Welcome back to Week 6 of the One Room Challenge hosted by Linda of Calling it Home. You can see our initial plans here and the following weeks here: 2/ 3/ 4/ 5.
Wow. I can’t believe it’s here…REVEAL DAY!! Just six weeks ago we started with a plan:
And we’ve been slowly chipping away at this vision for what feels like decades. Super dramatic right? I can honestly say that our new space is beautiful and ready for her debut…just barely.
What a difference one week can make let alone six! Our progress was slow…painfully slow sometimes…but that’s real life peeps. We are a two-person show and this is the reality of renovating on a budget of time and resources. I’m SUPER proud of us! This challenge has challenged me (see what I did there) in so many ways…but I guess thats why they call it a challenge huh? I’m normally one to let a room slowly evolve all with a general vision in my head. In this case, items remained wrapped and boxed until reveal day and I was forced to see them only in my brain!
Are there things we would have done differently? Absolutely. But that’s live and learn for ya. Here are just a few things:
- We painted the walls prior to building the built-in. And saw dust was literally everywhere in that room. Now we could have avoided this by my husband working in the garage, but he had to make a million cuts which have taken a million trips so in the long run it was easier to cut in the room. So, in hind-sight we would have built the built-ins first and then painted the rest of the room. Wiping down all that saw dust was oh so fun.
- I’m not sure purchasing the Ikea bookcases was essential in this built in plan. Home Depot sells sheets of melamine if we were set on using that material. We encountered some limitations in using the Billy Bookcases that was specific to our set up. The base my husband built was level, however, the bookcases were not level. So when we placed them on the base there were some major adjustments that needed to be made to ensure they were straight. Also, from a cost perspective. We are going to do a detailed built-in post and I’ll compare prices on purchasing the materials for the built ins that resemble the Ikea Billy system.
- ALLOW MORE TIME. Just when you think you have your timeline and schedule figured out-double it. That will be your more accurate time. Because, hey life happens.
Here’s what I LOVE most about this space. All the handiwork that went into so many of our projects. My husband built those built ins with his own two hands and countless sleepless nights…I’m amazed by his talent and precision. Our behind the sofa table? That was built my best friend who swooped in to save me from a total meltdown.
The Anthropologie Knock-Off Curtains were a last minute DIY. The lace was hand dyed by yours truly with the assistance of a sweet friend of mine who also sewed the lace trim on. Oh, and she made me two gorgeous pillows that are professional quality.
My dad came into town and stayed up until 2 am helping paint, caulk, and clean. How did I get so lucky to have such amazing people in my life?! Truly humble.
My dad came into town and stayed up until 2 am helping paint, caulk, and clean. How did I get so lucky to have such amazing people in my life?! Truly humble.
And now for a slew of pictures because that’s what everyone wants to see right!
Look at those beautiful lace curtains! I’ll do a detailed DIY on those in a later post but I chatted about them a bit in Week 5. Huge thanks to Anna from Zengs Lace and More for the lace!
Amazing artwork is by Parima Studio. It really is the inspiration for the whole room. The color palette with it’s blues, pinks, and golds was so chic and fantastic I just had to have it front and center! So thank you Patricia for this fantastic piece! You can find yours here.
Hollie at Stuck On Hue did such an amazing job on these floral pillows. They were the perfect expression of my color palette in my signature print…florals! She was fantastic to work with, I highly recommend her shop!
This gorgeous velvet couch was from my sponsor for this challenge, ATG Stores. It’s soft, chic, and oh so Parisian. I LOVE IT! The perfect place to kick my feet up and enjoy a cup of coffee…or two. My daughter is looking forward to this being her new favorite reading spot- who could blame her!
The rug I selected from Rugs USA was just perfect. I worried it would be too blue but once I had it all together I was giddy! So, thank you RUGS USA for supporting me over here at this fancy ol blog of mine.
These gorgeous velvet and gold pillows are from Therese at Therese Marie Designs. She was such a gem to work with as I teetered back and forth on the look I was going for. Her collection of pillows are sophisticated and playful and her work was exquisite. So definitely check out her shop to see all she has to offer!
The upholster over at Brass Tack Upholstery here locally in Grand Rapids did an amazing job on my custom cushions for these craigslist chairs. He took those Target curtains and turned them into something truly special and unique!
Im so happy with my color choice for the built-ins. The Sherwin Williams Peppercorn gives the room an elegant feel and everything on the shelves comes to life!
Now how about a little before/after!
What a difference! I just threw that together…no big deal.
One More…
I can’t thank my sponsors enough for their gracious donations and support. Everyone has been so wonderful to work with! While I wanted to crawl into a hole sometimes during this challenge the results speak for themselves. It’s the room of my dreams!
I have to share with you one more picture of the room at night with the soft glow of the lights.
It’s so beautiful at night. I can’t help but sit and feel so grateful to have a place like this to call home. None of this would be possible without the support of my husband, who truly made this room happen and who continues to support me and make all my built-in dreams come true!
There are a few special blogger friends I have to give a shout out to! You girls were my sounding board when I needed to vent, whine, or celebrate. I couldn’t have made it through this challenge without your endless support and encouragement! So here’s to Cristy from W Collective Interiors who did a killer living room update and Sarah from Making Joy and Pretty Things who did a combined boys room for her One Room Challenge and Rebecca from Inspired Life Interiors who did the most beautiful bathroom makeover. Love ya girls!!
Grab a cup of coffee and head over to see the other 200+ bloggers who also made amazing transformations here. Huge thanks also to Linda from Calling it Home for hosting this challenge!
