2020 Year In Review
I think it goes without saying that 2020 didn’t work out quite like I had planned. I’m pretty sure most of us could say that. I started out the year with all kinds of projects planned for the year (you can see my 2020 Master List of Home Goals here), and when all was said and done, I only managed to get a tiny fraction of things on that list started, with even fewer of them actually finished.
I also added a pretty significant weeks-long project that I hadn’t planned on doing at the beginning of the year — my mom’s kitchen makeover. So really, I got more done that my original list would indicate. But overall, I’d say that 2020 was my least productive year since I started blogging about my DIY projects.
That’s okay. It was a strange and hard year, and I’ll cut myself some slack. So here’s a quick review of what I actually did get done this last year.
Music Room
First, I painted the bookcases and doors in the music room. The bookcases were white and the doors were black…
And I both the bookcases and doors in the music room the same dark teal that is on the entryway wall and the living room fireplace, and I swapped out the ceiling light as well.
I never got a good daytime picture of that after it was painted, so I’ll work on that soon.
(Future) Master Bathroom
My family came over and helped me with a huge project — the demolition of the former master bedroom that will become the new master bathroom. At the beginning of 2020, there had already been a bit of work and demolition done on the room as part of the work done on the hallway and other two bedrooms. So the room had a new window, the closet had been torn out, and part of the ceiling had been removed. Here’s how it looked at the beginning of the year…
And after a day of demolition (which you can read more about here), this is what we ended up with…
And unfortunately, that’s exactly what this room still looks today. I was so hopeful that the master bathroom would be completely finished in 2020. *Sigh* Oh, well. There’s always 2021.
Cleaning, Organizing, and Purging
This was a huge goal for me at the beginning of the year, and I started out with a bang. I was so enthusiastic about clearing out all of the non-essential junk from the house and getting everything that’s left perfectly organized. I got rid of a whole lot of stuff I no longer needed.
I also did some organizing in the kitchen with these very easy DIY drawer dividers. You can see that project here if you missed it.
I’m going to get focused on this goal again this year, and I’ll continue until it’s finished. I am, by nature, a very messy and disorganized person, but I long to live in a house where I only have what I need and absolutely want, and there’s a place for everything and everything is in its place.
Hallway
I had forgotten about this until I looked back through last year’s posts, but I installed new flooring in the hallway last year. If you’ll recall, we had this floor taken out completely, including the subfloor, and had new subfloor reinstalled because the hallway floor had buckled after the crap geyser incident of 2019. (You can read about that here if you missed it.)
So the contractor’s guys installed the subfloor, and then I installed the new hardwood flooring.
And it’s still in its raw, unfinished form today. I still have flooring that needs to be installed in the other room that will be the home gym, and as soon as that’s done, I’ll rent the big sander and finish these floors.
Guest Bedroom
The guest bedroom is the area of the house that got the most attention in 2020. It started out looking like this…
I still need to share one or two more projects from this room with y’all, and then get pictures of the finished room. But there were quite a few projects that went into this room during 2020. Of course, there was all of the standard priming, painting, and installing trim. But in addition to that, I also did this hand-drawn accent wall. You can find that project here.
And I also painted this offset stripe design on the floor. You can find that project here.
And I built those two closets flanking the window.
I had originally planned a window seat for that space under the window, but I built this little writing desk with a drawer instead. That project is right here.
And then there was this little dresser makeover, which you can see here.
I also made some bedding for the room. The quilt was one a plain white quilt, and I trimmed it with the yellow. And then I made the pillows to coordinate. You can see more about that here.
There were a few other smaller projects that went into the room, but I’ll share those in detail when I share the final before and after of this room.
My Mom’s Kitchen
This was the project that I hadn’t planned on doing at the beginning of 2020, but I’m so glad that I took time to tackle this one. My mom’s kitchen started out looking like this…
And ended up looking like this…
There were so many projects that went into this kitchen, including making completely new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, making pull-out shelves, installing a new laminate countertop, and so much more. You can see all of those details in the before and after post right here.
So that pretty much sums up my 2020 projects. It wasn’t a completely unproductive year, and I did tackle some pretty significant projects. But I certainly do hope that 2021 proves to be a much more productive year for me.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Dear Kristy, I’m pretty sure your summary is more than most of us accomplish in a normal year. And 2020 was far from that for all of us… I hope that we can be more creative again in this new year – that’s what I wish for myself and for you, too, if you have felt paralyzed last year, too? I’m sorry to read about your darling grandmother’s death, my condolences. She always sounded like an amazing woman, esp in yesterday’s post. I hope she is in a good place and the memories of her bring you joy. I’m looking forward to being inspired by you again this year, thank you for sharing your work!
(ahhh, and sorry for the typo in your name, I didn’t mean to do that, but I do have another friend in the US written with a y in the end and I knew one day I would get both of you confused…. 🙁 )
I just tossed the 2020 calendar and put up the 2021. What was weird was all the plans and events that had been listed on various dates and then crossed off. The only ones kept were visits to kids and grands… we’d all rather succumb to the latest flu than live in isolation. But that’s our choice, not for everyone. God’s blessings on you dear lady in the new year.
You have accomplished a lot in a year of uncertainty so don’t worry about what was on your list that didn’t get done, it was a goal not an absolute. Take a moment to reflect on the amazing kitchen you and mom did together and the amazing guest bedroom. I was so sorry to read about your grandmother passing and thank you for sharing how amazing she was, what a legacy she has in you ❤
You did an absolute ton of things in a trying year. Thank you for sharing. I am inspired!
Phew! Damn girl, thats alot of work you tackled. Be very proud of what you DID accomplish. I’m still haven’t made my utensil drawer dividers after measuring and purchasing the materials. 😂
Kristi You knocked out more in a year than most of us do in 10yrs. Way to go Those were not simple jobs, hard labor and long hours as well as looking after your Sweetie
Make the New Year Happy.
Hugs
Your Mom’s kitchen was one of the favorite renovations I loved in the
world of blogging this year. So many bloggers went down the winding road of politics etc that I lost interest.
I think that the fact you tackled that renovation and got to work with your Mom and make it perfect for her is something the two of you can remember that was positive about this past year. Looking forward to what you take on and accomplish this coming year.
It’s been a tough year for us all and I’m just grateful that we’re still here. I’m glad you got a few things done. and like you I started a few that I now need to finish! What I learned from last year was I need to reprioritize, take care of myself better so that I can care for my family. Then I will have the energy to do what I enjoy with a whole heart and mind!
Are you still doing Keto/IMF? I recall you had made quite a lot of progress. I to have recommitted to finishing a dozen incomplete tasks.
You did a lot and I always enjoy your projects. A few years ago I watched the Marie Kondo series on Netflix and it really was life changing. I have just recently finished the whole house and have reclaimed my two-car garage that was full of stuff, including at least one box that had sat unopened since we move 10 years ago. The best part is that I am now living in spaces that function the way you say you imagine yourself living, and I never thought that was possible. There is space for everything we have and need and even some extra. It is way easier to keep things tidy and clean because I don’t have piles or things in boxes or things shoved in corners because there isn’t enough room. All that stuff was just me putting off making decisions (throwing something out, donating something, organizing a space). Imagine how you want to feel in the future as you evaluate what you have and get rid of things and it will be much easier. The more you can get rid of (some people say if you can replace something worth less than $20 with a simple 20-minute trip somewhere, then let it go) the easier things will be on you going forward. Best of luck to you in 2021!
I would hate to list my accomplishments next to yours; you are light years ahead of me. Having said that, I am proud of All of my accomplishments.
Look at all you’ve done this year and pat yourself on the back. Put your mother’s kitchen on the top of the list just because!!! Great daughter!! Count that as your best accomplishment.
I am still stunned by your Mom’s kitchen makeover. If that were your only accomplishment of 2020 it would still be more than most of us could manage. Sorry about your Gram, awesome to think of the changes she experienced.
You did way more in this crappy year than most people! I’m amazed that you were doing much at all, with what happened most of the year. I myself bounced in and out of depression, sad that I couldn’t see my daughter and family in Colo., but happy I could connect with my local family a small bit. I have mostly been house-bound since March, my hair is longer than it’s been since 1971, I’ve gained 20 lbs. (but quit smoking on 9/05/19 when I had a heart attack!) and I now mostly watch tv all day with nothing to do. So I think we all need to pat ourselves on the back if we are still here to complain or celebrate, since we have so far survived the worst year we have ever seen! 2021 couldn’t be much worse!
Wow, congratulations. Celebrating your progress and accomplishments. Happy 2021
With all of the ‘crazy’ of 2020, I think you accomplished a lot. That kitchen remake for your Mom was awesome and you did it in a pretty short amount of time. Your own guest room is so pretty with that wall of art and your built in closets. So inviting and restful. With a few more tweaks you’ll have the hall completed and probably your workout area. One day at a time. One project at a time. (name for your book? LOL) Looking forward to your blogging in 2021. Thanks Kristy!
Kristi, you accomplished much and did it well! Life gets in the way sometimes so file the 2020 to-do list. Here’s to 2021!
Kristi,
I wish my completed list looked like yours. Pat yourself on the back. You did some amazing work. You had to deal with the loss of a loved one, your pet and COVID and you still got more done than 10+ people. As I always tell people there is always tomorrow, next week and next month and even next year to get things done. I look forward to what you have planned for us this year. Goodbye 2020 and Hello 2021.
Kristi – Where did you get the light for your mom’s kitchen? It is what I’ve been looking for to replace the can light over our sink. We have the same scallop detail too. Now, I want to take it out. Great job! Always an inspiration to keep going on projects.
You’ve got this!!
You are an inspiration!!!
I just completed organizing my kitchen drawers similar to what you shared with us. Mine aren’t perfect, but done is better than perfect! Hope all is well in your world. Looking forward to more inspiration from your bountiful creativity. I appreciate you sharing your talents with us!