An Oregon Cottage’s Top 10 DIY Home Renovation Projects That Defined 2010
As the curtains closed on 2010, we at An Oregon Cottage embarked on a journey of reflection, looking back at a year packed with sawdust, paint fumes, and countless hours of dedicated DIY effort. While the “we” might sound grand, implying a bustling team of skilled professionals, the reality is often just Brian and me, occasionally assisted (or more accurately, observed) by our two children who, let’s be honest, would much rather be doing anything else than helping with a home renovation project! Despite the occasional chaos and inevitable setbacks, 2010 was a landmark year for transforming our home into the cozy, functional space we’ve always envisioned.
This past year was truly a testament to what can be achieved with a vision, a willingness to learn, and a healthy dose of elbow grease, even on a budget. We tackled everything from major exterior overhauls to intricate interior details, each project bringing us closer to our dream cottage. Below, we proudly present the 10 most beloved and impactful DIY projects that captured our hearts and transformed our home throughout 2010. These aren’t just mere tasks completed; they represent moments of triumph, learning, and the incredible satisfaction that comes from creating something beautiful with your own hands.
An Oregon Cottage’s 10 Favorite DIY Home Improvement Projects of 2010
1.
Painting the Exterior of Our House
This project was nothing short of a dream come true, literally painting our vision onto the canvas of our home. We started with a rather nondescript, gray ranch house that blended into its surroundings, making it difficult even to spot the front door. Our aspiration was a charming, farmhouse-style cottage, brightened with a cheerful yellow and crisp white trim. The transformation was truly dramatic. We meticulously prepared the exterior, scraped old paint, and then began the painstaking process of applying the new colors. The fresh coat of vibrant yellow immediately brought warmth and character, while the contrasting white trim highlighted architectural details, creating that quintessential farmhouse-cottage aesthetic we adored. The curb appeal skyrocketed, and every time we pulled into the driveway, we were greeted by the cheerful home we had always dreamed of. It was more than just paint; it was the realization of our home’s true potential.
2.
Our Teenage Son’s Extreme Room Makeover
This was undoubtedly one of the most ambitious and memorable projects of the year, undertaken as a complete surprise for our teenage son while he was enjoying his Spring Break in Mexico. The mission: to transform his cluttered, outdated room into a modern, functional, and stylish haven, all within a tight one-week deadline. It was an intense sprint involving tearing up old carpet, installing a unique paper floor treatment sealed with polyurethane, painting the walls and all the trim and doors, custom-building a new bed frame, and selecting new linens, a rug, and curtain rods. We also refreshed the lighting to brighten the space. The final reveal, captured in a dramatic video, was priceless. His astonished and genuinely thrilled reaction made every late night and frantic rush worth it. While we might hesitate to take on such an “extreme” surprise makeover again due to the sheer intensity and coordination required, the joy on his face was an unforgettable reward.
3.
Giving Our Daughter Her Own Room Makeover
After the success (and intensity) of our son’s room makeover, it was only fair to give our daughter’s bedroom a much-needed refresh. This time, however, we approached the project with a slightly different strategy: no surprise, no impossible deadline, and most importantly, her full input every step of the way. We learned from the previous experience that involving a teenager in the design process is crucial to ensure their satisfaction and avoid any “like, that’s totally lame, Mom!” feedback. This collaborative approach made the entire process much more enjoyable and significantly less angst-ridden. We worked together to select colors, furniture arrangements, and decor items that reflected her personal style, creating a space that felt truly hers. The result was a beautiful, personalized bedroom that she absolutely loved, proving that involving the homeowner, even a young one, leads to the most cherished outcomes.
4.
Amazing Floor Treatment Using Brown Kraft Paper
If popularity were the sole metric, this innovative floor treatment would undoubtedly be the number one project of 2010. The concept of using brown kraft paper as an alternative to traditional wood floors captivated our readers, with many expressing a mix of intrigue and disbelief – some even questioning our sanity! Despite having successfully used this technique in a previous home years ago, I myself experienced a moment of doubt during the process in my son’s room. In its wet, uneven state, it looked like a complete failure. It wasn’t until about a week later, once it was completely dry and sealed with multiple coats of polyurethane, that the true beauty of this budget-friendly, unique floor treatment emerged. The rich, marbled appearance, akin to aged leather or an intricate map, was stunning. To top it off, our son declared it his favorite part of his room makeover, validating all the effort and proving that sometimes, the most unconventional ideas yield the most amazing results. This DIY floor solution offers incredible character and durability for a fraction of the cost of hardwood.
5.
