As another year gracefully draws to a close, it’s a cherished tradition here to reflect on the most engaging and inspiring content that resonated with our wonderful community. This year, we’re doing things a little differently, making it even more special! I’ve teamed up with some fantastic blogging friends for an exciting “blog hop” – a curated journey through the best of 2021 across various creative spaces. If you’re joining me from The Happy Housie, a warm welcome awaits you! Your next stop will be Clean & Scentsible, but I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore all the links at the end of this post. It’s a brilliant opportunity to discover new blogs to enrich your reading list for 2022 and beyond. Prepare to kick back, relax, and immerse yourself in a collection of our most popular DIY projects, home decor transformations, and lifestyle insights from the past year.
Without further ado, let’s dive into my top 21 posts of 2021, a collection determined by both blog views and overwhelming engagement across social media platforms. Each project, tutorial, and story presented here truly captured your hearts and imagination, and I’m incredibly grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm.
DIY Beaded Snowflake Ornaments
These exquisite DIY beaded snowflake ornaments were an absolute sensation, captivating readers with their delicate beauty and versatile appeal. Far from being solely “Christmassy,” their elegant design makes them perfect for sophisticated winter decor, adding a touch of frosty charm to any space. The overwhelming demand for a tutorial led me to finally share the step-by-step guide, and I’m thrilled to be working on a video version to make this beloved project even more accessible. Inspired by my mom’s unique creations, each ornament is a testament to personalized craftsmanship, inviting you to create your own bespoke pieces that glimmer and shine throughout the colder months. This project offers a fantastic way to add handmade elegance to your seasonal home decorations.
DIY Felt Animal Ornaments
Hands down, these adorable DIY felt animal ornaments were the undisputed champions of our holiday tree decor last year. The sheer volume of requests to purchase these handmade treasures was incredible! While the intricate time investment makes them challenging to produce for sale, I was delighted to empower you with comprehensive video and blog post tutorials. This project is a fantastic opportunity for crafters of all levels to create charming, personalized ornaments that will be cherished for years to come. Imagine a tree adorned with these whimsical creatures, each one a testament to your creative spirit. Dive into the detailed guides and bring your own menagerie to life!
Turquoise & White Christmas Tree Theme
Our turquoise and white Christmas tree theme truly resonated with so many of you, creating a virtual winter wonderland. A playful video shared on TikTok, featuring my mom’s beautifully adorned tree and a little jest about the effort behind it, unexpectedly soared to an astounding 145,000 views. The outpouring of sweet comments and positive feedback was incredibly heartwarming. While I genuinely love sharing my DIY projects, regardless of the response, these thoughtful messages truly make my day. Knowing that you loved the turquoise and white Christmas tree theme as much as I did fills me with joy. Explore this elegant color scheme for a fresh, sophisticated take on holiday decorating that brings a serene, frosty aesthetic to your home.
DIY Alcohol Ink Ornaments
This tutorial was a direct response to your curiosity and creativity! After sharing my alcohol ink ornaments featuring ink applied to the outside of cream glass ornaments last year, many of you wondered about the effect of applying the ink inside a clear glass ornament. The result? Even better than I imagined! I’m so glad you prompted me to experiment, because the vibrant, ethereal swirling colors achieved with this technique are simply stunning. This alcohol ink ornament project offers a unique and artistic way to customize your holiday decorations or create beautiful year-round accents. Discover the magic of alcohol inks and transform ordinary glass ornaments into personalized works of art.
DIY Concrete Pumpkins
Experimenting with dyed concrete was an incredibly fun and engaging project, though I was genuinely disappointed when the onset of cold weather cut my creative endeavors short. Nevertheless, the DIY concrete pumpkins I managed to create absolutely captured your imagination! I lost count of how many of you enthusiastically shared the video tutorial to your Instagram stories, showcasing your excitement for this unique fall decor idea. These durable and stylish pumpkins offer a fresh alternative to traditional autumn decorations, blending rustic charm with modern craftsmanship. Explore the process of dyeing concrete and create your own striking, long-lasting decorative pieces perfect for seasonal displays.
