Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

DIY

The 24 Projects We Got Done in 2020!

December 21, 2020

At the beginning of the year, we laid out the projects we wanted to get done in 2020 and proclaimed we'd rather not be living through a renovation for 10 years (aka, we were putting the gas on this!). Some we didn't get to (the kitchen/pantry/mudroom), but everything else we checked off and then some--the exterior wasn't even on our radar in January of this year! Looking at these before and afters from this year, I'm feeling tired (haha) but also proud of how far we've come in one year!

It also excites me for 2021 to see how much farther we can push our home. Below we have photos of each of the projects we tackled this year with photos from January 2020 vs Today, and the relevant projects linked below each! (There's also a little blurb at the end of the post squashing a rumor I keep hearing about).

1. Our Bedroom:

Painted, Canopy Bed, Lamp Update, Window Shades

DIY Over-Grouted Stone Fireplace

2. Greta's Room:

DIY Canvas Floater FrameCurtains

3. Office

Dark Beadboard Accent Wall in the Office

 

4. Arizona Bedroom Makeover with Lowe's

5. Dining Room

Floors, Update: What's working and what's not, Doors, Fauxdenza, Curtains

6. Entry

Updated Stair Railings, Sconces

7. Backyard Firepit

8. Closet

Building the WardrobesFilling Holes & Adding Trim, How to Plank a Ceiling & Install Crown, Shoe ShelvesPainting the Closet, Custom Fronts to IKEA PAXPocket Doors

9. The Garage

10. The Music Room

11. Our Graphite Painted Playset

12. The Playroom

13. The Guest Room

14. The Living Room

Arched Window, lots of rearranging

15. The Pugmire Living Room

16. Girls' Office

Paint, Layering Stain on the Countertop

17. Basement Family Room Makeover

18. Polly's Room Part 1

19. Girls' Bathroom Phase 1

Peel & Stick Tile

20. Exterior

Gas Lanterns, Video Tour, Stone, Roof, Studio McGee's Design Plan

Garage

21. Hallway

Sconces

22. Faye's Room (in progress)

23. Our Bathroom (in progress)

Prep Update, Tile, Fixtures

 

24. The Propertee Warehouse

One of the biggest projects we did this year, almost completely behind the scenes, was bring Propertee in house, get a warehouse, hire a staff and make the warehouse/office space there very cute. We will surely share more about this in 2021, but I couldn't let this year end without sharing this big sneak peek. It was a huge project and I'm feeling so grateful we're more settled over there with an amazing team.

Cute smeg fridge, toaster and electric kettle.

 

I know there are a lot of questions about what we're going to do when this house is finished and I promise we'll share our thoughts on that in the new year, but I also want to assure you that we're not going anywhere. Figuratively or literally. No plans to move and no plans to close up our corner of the internet. PROMISE. 24 projects this year with lots of micro projects within them, although felt overwhelming at times, has us feeling a lot more at home at the end of this year which is exactly what we feel our family needed. We're so grateful for your support and your encouragement and your excitement along the way. We're going to take a much needed rest for the next couple weeks and return to  kick it off again in 2021! Be safe and have a happy holiday and we'll see you back here January 4th!

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. What a *ridiculous* amount of stuff!!! Everything looks out of this world, but I hope you guys can get SO much rest soon. Just rest and rest and rest every chance you can <3 Love you guys and can't believe how much you crush it!

  2. Well, this recap makes me feel very unproductive. LOL. But very impressed and thank you for documenting the journey for all of us.

  3. What a year! I am looking forward to the Propertee reveal. I’ve been looking for a sweet little pendant just like those for over my kitchen sink so I’d love to know the source.

    And even though I’ve had enough pandemic-related content for the rest of my life, I would be interested in a post about your experiences with doing SO MUCH work on your house during the pandemic. Was it difficult/more expensive to get supplies? Any unexpected yet happy pivots you had to make? Thoughts about having contractors in your house? Just thought it’d be interesting to hear what, if anything, changed as a result. Hope your family enjoys the holidays!

