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2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

by | Dec 31, 2011 | Decorating Inspiration, my house, My Life

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2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

So, 2011 is coming to a close.

Since it is tradition to recap the year, I’ll share a few of the highlights and projects of the past 12 months!

January

In January, I took you on a little tour of my SWINE colored walls around the house. As I look at the before pictures, I wish they captured better how PINK they were! {Let me clarify: I’m not against pink. I’m against flesh colored mauve-swine colored walls at MY HOUSE. If you have them and love them, that is awesome!}.

This was our year to make some progress on paint, but of course it involved a really embarrassing PAINT MISHAP right off the bat. Yeah. I updated some of the paint colors on this post. More will be added next month when I show off more paint!

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

A sneak peek of the bathroom.

And there there was the bathroom we painted so bright I was worried people might need sunglasses. We went on to put up faux Board & Batten. The after of that bathroom project will be featured in January (see the sneak peek above), FINALLY.  Gah, I’m slow. But I like how it turned out.

I also made my annual trip to Nashville for Blissdom in January! You can check out a lot of the awesome homebloggers I met in my 2011 Blissdom recap post. I am not going to Blissdom this year, because, while it is a valuable experience in many regards, I’ve decided as a part of my desire to be very intentional, I need a few months at home this year before I venture out again! I traveled across the country so many times last year I’m ready to just stay home for awhile!

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

Old light fixture

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

After: new lantern

February

In February I got my new dining room lantern and that has been one of my favorite improvements. I look at it every day and still LOVE IT!

March

In March I showed you the evolution of my dining room with before and so far pictures, and in June I updated the dining room again with new recycled curtains! The curtains are still hanging in the dining room and I am SO happy with how they look!

I also got a new dishwasher in March! Oh happy day for me.

April

In April talked about how I organize my kitchen and everyday papers.

Then I shared a bit of the behind the scenes in my OTHER life — how we were moving our little start up church to a new building to have a coffee-shop style design and the project that was ahead of us!  You can find the update of our progress on the building in this post.

Also in April I launched a new blogging project, my Room Tours and DIY pages! I’ll be adding lots of new projects in the coming weeks, but these pages have been a real success and I’m thrilled that I can feature so many awesome bloggers’ rooms and projects.

I ordered some new funky chairs (and affordable and versatile!) for my dining room. While I may eventually get new dining room chairs, they are working out great and I love them still!

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

May

In May I traveled across the country again for a great opportunity in New York! Not only did I have a fabulous time with my mom, daughter and sister, but I got to hang out with Nate Berkus and Kate in a loft in Soho. So, yeah, that doesn’t happen every day.

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

At the end of May, I bought a new pillow because I’m easily inspired by things like file boxes.

June-July

I showed off our little backyard makeover with a new backyard fire pit... while it was not a huge or time consuming project at all WE LOVED IT!

I traveled to Utah for the EVO conference, it was a blast and even a little R&R for me!

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

Then I painted a pallet yellow and turned it into a little outdoor privacy screen and planter. LOVE it still.

Because I’m crazy, we got a puppy named Jack. And that puppy has been into mischief (and gaining his own loyal fan club) ever since.

And then there was THIS unexpected incident. A life-threatening emergency. So grateful my daughter is OK now but wow, that was so scary!

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

August

In August, I showed you my backyard potting table garden and my Fairy Garden.

My husband and I got away to the San Juan Islands and I shared a Drive By of fun houses.

September

In September I showed off the progress pictures of my outdoor room makeovers! It was so fun to freshen up those spaces in simple and affordable ways.

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

October

October brought my annual 31 Day series full of fall and holiday goodness, plus I somehow managed to put together an ebook over the summer and launch NOT a DIY Diva in October! Good grief. I think I need a nap just thinking about it all. Good thing I traveled across the country again for a little R&R on Hilton Head Island with my fellow (in)courage girls. Oh, and then I went again across the country AGAIN a few weeks later to go to Relevant. {Faints! How did I have time for all that?}

November

In November we talked about perfectionism and finding peace in the home and life you have.

I shared my excitement that my spur of the moment use-what-you-have Christmas mantel was featured in Cottages & Bungalows magazine.

My girls started their own blogs and I couldn’t be more happy for them! I hope you’ll follow their blogs in the new year, they are both well worth keeping up with. You can find Kylee’s here and Courtney’s blog here. And I’m not just saying to follow them because they are my daughters, but that does make it kind of fun. I actually really like their blogs and learn a lot from both of them!

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

December

There were lots of posts about decorating in November and December for Christmas including My Christmas House Tour which you can see some of my updates to the entry as well as a new striped wall (that is another before and after I’ll share in January) and then the crazy unraveling that happened. Oh, and the little episode where Jack used our Christmas tree as indoor plumbing. Yeah.

2011 Projects & Life Round Up: The Inspired Room

The updates to the entry, including the stripes,
a mantel and new light fixtures, will be featured in the coming weeks!

So, those are the highlights of 2011! In spite of how the business of blogging is growing and evolving, I have found my element and purpose in what I do every day… I feel very blessed. I love blogging, yet I still fit in a lot of living outside of blogging! It is great doing what I love. I’m so looking forward to 2012!

Thank you, each and every one of you, for reading The Inspired Room this year and encouraging me through 2011. Without you, I’d be talking to a blank screen. You make this way more fun.

What is up for 2012? I’ve got LOTS of home projects that are in the planning stages, already in progress right now, or ready to be featured.

I’d say 2012 will be the year of many before & afters and home decorating progress reports and updates to My Home! I can’t wait for January to begin!

