You’re probably like me, and ready to say good riddance 2020. In a nutshell, my biggest bummer turned blessing in disguise was closing my brick and mortar. Sad it closed but so happy I have more time with my family and blogging more. A post about the Small Business PPP Loans literally crashed my site because it received over 5 million unique hits in 4 days. My tiny little blog didn’t know what hit it and that week was completely surreal. But let’s get back to home decor. Before we say goodbye to last year, let’s look back on your favorite home decor posts. Maybe you missed them. Maybe you want to revisit them again. Without further adieu, here’s The Best of House Of Hipsters 2020 in review.
Kitchen Renovation Reveal
I started out with a bang in 2020 with my Kitchen Reno Reveal. I teamed up with Cambria Surfaces to create one heck of a kitchen island. It was featured in House Beautiful and also MyDomaine. The design was a skinny makeover…meaning…we kept the existing floor plan. We did not change the positions of gas lines or water pipes, kept the existing floors (although I’d like to update them now), and the perimeter cabinetry was kept as well. Also, the only appliance that was replaced was the cooktop, although I’ve been eyeing this refrigerator. It’s stainless steel and you can change the color, hardware finish, and add a glass door.
Island Stone – Clairidge by Cambria
Countertop and Backsplash Stone – Ironsbridge by Cambria
Best Interior Design Books
You might like interior design books more than I! This well-read roundup of interior design books was a heavy hitter. And let me tell you, there are some good ones in here. If you missed this gem of a post, go check it out. You won’t regret it.
How To Record Multiple Clips In TikTok
TikTok exploded onto the scene during lockdown and you wanted to know how to record multiple clips. This tutorial was in high demand via Google. I think everyone and their mother visited this post. Curious about you though…is this something you want to see more of? How to’s on social media? I speak at conferences every year about Pinterest, Instagram, and Tiktok, but I forget that may you want to learn more about the platforms and how to grow your following as well. I’d love your feedback on this.
Bucktown Home Tour
You really loved my friend’s home tour designed by Jen Talbot. Carrie and I go way back…like 2000 way back. She interviewed me for my second job at a startup dot com right before the big dot-bomb. Carrie hired me for the job back in the day and hired Jen to execute her vision for her Bucktown home. And let me tell you, it’s exquisite! Carrie has amazing taste and a passion for curating rare vintage pieces. She leans into that post-modern look which gives her this modern sophisticated meets the 80s look.
Hands Down The Best Faux Plants
The general public seems to be embracing my love of faux plants. You’ll find everything from the ever trending faux olive tree to my favorite palms, fiddle leaf figs, to monstera plants.
One Room Challenge Featured Designer
My dreams came true when Linda, who coordinates the One Room Challenge, invited me to be a featured designer. Creating this space during lockdown really was a challenge but also a spectacular distraction. Sourcing home decor during the pandemic when factories were temporarily closed made me think on my feet. There were twists and turns, frustration and tears, but in the end, my home office and non-bro home gym final reveal really captured your heart…and saved my sanity.
Reupholstered Dining Room Chairs
I teamed up with Ultrasuede and reupholstered my beloved vintage Pierre Cardin brass cantilever chairs. Pretty in pink became green with envy. The change made me a bit nervous and pretty much the entire Instagram community told me not to do it, but the color swap definitely leveled up the sophistication in this space. I’m over the moon with how they turned out, AND this Ultrasuede fabric is high performance do I no longer need to worry about spills.
Gold Velvet Curtains
2020 was a big year for me. I slowly started adding color to my very neutral home decor. It started with the primary bedroom mini makeover. The cream headboard with ivory chair needed some oomph, so I took a chance on some incredibly economical curtains in a bold goldenrod color. The look was chic AF, and I loved them so much, I bought a couple more sets for the front room. What an easy way to refresh your space. BTDubs, I made another bold move in the primary bedroom I added black textured wallpaper. I posted it yesterday and it’s a must-see.
Decorating With Neutrals
Your second favorite roundup was the all Decorating With Neutrals. From rugs to lighting to shelving to vases, I handpicked what I thought you’d like, and you agreed.
Shoppable Favorites You Loved In 2020
I also took a peek at what shoppable links you clicked on the most. First and foremost, you love to check out my favorites on Etsy. I try to keep these organized and update each category weekly. If you’ve never been over there, it’s definitely a fun little corner to explore.
You love this Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, and in my opinion, it’s probably the most real looking, best bang for your buck faux plant out there. You chose wisely.
Like I said above, the faux plants are trending. This Faux Monstera Plant came in as the third most clicked shoppable link. He is petite in size (29″ tall) compared to the fiddle fig, but it’s a stunner.
Coming in third place are the Velvet Curtains. They come in 12 different colors and do tend to sell out but are always restocked quickly. I’m digging these lighter blue curtains and think it would pair really well with rust and taupe…might be a new color palette for the front living room refresh I’m planning.
This faux olive tree and this faux snake plant were tied for 5th place.
Studio McGee is at Target, and it sold out in legit minutes. But don’t fret. If you missed it, they released a new collection, and I’m coveting this rattan lamp (only $20), this marble coffee table, this cozy cream sherpa chair and ottoman, and this caned writing desk that would be perfect in an entrance.
This decorative wood chain link caught your eye as well as mine. It’s also available in black. Right now they are offering $25 off any purchase of $125 or more plus free shipping.
And wrapping it up with a surprise to me from my AM Skincare Routine For Women Over 40 post. It was my favorite little tool – the NuFace microcurrent device. Bobby Berke was waxing poetic about this magical tool that diminishes fine lines, sagging, and droopy upper eyelids. You’ll see results pretty much instantly, but it not permanent. If you stop using the device, your face will go back to where it was.
Love the idea of navy wall(s) in the Living room. I also really dig the 3 headshot photos!