DIY Knobs Made from Scrap Metal
What started as a lighthearted joke on Instagram stories unexpectedly evolved into one of the most clever and sought-after DIYs of the year: these super cute furniture knobs crafted from scrap metal! This project perfectly embodies the spirit of upcycling and creative problem-solving, transforming overlooked materials into functional and stylish hardware. If you’re looking for an affordable and unique way to customize your furniture, this scrap metal knob DIY is an absolute must-try. Discover how simple materials can yield stunning, personalized results, adding character and a handcrafted touch to your cabinets and drawers.
DIY Nightstand with Drawers
Naturally, those fantastic DIY scrap metal knobs found their perfect home on the custom nightstands with drawers that we meticulously built. This comprehensive project walked you through the process of constructing functional and stylish bedside tables, complete with ample storage. I initially shared this tutorial step-by-step on Instagram stories, providing real-time insights into the build. For those who prefer a detailed, easy-to-follow guide, you can find the complete blog post here, offering all the measurements and instructions needed to create your own personalized bedroom furniture. This DIY nightstand project is perfect for enhancing your bedroom’s aesthetic and organization, proving that custom furniture can be an achievable and rewarding endeavor.
DIY Euro Pleat Curtains
Complementing our mini bedroom makeover, which included the new nightstands, we also embarked on creating custom window treatments. My mom and I collaborated to sew these elegant DIY Euro pleat curtains, transforming the room with a touch of sophisticated charm. We meticulously documented the entire process, sharing a truly detailed, step-by-step tutorial. This guide is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their home decor with custom-sewn drapery, offering professional results without the hefty price tag. Learn the secrets to achieving crisp, beautiful pleats that add a luxurious feel to any window, enhancing both privacy and style in your living spaces.
Seagull Wallpaper in the Bedroom
The journey to finding the perfect bedroom aesthetic involved a bit of an adventure early in 2021. After installing a mural, replacing a couple of panels (especially “the FACE” as detailed here), I ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit. Pivoting with confidence, I chose this stunning, beachy Sanderson Larina Sky seagull wallpaper, and the transformation was profound. Combined with freshly painted white walls and crisp white linen drapes, my bedroom has become a peaceful, coastal sanctuary that I absolutely adore. This post explores how the right wallpaper can utterly redefine a space, creating a serene and cohesive design that perfectly captures a desired ambiance. Discover how thoughtful material choices can lead to a truly beloved room design.
Hatching Eggs with my Broody Hen
The incredible story of hatching chicks with my broody hen completely captivated and riveted so many of you! I shared daily updates, documenting the journey before and after the hatch, through Instagram stories. These stories became some of my highest-viewed content ever, a testament to the universal fascination with new life. I was just as riveted by the process myself, so I am genuinely happy I could share this exciting experience with you. This post offers a heartwarming glimpse into the natural wonder of chicken keeping and the incredible bond formed during this delicate process. Learn about the patience and magic involved in bringing new life into the world, right in your own backyard.
Baby Chick Photos Vol. 3
Speaking of adorable new life, this year’s “peep” of chicks dutifully fulfilled their obligatory modeling duties for me, resulting in a series of charming photographs that you adored. These are the delightful photos I shared, capturing the innocence and cuteness of our newest farm members. Chick photos are consistently a perennial favorite among readers, and I absolutely love coming up with fresh, creative little “sets” to showcase their growing personalities. This post is a joyful celebration of these fluffy bundles of joy, offering a dose of instant happiness and a peek into the delightful world of backyard chicken keeping. Enjoy these heartwarming snapshots and perhaps get inspired to capture the cuteness of your own backyard inhabitants.
DIY Egg Shell Art
My fascination with chickens seems to grow exponentially each year, and last year, it reached a new level of creativity when I transformed their humble eggshells into ethereal works of art! This unique DIY project celebrates sustainability and artistic ingenuity, demonstrating how materials often discarded can be given a beautiful second life. The delicate textures and natural forms of eggshells lend themselves perfectly to creating stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces that bring a touch of organic elegance to your home. Discover the surprising beauty that can be found in repurposing and how to create your own mesmerizing eggshell art. It’s a wonderful way to connect with nature and express your creativity.
