My top before and after projects for 2008

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a great party today. Top 10 before and after projects for 2008. At first when I saw she was hosting this before and after show, I thought I really didn't have any eye candy to add. Rhoda and so many other creative bloggers come up with projects that knock my socks off. I went through my blog, and realized I actually accomplished quite a lot. My biggest project for 2008 was of course THE WEDDING, which took all my time for the first 6 months in 2008. So I am glad to say that, Rhoda, you made me realize what I did get done this year. Thank you for this great exercise in self reflection. You've inspired me to do so much more for 2009! * A LITTLE REORGANIZING*

In March, I realized how messy all my cabinets and closets were. I still had tons of things in boxes from moving back into house after Katrina. Hubby and I would suddenly remember something we hadn't seen in 2 years but couldn't find it. I started organizing, still have lots more to do.

Master bath closet before. I was brave enough to show my messiness for the first time for all the world to see.

during:

Bath closet after. Actually to this day, it still looks like this with the exception of a few items that I use constantly sitting on shelf in full view. Now, don't ask me what's in most of the boxes. Out of sight, out of mind and totally forgotten.

Bedroom armoire. I didn't take the messy before picture of this armoire below, believe me, it was a mess. Sweaters, some of daughter's things, hubby's junk that he brings home from work, and lots of junk stashed in a hurry to hide it when company came.

armoire after: I organized everything by person or type of thing. See the big box on the middle shelf? That's my UNDIES EVACUATION box!

*A WHOLE LOT OF PAINTING*

Once the wedding was over and I had time to decompress, I got busy. All of July I painted rooms. I did this repainting for 2 reasons. First, I needed to go with slightly lighter shade in a lot of the rooms. Second, someone had to fix all the mistakes from the Bad Sheet rock floaters, Painting crew #1 and Painting crew #2 that did terrible things during our Katrina remodel. I couldn't stand to have Painting crew #3 come in here, make a huge mess and possibly rip us off yet again. Much to my husband's protests, I did the labor.

Dining room before:

Dining room after:

Not sold on this color hence I never proceeded with window treatments. I now have a new color in mind... one of many projects for 2009.

Foyer before:

Foyer after in the new Interactive Cream shade:

Daughter's room before in SW Dromedary Camel:

Daughter's room after in SW Interactive Cream:

Son's room before in SW Dromadary Camel:

After in SW Interactive Cream:

Bath # 2: remember this mess? I sanded for 2 weeks

Bath # 2 after. Yea, finally some pictures never seen before!

See the ugly metal 1990's shower fixtures, handles, shower head, etc? Got the oil rubbed bronze stuff to replace them, just waiting on Mr. Plumber # 1, then Mr. Plumber # 2 that hunts more then he works. I may need to find Mr. Plumber # 3....
No, husband can not do such things. The older he gets, the less he'll agree to do. You'll read why shortly.

Bath # 3 before:

Bath #3 after:

In all I sanded and repainted 2 baths, 2 bedrooms, the hall, the dining room, and a TV/Study. But before you think I'm a painting diva, alas I've yet to finish all the wood trim in some of these rooms. I put that paint away at the end of August when we had to evacuate for Gustav. Yet to bring it back out.

*OIL RUBBED BRONZE HARDWARE*

Slowly in the last 3 years I've replaced all ugly 1990's brass hardware and fixtures. I don't have a before picture of these. I, all by my Lamp Tramp self replaced all 19 door handles and and 6 deadbolts. It was easy to do but cost consuming. I spread the cost out over July, August, and September this year and prayed no one would notice that I hadn't finished buying all the handles. I have 2 shiny brass light fixtures left and the nasty, lime stained shower fixtures in bath # 2 and #3 left to do. By the time I finish, there will likely be something newer and better out there on the market that I will covet. This is a great picture below to see a few door knobs all at once.

*THE DREADED 17 FOOT LONG CURTAIN ROD* or my husband has a temper and hates to do projects

This is likely the biggest accomplishment of all since I had to rely on hubby's help. How to make or buy a 17 foot long curtain pole is a major undertaking, if one were to enlist my spouse. First we argued over what to use: copper piping, metal pipe, PVC, or wood. That took a week. We, actually, he settled on wood. Then he took 3 weeks to find the center point for each of the 2 dowels to drill the hole, to put the screw pin in. Another 2 weeks for him to put 17 ft pole together. Then 2 days of him cussing, yelling, bitching, and moaning just to put the 4 brackets up. He is too precise when doing these things, hence I rarely ask for his help.

The curtain panels were lined and stitched for 2 months (by me) waiting for a pole to hang on.

Now this whole project came about since I wanted to reuse these 2 puffy window treatments that I didn't know what to do with. I sold hubby on doing the 17 ft pole project cuz that would be the only cost! HA!

I love the way it turned out despite all the agony I endured to get there. I don't dare tell him that the silk material has sun fade spots from their previous life. Therefore, I'm not happy. My plan is to find new material, sew new drapes, and get them up there without him knowing. I am happy with his pole, however!

See the sun spots below? I pinned the fringe on so I can reuse it on my new drapes. At least hubby's part is done.

*METAMORPHOSIS OF A KITCHEN HUTCH*

This is how my hutch looked in early 2008. Then Nester had this P.O.O.P.I.E. party which shamed me into getting rid of some stuff.

So then I did this but soon decided I was not happy with it:

Then after Christmas I did this. It makes me smile every time I walk into my kitchen. We all need stuff that makes us smile!

So, thats my project accomplishments for 2008. Thanks for taking time to look at them and please critique me in any way. I often don't see my mistakes while I live with them. Sometimes when I post pictures, I'm aghast and wonder what was I thinking?

Looking forward to seeing all your great projects. Remember to check out Rhoda's party if you haven't yet.

Thanks, Rhoda, this was inspiring. Boy, do I have a list for 2009 projects. I need to write them down and post them so ya'll can keep me on task!

Lamp Tramp