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How We Created A Home in 2016

Happy New Years Eve! As appropriate, when one year closes and another begins, I’m taking a few moments to reflect on how we created a home in 2016.

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

Custom Trim-Work

Both our Guest Bath and Mudroom/Laundry Room are surrounded with classic Board and Batten with wall hooks. The trim-work transformed the space from builder-basic to custom-made… and we did it ourselves. It’s incredibly functional for everything from bath towels and wet bathing suits to drying laundry. It’s an understated detail that makes an impactful difference in how we use our home daily.

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

Treat the Outdoors as a Living Space

The kids and I spent a ton of time outdoors this year, primarily due to a few simple updates on our deck. Cushions and pillows added comfort to the space; while creating play areas, such as the portable sandbox, gave it function and appeal to the kids. It’s no secret that there are numerous health benefits to time spent outdoors… in our next home, we must make the outdoor living space a top priority when we move into the home. If you aren’t utilizing your home’s outdoor spaces, make that a goal for 2017 — it will add value to your home, and encourage a healthier lifestyle.

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

Custom Wardrobes

I love dressers for so many functions, but I’m sold on wardrobes in a Master Bedroom, especially if you are short on closet space. The wardrobes aren’t fully custom {they are from Ikea}, but we chose the components to use inside the wardrobe, customizing a design that fit our needs. Adding two wardrobes, gave us more storage and required less floor space, than traditional dressers.

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

Soften Hard Finishes with Textiles

Our Sunroom is the “room that sells the house” — as many have said about our home. It’s huge, has vaulted ceilings, and is filled with natural sunlight. This year we hung soft, white, curtains on DIY Pipe Rods to give the room a cozier feel. The curtains soften the hard surfaces in the room, filter the light beautifully, and blow in the wind when windows are open during spring and fall. It was already a beautiful room — and didn’t need patterned or colorful curtains — it just needed an accent to highlight it’s natural appeal.

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

Embrace the Story of a Home

As I share in Creating a Homea home is created by the people who live and visit within it. It’s a daily occurrence that I smile at, or ponder over, the family photos, scripture, and mementos that line our stairwell and hall. Don’t get too caught up in design… we live in our homes and it should tell our stories.  

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

5 Practical Tips for Creating a Home, How we Created a Home in 2016, Year in Review, by @CraftivityD

How did you create your home in 2016?

Kelly @ North Country Nest

Friday 13th of January 2017

Oh I loved this post! Your emphasis on creating a home that everyone enjoys is so inspiring. And your sunroom is so beautiful! I am sure in the summer with the windows open it's such a relaxing place to be! Best, Kelly

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Sunday 22nd of January 2017

Thanks, Kelly! The sunroom is sooooo wonderful when the windows are open and a breeze is coming in.

Kylie | Coffee With Kylie

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

I die over your home, it is so cozy and warm! I am also obsessed with custom storage, especially built-ins these days. I feel it adds so much individuality and character to a house! Also, love your challenge to utilize outdoor space as living space...updating our porch and patio has been on my to-do list for months, and I could not agree more that doing so encourages a healthier lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your home journey! I can't wait to continue mine.

Xoxo, Kylie | Coffee With Kylie

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

Thanks, Kylie :) I think we tend to postpone our outdoor spaces -- I know I do -- but I enjoy them SO MUCH when it's done!

Jessica Lynn

Monday 9th of January 2017

It's gorgeous!! But how—how in the world—do you keep it so clean?! I'm completely jealous :) We've recently started using our backyard a lot more, but I need to start treating it as an extension of my home.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

lol -- well it's not always this clean :)

Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins

Monday 9th of January 2017

I love how you always have the purpose of creating a home in all your design projects. You do such a great job of staying true to your style. I have seen pictures of your sunroom multiple times, but I still swoon over it. I wish we had one of those in our home, but I have to settle for the sliver of light that shines through our back door window during the day. I sometimes just sit there in the sun trying to soak up the vitamin D, haha.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

Thanks, Shani, for your sweet comments :) They made me smile!! I've been spoiled by that room... it will make choosing our next home really hard :/

Kimberly

Monday 9th of January 2017

Oh my goodness ... your house is gorgeous! We did a lot of fun stuff to our home last year, and I can't wait to make it even more of a "home" this year!

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

Thanks, Kimberly!!