Reflecting back, 2024 was a hard and rewarding year to say the least. I renovated ten bathrooms & one laundry room. I felt like I was working all the time… My friends and family are supportive in that they point out, I will never be any other way. Work hard, play hard, the only way to live!
When I look back I can point out a ton of non-work things I did in 2024. Multiple ski trips, backpacking & hiking trips, a trip to Morocco, 4 Art Shows (ok those are definitely work), BUT HEY!! That’s the beauty of self employment: Work Hard – Play Hard!
It’s all about creating the “Balance” that works for you. Last year was full of many lessons pertaining to my ambitious goals, my crazy ADHD brain thinking I can accomplish sooooo much more in one day than humanly possible, realizing my value as an NICHE (Ethical, Quality Driven) Designer & Contractor. I have many goals for the year of 2025, (unfortunately the 2024 schedule trend is already in place for Q1 2025), but I’m looking ahead to Q2 2025 and trying to work on a “Balance” that is actually Balanced, and allows me to continue to expand my business, prioritize my growth, skills/education as a business owner and designer, AND prioritizing rest so that I can function at 100% and not burn out.
I work hard & play hard. Compared to the average employed person I probably had 10% of the weekends off that they did, but I probably had 10x the adventures. For me it wasn’t about the routine days off, but the overall picture of my life and trying to squeeze it all in.
I learned a lot in 2024. I don’t have any regret, but this year I will implement new schedules and restraints to make 2025 in better!
Below is my 2024 Recap to reflect on and celebrate all the joy and opportunities 2024 brought me.
January 2024
I finished up tile on the last fourplex project I worked on! I had my first powder day & white out at Steamboat, also lost my ID and credit cards at the resort. (later mailed back to me!)
Late January I took a group trip to Montana to Ski Big Sky & Tour Yellowstone. Big Sky had almost no snow, I hit 48mph on my board, I resprained my ankle, had my daily post board hazy, had lots of laughs with my friends, and went on a few winter hikes. It was the most beautiful trip to date!
Looking back, January was a very “play hard” month.
February 2024
The kick off of The Bachelor’s Master which ended up consuming all of February. I canceled a snowboard trip to Taos to keep on schedule, as I had a big trip planned in march!
March 2023
I wrapped up with the Bachelor’s master and hopped on a plan to for my first international trip, Morocco!!! Liz Kamarul plans amazing trips, and I was so lucky to travel with this amazing group of humans!!
March 8th-9th I traveled home from Morocco and then began demo on The Pink Deco Bath March 10th.
I also did a brand shoot with Annika Miller of Silverbox Photographers for my new website designed by Buzz & Banter Studios.
April 2024
April was full of job bidding, design work, working on my website and systems. I revamped my art booth and got ready for show season!
May 2024
I kicked off Art Show Season with a stormy Spring TN Craft in Nashville, I hiked RMNP in CO, the sold my work at Denver Arts Festival, and did some much needed reorganization of my studio when I got home!
June 2024
June was a whirlwind with two bathrooms and a laundry room renovation. My brain is exploding as I look back for photos and the dates in which I scheduled this insanity. I had the hall bath & laundry demoed June 2nd and got to work, then demoed The Airy Luxe Bath June 6th.
Ok brain exploding even more. I also demoed and began The Chic Teen’s Bath in June.
July 2024
Wowza!! June nearly killed me from what I remember and it all makes sense now. Speaking of workaholism, I finished up the The Chic Teen’s Bath over the 4th of July Holiday. I celebrated Olive’s 5th birthday, had record show sales at Ann Arbor Art Fair , said goodbye to my first ford transit and picked up my new High Roof Transit, and start the next bathroom, The Blue Limewash Bath.
August 2024
My new Handy Mo Co. uniforms came in. I finished The Blue Limewash Bathroom in August. My Dahlia Garden I build and planted in July started blooming! I put my flowers and Meow Lady vases in my clients’ bathrooms the rest of summer! After wrapping up the Blue Limewash Bath, I went on my first backpacking trip in the Flatirons for 3 days and 2 nights!
September 2024
Carrying over August Backpacking trip, I made a quick stop at RMNP for a day hike, because I love it there.
September was pro month at Floor & Decor. I really love all the employees at the South County Location. They all know their $h!t and they’re always so positive and helpful. We usually have a good laugh every time I’m in. I did a love of bids and design in September. I rushed to get ready for the Lakeview East Art Fair prepped for my online Halloween Show update. September was also the kick off for The Girls’ Shower Refresh.
October 2024
I finished up The Girls’ Shower Refresh in early October, and headed out to Colorado to see the leaves change. Unfortunately, I was a few days late to Maroon Bells, all the leaves had fallen. I vowed I would do the Maroon Bells backpacking loop the last weekend of September in 2025! The leaves were still beautiful in Gunnison. I got back from CO and tiled a bathroom for one of my contractor friends in Kirkwood. Then I demoed The Modest Master Bath and got right to work on that project!
November 2024
I wrapped up The Modest Master Bath and started working on The Eclectic Attic Master Suite.
December 2024
I spent the month of December tiling The Eclectic Attic Master Suite. Mid December I took a quick snowboard trip to Colorado with my ski group. I also worked on my own basement bathroom.
January 2025
January starting off hot, because I haven’t tamed the momentum from 2024. I’m nearly finished with my first bathroom project of 2024. I headed out for a ski trip and will wrap that up when I return! My friends and I decided to hit the slope on the coldest week ever!!! We hit the slopes, and a few hikes. My heart is so full in Colorado.
2025 Plans
I have many projects lined up for 2025, and I get calls every week! This year is going to be about better balance. I crammed a ton in to the last 12 months!! I’m going to be better about protecting my weekends, a weekly office day, not work Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years in 2025 (oops!)
My passion is interior design, and this year, I plan to focus more of my energy on the design & contracting side of my business. I will subcontract labor on my upcoming projects, so I can take on more projects and help more homeowners transform their kitchens and bathrooms. I’m really excited for 2025 and I can’t wait to share more excited news!
A little sneak peak: I’m starting a podcast 🙂 Of course I wanted to Launch it January 1st 2025, but life had other plans. Stay tuned!
