2011 Lessons Learned

Via Rifle Paper Company

Happy New Year!

You may have realized by now that my absence from the 'net has been a result of my extremely overzealous, overachieving alter ego who decided it was a good idea to renovate and redecorate her house during the precious few weeks leading up to Christmas.  I know you are anxious to see how it all turned out, but i'm still working on the finishing touches, so those before and after photos must be saved for a later post!

The start of a new year is a great time for reflection and fresh starts (and top 10 lists) so I thought i would gather my personal and professional list of 'lessons learned' in 2011.  Some of them are a little cliche, but they are still worth remembering:

My top 10 lessons learned in 2011:

1. Great rewards cannot be enjoyed without taking great risks. 

This applies to quitting your stable job with good benefits to start your own design firm to painting your kitchen cabinets.  Which leads me to my next lesson learned . . . 

2. Painting is the number one way to make the most impact with the least cost.  

And don't listen to your man when he says those dark wood, paneled walls and wood beams are cozy and woodsy.  Most likely you dont live in a mountain cabin.  Paint them!  Check out this amazing transformation from blog Young House Love:

From this . . .

To this!

3. Use color on your ceilings and doors.  

Yes, they can be something other than white, and once you do it you will be amazed at how cool and wonderfully subtle it is.   My painted doors are my favorite thing in my 'new' old house.

Here's a little peek at my new front door

Source Unknown

4.  Stage to Sell

If you are trying to sell a house in this economy, it is imperative that you spend the time and money to thoroughly clean, repair, update, declutter and stage!  Here's just a little example of how making a small change can make a big impact:

Before . . . 

And after!
Photo courtesy of The W Realty Group

Removing the old screen door and a fresh coat of paint added so much curb appeal!  (Though I was pushing them to paint the front door aqua!)  

5. Multitasking doesn't necessarily mean you will get more things done. 

6. Don't overthink things too much.  

Trust your gut.  Your first instinct was probably right.  

7. Choosing paint colors is not for the faint-hearted.  

If you want a bold, intense color, choose a shade lighter or muddier than you think.  If you want a light color, choose a shade slightly darker than you want.  Don't be afraid to go dark - settling for a similar lighter hue will generally end up being softer and lighter than what you really wanted.

Source unknown

8. Mistakes, disappointment and failure are inevitable.  

Deal with it, learn from it, and move on.

9. Don't overdo it

No matter how simple it may seem, or how organized you are, it is not a good idea to start a major project right before the holidays. (Though it turned out amazing, and I can't wait to share photos with you once I get the hardware on the cabinets and the stone on the hearth!)

And last but not least, the most important lesson I learned in 2011: 

Via The Ugly Green Chair

12. The Law of the Ugly Chair

I read this post earlier this year, and it really stuck to me.  If something isn't working in your life anymore - a comfortable, but ugly, chair, a paint color, handbag, even a job or a person.....get rid of it.  You will feel an instant weight has been lifted, and it will free up a space in your life for something more wonderful and beautiful.

I hope you have a wonderful and beautiful 2012.  Thanks so much for reading my blog this past year, and I look forward to sharing more inspiring images with you in the year ahead.

Peace,

Bronwyn