2024 Annual Recap

After reflecting on this past year both professionally and personally, the word that comes to mind is balance. Our list of completed projects was much shorter than normal, replaced with family adventures and after school activities.

2024 was the first year I felt like we genuinely pushed the brakes and slowed down since moving to Florida six years ago. This was quite intentional, after a chaotic few years of juggling long renovations and growing our family (and also unintentional, with hurricane devastation putting projects on hold).

Here are the project-related and personal highlights from each month this year—keep reading for my goals and plans for 2025!

January

Announced our goals for 2024 and new house news! Posted the new house tour. Rounded up the most affordable slipcovered sofas. Shared how to paint vinyl windows.

February

Gave my Bathroom Trend Report for 2024. Experimented with how to bleach wood. Built a DIY clothes drying rack. Revealed our long awaited laundry room makeover.

March

Posted a tutorial for our easy DIY V-groove cabinet doors. Rounded up the best faux stems and florals for spring. Created easy DIY textured canvas art.

April

Baby Luca turned one. Gave our backyard patio and landscaping a refresh. Hacked an Ikea Malm nightstand. Sold the Riverside Retreat and bought a new rental property.

May

Took a family trip to Costa Rica. Reviewed the Top 10 white exterior paints. Shared our must-have beginner DIY tools.

June

Got our third vacation rental up and running. Shared my best AirBnb bedroom design tips. Answered all your burning questions in an AirBnb Q&A. Explored Modern Spanish style design ideas.

July

Took a family trip to North Carolina. Shared a Before Tour, our plans and progress on the Spanish Sanctuary backyard. Rounded up my favorite Spanish-style tile. Shared a Before Tour and our plans for the Spanish Sanctuary bedroom.

August

Esmé turned five. Took a family trip to Seattle and a cruise to Alaska. Rounded up the most realistic faux fall stems.

September

Traveled to North Carolina and Montana. Rounded up myfavorite designer pillows under $20. Shared the design plan for the Spanish Sanctuary bunk room. Revealed our Haunted Heights House of Shadows.

October

Hurricane Helene and Milton flood our Poolside Palms property, and put all current renovations on hold. Went all in on Halloween with tutorials for ghost window silhouettes, ghost house shadows, a spooky wreath and faux taxidermy. Gave our primary bedroom a refresh.

November

Launched the Holiday Shop. Reviewed the year's Christmas tree Decorating Trends. Published gift guides for him & her, kids & toddlers, and parents.

December

Shared our annualholiday home tour.

What's next?

We have got our sights set on finishing the bunk room in the Spanish Sanctuary first. Lucas has started on the bunk beds, and we recently installed the wall mural:

Next, we will finish taking on the primary bedroom, and hopefully by then we will have this nightmare of a pool permit closed and can continue on the backyard.

On the personal side? To be completely honest, I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want in the year ahead. I definitely want to make a lot more progress on our Spanish Sanctuary renovation, but I also want to spend every waking moment with my baby boy before he starts school and I have missed my chance. I also want to continue my workout routine, taking the kids to activities, making time for friends and working less on the weekends.

How do we accomplish our big goals while staying present in our kids lives while prioritizing our physical and mental health and getting enough time to rest? If anyone has the secret, let me know!

I think 2025 will be a year of trying new things, carving out more time to be creative, and continuing to prioritize family and fun. Looking forward to seeing where life takes us!

Which project are you most looking forward to us taking on this year? Do you have any big goals or changes you are making in 2025? Let us hear it!