Master Bath Remodel: “What I Did for a Tub”
Our master bathroom remodel was a testament to patience and perseverance. This was not a quick cosmetic update; it was a full gut renovation where almost everything, including the windows, needed to be replaced. The driving force behind this extensive project was my long-standing desire for a functional and beautiful bathtub – a true luxury we had been without for too long. The process was slow and methodical, carefully planned to ensure we stayed within our budget and avoided incurring any debt. We handled much of the demolition and installation ourselves, learning new skills along the way. Despite the time and effort invested, the outcome was incredibly rewarding. We now have a master bathroom that is not only aesthetically pleasing with its clean lines and thoughtful design but also highly functional and a true sanctuary. Completing this major renovation debt-free made the beautiful and functional space even more satisfying.
6.
Turning a Dresser into a Vanity
After enduring a temporary plywood vanity in our master bathroom for a year and a half, the vision of transforming an antique dresser into a stylish and functional bathroom vanity finally materialized last spring. This DIY furniture upcycling project was a game-changer for the bathroom, adding character and much-needed storage. The process involved carefully modifying the dresser to accommodate a sink and plumbing, sealing the top for water resistance, and giving it a fresh coat of paint to match our bathroom’s new aesthetic. We meticulously documented each step, from cutting out the drawer fronts to installing the plumbing, ensuring that anyone aspiring to create their own unique vanity from a dresser could follow along. The result was a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece that perfectly fit our cottage style and provided practical storage. My only regret? Not tackling this project sooner and living with the temporary solution for so long!
7.
Discovering the Magic of Spray Paint on Outdated Lighting
This wasn’t a grand renovation, but it was a revelation that profoundly impacted the look and feel of several rooms throughout our home. We discovered the incredible transformative power of a simple can of spray paint on outdated lamps and lighting fixtures. Instead of spending a fortune on new fixtures, we gave our existing ones a fresh lease on life. The hero product? Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint. Its rich, sophisticated finish instantly elevated cheap, dated brass or chrome fixtures to elegant, farmhouse-chic statement pieces. From sconces to chandeliers, the results were consistently amazing, proving that a little creativity and a can of paint can completely revitalize a space on a minimal budget. This simple technique became one of our go-to budget-friendly decorating secrets for adding a touch of updated elegance.
8.
Makeover of Our Footstool/Coffee Table
Our multi-functional footstool, which also served as an impromptu coffee table, was long overdue for a refresh. It originally sported a creamy-colored toile fabric – a beautiful pattern, but utterly impractical for a piece of furniture that frequently saw dirty feet and spilled drinks. The fabric was showing its age and grime, detracting from the overall comfort of our living room. Our solution was a practical and aesthetically pleasing makeover using dirt-colored burlap. This durable, rustic fabric not only held up significantly better to daily wear and tear but also perfectly complemented our evolving cottage aesthetic. The transformation was dramatic in its simplicity: a quick re-upholstering job turned a worn-out, impractical piece into a resilient and stylish addition to our living space. Sometimes the best makeovers are the ones that prioritize both beauty and utility, making everyday living just a little bit nicer.
9.
A Refreshed Entryway on a Dime
The entryway often sets the first impression of a home, and ours was in desperate need of a facelift. This project proved that significant impact doesn’t always require a significant investment. Our goal was to create a welcoming, organized, and stylish entry without breaking the bank. The core of this transformation involved painting an existing cabinet a deep, sophisticated black, instantly giving it a modern and anchors the space. Beyond that, the makeover was achieved primarily by “shopping the house” – repurposing existing decor, art, and accessories from other rooms. We rearranged items, decluttered, and strategically placed meaningful pieces to create a cohesive and inviting look. The total cost for this refreshed entryway? Essentially just the price of a can of black paint. It was a wonderful reminder that sometimes the most effective home improvements come from re-imagining what you already own.
10.
Top Ten Things We Learned About DIY Remodeling at An Oregon Cottage
Rounding out our list of favorite projects is not a single tangible renovation, but rather the invaluable wisdom gained throughout a year of intense DIY remodeling: our collective top ten lessons learned. This comprehensive recap, complete with one of Brian’s always entertaining videos, summarized the highs, lows, and crucial insights from our numerous home improvement adventures. From budgeting tips and project planning strategies to navigating unexpected challenges and understanding the importance of patience, these lessons became the bedrock of our future DIY endeavors. However, I must add one more critical takeaway that didn’t make the official list, but deeply resonates with me: I will never lay tile again. Ever. Please don’t ask. While the results of our tiled spaces were beautiful, the process itself solidified that particular task as one best left to professionals, or at least, another very patient individual.
There you have it! A whirlwind tour of our most cherished DIY home renovation projects from 2010. Looking back, it’s clear we were far from idle. These projects, big and small, transformed our living spaces and enriched our lives, even if they occasionally pushed us to our limits. This list stands as a proud counterpoint to any unaccomplished goals for the house in 2010 – because while some dreams may have been deferred, a tremendous amount of impactful and beautiful work was indeed completed. We’re incredibly proud of what we achieved and are already looking forward to the next set of transformations!