When I started thinking about putting together a list of the top projects on this blog for 2012, I wondered if I even accomplished ten “good” projects this year! After going through all the posts from the year, I was pleasantly surprised to find some great posts I had forgotten about! So, in case you are new to the blog, or would just like a re-cap of the year, here are the ten most viewed posts published in 2012:
Tips for Installing Chair Rail & Wainscoting
In this post I went into detail about how we installed the chunky chair rail & faux wainscoting in our entry & hallway. When we started this project we had a hard time figuring out how big to make the boxes, how much space to put between them, & how to handle awkward angles. Hopefully, this post will make it easier for anyone installing chair rail & wainscoting.
![IMG_3790 IMG_3790](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u5vX_rQeJfU/UOTWa96zbNI/AAAAAAAACEc/5vBf8geeCd8/IMG_3790_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Adding Storage In a Tiny Bathroom
We decided to take advantage of vertical wall space to add storage in our small half bathroom. This post gives a quick tutorial for how we built the floating shelves above the toilet.
![IMG_4671 IMG_4671](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4G6acdog6cY/UOTWcD4CLhI/AAAAAAAACEs/_1urt7OiBrw/IMG_4671_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Handy Half Bath
Here you will find pictures of the finished half bathroom, once the shelves were styled, artwork was hung, and new accessories were added.
![IMG_4684 IMG_4684](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Op_kCJGZ-ko/UOTWdmZrCEI/AAAAAAAACE8/DMSdDVoQkEU/IMG_4684_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The Entryway
The entryway had been in the works since 2011, but after a couple of bad paint choices, procrastinating on painting the 18-foot ceilings, and a last minute decision to add chair rail and faux wainscoting, it didn’t get “finished” until January of 2012. Clicking the link above will take you on a tour of the space.
![IMG_3778 IMG_3778](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J_dYTKSvdcI/UOTWegk8McI/AAAAAAAACFM/PAYGyE6oWqk/IMG_3778_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
More Molding
We decided to add more chunky chair rail and faux wainscoting in the dining room. This post shows how we did it & answers a few more questions that came up.
![IMG_3865 IMG_3865](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NReqOHbdjkM/UOTWf6f_U0I/AAAAAAAACFc/hEhvMVJxdDI/IMG_3865_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Creating An Outdoor Fire Pit
Our backyard has a huge slope to it. When we realized there was a small flat area near the end of the hill, we decided to take advantage of it & create a fire pit area. I handed this project over solely to my husband and eight-year-old son. This post is a play-by-play of how they did it.
![Creek Stone Patio Creek Stone Patio](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uEGA5Hs8-K4/UOTWh20ZzpI/AAAAAAAACFs/ziJIt_D_n5A/Creek%252520Stone%252520Patio_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
So Fa-ortunate
I was so excited to purchase the Carmen Sofa from Pier One, that I showed it off in this post! I guess many of you liked it too, since it made the top ten!
![IMG_4589 IMG_4589](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MAWRIqwY1jU/UOTWjbmatAI/AAAAAAAACF8/mhIpCHlXL2I/IMG_4589_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The Nursery
The nursery was finally revealed a little after Evalyse turned three months old!
![IMG_4534 IMG_4534](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cnjpQJkfqOM/UOTWkowqg2I/AAAAAAAACGM/amN8T7NMsyw/IMG_4534_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The Dining Room
I’m so glad to have the dining room finished up! I am still liking the clean, traditional-modern look it has going!
![IMG_5862 IMG_5862](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ThsgMixiocg/UOTWlyr0S-I/AAAAAAAACGc/s3_EbnvvyuQ/IMG_5862_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Stylish Storage
Last on the top ten list were the inconspicuous storage solutions I used for all the bathroom accessories filling our open shelving. The system is still working great!
![IMG_4670 IMG_4670](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w2-BiafmEz4/UOTWnZSmWwI/AAAAAAAACGs/nFoWs67YrjE/IMG_4670_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A few of my favorite projects from the year didn’t make the top ten, but lucky for you, I’m sharing them again anyway!
Toy Troubles
Now that Evalyse is mobile, I needed a space to stash all the big kids’ hazardous toys from her awesome pincer grasp! Not wanting to have to worry about the mess or danger on the main floor & not wanting them to be able to play in their rooms when they are supposed to be “calming down”, I decided to repurpose this linen closet (between their rooms) for their toys.
![IMG_5244 IMG_5244](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yx6fc_6zj3Q/UOTWolbhMGI/AAAAAAAACG8/AxReWnmMWPI/IMG_5244_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Glamorous Gold
After a couple of coats of gold spray paint, I am loving the addition of this coffee table to our living room! (Now to finish the rest of the room…)
![IMG_5913 IMG_5913](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gTwNEnAGS9M/UOTWqTObprI/AAAAAAAACHM/XBpGfxeOnqk/IMG_5913_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Black & Gold Chalkboard Gallery Wall
Painting this nook with chalkboard paint and adding gold accessories added drama & gave the space some personality.
![IMG_6042 IMG_6042](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sxzwSuKHNTI/UOTWrmpFVNI/AAAAAAAACHc/54F2bTFRDUY/IMG_6042_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Well, that’s the best I have for 2012! Next week I hope to post my goals for the year. This time, I will really try to be reasonable!
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