One Room Challenge - Week 3: The Big Cram

Okay week 3, you kicked my butt.  Work has me crazy and leaves little time for anything other than sleeping and eating!  I felt like I was in school again and crammed for the exam the night before....

Hey now, that's me, cramming in my painting on a Wednesday night at 9 pm...coffee in hand!  I didn't put that paint brush down until 1:00 am ish.

I wasn't alone, I had my trusty handyman aka husband helping me out.  I'm so glad he agreed to this late night painting party.  Some couples have date nights that involve a wonderful dinner and drinks.  But we have something special...

She's fresh, fresh, exciting...My walls and trim have arrived!  They are walking in the room with popped collars.

The room now has a great feeling, It's much like a loft now.  We still have some touch ups, but I'm very pleased with the initial results.  I need to decide on the doors, should they stay the wood color or be painted black?  The lighting is in, the pillow cases are in and I have decided on the seaweed green as it goes nicely with the pillows.

This speaks to me, it says, Jennifer....you're on the right track.

About the lighting, it's beautiful, but I think i may paint the brass on the wall lamps more of a gold so it matches the hanging pendant.  The floor hasn't been touched but will be a chevron pattern.  I need to decide on the width of the lines and would like to put a chunky border around the room.  So what's in store for next week?

1)  Painting/modifying the swing arm lamps

2)  Taping the floor off and painting

3)  Designing a little nook for the cushions

4)  Sourcing cork boards for the wall under the swing arm lamps

Follow along with me and the other participants.  We are starting to show amazing progress!  

XoXo,

Jennifer

One Room Challenge: Week 2 - Congratulations, It's A Hardwood Floor!

Here we are, week 2.   I'm happy that there is progress, as in bye bye black carpet!  

That's my willing victim...I mean husband, helping me tear up the carpet.

Not the most flattering picture of our newly revealed hardwood floors, but, I'm beginning to get a little giddy at the prospect of the possibilities!

After 3 hours of hard labor, we have hardwood floors!!   A little scratched, beaten and bruised, no fault of our own, it is now all ours.  I've assessed the situation...not too bad, and no time to refinish or desire to do so. 

So my options are to paint all or paint a little?   Below are ideas for the floor finish/style.

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

Go all in, or half way?  I'm still deciding and will reveal the outcome next week.  

     Next Decision:  Wall color and trim...

And don't you say you don't see the difference in the white/off white colors!  Undertones, people...

I tried 4 white/off white colors in the space and monitored it in the light during the day they were from the top:

1)  Benjamin Moore-Decorator's White  OC-149

2)  Benjamin Moore-Chantilly Lace OC-65

3)  Benjamin Moore-Cloud Cover OC-25

4)  Benjamin Moore-Super White OC-152

I made my decision quickly and swiftly, I'm in love in with #3, Cloud Cover.  It's the right tone, day and night. The slight tan undertone keeps it warm and not stark.  I picked 2 blacks, both from Benjamin Moore, Black Beauty 2128-10 and Soot 2129-20.  I picked the Soot as it had some blue in it that made it more vibrant and paired nicely with Cloud Cover.  The wild card is the green, I have several to choose from....waiting on the pillow covers to determine the final call.  But, I'm really liking Seaweed from Benjamin Moore 2035-10.

I'm feeling a little pumpkin vibe right now....the favored green is on the right next to the wall color and trim choice.

Lighting is up next, the space has no overhead lights and needs a creative solution that doesn't require hardwiring.  I found some pretty awesome arm wall sconces from Lampsplus .  As well as a cool industrial chic pendant and artwork lights. 

Ok, so we are cooking!!  What's in store for next week?  Paint!!  I'm painting the walls, floors, ceiling, and anything that doesn't move (beware sleeping dog or husband).  

Be sure to check out the other participants and guest bloggers at One Room Challenge!

Until we meet again,

xoxo Jenn

One Room Challenge: Week 1 - The Studio Transformation

    Hello everyone, I'm writing you this from my very space that will be transformed with a final reveal May 10th for the One Room Challenge.   You're probably wondering what I'm talking about, The One Room Challenge is something that Linda Weinstein from Calling It Home  created years ago and has gained so much traction in the Design blogging world that it is sponsored by House Beautiful.  It happens twice a year, in the fall and the spring.  20 invited design bloggers transform a room and blog about it for 6 weeks for a final reveal at that time.   Pretty challenging and exciting all at once!  There are also guest participants, enter me!  My first time designing a room on a tight timeline in my own home for all the world to see....my space-The Studio.   

My current studio view..I really wish that was wine, nope, it's ginger-ale.

The space that I'm redoing is my son's old room, yes the one that I let him pick the colors at the ripe age of 12.  So, forgive the choices, and the Halloween esque vibe.  There is a lot to do in here before I can deem it my official work studio.   I'm moving on up(stairs)...cue music, my previous work space was the beautiful sun room right off our dining area.  Although I love it, I need more elbow room to meet with more than one person.  I'm embarrassingly attaching more pictures of the current situation.  This is in hopes I will knock your socks off in the final reveal.

Hmm....my dog always steals the show, the best thing in the picture now.  A little hint on the final reveal with a makeshift daybed.

Should I add another??  Are you looking away in horror?

I really don't know if I'm keeping the lockers...they are pretty cool (You're thinking-Yes, for a school.)  Ok, I'll consider removing them.

Just when you thought it was safe to look again.....

I think I'm done torturing you, let's do this!

Ok, now you've seen my deepest darkest designer secret....and you're still here reading, whew!!  It's time to change this space, I have big plans my friends.

This is what I want to do:

1)  Paint, paint and paint some more!!  Walls, window frames...maybe even floor.

2)  Create a wall with inspiration boards.

3)  A mural...perhaps?  No, not an uncool birds and butterflies, but a chic, sleek, fashion forward, graphic one.

4)  A station to collaborate and design or meet.

5)  A daybed area to accommodate an occasional overnight guest (mainly my daughter).

6)  An area to photograph product.

These are my main goals, my inspiration or vibe is contained in the moodboard that follows:

I'm completely struck by the idea of an invigorating office/work area.  So I've added emerald green to black and white and it suits me just fine.

The main design style is an upbeat, Parisian loft influenced studio.  I have a love affair with the color green, particularly emerald green.  I'm undecided on pattern on floor, if any...may just paint that a solid color.  Like any design project, once I start,things evolve.   Follow along and see where this goes!  

Please take the time to support the other  design bloggers who are participating in this event, it's quite the undertaking and I'm happy to be in company to these talented designers.  Check my blog next week to see progress!!

xoxo,

Jenn