The ONE ROOM CHALLENGE currently in its 11th season, is a bi-annual event where 20 TOP Designers Take ONE ROOM and rise to the occasion . They design, decorate, transform, renovate, small-scale, large-scale projects and each week – they post updates on their progress. And finally 6 weeks down the road…the BIG REVEALS happen!!!!
HERE ARE THIS YEARS DESIGNER PARTICIPANTS!
“CALLING IT HOME” is the host site of The ONE ROOM CHALLENGE.
In addition and of particular interest to MOI is the “LINKING EVENT” for the rest of us…where we can join in, post our weekly updates and share a ONE ROOM CHALLENGE of our own. Let me tell you – some of the designs that have come out of the LINKING EVENT are nothing short of
AH-MA-ZING!!!!!
I have participated in the ORC linking event twice…
So I hope you will follow along, pin and share and social media away!
WEEK ONE
ONE ROOM CHALLENGE
(linking event)
WHERE WE MEET
“THE BEFORE”
Whenever I start a decorating project I begin with two lists:
one is the “Postives” and Two is “Negatives”
In the language of how I decorate POSITIVE does not necessarily insure or mean “good” and “NEGATIVE” does not insure or mean “BAD”. Generally they are more guideposts that help me organize the basic framework of the project…see what I am working with and fine tune where I will need to focus my energies. This is different with every project in any house.
On the POSITIVE SIDE
- Very flexible and trusting clients. I have decorated for this family a few times and I call them my DREAM CLIENTS. They trust my judgement implicitly. They want to give little advice, are flexible and love many decorating styles and are all around nice people. THIS is a DREAM!!!
- Large, open space with lost of windows and beautiful natural light.
- Reasonable Budget. Tight budgets are tricky (for me anyway) and require 20 times the work as you have to sleuth and scope out the best deals..and then try to get even better deals. In the past, this is how I have often decorated for my family – but most people are not happy with 2 year makeovers…and sometimes, that is what it takes to get the best quality for the lowest price.
- Nearly New house which means no surprises around the corner…no crumbling plaster walls, lots of outlets..you get my drift.
- Did I mention they are DREAM CLIENTS with 4 of the cutest kids on Earth – under 5…
On the NEGATIVE SIDE
- No uninterrupted walls – each wall has either window or a door and in most cases, both..this can create a challenge when it comes to furniture placement.
- They are keeping existing RUG. The rug itself is not a NEGATIVE, in fact it is a great, high quality Dash and Albert Rug called “Cats Paw” , which has many colors lending itself to a wide palate of color schemes. But it does mean we are not working from a BLANK SLATE and the color and style of the room will need to work WITH the rug.
- Open floor plan Wall Color. The existing wall color is lovely, but it does not play well with the light and the other adjoining wall colors…all of which are visible and contribute to the clients dislike of the color. This is a room which will get LOADS of traffic…more and more each year as the kids grow until they take it over as teenagers…as we all know – teens LOVE basements…so the color choice will need to stay pretty versatile. In short – there will be no brightly colored accent walls…or wall paper. Just simple beautiful neutral walls.
- Outdoor access – this is a positive AND a Negative. Having outdoor access from a basement is DOPE!!! But – it also means that fabrics and furniture choices need to take into account the possibility of outdoor elements (like dirt and moisture) making their way into the room. Just things to consider and shape decisions.
- Floor color. The clients had a flood in their basement and had to replace the entire basement floor. They went with a beautiful, versatile cork floor which should hold up great to the traffic of the basement – but the color of the floor leans toward gold/orange and could limit some fabric choices but in truth I see this more as a CHALLENGE that a Negative.
In short – LOTS of Positives and I am so up to the task of any “so-called” negatives …this will be so fun to tackle. So lets see where we start.
THE BEFORE
MY TO DO LIST:
1.FIRST AND FOREMOST – Order any furniture that will be custom-made immediately if not sooner. THIS is always the trick…timing, like getting that Turkey in the oven before the Macy’s parade even starts ….!!!.. (I will let you in on a little secret here, I have already ordered the sofas and chairs…knowing that I would be working on a 6 week deadline and that the turnaround is generally double that with upholstered furniture . We will talk about those pieces next week!
2. Confirm and solidify the budget and lay a roadmap of expenses. Areas where $$$ can be saved to make room of other splurges. One IFFY area is “ART and WALL Decor” … and because I do not know the full scope of everything else…we will just have to wait and see what remains in the budget for ART.
3. Go over my Rough plan with my clients so they have at least a skeletal framework of what to expect and what is expected of me. Of course, like most people they would love their room done in a week….but I know we will find a suitable time frame that will keep everyone happy. Our deadline is GOD WILLING 6 weeks from today!!!
I will be posting updates weekly on INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST, Facebook and twitter
Thank you for following along – at the time of this posting the linking site has not yet opened …please check back soon!!!!
Here is the complete list of al of the Designer participants with links so you can follow along. <y friend Holly at the English Room is doing her Master Bedroom and I cannot wait to see how it unfolds. he kick-off post is fantastic, complete with photos of her pack-rat self in full view and truly is one of my favorite Blog Post anywhere EVER!!!!! We will keep a keen eye on Holly and her progress!
Here are the remaining wonderful participants – all Incredible designers and decorators and I cannot wait to be inspired!
Centsational Girl | Chris Loves Julia | Christine Dovey | Dwell With Dignity | The English Room | Glitter Guide | House of Brinson | House Updated | J+J Design Group | Lark & Linen | Abby Manchesky |Nesting Place | Old Brand New | Old Home Love | The Pink Pagoda | Rambling Renovators |Erica Reitman | Sketch 42 | Suburban B’s | Erin Williamson Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by CIH
I HOPE you will follow along…and Be sure to subscribe to MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE TO keep up with other Giveaways ( a BIG one is coming in April!) and all the shenanigans we got going on! Let’s get friendly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING ALONG!