DIY Easter Egg Tree
The enthusiasm for this DIY Easter egg tree was absolutely infectious! So many of you attempted this delightful project and proudly shared your creations with me on Instagram. It truly brings me immense joy to see you try my DIY ideas, and I’m always so happy when you take the time to show me your successful results. I, too, absolutely loved this project, especially because my husband even lent a hand in crafting some of these festive eggs. It’s a charming and vibrant way to celebrate spring and the Easter season, adding a whimsical touch to your home decor. Gather your family and friends and create a beautiful, personalized Easter egg tree that becomes a focal point of your seasonal display.
DIY Alcohol Ink Easter Eggs
This project began with an incredible find – I discovered all the necessary supplies at the landfill! Someone had apparently tried three of these DIY alcohol ink Easter eggs, decided it wasn’t for them, and discarded at least $40 worth of supplies. Naturally, I was thrilled to rescue the alcohol inks and immediately put them to use. I believe they turned out absolutely beautifully, showcasing vibrant, mesmerizing patterns unique to alcohol ink art. I provided a comprehensive blog post and a helpful video tutorial, making this stunning technique accessible to everyone. This is a wonderfully artistic way to decorate Easter eggs, moving beyond traditional dyes to create truly spectacular and modern designs that will impress your guests.
DIY Feather Wreath
This unique DIY feather wreath was a true labor of love, taking two full years to bring to fruition – that’s how long it took to meticulously save enough feathers! While chickens naturally shed their feathers, collecting enough for a project of this scale is no easy feat; they often get carried away by the wind, buried, or scooped out during coop cleaning. So, it was a genuine accomplishment to gather the quantity needed for this beautiful piece. The full tutorial is available here, along with a captivating time-lapse video that showcases the process. This project is a testament to sustainable crafting and offers a rustic, organic touch to any home decor, celebrating the beauty of nature and the bounty of the backyard flock.
How to Strip Wood Cabinets
This incredibly popular project saw a video I shared on TikTok go absolutely viral, garnering nearly 1,000,000 views on one video and over 200,000 views on a related piece of content. The same video also achieved an impressive 266,000 views on Instagram! It seems the satisfying process of stripping paint from wood truly resonates with a wide audience. If I were a bit savvier, I’d probably start collecting painted furniture from the landfill just to film the stripping process, given its immense popularity! For those ready to tackle their own furniture restoration or kitchen cabinet updates, the blog post provides all the essential details, including the best paint and varnish remover to achieve professional results. Learn the techniques to reveal the natural beauty of wood and transform your home with this impactful DIY skill.
How to Paint Cabinets: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel Review
Following the extensive process of stripping layers of primer and paint from my kitchen cabinets, the next step was to revitalize them with a fresh, coastal-inspired color. This project details the painting process, specifically reviewing the Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. You can find more details here, including insights into why this version of my DIY kitchen design is perhaps my all-time favorite. When I polled TikTok about renovating it, the answer was a resounding NO, with this kitchen version receiving hundreds of thousands of views and countless supportive comments. However, 2021 marked the final year for this iteration of the DIY kitchen, as a full renovation is planned for 2022. I’m incredibly excited for working appliances, enhanced storage (we’re widening the kitchen!), and a fresh layout. While I truly adore open shelving, I’m also very much looking forward to a significant change and a brand-new functional space. This post serves as a valuable resource for anyone considering painting their kitchen cabinets, offering a practical review of a popular paint product and sharing the journey of a DIY kitchen transformation.
How to Fix Tight Deck Boards
This year, we finally tackled a significant lingering problem: the previous owner’s improper installation of our deck, which resulted in the boards being rammed together far too tightly. This critical flaw meant water never properly drained, leading to constant issues with deck stain durability. We took on the challenge of widening those crucial gaps – you can see how we did it here – and subsequently refinished the deck in a dramatic black hue. This bold transformation stirred up a lot of discussion and comments, and the accompanying video reached an impressive 800,000 views on TikTok and 200,000 views on Instagram! This essential deck maintenance guide is perfect for homeowners facing similar drainage issues, offering practical solutions for a long-lasting and beautiful outdoor space. Learn how to properly address tight deck boards to prevent water damage and ensure your deck remains a stunning feature for years to come.
