It’s almost 2020 friends! It’s a great time to look back over the last year and then look forward to the New Year! It’s been a wild year of personal and unexpected changes for me and as I settle into them I look forward to 2020 and the promise this new year brings!
Today and tomorrow my blogging friends and I are talking about all the changes and accomplishments we’ve experienced over the last year and what is to come for us and our blogs in the new year!
Lory at Designthusiam is THE BEST when it comes to organizing these amazing blog tours! And she is a wonderful friend of mine too! Thank you, Lory, for all your hard work and gorgeous content!
Make sure to visit the bloggers posted below and come back tomorrow to see more!
To say that 2019 was a year of change is quite an understatement! But I’ve been so used to life changes in the last few years!
2019 was full of surprises! Whoever would have thought that we would sell our beloved StoneGable! Memorial Day 2019 is like a big dividing line of BEFORE and AFTER in our lives!
On a whim last Memorial Day we looked at a home on a nearby golf course I had always admired.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve had a feeling that we really had outgrown our home. Maybe I should have said our home had outgrown us.
We raised our children at StoneGable and then lived as empty nesters. With five bedrooms and five bathrooms and a large house and property, our house was no longer practical for just Bobby and me. And no matter how much I LOVED our home and wanted to stay that nagging feeling would not go away.
After looking at the Tanglewood house on Memorial day of 2019 we knew it would be perfect for us and would still accommodate our family when they came to visit.
So, the summer was spent getting our beloved StoneGable ready to sell. To say it was an emotional summer was again a big understatement. I actually dubbed this time THE GREAT MOURNING! You can read about it HERE. I literally cried until I had no more tears in me!
And you can see HOW WE CAME TO LIVE AT TANGLEWOOD HERE.
Before we moved into our new home in October, the entire house was repainted. Tanglewood was a caramel tan. Not a color I would have chosen!
So we repainted everything! Walls, trim and everything but the kitchen cabinets.
I chose Benjamin Moore Simply White for the house because of its open-concept and high ceilings.
The new carpet in the bedrooms and loft was replaced with hardwood flooring too.
We moved in and immediately decorated our new home for fall. Nothing, not even a big move slows down decorating for the blog!
And by the end of October Tanglewood was decorated for Christmas! What a frenzy!
I must admit. I’m looking forward to de-decorating and enjoying Tanglewood’s great open spaces and pretty “bones”.
Moving from StoneGable into Tanglewood was not the only big change for us in 2019. During the same time we were selling our home our daughter, son-in-law and our two babies moved from Capitol Hill in Washington DC to San Diego! I was heartbroken!
Jonathan got a job offer he just could not refuse! I don’t think this is a permanent move thank goodness.
So, for now, we have become transcontinental travelers! We are making the most of the San Diego beach community my daughter and her family live in as we watch our little grandsons grow amidst the sun and surf of California.
Although there has been a wave of personal changes for me my blog has been a much needed constant in my life! I still get up every morning and can’t wait to go to work. And wonder how something I love to do so much can be called work! What a blessing!
This year has made me realize that EVERYTHING changes. I’m embracing the change and being thankful for each new day!
Now, let’s talk about 2020!
I’m looking forward to settling into a new routine and life here at Tanglewood now that frenetic fall and chaotic Christmas is behind me.
And I want to take you with me on the journey of making this house on a golf course a home!
You can look forward to lots and lots of home projects on the blog in 2020! We have already built a new fireplace. I can’t wait to show you how it was done! I know many of you would probably like to refresh your fireplace too and I’ll show you how!
Also, my office got a wall of built-in cabinets and french doors. Another project that many of you might like to see!
And we’ve tackled a few lighting projects I’ll be sharing too!
Here are a few other projects we hope to work on in 2020…
- kitchen makeover (so so excited about this one, see our kitchen above)
- banquette in the kitchen
- planking the small cathedral ceiling in the sunroom
- new sectional and other furniture in the sunroom
- a mini guest room makeover
- an “outdoor room” patio
- learning to container garden ( a big change from our gardens at StoneGable)
- powder room makeover
- maybe hardwood flooring in our 22-foot long foyer
- maybe a makeover for the stairs and banisters etc.
Yes, this is an ambitious list! But I am very determined to whip Tanglewood into shape and infuse it with lots of StoneGable style!
Right now I’m working on what will be posted on the blog in 2020! Here’s what you will see…
- lots of decorating posts
- interior design lessons broken down for everyday decorators like you and me
- easy decorating projects and DIY’S
- 20-minute decorating ideas
- pretty monthly tablescapes and table ideas and inspiration
- a weekly menu plan
- HOME STYLE SATURDAY series
- EASY ELEGANT WEDNESDAY series
- a Sunday lesson
- monthly PRACTICALLY SPEAKING post
- posts with more sources to see and/or purchase items on StoneGable
- seasonal decor and DIY’S
- house tours
- decorating videos
- new, easy to navigate StoneGable blog look
- and more!
