Projects Past and Projects Present

Hi all! I’m back… I’ve put together a list of past projects from 2020. I’ve also created a “wish list” of sorts for this coming year. Budget and time will be factors so we will see what we actually get to. As always, I reserve to right to completely veer from the plan- haha!

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Projects Past

Last year seems like a snail and a blur all rolled into one. The first quarantine project we completed was our $25 Grout Refresh on the Kids’ Bathroom. It took longer that I thought (a DIY theme with me- haha!), but I’m really happy with how we were able to change the space for such a small cost. You can read about the details in this post.

SOURCES: Grout Refresh

Last spring and summer, we were so grateful for the Beach Cabin. We spent more time there than we ever have and ended up only renting it for one week to our lovely guests who come every year. In late spring, we tackled the Breakfast Nook as part of the One Room Challenge. I couldn’t have dreamed it would turn out as well as it did! It got so much use throughout the summer and we can’t wait to have friends and family pile around it as soon as it’s safe to gather again! Check out all of the transformation details here.

SOURCES: Rug

R took the desk that was behind part of the Beach Cabin sectional in the living room for his office/ the old Guest Bedroom. This left an open space in which we were able to create two pathways to the Screened In Porch. The space was also the perfect place to add a cane console. I found an affordable option and decided to add some color in order to break up the wood pallette we had going on. You can read all about that project here.

SOURCES: Console | Looped Pull

And we tried wallpaper! (But hired out the application.) It is even on the ceiling. I’m thrilled with how it turned out and am already brainstorming more places to add wallpaper. Click here for all of the info!

SOURCE: Wallpaper (in navy) | Mirror (similar)

This year

This year, I have a few larger projects that I am currently researching. Even if one or two are able to happen, it will be so exciting! We are looking into adding a half bathroom to the sleeper attic of the Beach Cabin. We would worry much less and avoid having our kids going up and down the stairs in the middle of the night. You can check out the current Sleeper Attic look here.

While on the topic of bathrooms, we are looking into updating our main bathroom and the kids’ bathroom at our Colonial Home. Mainly, the lighting and medicine cabinets need to be more functional for the spaces. New tile would be nice too. And new hardware. Mice and cookies.

This is the biggest of the wish list projects. The outside of the Beach Cabin is chipping. Also, my eyes see a purple to tint to the gray, especially in these winter months. I would love, love, love to have it repainted. In my dreams (and on my Pinterest Board- check that out here), a gray cedar shake would be amazing! In reality (or maybe not- we will see how the quotes come back), I’d either like to go with a classic white or a dark navy. The green grills on the windows will stay regardless.

Trips Past

Last year, I announced to our family and friends that we would no longer be skiing. We were going to trade in our lift tickets for plane tickets to California every February. And, last year, that is exactly what we did. Our Laguna Beach/Dana Point vacation was a dream! We were all so happy and planned our trip back on the way home.

While we will be taking a gap year this year, it will be one of the first places we will return to when we begin traveling again. In the meantime, we will be trying to incorporate as much of that California cool and light and airy aesthetic to our home (despite/to spite those 20 degree gray days).

We haven’t left the state since last February, but we have been enjoying all that natural Michigan has to offer, which is quite a bit! We had a fantastic weekend staying at this stylish and cozy farmhouse in Traverse City. It was right by trails and we were even able to pick up food from some of our favorite restaurants.

Trips Present

We are really hoping that some of the trips we had planned in 2020 can be considered again within the next year. We had been looking forward to taking our kids to England last May and had a trip to New Orleans (one of our favorite domestic spots) planned as well. At Christmas, we were all talking about how magical NYC is and hope to share that awe with our kids sometime soon. This will likely be the year of the Pop Up Trips, so while nothing is on the calendar as of yet, we are very hopeful that trips will show up as the year goes along.

Most Read Posts of 2020: Projects & Travel

SOURCES: Rug | Chandelier | Chandelier (similar) & (similar)

Speaking of which, I love that you liked both travel and home/projects posts in 2020. Obviously, these are two of my favorite things as well and I’m glad that you are open to an array of topics. Thank you, thank you for being here!!!

1. Elegant Dining Room: How to Add a Chevron Board and Batten Wall
2. Inexpensive Flooring: How to Stencil Concrete Floors
3. Where to Eat in Traverse City, Michigan
4. Cottage Style IKEA Decor
5. What to do in Leland, Michigan
6. What to do in Charlevoix, Michigan
7. Favorite Blue and Green Paint Colors
8. What to do on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
9. Where to Eat in Denver
10. Island Travel Interviews: Caribbean, Take 9 (Antigua & Barbuda)