Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

It's very hard to believe that 2013 is over and that we are now in January of 2014!  This year went by so quickly, and I think that this next one is going to as well.  We have so much planned for this year that I can't wait to share with you!

As a recap for 2013, I'd like to share with you the Top 5 Posts written this year, based on visits alone, and then I'll share my favorite post of the year.  

5. DIY: IKEA MALM Occasional Table  

Since you all know my obsession with IKEA, it shouldn't surprise you that I recreated one of their pieces of furniture.  I've always wanted a table for the bed, so when I saw their MALM Occasional Table with casters, I fell in love with it - but not the price tag!  So, I did what every DIY-er does, and made my own, for only $40! 

4. DIY: Raised Bed Planter

Since I couldn't have a planter in my back yard last year, I wanted something that was high enough off the ground that I didn't have to hurt my back gardening, and something that was portable so it could be moved in the future.  Enter the Raised Bed Planter that I built using Ana White's concept via her website.  Her directions aren't the greatest, so I made some very detailed ones here, and this has easily become one of my most popular posts.  I have plans to modify it this year to have casters on the bottom for easier moving, especially since once it's filled with dirt, it's rather heavy!

3. DIY: Repair a Hole in Wood

Before I went ahead and painted my front door purple, I had a few holes to fill from the previous hardware, which was replaced when we changed the locks after moving in.  Using some simple wood putty, I filled up the hole and sanded it down before putting on the first coat of primer, and you would never even be able to tell that there was a hole there now!


2. DIY: Curtain Rod Finials

Earlier this year, I decided to try to make some finials for the ends of my DIY Curtain Rods, so I picked up some balsa wood balls from a local unfinished wood and furniture store, carved out a ring on one of the ends and then using some silicone adhesive, I stuck them onto the end of the curtain rods.  Painted silver to match both the rods and the curtain hardware, they look great and the cost was so little!

And the most popular post from 2013 is....


1. DIY: Curtain Rods & Brackets

After researching curtain rods and how expensive they are, I was determined to find a cheaper way to hanging curtains, so instead, I just made my own rods and brackets.  Using some screws, wing-nuts, and electrical clasps from the hardware hardware store, I was able to put together my own brackets to hold the electrical conduit poles that I also purchased.  Using a conduit cutter, I cut the 10' poles to the length that I needed and then put together the brackets and hung the rods! A much cheaper way to get curtain rods, and a positive about it is that you can cut them to exactly the length that you need, up to 10' and you can even paint them to match the color scheme for your home!

And that gives you the Top 5 Posts from 2013.  But, my favorite post isn't listed here, so I figured I would include that.  My absolutely favorite post from 2013 was...

DIY: Vinyl Tiled Backsplash

This simple concept made such a huge change in our kitchen. We went from having ugly peach-colored tiles with grape bunches, garlic cloves, and olive oil bottles, to having a very subdued dark backsplash that made the space look much more elegant and modern.  I couldn't be happier that we decided to spend $35 dollars on the backsplash and do something temporary to spruce up the space.  

So there you have it! The Top 5 Posts from 2013 and a little addition of my favorite one, too. I can't wait to see what 2014 is going to bring to Dylan and I, and I can't wait to be back here next year with a whole different Top 5 for you all! I am really looking forward to seeing what you like most! 

Happy New Year!