I have high hopes and lots of plans for the new year! And they are all with YOU in mind!
As we close out 2019 I want to THANK YOU again for being a part of our StoneGable family! We have the nicest community of readers! Thank you for showing up and reading and commenting and supporting StoneGable and me!
YOU are THE BEST!!!! I think of you a hundred times and day and dearly love you!
If there are things you would like to see on StoneGable in the coming year, please let me know in the comments below!
May you be greatly blessed in 2020, friend!
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Now, let’s see what some of my blogging friends have to say about their year and future plans!
Designthusiasm | StoneGable | Shabbyfufu
The Happy Housie | Southern Hospitality | Sanctuary Home Decor
Zevy Joy | Nick + Alicia | So Much Better With Age
I just discovered your blog yesterday and absolutely love it, so much valuable advice! Thank you! So nice to know that you also in Lancaster County!
Hi Nadia,
Welcome to the StoneGable family!
Wow, can I totally relate to you! We left our family home once our kids married also. Moved into an active adult community. Said we were on the 5 year plan – if we didn’t like it we would move in 5 years. Well, it is 10 years already! We like it! We have made many friends and our other daughter and her family moved 10 minutes away. Hooray! Then our other daughter and her husband moved to Thailand with our 6 grandchildren, the littlest being 10 weeks old when they moved. It has been 1 1/2 years they have been gone. It is a tremendous loss to have them living so far away. It would be about 35 hours to get there from where we are. However, we have survived- in large part thanks to FaceTime. Although it is not like holding our grand babies, at least we can see them.
I am sure you will have loads of exciting times in your future. California is across the country but you can still get there in a day by plane. I wish you the best in your new home. I also wish you many happy visits with your family. Thinking of you.
Warm regards, Clare
Wonderful post, as usual! We are about to gut our upstairs hall bath and master bath (they are back to back) to make the master larger, and I would dearly love bath ideas! I have such a fear of anything that will look trendy 5 years from now. I don’t see much in your blog about bathrooms but would love to see one soon. You have such sound, sensible decorating insight!
Where can I find candlesticks like the ones you have over your fireplace? Thank you!
Here you go Connie https://rstyle.me/+5xnzgSCnI8cwnFlu8Z7kRw
You are so inspirational! I love your blog! Thank you for all the great decorating ideas and recipes! I am also trying to embrace all the changes in my life. Thank you !!!
Hi Yvonne,
Thank you for all the great info in 2019! I really enjoy taking a few minutes of every day to read your blog. As I look at your list for upcoming blogs in 2020 one item I would love to see you add is a day where readers could submit a problem area (picture) in their home and get a comment/suggestion/idea of how you would style or fix it. Just an idea – otherwise I’m still looking forward to 2020 content! Thank you, Susan Chesnick
Hi Susan, you can always email me! And I’ll do a post about the problem and the solution.
Yesterday was warm & sunny in NE Ohio! I took advantage of that & walked the front 9 cart path of our golf course. We live just north of Pittsburgh in a rural Ohio community; the farms & orchards (& golf course!) are beautiful landscape. I thought of you just moving to a golf course – you will love walking the cart paths in winter! We have lived here 5 years & it is one of my favorite things about living here! Our beautiful homes dot the front 9 but the back 9 is trees & lakes & creeks & wildlife— so beautiful!Last winter hubby & I walked off 30+ pounds & had fun retrieving orphan golf balls in plain site!I hope you can enjoy your new world as much as we have! Blessings in 2020
I’ll be doing that too Pamela
Wow, Yvonne! I get exhausted just reading everything you and Bobby have done this year. I love your new home, and look forward to seeing lots of decorating posts. I am actually wanting to paint my oak cabinets in my kitchen soon. We have lived in our home for almost 18 years, and I want a white kitchen. I am doing a soft linen white cabinet makeover, and replacing my silver hardware with oil rubbed bronze. Happy New Year, and here’s to many blessings in 2020.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for being such a faithful StoneGable reader this year. I always look so forward to your comments! On another note, you will LOVE white cabinets!
Wow. Great project list for 2020! I have the stairs and banister on my list too ? looking forward to those series on the blog this coming year. Blessings to you and the family!
Yvonne…first and foremost thank you for all your hard work. I am excited to see what you have up your sleeve for 2020. Likewise as my hubby prepares to retire next year, we find ourselves still loving our home but feeling consumed with the work of a four bedroom…especially with the challenges of the seasons with winter again this year in Minnesota being very unpredictable. You give me hope that what God has in store for the next chapter of our life will be as wonderful as it has been the past 32 years in our home..
