Rhoda is having a before and after party and I thought I’d join in. Be sure to check out her blog to see more. Maybe you’ll find a project you’ll want to do this year!
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First up is an old rusty tray that I painted white and then I painted a harlequin with a fleur di lis on it. The green is some leftover paint from when I painted my kitchen – it makes it easy to tie into my kitchen. The after is the top picture.
The next before and after is an old patio table and some chairs from the thrift store that we use on our screened in porch.
This is just a regular old binder that I used some scrapbook papers on that I use to organized my recipes.
The before of the small bookcase I use as a buffet in my dining room which I got at Hobby Lobby at the beginning of the year.
I painted it white.
Then last fall I decided to add that little curtain. I decided I needed more storage space not display space. So behind that curtain are all of my placemats, extra candlesticks, napkins, and cake stands!
My black china cabinet when it was sage green
Then I painted it black and distressed it.
At the end of last year I decided to cut out the divided window on the top and replace that with chickenwire. Better don’t you think?
I like for even my coupon organizer to be pretty! So last year I glued some gift wrap on to a small file folder and set up my own categories. I’m still using it and it works great. I can’t tell you how many people stop me in the grocery store to ask me where I got it!
I also painted the insides of my kitchen cabinets last year. That was a job! I painted the back yellow, I put some pretty green paper on the shelves and I painted the insides of the doors the same color as my walls. I love that surprise of color when I open my cabinets!
By now I’m sure you realize that paint is my BFF! A little side table that if you are a regular reader of my blog you’ve seen a million times with various things on it! Before I painted it white.
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Those are storage jars from Target and I painted the lids almost the same color as my kitchen walls. I had a little sample pot from Benjamin Moore and wanted to use it up! I also covered a jar lid in fabric.
Not every project has to be a huge undertaking to have impact. I like to do little things to make ordinary objects just a little bit special!
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the things I did last year. I have a lot planned for this year so stay tuned!
I love all your makeovers! Isn’t it amazing to look back at all we did! It gets me really excited to see what can get done in 2009!
WOW..I remember some of those projects…maybe this year I will try my hand in something…gotta start to even get better so thanks for sharing.
I remember so many of them, and was excited to see a new one that I must have missed the first time around. Beautiful!
Great projects! I love how you took some small objects and made them beautiful.
I need to work on my patio set…you’ve provided some inspiration!
Hi, Manuela! I have those Target jars but never would’ve thought to paint them. How clever! I always love seeing what creative things you come up with.
These are great ideas! I love the before and after pictures. Thanks. I plan on doing my recipe binder. Thanks for the inspiration!
What amazing transformations ~ well done!
alwayss always love your projects! The little hutch with the chicken wire is my favorite!
Beautiful projects, Manuela! We both made over patio sets this year 🙂
Love all of those ideas. What a fun idea to paint the inside of your cabinets. Of course, I also need to paint the OUTSIDE of mine! ha!
Good morning Manuela 🙂
I always love your projects, because they turn out so amazing and you make it look effortless. I love how you did the inside of your cabinets and you know I love the chairs with the numbers 🙂
hugs,
rue
I love the things you did last year!! Your kitchen cabinets are so pretty and I love the cabinet with chicken wire. Great job!! Good luck with your projects this year!!
Great projects, Manuela! Love that little tray & I don't remember seeing it before. Maybe it was when you were on hiatus. 🙂 You've really accomplished a lot last year & we both sure love the paint, don't we?! Thanks for playing along, it's so fun to see a recap of what everyone was up to.
What a fun post! You must really feel like you accomplished so much when you see it all together.
I am at work – but I want to go home and paint something now.
All of your projects and makeovers are great M! Love them.
Love your cabinets and the soup tureens on top!
You are very resourceful!! It all looks great! I am very impressed!
Suzanne
Great projects…you did so good on them all.
Wonder what 09 holds for us project lovers?? I already have a few in mind….
That chicken wire sure did make a big difference!
