in. My house was built in 1942 and the kitchen is small as well. I'll post some pics tonight, maybe you can give me a little advice???
You did amazing job on all your projects. Every single one is fantastic. I myself has done so many, but I don't have any before pictures to show. As renters, you know your usually in for alot of work if you want it to look right. Thats if the landlord gives you the ok. Great Job Cindy as usual.
You have accomplished a lot this year! All of your projects have turned out so wonderful, too. My absolute favorite is the china hutch~ it's gorgeous! :) Have a great day. :)
Annette, if you look at the picture of my kitchen above, the fridge is on my right. My shoulder was probably touching as I took the photo.
so amazing! i am glad i found this blog... we were just talking about white wash and you have answered my question of how to do it. love your outdoor space very inviting. %*_*% rosey
Wow, you were a busy person. I love them all and they're all so inspirational. Guess I better get things in gear and maybe get one project done. Marty
Cindy,
You has a busy year! Maybe you need to rest in 09! LOL
Your blog continues to be a source on inspiration to me!
Diane
Oh My! You HAVE been a busy home improvement energized bunny! I'd be proud of myself if I just accomplished one or two gorgeous projects like yours in a year. Those weren't exactly small feats either! You're just amazing!
Looking forward to following all your brilliant ideas in 2009!!
Karin
Love all your beautiful projects. very inspiring.
I just found your blog a few weeks back, and I am simply amazed by what you have done over the past year. You have inspired me to finally paint the 4 poster bed I picked up for my daughter at Salvation Army for $40. I think I'll be painting my hutch next.
Janae
Beautiful projects for 2008. What's in store for 2009? I can't imagine that you will be idle just sitting on that comfy patio. Sally
Hi Cindy
great projects here, love the art moire the best
just wanted to add that i found your blog this time last year when I had just moved into our Beach Cottage, along with Tracey's blog you inspired me to get on with it and get to it in my cotttage without spending heaps of money, I realised it's not too difficult to have a beautiful home, even with all sorts of contraints
I remember seeing your outdoor area and how beautiful it looked and thinking if you can do it I can too! what a journey it's been, so so pleased I decided to blog it all, what a great community it is here in blogland...
here's to much more inspiration and projects in 2009!
Sarah
Cindy, How do you find the time to do it all?? You are my hero! I love all your projects but I think your dining room hutch is my favorite. I can't imagine that you have anything left to do in 09 besides your bathroom!
What a romantic and beautiful home. I love it.
Wow, you sure have been one busy lady this year! Where do you find the time? I remember reading about most of these projects and they all turned out beautifully! You are an inspiration to the rest of us!
Kady
Incredibly beautiful! Each and every project showed talent and love. I really loved the armoire. It turned out gorgeous and dining room set was amazing a nd a ton of work. i know I also did one this year. I know what I am going to do with a bird cage also:-)
Thanks for sharing your talents with all of us!
It has been so much fun watching your project transformations. You are such a talented lady and I enjoy your blog as much as any of my favorite magazines. Even better because you write back.
Your hard work, has made your home so lovely, I love the blue grey cabinet, so much. The picnic basket I never seen before and your yard. All is so lovely.
My favorite is your blue cabinet!
My second favorite is your dining room table and chairs.
~elaine~
Hi Cindy, I love your style! Impossible to pic a fav...I love everything. The backyard haven belongs in a magazine...so wonderful. I could just see spending a pretty day with some great books or magazines and a nice glass of iced tea...right there on the sette surrounded by all the plants! Always loved your hutch! And thanks for the encouraging words. I just have to get busy and do it!
:-) Susan
You do the kinda project I dream about doing but turn away. lol You have done a fantastic job and your home looks marvelous. Inspirational you are!
I have a few projects for you in French Lique if you'd like to visit for a few months! ;)
The seashell wreath is beautiful! Guess I'll have to get the instructions on that one...
you are incredible! I love your home - hard to believe it's an apartment - you really made it look like a huge house. great, great, great job!!!!!! that hutch is my favorite I think!
Hello! What a lovely site you got here!! I have to look around! /Petra, Sweden Romantic Home
www.romantiskahem.blogspot.com
You are one very talented lady! Loved all of your projects. You have inspired me to do more thrifting!
Have a happy week,
Lorri
Wow! Those are some amazing projects! Beautiful!
Love them all. Busy girl, Pam
Everything is GORGEOUS!!!
I always love your stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, you accomplished a lot in 2008! I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store!
You were one busy lady in 2008! I can't wait to see what you tackle in 2009!
I just love your little garden area. Every time you post pictures I wish it was in my backyard. :) Such a perfect spot to curl up with my laptop or a book and a cup of coffee!
Wow! What a busy '08 you had! Great projects! I really like the seashell wreath. I just bought some shells today at Goodwill and this will be the perfect project to do for my Mom for her beach house.
I'm confused with the link to HGTV to find your armoire project on the schedule. Did your episode have a name? What show? Need a clue. Thanks. Great projects.
I just love your little patio. Your blog is full of inspiration and I love it! Thanks for sharing
Cheryl
I just love your little patio. Your blog is full of inspiration and I love it! Thanks for sharing
Cheryl
Post a Comment