Curious, will you now change the name of your blog to Tanglewood?
Look forward to reading all about Tanglewood in 2020! StoneGable was SO PERFECT but life does change. I live in San Diego….it’s paradise, or pretty close!
So excited to see your changes this next year. We recently downsized also to a smaller new home, with some of my style and wanting to make a few changes. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Yvonne,
It has been a privilege to share this emotional ride with you the past year. I’m so happy to see how amazing the move to Tanglewood has turned out and I already see the signature StoneGable look on it, yet with a lighter, airier spin. It’s already gorgeous and I’m so excited to watch it develop in the coming year! Have a Happy New Year!!
Lory
What a year you’ve had, Yvonne! I love your new home and can’t wait to see what you do in 2020! Happy New Year.
Hugs, Jamie
I enjoy your posts so much. Happy New Year to you and yours. I look forward to 2020 with you.
I can’t wait to see what you post! Thank you for inspiring me. Blessing in your new home.
Oh I can’t wait to see the projects you have cooked up for us! The place to buy items will be greatly appreciated!
Stone Gable is my very favorite blog. Keep up the great work, Yvonne! I am looking forward to new decor inspiration in 2020! Thank you also for inspiring all of us with your faith posts. You are a strong person and you pass this strength along with your inspiring thoughts and words!
I understand the pain you felt at the move of your loved ones. But you remain positive and you will enjoy these “mini-vacations” where you and Bobby will spend quality time with family.
Happy New Year, Yvonne! Thank you for all you share!
Happy New Year, Sandi!
Happy new year!
I have to say you are one of the most conscientious bloggers I have ever seen. I got teary eyed when I read about your move from your beautiful, albeit huge house but You knew it was time. I can’t wait to see what you do at tanglewood!
Janet
Thanks so much Janet! Leaving StoneGable was way too hard! But we are loving our new home here at Tanglewood! Happy New Year!
Dear Yvonne,
I was new to your blog in 2019. I realized that many of my Pinterest pins were coming from the same place…yours.
I came to your site for the beauty I found on the “outside” of Stone Gable. I have stayed for the beauty I found on the “inside” of you.
Your sweet spirit has been a blessing this year. May God bless you in 2020.
Leigh in Mississippi
HI Leigh! Thank you so much! How sweet! I praise God for His grace and blessings every day! And you are counted in those blessings!
I love reading yours posts each day. Your pictures are beautiful and I appreciate all the work you put into them. What a fun job! I read your article about “fake cleaning” right before Christmas and kept it in mind to help get everything done. Thank you for this.
I read this morning that your family moved to San Diego. I’ve lived in San Diego all my life. We do love it here.
Looking forward to seeing all your projects this year and getting inspiration for mine as well.
Bonnie! I LOVE San Diego too. Jacqueline and her family live in Encinitas and I could move there!
It’s bittersweet to get older – but always look forward – never behind. We are looking for a new residence – it’s not so much the big house that we will miss, but it seems we are giving up in a way, That being said, I know that as long as we are together, making plans for the days ahead we will be OK. Can’t wait to se what your future holds for you. We already have reservations made for 2 trips in 2020. We have spent the last 2 years getting our home ready to sell to a younger family, so this year is going to be more relaxing. Happy New Year.
I’m so happy we downsized. I think it is important to love the adventure! And we have certainly had adventures. I’m not getting old, I’m getting better!
Whew! You sure have made a lot of changes but you have a positive attitude and you love what you do, and it shows. I love each and every one of your posts. I often go back and look for one if I need inspiration. Thank you for the past, enjoy the present and I look forward to your future posts.
Thanks, Anna! Happy New Year!
I really hope to see pics as projects are worked on … not just the final result! I think it is more interesting to go on the journey with you! Happy New Years!
Thanks Laura. I will try. Sometimes I get so excited to show you something I forget to take picture of the process. I have pics of the fireplace though. Thanks for the suggestion! Happy New Year!
What a year! I think that those of us who have taken the “downsizing “ step truly know the bittersweet feelings it brings. Your list for 2020 makes me tired before we begin, but I can’t wait to see your choices for the kitchen. I follow a number of blogs in this group and love them all, but Yvonne, if I had to choose where I would want to actually move in, hands down it would be your home. Whether or not it was Stonegable or Tanglewood!
We recently downsized, and I can certainly identify with some of the changes you’ve experienced. Life is all about change, letting go of the old and embracing new stages of life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I enjoy your classic style and find the projects motivating!
Loved your old home and the new one just as much Yvonne. Can’t wait to see what you do and Happy New Year!
Looking forward to what you share in 2020!