That table from Hobby Lobby with the arch designs on the side would work so good in my home (I have arches on my front porch), so whenever you get tired of it…ha!
I love all of your ideas and projects, Manuela, very creative and beautiful!
Bella
Thank you for sharing your projects- the cubboard with the chicken wire is wonderful- you did an amazing job distressing it! I loved that you showed so many small easy projects. They are so “do able” !!
blessings
mary
Great projects Manuela!
I enjoyed it all. mishelle
What kind of paint do you use on your furniture?
Thanks!
Hey! I am here from teh 2008 Before and After. Your place looks great! I love all of your makeovers! Stop by my place if you can.
I WIll stay tuned! You put me to shame …I don’t really do anything around here I’m realizing…
I love all of your projects.
Manuela…I loved all of these projects that you did last year…hey….would you show some more of your kitchen….I finished painting my kitchen and am doing a few other rooms, but am gearing up to paint my cabinets…I will be putting up the ceilling tile backsplash to copy you!!!! Love that! Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for 2009.
My favorite is the kitchen cabinets…… I have been dreaming of doing the same thing to mine ever since I saw yours….. dreaming does not get it done…..lol
HUgs
Linda
Manuela, you are just toooo cooool. You do so much. I remember the china cabinet and a few other things and it’s always good to be reminded of the before and after. Thank you very much little lady. Enjoy your day. Bye bye now.
All your makeovers are so beautiful! Such great ideas. Your chandy in your header…looks like mine in my kitchen…it was a handme down that I loved back in the 80’s and still love to this day…in all it’s crystal glory. I painted over the burnishned brass and made it much darker! Looks like you did same.
I love your projects because they make a big impact but aren’t over the top to do. I am motivated to find a few projects myself to do!
I love the makeovers! Perfect colors and it the new color really brought out the piece. You did a lot of great projects – glad I found you so I can show your stuff to my mom
WOW!!! So many awesome and amazing ideas!!!! Beautiful!
Thanks for your visit to my blog and I hope you will return often. I know I want to came back and be inspired be your creativity.
Great projects. Love those little jars from Target! And the little white table…and…I love it all!
All lovely makeovers and very inspiring! :o)
Good going, Manuela! Love what you did!
XO,
Sheila
Love all the redos. You must do alot of gargage sales….
Keep it up!
Suzy
I can’t even pick a favorite. They’re all SO amazing! Love them all!
I love the surprise of color on the inside of your kitchen cupboards. Great idea! Sally
What great projects…you are very talented at all that painting of furniture. Could you come to my house.
You have some great ideas. Looking forward to seeing what you do this year.
I’m dropping off an award for you! Check my blog Thursday morning for details.
Where to start! lol The tray is so pretty! I still need those two chairs, lol love the recipe and coupon books, neat idea! Bookcase turned into buffet, is wonderful, I can see my granddaughter rearranging at this moment. My side board has a cloth, she has not peeked yet! Love the black china cabinet. The storage jars, I love for 15 years ago, I found in hubby grandma smoke house these same jars, plus the old blue mason jars, they had been there for years and years! I seven have the lids! Love how you are using them.
I love your darling country french look. You have a Great eye for decorating.
Becky
Great projects, Manuela…I love everything you did!
You had a very busy 2008. Loved all of your makeovers. Can’t wait to see what you do in 2009. laurie
Fabulous! Makes be want to paint something!
You have such wonderful makeovers – I love them all! That green paint is gorgeous – it might be my new bff! 😉
great projects! did you post a tutorial on how you distressed the black china cabinet?
Thanks for the post!
It has been fun watching the makeovers. You are inspiring. Can’t wait to see what happens this year.
Debbie
I love your backsplash and such a good idea to paint the inside of the cabinets.
