The Best of 2024

It’s always fun to look back at the end of the year to see what you’ve accomplished and 2024 is no different. This is the first year since I started Heather Homes that I haven’t purchased a house to renovate and resale and so it’s easy to think I didn’t accomplish much. But that’s not true.

As I looked back over pictures from the past year, I realized we’ve actually done a lot with such a small team. This year focused primarily on client renovations and me scratching the surface on some of those digital resources I keep talking about. I’m still working on those, I promise. I also launched my new website in February and this fall went on an epic cross country trip with Sampson, something I hope to do more of in the future and grow as a new part of my business. More on that to come.

My 1914 Bungalow turned 110 this year and while I had an entire To-Do List for 2024, a quick read over that list shows I actually didn’t get much done. And that’s okay because there’s always next year.

I think it’s good to set goals for a new year but also wise to recognize you might not be able to check everything off that list. It’s also always a good day to look for the unexpected because that’s really what makes life fun. Here’s a look back at some of our client renovations, a couple of projects from my house, and a look at some of my favorite pictures from my cross country trip. Happy New Year!

Client Renovations

The Dowds Domain

After working on this beautiful historic home over the course of a few years, we finally got the chance to finish the exterior at the start of the new year. We made exterior repairs and rebuilt the front porch, careful to save and reinstall the vintage porch columns and spindles. The paint team then came and worked their magic which gave us a chance to talk about How to Select Exterior Paint Colors for Your Historic Home and Gutters on a Historic Home.

Martha’s Manor

While we actually finished renovations at this grand historic home in 2023, it wasn’t until this year that I got to share it all with you. Here are a few of my favorite photos and you can always head over to the gallery to see more or read all of the blogs on this project starting here.

The Grand Stairwell

The Hammond Home is another long-term project we’ve worked on over the years and earlier in the year we finished up their master suite followed by this grand stairwell. I convinced the homeowners to paint all of the trim and lowers walls the same color and am so glad they trusted me because this is one of my all-time favorite projects. If you’re tempted to try this design choice yourself be sure to read my post, Painting the Trim and Walls the Same Color and Why I Love It. And then get out that paintbrush.

Laundry Renovation & Screen Porch Build

Another one of my favorite clients to work with allowed us to renovate their laundry room where we maximized every square inch and partner with Cottonwood Construction on this Stunning Screen Porch. I also talked about Deck Skirting for Your Screen Porch or Deck and I shared Our Favorite Screened Porch Renovations + Design Details to Consider.

Three Bathroom Renovations

Starting in June we began renovating the first of three bathrooms of our clients’s historic home including adding a new bathroom upstairs. We started with the Guest Bathroom and then went upstairs where we Reworked the Upstairs to Make Way for a New Hall Bathroom. We then turned the existing upstairs bathroom into a Private Master Suite. If you’re on Instagram you can see the full transformation by starting here.

My 1914 Bungalow

She Shed Office Refresh

Earlier in the year I made 10 Updates to My She Shed Office including a new overhang to protect the new screen door and painted the interior all one color, repositioned my desk, and added a new Vintage Rug.

The Potager Garden

Behind my She Shed Office, I turned the unused space into an enchanting Potager Garden with a special meaning behind the ‘Secret Garden’ sign.

The Iron Picket Fence

And speaking of special meaning, this summer I added a Picket Fence for My Front Yard Curb Appeal that also has a special meaning behind it.

DIY Outdoor Curtains

And last but not least, I refreshed my screened porch and used a Simple Hack for My DIY Outdoor Curtains that has worked perfectly.

So all in all, not a bad year for my world of historic homes, renovations, and designs. If you need some help with your next renovation, I’d love to help! Let’s start with a 1:1 Consultation or if your’e ready to start reworking your floor plan, be sure to check out my Design Services. And if you’re local and live in Hampton Heights, Converse Heights, Duncan Park, or Beaumont Mil and would like for me to manage your renovation project, reach out because we still have some room in the schedule.

Cross Country Trip with Sampson

And last but not least, in mid-September I packed my bags and Sampson and I jumped in the car and headed off for a four-week epic cross-country trip. We went through 19 states and visited 9 National Parks including Glacier, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Rocky Mountain National Park with a whole lot of neat stops along the way. I’m a little over halfway through writing all about the trip to share with you with a few more to add soon, but if you’re considering a trip like this or to one of these National Parks, I say start planning now. I’ll be sharing more on a new part of my business centered around travels soon. In the meantime you can start on reading today.

The Cross Country Series:

Planning for My 7,000 Mile Cross Country Trip
The Packing Essentials: How I Prepared for My Cross Country Trip
Week One of My Cross Country Trip: Getting From SC to Montana
Cross Country Travels: Glacier National Park and Montana
Cross Country Travels: The Yellowstone Experience
Tips on Traveling Cross Country with Your Dog

In Loving Memory

My Sweet Boy, Sampson

2008-2024