Easy Sage Pesto Recipe
While I shared several delicious recipes last year, this easy sage pesto recipe emerged as the most popular, enchanting your taste buds with its fresh, aromatic flavors. In addition to this fan favorite, I also delighted in sharing a vibrant rhubarb simple syrup recipe, a luscious lemon curd recipe, and a delicate meringue recipe. I confess that sharing recipes can be a bit of a struggle for me, as I’m very much a “let’s wing it” cook and baker. My husband often hears me say, “don’t like this too much because it will never be the same,” jokingly acknowledging my improvisational style! He still fondly recalls my “kitchen sink cookies” – a delicious, flourless, muffin-top-like creation I’ve sadly never been able to recreate. This sage pesto recipe, however, is a consistent winner, offering a simple yet elegant way to elevate your culinary creations. Discover the joy of fresh, homemade pesto and add a burst of herby goodness to your meals.
DIY Cricut Garden Markers
Speaking of gardening, this year brought forth the creation of the most charming and functional DIY garden markers, and you can find the full tutorial here. This marked my second year actively gardening, and I’m thrilled to report significantly more success than my initial attempts. For a comprehensive recap of my gardening triumphs, including a glimpse of the fascinating blue squash I grew on Instagram, be sure to check out the highlights here. These custom garden markers, made with a Cricut, offer a stylish and organized way to label your plants, adding a personal touch to your vegetable patch or flower beds. Elevate your gardening game with these durable and aesthetically pleasing markers, making plant identification a breeze while enhancing the visual appeal of your garden.
Why I Gave Up Eating Meat and Became a Vegetarian
I’m delighted to report that I’m still a happy and thriving vegetarian! This personal journey resonated deeply with many of you, prompting significant interest in my decision. You can uncover the surprising and inspiring reason I chose to give up meat here. This post offers a candid and thoughtful reflection on the motivations behind a lifestyle change, sharing insights into the personal benefits and challenges encountered along the way. Whether you’re considering a similar dietary shift or simply curious about the journey, this article provides a heartfelt account that explores conscious eating and its profound impact on well-being. Join me in exploring the surprising path to a fulfilling vegetarian life.
And there you have it – another incredible year brimming with inspiring DIY projects, captivating design transformations, cherished vintage finds, and, of course, the ongoing adventures with our beloved chickens! It’s been a journey of creativity, learning, and sharing, and I’m so grateful for every one of you who joined along.
Looking ahead, 2022 promises to be an even bigger year, packed with ambitious projects that I can’t wait to share. High on the list is a major kitchen renovation, a project I’ve dreamed about for ages and am thrilled to finally bring to life. I also plan to transform a section of my garage into a heated and finished studio space, creating a dedicated area for all future DIY endeavors. I have other exciting DIY plans brewing, some of which are still a bit wild and up in the air – I don’t want to get your hopes up just yet, just in case! But rest assured, 2022 will be a year of significant progress and incredible transformations here. To ensure you never miss a single post, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter! For exclusive behind-the-scenes scoops – including thrifting trips, inevitable DIY flops, delightful chick videos, and so much more – make sure to follow me onInstagram. For funny, candid videos and extended DIY tutorials, head over to TikTok. And for a daily dose of curated inspiration for your home and lifestyle, join me on Pinterest.
The Top Posts of 2021 Blog Hop!
As promised, my talented blogging friends are also sharing their most popular posts from 2021! Explore a diverse collection of top-performing content across various niches by visiting their articles. Simply click on the links below to continue your journey through the best of last year’s blogosphere and discover new sources of inspiration.
The Happy Housie
Dans le Lakehouse
Clean & Scentsible
tatertots and jello
Satori Design for Living
Casa Watkins Living
A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
Sincerely, Marie Designs
She Gave it a Go
So Much Better With Age
Maison de Cinq
The Tattered Pew
Deeply Southern Home
P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!
Love these DIY ideas and home decor inspirations? Make sure to save this post to your favorite Pinterest boards so you can easily revisit these popular projects and tutorials whenever inspiration strikes. Pinning helps you keep track of your favorite content and share it with others!