Now, I’m ready for a nap.
Couch provided by ATG Stores. Artwork provided by Parima Studio. Lace for DIY curtains provided by Zengs Lace and More. Velvet pillows provided by Therese Marie Designs. Rug provided at a discount from Rugs USA. Floral pillows provided at a discount from Stuck on Hue. 
Soooooo beautiful! Congratulations!!
Colette! You guys killed it with those bookshelves! All the hard work, dust, sweat and tears were totally worth it! The whole space feels so classic with a chic twist -congrats on a job well done! P.s. thanks for the shout-out! I'm beyond grateful for your support too! I so needed someone who "gets it" during this process…glad we both made it out alive!
It is so beautiful! Those bookshelves are amazing – great job!!!
i LOVE those built ins and hello that sofa! beautiful room!
Looks great! I'm a sucker for vignettes and a formal living space. The colours here are on point, as is the styling! Well done lady!
Oh my gosh Colette, this room looks so beyond gorgeous. Like right out of a magazine, you guys totally nailed it! Your husband did such an incredible job with those built ins. Wow I can't stop gushing over these beautiful pictures!!
LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY! So happy it turned out well! I need to come over!
Thank you Sarah!!!
Hahha Barely Cristy….barely. Now for a virtual drink together! Cheers!
Thanks Sabrina! I appreciate it!! He did do a fantastic job!
ATG Stores knocked it out of the park with this one!! So chic! Thank you!
Thanks Amanda!!!
Thank you so much Ariel! This is my first formal anything so we're thrilled!
Thanks Rebecca! Cant wait to have you over!
Collette I just love the living room! Job well done! It's refreshing that the shelves aren't stuffed with things even though it's fun to style a bookshelf! Don't know if it was intentional or not, but I like it! ~Chelsea
Oh.My.Gosh. it's completely AMAZING, straight out of a magazine!! Those built-ins are just perfect and styled so beautifully. All the colors and patterns blend together so well. I actually love the nighttime shot the best – it looks like the perfect place to curl up with a book at night. All the hard work was definitely worth it! Oh and thanks for the shout out – I love our Facebook chats, you totally kept me sane 🙂
Such a pretty space! I love those built ins so much!! Great job!
Amazing! I love the built ins and how you painted the back. It's a beautiful space.
Thank you so much!! Im really happy with the color! It looks black, but its actually a perfect balance between blue and black…SW Peppercorn. Amazing color!
Thanks Emy! I appreciate it!
Thank you Chelsea!! I did intentionally leave shelves open as to not clutter the space. I may tweak them over time but for now I'm happy with the layout! Thanks so much!
Thank you Sarah!!!! We are soooo happy with the result…even when I wanted to pull my hair out! Thanks for being such a great friend!
Oh wow, this room turned out amazing! Like Sarah said – straight out of a magazine!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Colette!
XO! Vanessa
Your built-ins are gorgeous and I'm swooning over that settee!!! I just love everything about this! Congrats on an amazing reveal!
Colette, First off you and your husband did an outstanding job on decorating your living room. It's so stunning and beautiful! Secondly, welcome to Grand Rapids! That's where I live, along with a number of other bloggers. Our red painted cottage is a 35 minute drive from where we live in GR!
Turned out beautifully! Love that dark color behind the shelving. Kudos to your husband on building the built in… even if it meant some saw dust. 🙂
Colette – your built-ins look fabulous. The beautiful sofa is the crowning glory – well done!
Vicki and Jenn
2 Bees in a Pod
Perfect!!! I am totally smitten with your new sofa and chairs. They look amazing.
What a beautiful and classy job, Colette! The built-ins are gorgeous and I love your fabric, upholstery and rug choices.
Oh Collete, this makeover has my heart! I love the built-ins (your husband's handiwork is incredible)! You did an amazing job planning and executing this makeover. It's such a pretty space! I'd want to spend all my time there. Congrats!
Those built-in's turned out amazing! I love that you went with the dark grey paint, that was my favorite option. The entire space looks beautiful.
The room turned out beautiful! How nice is was to have your husband, family, and friends support and help out when you needed them. All the colors blend well together. I bet this room would be lovely at nights with a Christmas tree, too.
Wow, what a goregous room!! I love the built-ins, and the rug is perfect for the space!! Enjoy your new room!
Wow kudos to your husband for those built-ins! They are fantastic! I love love the pops of blue {my favorite color}. I mean the whole space is just beautiful! Well done!
What a beautiful room! Love the built-ins! Great job!
Absolutely gorgeous space! I can't decide what I like better, the rug or the built ins! This room is so pretty!
I absolutely love the built ins, especially the painted backs. That really makes them pop!
Everything turned out so great! The room has so much life and color in it.
Thanks so much Jessica!
Thank you Vanessa! We love it!
Thank you Jennifer!
Thank you! I'm lucky to have such a handy husband!
Thank you Carol! Excited to connect with another local!
Thank you Jennifer!!
I was nervous about the rug color but it turned out perfect! Thank you!
I'm a lucky girl…thanks Zan!
i'm so happy with the color! Thank you Katy!
Thank you so much Lora! We love it!
Thanks Theresa! We DEFINITELY want to spend all our time here!
Thanks Brittany! Definitely the shining star of the room!
hahaah thanks Nicki! I couldn't play favorites either!
Thank you Denise!
Thank you so much!
Thanks Shani! We love it!
It looks sooo beautiful! Love the built-ins! And how great that you had help from friends and family. It makes the space all the more special. 🙂
Thank you Joann! Helping hands make the home – thanks for stopping by!