But for now, a nappy by the fire.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

32 Comments

  1. Vee

    And this is why I hang out over here every few days…to catch a glimpse of what you’re up to next because you are always doing something. I still get a kick out of the swine colored walls…and sometimes I fret over them wondering how much swine I’ve allowed into my decor. ☺

    hAppY NeW yEAr to you and yours. Looking forward to many more visits to The Inspired Room.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Vee, remember my whole motto and premise of this blog (and I know you know this being that you were probably my first reader), be authentic to what YOU LOVE and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. I’m absolutely a pink fan, but flesh colored mauve on MY walls just doesn’t work for me at my house. They may be lovely in someone else’s home. Don’t fret if you have swine anywhere! I have things in my home that other people have said are terrible…but if I love it I don’t care. :-) Happy New Year, Vee!

      Reply
  2. Heather

    I’m tired just reading this. And that’s why you are so inspiring to so many people. As I was painting my living room recently a warm beige, I kept thinking “is it too swine?”. It’s not thankfully.

    Looking forward to see what you’ve got planned for 2012. Whatever you do, I know it will be inspiring.

    Happy New Year!!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Warm beige is unlikely swine … if my walls felt warm and not sickly I would have been a happy camper. :-)

      Reply
  3. Faith

    Wow, Melissa, you’ve really packed a lot into the past year! Thanks for sharing it with us. I’ve enjoyed every minute. Happy 2012!

    Reply
  4. Linda Stoll

    It was fun to discover your blog this year … it’s on my favorites list and I’m checking in often! In the midst of the busyness of life, you inspire and help me refocus on the simple, creative joys of homekeeping …

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you Linda, Happy New Year!

      Reply
  5. Stacey

    What a wonderful creative year you had. Love how you gently inspire. One of my favorite memories from 2011 was having lunch with you!!!

    May God bless you in the year to come Melissa!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Same here Stacey, you are a blessing and I am so glad we got some time to sit together and share hearts!

      Reply
  6. IAMSNWFLAKE

    May you & family enjoy a Wonderful New Year! Thank you for sharing your house, projects and everyday life with us. Visiting your blog is always inspirational.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you and happy new year!

      Reply
  7. Kelly

    Wow – exhausted just reading this! Looking forward to more inspiration in 2012!
    Kelly

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Me too, ha…it was kind of a busy year ;-) Happy 2012 Kelly!

      Reply
  8. Stuff and Nonsense

    my
    you’ve had a busy year

    i’m a bit new to your blog
    so am having lots of fun
    nosing around older posts

    can’t wait to see what 2012 holds!

    alison

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thanks Alison! Welcome :-) And happy new year!

      Reply
  9. Cat Wilson

    I am thankful to have found you in 2011. I love everything that you do. I am often smiling while I read and see what you are up to. Thanks for the joy! Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thanks Cat! I’m happy to bring a few smiles to the day! Happy New Year to you too!

      Reply
  10. Carla

    Sounds like, other then the one incident, you had a pretty good year! I love that lantern and the cabinet in your entryway. Can’t wait to see all the wonderful new projects and items you post in the new year! Hope 2012 is full of happiness and (good) adventures! :)

    Reply
  11. Julie

    I have really enjoyed your blog and look forward to seeing what you share in the new year. Have a blessed year full of successes and more stories to share!

    Happy New Year

    Reply
  12. Erin

    Happy New Year, Melissa!! I hope the new year brings you much joy and happiness! Thank you for so much inspiration in 2011! I can’t wait to see what is in store for us in 2012!!

    Reply
  13. Jane

    Enjoying your blog from New Zealand. Happy New Year. Jane :)

    Reply
  14. Carmel

    You were busy! Thanks for the recap- somehow I missed a few of these. Looking forward to 2012! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  15. Lisa

    Melissa, you’ve had a busy year!! You have been so inspiring to me and I really love the content of your blog and the projects you share. Thanks for all your hard work over here! Happy new year to you and your family!

    Reply
  16. Sue

    You are my hero! Can’t wait to see your new projects.

    Reply
  17. Dana

    I can’t believe I missed your post on Nate!
    (I’m all caught up now!)

    Wishing you all the best in the new year.
    ~

    Reply
  18. Laura

    As I read this post, I was impressed by what you had accomplished this year, but most of all I was shocked by how quickly this year flew by! I kept thinking, “That couldn’t have been in that month, ’cause it JUST happened!”

    Have a blessed year, and I look forward to seeing your before and afters.

    Reply
  19. Manualidades

    Wow great post for start a new year heheh, thanks for u inspiration!

    Reply
  20. teresa

    I love all that you have shared this year….I think I’ve pinned half of it =)
    You have a beautiful place here.
    I’m always so in awe of all the talent out there….and the support given through blogging- you have been so sweet to me. Thank you for that.
    I think the best blogs are the ones that are true to the owner’s personality and ones that have heart…..
    Thank you for having both.
    Happy New Year- I count you as a friend

    Reply
  21. Michelle Starling

    Hi Melissa, you’ve really done a lot this year and it all looks great. I have a question though. In the bathroom with the batten, what kind of baseboard is there? The reason I ask is that my husband and I have been wanting to do this same treatment but we do not relish the thought of changing out perfectly good baseboard. Did you change out yours? Ours is just your builder basic colonial style with the beveled top and I’m not sure that would look right with batten. Thanks.

    Reply
  22. cindy the cottage chick

    I had lost track of your little corner on the web this past year, but began visiting again in November…such great posts! One thing though…so weird, my 19 year old (at the time) daughter also had to have an emergency appendectomy in July! (Hers was July 15) How strange that we two dealt with the same circumstances in the same month with daughters the same age :) Small world.

    Looking forward to your posting in the coming year.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Wow, that is a small world coincidence!! :-) Glad you are back visiting again!! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  23. Jen

    I think your projects were beautiful, but I can’t wait to see all the stuff you haven’t showed us!

    Reply

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