How’d it Hold Up: a look back on my most popular DIYs (Part 1)
With all the DIY projects we’ve tackled over the past 4 years, one of the most common questions we get is “would you do it again?”. I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while and share how some of my most popular DIY projects turned out. Some of these projects I’m planning on doing again soon for the new house and some I would never tackle again. Curious to see what falls where? Here we go!
When people come over, this is the one piece of furniture everyone asks about. It took me under 2 hours to paint this piano with chalk paint. You can read the entire tutorial here.
So, it looks cute and is a conversation-starter, but would I do it again?
YES!
Not only does this piano make me ridiculously happy to look at every day, but painting it hasn’t changed the functionality a bit. I don’t play, just like always, and when Scott plays for me, it’s just the same as it has always been—off key but beautiful anyways. J
This is the project I get the most questions on by far. People email me weekly, asking how they are doing, if I still like it, etc. So, these countertops were in our last house, meaning we haven’t seen them in over a year. I’m basing my answer soley off our experience with them the years we were there. Would I do them again?
Maybe.
This is a tough one to answer. The positives—I loved how they looked, they saved us a ton of money in our house remodel and they were unique. I only have one negative, but for me it was a big one—the maintenance. These counters have to be resealed every 3 months. If you don’t keep up with it, you will get stains that are really, really, really difficult to remove. Like sanding your counter down (see how we did it in this post here). I didn’t think it would bother me, but I learned that I am a low-maintenance kind of girl. So, would I recommend this project—yes, but with that caveat. Would I personally do this project again? No. At least not in the kitchen.
This project was ridiculously easy. I had wanted to do it for awhile but built it up in my head to be a major ordeal. Scott and I managed to completely transform the front of our house in about 2-3 hours (including drying time). Would we do it again?
Yes!
The DIY wood shutters project was one that I still kick myself for not doing earlier. It was so easy and inexpensive and looked so good!
This project skyrocketed to eternal glory (hah!) with a feature on CNN.com (see it here!). It’s one of my most pinned and shared projects of all time. This one was not easy though. It was a 3 day project with blood, sweat, tears, spiders, smashed furniture and orange mistake stain (seriously. The drama!). However, we persevered! Would we do it all again given everything?
Yes, but…
This is another tricky one. I loved the romance of it but lying down isn’t always practical. Since I wanted to read in it, I would definitely do this again, but would add a back so I could lean against it.
Phew, what a fun walk down memory lane! I have a few more projects people have asked about, so I’ll be following this up with a Part Two very soon. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll get back to you! 🙂
Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.
Great post Tania! I love to know how a project has held up and if you still like it and would do it again…very helpful.
Ahhhh I love the idea of all of these DIY projects!!! I love the idea of concrete counters but would be so scared to do them! The shutters look so pretty and make such a difference! And I can just see myself lounging with my dog on that outside bed!
The mint piano is amazing. Love it!
So fun to see these projects again!!! You are the ultimate diy queen!!!! So proud of you!
I am loving this, going to scroll back up and check out these posts! So glad I happened along your blog. That outdoor bed has me intrigued!
If you have time, I’d love it if you could share this with me and my co-hosts over at the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party, I think our followers would love it. It goes live at 4 pm est today. http://www.rustic-refined.com/
If not, I am still glad I found your blog. Have a great week!
What a pretty piano in mint green!
Thanks for the explanation about sealing the concrete counters. I too love the look and had wondered about the maintenance. Wow – sealing every 3 months? No way!
I’d love to know how the two tone kitchen cabinets are holding up! Thanks for these project updates, it’s really nice to have you do my trial and error for me 😉