If I were to put a number on the amount of before and afters in our home last year, it might seem a little depressing. I’m a glutton for punishment, so I counted them, but be prepared; it’s vastly underwhelming. 3.5…that’s the number. Not only is it a small number, it’s not even a full round number. But you know what? I’m so proud of those 3.5 before and afters because they were completed during the hardest year on record for our family. From stress I was convinced would put one of us in the hospital, to my mom’s sudden passing at the age of 63, life really threw us some curve balls last year. I was homeschooling, traveling to and from Cape Cod for a design job I never should have taken, renovating our home with my own two hands on a limited budget, and working full time with brands and e-design clients. This doesn’t include running my girls to all their activities because Hannah wasn’t driving yet, cooking, cleaning, and managing mysterious health issues. Needless to say, it was a lot. So, the fact that I even have one before and after is nothing short of miraculous, and I will absolutely celebrate these 3.5 spaces as if I had finished our entire house!
1. Powder Room | January
BEFORE
AFTER
2. Family Room | August
BEFORE
AFTER
As you can see, this is only one side of the family room, and the ceiling gives away the fact that we aren’t 100% done in here. We’ve addressed every area except the ceiling, which will hopefully get planked in 2023, but even if it doesn’t, this room has come so far and that’s worth celebrating.
3. Dining Room | September
BEFORE
AFTER
The .5 that I’m including in this list of before and afters is basically every other space that is at least halfway done and will be completed in 2023…the office/school room, which we’re converting back to a guest room, Hannah’s grown-up bedroom, and the laundry room. I have no pictures of these spaces in their current state, but trust me when I say they are so close to being done that they deserve to be included in this post.
Well, there you have it. All 3.5 of our before and afters from 2022.
Let’s normalize home improvements moving at a snail’s pace…that’s all I’m saying.
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You do amazing work. I can’t imagine doing all this, especially with health issues and your mother’s passing. I’m so very sorry for your loss – it’s very difficult.
Thank you so much Betty. Doing all of this has actually been such a gift for my mental and emotional health. It has helped me process things and keep my mind off of things. Maybe that’s why I’ve gotten so much done…there has been so much to process!
Losing one’s Mom is a tough road & I am so sorry! You have done so many beautiful accomplishments in your home & you should be so proud of yourself. I saw one picture of yours & had to follow you! From an older Mom, I think it’s time to relish your works & take time for yourself.
Hi there…thank you so much. I am definitely trying to slow down. I notice that spring and summer are when I do all my hard charging as far as projects, and then fall and winter I want to keep going but I guess I just can’t, so I slow down and wait for the energy to pick things back up.
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing Marynn I can’t even imagine what you went through <3 Thanks so much for responding to my comment on wallpaper on your other post. You deserve to know that there are strangers out here rooting for you!! It is so satisfying to look at these before and after pics. The rooms turned out INCREDIBLY. The dining room especially. Can't wait to see what you do next. Take care!
Thank you SO much for this kind comment. It means the world to me to hear from readers, so this was such a treat.