Dear Manuela~ You are absolutely INCREDIBLY talented, creative, resourceful and, an extra bonus, "to-the-point" in describing your WONDERFUL, thoughtful PROJECTS!!! I LOVVVVVED reading your blog just now!!!~ Don't know HOW I came to be here tonight, but am SOOOO GLAD I am! I have added yet ANOTHER "FAV" to my growing list of talented people to visit, but I think yer waaaay at the TOP, kiddo! JUST DELIGHTFUL!!! Thanks sooo much! I'll be back for more not only INSPIRING ideas, but BEAUTIFUL/CUTE/NOTEWORTHY and yes, even DO-ABLE projects! WOW! Happy '09! Warmly & appreciatively, Linda (RMS's "Mom of a German Shorthair)
Manuela,
You come up with the best makeovers I’ve ever seen. I love that you use things you have too.
I love your home.
Gretchen
Okay, I am not suppose to be on the computer right now. I thought I’d just “check a few” of my favorites on Bloglines.
But I HAD to post and tell you how beautiful everything is and how you have inspired me in the coming year.
Your home is as beautiful as you are (inside and out).
It’s nice to see all of your projects in a a row! I whish I have some of your creativity.
Sorry to bother you but I need help for blogspot.
How did you manage to get a photos and a written line on the header of the blog? And how you can post photos between two written blocks? I simply can’t succed in doing that!
Thanks in advance for any advice you could give me.
You can write me at [email protected]
This finds me saying to myself that I can do better! 😀
So many inspiring projects, I can not wait to see what your up to today xoxox Clarice
Wat cute littel makeovers. It shows how little it takes to turn something humdrum into somthing that snaps!
Awesome projects…I love your blog and will be back because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to paint anything that doesn’t MOVE. HEHEHE. My favorite of yours is that you painted the inside of the kitchen cabinets..You rock….I may just Borrow you idea. Happy New Year from Houston, TX
Great makeovers. You have such good ideas.
You have that creative brain thing going on!~ good job
I love painted furniture! I would paint everything in our house if my husband would let me 🙂 I never would have thought to paint the inside of my cabinets, but I love it and now I want to do it, too!
Great projects…I really need to start painting more things! 🙂 Love how you transformed the table and the smaller table with the drawers! Susan
when you get a minute stop by! http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/01/calling-georgia-bloggers.html
Hi Manuela….you do amazing things with paint..I have to admit I do love a good can of spray paint and a piece of wicker…I still have to get back over to Goodwill to check out that little dresser….I have just the spot for it…
Manuela, I’m loving your blog and all your projects. Every pic you posted, I’d think “that’s my favorite” until I’d get to your next one. 🙂
I am absolutely amazed. My favorite are the patio table and chairs. You are one talented lady!
Sweetie
Manuela ~ I am totally lovin’ the black cabinet with the chicken wire. The wallpaper lining and tassel on the door really make it special too. I enjoyed your ideas of decorating on a budget!
Thank for stopping by Star’s Fault!
Blessings ~ Eileen and the Beautiful Starry Girl
You’ve been a busy girl with your BFF. Mimi
The painting will start as soon as the dampness goes so I can open the doors. Yes, it’s California but it has been cold ..um..well..for us anyway.
And…I am going to remember everything I saw here tonight. What a neat place to visit. 2009 is going to be a paint year!
Beautiful..every single one of them. I painted my lids to those jars too..but red…you have me wanting to go green now ..
Oh what a great job…and that is a lot of projects through the year!!
Bravo!
wow , each one is more gorgeous than the other!! I LOVE those pastel chairs, beautiful job! and the black cabinet is to die for sweet! You do beautiful work and your talents are evident in every nook and cranny! I love the kitchen cabinets too!
Fabulous post!! Hugs, Cynthia
What can I say Manuela, I love everything…your creativity with home decor never ceases to amaze me.
Ruth
I love all of your projects 🙂 I’m with you, paint is such a dear friend 🙂
Hugs,
Dena
Manuela,
All your projects are beautiful…I love to repurpose and have an entirely new ‘pretty’ for my home….
I love the inside of your cabinets and your storage jars! So cheerful.