2016 flew by in a flash! Robert and I stayed nonstop busy, determined to finish several major projects around our home, and the result was one of our most productive years yet.
We’re excited to see what 2017 will bring. Lately we’ve both been itching for a move to a place with more land, but that’s something we’re leaving in God’s hands. For now, we still have a few small spaces left to tackle, and I’ll be sharing those updates soon. If you missed it, you can see our full before-and-after 3-year home tour here—it’s amazing to look back and see how far we’ve come.
Your kind comments and support keep us motivated to try new DIY solutions, share budget-friendly ideas, and create projects that hopefully inspire and help you. Truly—thank you.
To wrap up an incredible year for the blog, here’s a curated list of our top 20 DIY posts of 2016. I left out seasonal content and focused on our most popular home improvement projects, room reveals, and decorating tutorials.
20. Faux “Rusted” Vintage Scale Makeover – A thrifted stainless steel scale transformed into a chippy, rusted vintage look using only craft paint. A simple, budget-friendly refresh that remains a favorite.
19. DIY Faux Fireplace (Updated) – We refreshed our faux fireplace and rearranged the living room to create a more polished, comfortable focal point for the space.
18. DIY Faux Enamel Bread Box Makeover – A thrifted bread box got a fresh enamel-like finish thanks to the magic of spray paint—proof that small pieces can make a big style impact.
17. Eclectic Farmhouse Playroom Reveal – Our first time participating in the One Room Challenge resulted in a highly functional, inviting playroom that exceeded our expectations.
16. Weathered Oak Dining Table Makeover – A practical and simple transformation using a favorite weathered oak stain to breathe new life into our dining table.
15. How to Hang Decor On Siding – A straightforward guide for hanging outdoor decor on siding—one of our most popular and practical posts for outdoor styling.
14. Distressed Charcoal Scroll Mirror Makeover – An outdated thrifted mirror got a dramatic update with a charcoal distressed finish and a simple distressing technique we love.
13. How to Decorate a Small Patio – Tips and a makeover for maximizing a tiny outdoor space so it feels cozy, stylish, and useful.
12. How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro – A detailed cabinet painting process and our go-to cabinet paint that kept our kitchen cabinets looking fresh months later.
11. Antique Printer’s Cabinet Makeover – A plain Craigslist buffet was transformed into a standout piece using basic woodworking tricks and a fresh design vision.
10. Favorite Budget Friendly Blue Vintage Rugs – A roundup of affordable blue vintage rugs that were perfect for our master bedroom and a trend we predicted would grow in popularity.
9. How to Create a Weathered Wood Look With Paint – An easy, no-stripping method to give a sofa table a realistic weathered-wood finish using paint and wax.
8. Apothecary Jar Printable Labels – Free vintage-style labels that turn recycled jars into charming vases for easy, year-round floral displays.
7. Decorating 101: Vignette Styling – A practical guide to styling mantels, shelves, and tabletops using simple decorating rules to take the guesswork out of creating pretty displays.
6. 18 Inexpensive DIY Wall Decor Ideas – A collection of our favorite wall decor projects, perfect for farmhouse or industrial-inspired rooms you can make yourself.
5. My Whole30 Body Makeover + Beginner’s Guide – If getting healthier is on your list, Whole30 offered a straightforward, non-gimmicky reset that helped me lose weight and feel better in 30 days.
4. DIY Irish Blessing Sign and Entryway – A free printable and tutorial for an Irish Blessing sign that works beautifully for seasonal or year-round entryway decor.
3. DIY Feather Finish Concrete Countertops – Concrete countertops became a trending DIY topic this year—our tutorial covers the process and pitfalls to avoid if you try it yourself.
2. Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Makeover Reveal – Our long-awaited kitchen reveal includes a full source list and tutorials showing how we achieved a modern farmhouse look for a fraction of typical renovation costs.
1. 10 Items to Always Buy at Thrift Stores – If thrift shopping overwhelms you, this guide lists ten versatile things to look for (and a few to avoid) to make secondhand finds simple and rewarding.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along this year. We had a blast tackling projects in 2016, and we can’t wait to share what’s next in 2017. Do you have a favorite project from this list, or a home project you’re especially proud of? I’d love to hear about it!
