Top Projects of 2009

Did you get alot of projects completed in 2009?
Do you have alot of projects planned for 2010? I do!
Rhoda from Southern Hospitality is letting us all showcase our top projects for 2009.
I'm sure by looking at what others completed it will inspire us for our own projects this year!

2009 was filled with a finishing a project that we started in 2008, a few other smaller projects and some unexpected projects. Have any clue what I'm talking about?

The project that we FINALLY completed in 2009 that was started in 2008 was our kitchen.
Here is the before:

And after many months of us working on it off & on...the after:

If you would like to see the whole story on the kitchen makeover, click Here

I wanted a large chalkboard for one of the walls in my kitchen, so I went searching the thrift stores & garage sales for the perfect piece I could transform and this is what I found.

After some handy dandy spray paint and taking the mirror out, replacing it with mdf painted with chalkboard paint...it went from YUCK to this.......






After all our hard work on our kitchen, we left for a 1 week vacation to Myrtle Beach,SC. Guess what we returned home to??? Well, it wasn't a "welcome home" sign..unfortunately. It was a flooded house and mainly the NEW kitchen. Only 1 month after we finished the kitchen..insert tears!





Not only was the kitchen damaged, but the whole house other than the upstairs had to be gutted. We ended up having $20,000 worth of water damage all because a pipe fitting for the kitchen faucet broke. Lesson: DO NOT USE PLASTIC FITTINGS AND TURN OFF YOUR MAIN WATER WHEN GOING ON VACATION!

So we had to move out for 2 months while house was fixed. This allowed us to make a few upgrades, ah some more projects.....
Awe pretty new hardwood floors...a blessing out of the flood.

Oh and we decided that since the house was torn up that it was the perfect time to have the popcorn (acoustic) stuff scraped off the ceilings. Yeah to no more popcorn ceilings!
We also updated a few paint colors and replaced bath/shower unit while we were at it. I won't bore you with photos of our ceilings and paint colors.

So hmmm, I thought what can I do while moved out of my home for 2 months?? I know, I can refinish our oak dining room table. I always liked the table, but really didn't like the golden country oak color. Oh and I bought new chairs.

Ok so that was the big projects that we did in 2009. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get busy on the projects for 2010. Wanna come help?

Darlene

A Fall Tablescape

I had to participate in Tablescape Thursday today since I just finished my dining table redo (it use to be golden oak). It looks so much better & updated. Click here to see the table before.

So on to the tablescape....I got the glass hurricane candle holder at a garage sale this past weekend for $2. Perfect with pinecones and some Pottery Barn faux acorns as a filler. Oh and the black frame around the centerpiece that was a hideous gold frame that I sprayed black. I actually used the frame last yr for my thanksgiving tablescape as well. Just love the look of the square frame on the table, it's unexpected!

How do you like my wine glasses? I just got those today at the Dollar Store. I love that they are green on top with a clear stem and for $1 each I couldn't pass them up!

The napkin rings I got a few yrs ago at a discount store for around $3. Some have pumpkins on them and some have gourds/squash.

Pumpkin salt & pepper shakers were found last yr at our local flea market for a whole $3. Can you tell after this post that I am a bargain shopper?? LOL! I love finding a bargain...it's the thrill of the hunt!



Be sure to go check out all the other tablescapes at Susan's blog-Between Naps On The Porch

Have a blessed day!

Darlene