  4. So much work! And all so beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us and inspiring me to work magic into my own home!

  5. Well done! You’ve accomplished so much even against the backdrop of 2020. While I love everything you’ve done my two favourite spots are your cosy basement - Netflix heaven. And your external Reno is next level.

  6. I always enjoy your overview posts at the end of the year, as well as the ones about "what we have on deck for next year." I know everyone's saying it, but my goodness how insane that you were able to accomplish this much in just a year... I'm sure it makes the next couple weeks off that much more enjoyable – to know you've completed so much of your renovation and so successfully, too! I am looking forward to seeing what you have in store for the new year, especially that Propertee Warehouse project! We're in the process of buying (crossing my fingers!) a river-front ranch that we'll be converting to an AirBnb, so I've been on the lookout for moody "modern mountain home"-type aesthetics, and the warehouse project already looks inspiring!

  7. I remember my excitement at your new move, thinking *stonnnne! It’s so cottagey* and would have never imagined it needed a full exterior makeover, but now looking at the before pics i’m like *bleugh* because the current exterior is so out of this world dreamy! I’m excited to see what’s to come in 2021!

  8. It is so wild that this was all this year! It feels like you've done so much in so little time, but I'm sure while you're living in it it hasn't felt so quick- it's all SO beautiful and I know you're going to up the ante even more in 2021.

  9. Wow, that’s an incredible amount of work. I’m not sure how you kept your sanity throughout, but the end results are stunning. Thank you for bringing us along, and for giving me something to look forward to and enjoy during this very dark, very long year. All the best to your family for a wonderful holiday.

  10. It's all fabulous . . . but the exterior of your house is just sooooo stunning. It turned out SO great.

    I will always love the jewel box of a music room too. And that's not to discount the gorgeous living room and dining room too!! I could go on and on, of course . . .

  11. Congratulations Julia and Chris! What a transformative year for your home and your family. Thanks for sharing it all with us. I can't wait to see the girls' rooms (including your plans for Greta's ceiling) and your bathroom completed. Once done, would love to see a new walk-through video of the second floor. Enjoy your time off and get some rest!

  12. Down the road I could see you move more office activities to your new warehouse ... you've grown so much just in the last five years I've been reading your blog.
    But you've got to stay in that house. It's so perfect as a venue to marry your girls (I'm thinking waaaaaaaaaaaaay into the future here). Or just to send them off to prom as teenagers. And that will happen way too soon.

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Sales

The Best Black Friday + Cyber Monday Deals in 2024

We collected all of the best deals of the holiday season—from tech to home decor—in one place for easy reference. Whether you want the lowest price on one of the best gifts of the year or you have a furniture item in your cart waiting for a discount, we’ve rounded up our recommendations. We're also […]
A white dish of peppermint brownies next to a red & white tea towel
Chris Cooks

Holiday Peppermint Brownies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

I have a few recipes that are perfect for the holidays, and this is one of them. I make a really delicious brownie that can be made gluten-free and dairy-free, but you won't even know it's missing those elements when the peppermint flavor hits. It's really simple, and you're going to LOVE this brownie for […]
Gift Guides!

Unique Places to Shop on Small Business Saturday

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season, I love that we dedicate a day to find treasures from small business owners. It's a day of discovery—you may just uncover your new favorite product! (We're proud to partner with a couple of small businesses including Poppy & Pout and Lightwell Co.—both offering great […]
A moody brown bedroom decorated for Christmas with green, burgundy and warm red accents
House Tours

Video: Our Holiday Home Tour 2024

I love a holiday home tour. It's so fun stepping into someone's house to see how they decorate. The scents they chose to represent their home in the Christmas season. Even the way a fire in the fireplace creates cozy shadows on the wall—it just changes the vibe. After we decorated all the rooms for […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES