The recent blogging tradition of taking a look back at the prior year's accomplishments had me intrigued, so I decided to take a look back at the past year here at Opulent Cottage. Come along for the ride while I reminisce about some fun projects from 2011.
We kicked off 2011 with a couple of small projects that gave us a big impact. In January, we installed some thrift store shelving on a formerly bare wall and gained a new display area in our kitchen nook.
After years of loathing the builder-grade mirror in our tiny bathroom, I finally took Rhoda's advice and trimmed in out with moulding and square medallions from Home Depot. What a dramatic change!
In February we said goobye to the formerly dark walls in our dining room, and embraced the neutral style that so many other bloggers had inspired me with. The room seems lighter and brighter, and I love having a neutral palette as a background for seasonal decorating!
With spring right around the corner, in March I featured our red toile bedroom. We have loved this room for years, and never more so than when the sun is shining in and the vibrant colors come to life.
April brought a small addition to our foyer, some sweet tole trays that inspired me to update this tiny room.
In May I must have sensed the long, hot and dry summer that was to come, and I simply perked up our patio pots with found items, forgoing the planting of fresh flowers. What a blessing that turned out to be!
And indeed the summer was kind of miserable for us here in Texas! We kicked it off with a citrus-themed birthday party for our daughter,
Spent a good amount of time here,
And canned and preserved summer's bounty for the first time! And yes, we are still enjoying the wonderful roasted tomatoes, and will never let a summer go by without doing this again.
Before we knew it, along came fall, where we were distracted by football games and all the activities that came along with our daughter's senior year in high school. I did manage to create a cheerful fall tablescape,
Bring out the kitty collection,
And decorate for our Halloween party.
November arrived with its lovely cooler weather, and we welcomed the chance to be outside again. On a walk one day I found this amazing vintage screen grate. I promptly brought it home, cleaned it up, and gave it a place of honor with a pretty wreath for fall.
Another found object was this potting bench, plucked from side of the road. Such a lucky find!
It hardly seemed possible that December was upon us. Along with all the usual holiday decorating, I was honored to have two of my handcrafted projects featured. These plates were included in a Dallas Morning News article on handmade gifts, written by my friend Jamie Knodel.
And this Pottery Barn copycat vase was featured by Beckie at Knock Off Decor. It was a thrill to have these items recognized, as I always hope to inspire others to give handmade gifts a try.
Now when I ask myself, what did I do last year, I have proof that I accomplished at least a few things! There are so, so many more projects on the to-do list here at Opulent Cottage, and my hope is that we will tackle quite a few more of them in 2012. Many thanks to all of you who have visited, and encouraged me throughout this last year. I look forward to another year of being inspired by your projects and improvements also!
Many wishes for a safe, happy and prosperous New Year!
With love to you all,
Andrea
I'm joining these blog parties:
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry's Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Honey's Potpourri Friday at 2805
Alison's Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Donna's Funky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Table Top Tuesday at Marty's A Stroll Thru Life
Recap Party at DIY Showoff
Andrea,
You accomplished a lot. Beautiful makeovers. I love the silver trays and the towels in the wine rack. Great review! Have a Happy New Year and thanks for linking it up with Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry | December 29, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Lots of great ideas and photos.
Posted by: Carlene | December 29, 2011 at 01:40 PM
What a beautiful home! So nice to see all you accomplished this year and I look forward to seeing more.
Posted by: Janelle | December 29, 2011 at 01:51 PM
WOW those first five shots are GORGEOUS! Loved all your projects! Martina
Posted by: Martina | December 29, 2011 at 02:03 PM
You've had some great projects, Andrea! I think, out of these, my favorite is your thrift store shelves and your framed mirror. I have got to do that myself in our main bathroom.
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | December 29, 2011 at 05:52 PM
I love all your projects for the year, Andrea! And so many have the colors I love too.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula-Pruitt | December 29, 2011 at 07:13 PM
Love your projects especially the mirror and great nook area in the kitchen! Love the way you used the silver trays in the towel rack too!
Posted by: mary | December 29, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Loved your photos....great decor. Good job! Susan
Posted by: Susan | December 29, 2011 at 09:35 PM
What a wonderful year you have had. Love going down memory lane with you. Love the red toile and oh heck, I just loved it all! Have a wonderful New Year!
Posted by: Jann Olson | December 29, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Love all your great projects, but the mirror and frames are my favorite. I'd like to invite you to share your year in review with us at "What's It Wednesday", we'd love to have you!
Happiness in the new year!
Patti
Posted by: Patti | December 30, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Oh. My.!! Beautiful in every way.
Posted by: Joyce @ Quilted Nest | December 30, 2011 at 01:24 PM
I love the bright cheerful mood of everything you've done. I'm your newest follower!
Posted by: Vickie | December 30, 2011 at 01:30 PM
I'm a new follower and enjoying all your great projects for the year. Have a Happy New Year.
Babs
Posted by: Babs | December 30, 2011 at 03:16 PM
You must be very proud of all the wonderful things you did to your home! Thanks for sharing it all with us. ~ Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | December 30, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Your style is very comfortable and Homey - coming over from SNS Funky Junk.
Posted by: Holly | December 30, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Everything looks wonderful ... and you did score some great finds !
don't think my year in review would be quite a successful :)
wishing you a blessed New Year.
Posted by: Francie Thornton | December 31, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Such a fun post looking back at all you accomplished this year. It all looks terrific. Happy New Year! ~ Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | December 31, 2011 at 09:57 PM
always fun to see a retrospective of your work! May all your dreams come true in 2012. Happy New Year! xo marlis
Posted by: marlis | December 31, 2011 at 10:30 PM
You've had some great posts! I love finding new blogs, and I'm glad I found yours! I'm now a follower!
Posted by: Lorrie | December 31, 2011 at 11:15 PM
I loved seeing your year-in-review...such fun to see all your projects! I live in the Dallas area & you were so smart to perk up your plants with other objects than flowers this past, horrendous summer!! I need to remember that tip. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kitty | January 01, 2012 at 10:26 AM
So many pretty images, Andrea!
Love that white potting table with all the plaid pieces on it.
Your bathroom towel rack with the silver platters are dreamy! So many gorgeous images, my senile mind is having a hard time with recall! LOL
Happy happy new year!
xoxox
Alison
Posted by: Alison | January 01, 2012 at 12:37 PM
I can't believe you found that great potting bench beside the road. What a great find. My brother builds potting benches out of old fencing. But he hasn't managed to build me one.
M
Posted by: mdbyrd@suddenlink.net | January 01, 2012 at 03:30 PM
You completed lots of wonderful projects last year! I especially love the fall tablescape and kitty collection. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Suzy @ Worthing Court | January 01, 2012 at 09:17 PM
Everything is so cheerful and colorful. Love it! You have a very beautiful space!
Posted by: Sherry | January 01, 2012 at 09:17 PM
What a fabulous post! I enjoyed each new activity. You have a real knack for seeing treasure from other people's cast-aways! Your home is lovely, too! I may stay a while and rummage through some old posts, not a bad way to spend some time!
Posted by: Leslie Hayes | January 02, 2012 at 09:57 AM
Thanks for the look back at 2011 -- I especially loved seeing your bathroom redo. I need to do that to our mirrors, and I also love the silver trays in the rack -- great look!
Posted by: Tricia@The Dull & the Dutiful | January 02, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Oh, love the potting bench and all the red toile! Nice mirror re-do also. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi | January 02, 2012 at 04:54 PM
Oh what great projects throughout the whole year. I love all of your vignettes and displays, the shelves are especially pretty. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
Posted by: Marty@A Stroll thru Life | January 02, 2012 at 08:12 PM
Such a wonderful trip down memory lane.
Happy New Year.
- The Tablescaper
Posted by: The Tablescaper | January 02, 2012 at 09:53 PM
Beautiful home. Loving the silver trays in the bathroom!
I am your newest follower after seeing your post on Marty's TTT
Posted by: Ann | January 03, 2012 at 09:26 AM
Ohhh what a lovely blog you have! I love all the pics in this post...even my little girl was Ooo-ing and Ahhh-ing! So glad to have found your blog via Table Top Tuesday, now a new follower!
I am also having a giveaway over at my blog, would love for you to stop by!
http://rachel-velazquez.blogspot.com/2012/01/give-awayand-its-from-europe.html
All the best,
Rachel
Posted by: rachel | January 04, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Hi I came over from TCOH and love your bathroom with the little silver plates...also your year in review! The kitty plates are adorable for Halloween. Love all of your displays and settings. Happy New Year! Kristine
Oh and I am going to follow you so that I can see what else you are up to!
Posted by: Kristine | January 05, 2012 at 02:46 PM
Andrea,
Wow, you kept very busy this year no doubt! Your cottage is so cheerful, it makes me smile! My favorite things were the items you found!!!! and made~ We don't have good trash like that on our curbs.
Hopem we hook up again in 2012.
Lisa
Posted by: lisa | January 07, 2012 at 07:45 AM
Just saw your bathroom featured over at Marty's Table Top Tuesday and had to stop by and say WOW!!! brilliant use of silver trays and tea pot... xo HHL
Posted by: High Heeled Life | January 09, 2012 at 04:59 PM
Hello,I Love your blog.You love the same things that I do and I love the decorating ideas.Could you please tell me what kind of rack you used in the bathroom that you put the silver trays on,I would love to copy your idea.I already have the trays from an estate sale and I love your rack that you used.Thank you.
Posted by: vicki | January 10, 2012 at 06:44 AM
I saw you featured over at Marty's and I had to stop by. That bathroom idea with the silver trays is amazing. I think I will be copying you. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to stop by and link up to my party that opens tonight at 8pm EST. Hope to see you there.
Posted by: Judy | January 10, 2012 at 12:15 PM