Welcome to Week 5 of the One Room Challenge hosted by Linda of Calling it Home.
You can see our initial plans here and the following weeks here: Week 2/ Week 3/ Week 4.
Oh boy are we feeling the stress around here!! We had several hiccups along the way this week and I’m just keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that this room comes together the way I envisioned. Our room without a doubt has a long way to go before our reveal next Thursday, so here’s to chugging along. Hey, I help deliver babies so I can handle a little room renovation stress right? Riiiiight.
You know what else didn’t help this week? THE WORLD SERIES! We are a Chicago sports fan family and wouldn’t you know it the Cubs made history this week in a game 7-10 inning-kinda way. So, while I’m so happy for them it wasn’t awesome for our room. How could the husband possibly do any work with that going on?! (insert eye roll).
So last week I left you with the built-ins looking like this:
Basically it was just the frame for our base. Exciting Stuff.
And then we added the frame for the soffit. And be we of course I mean my husband.
This beast is solid folks. As in if I were tall enough I could use it as monkey bars. Will anything be hanging from it though? Nope. The husband is just super thorough and meticulous and wanted to ensure it wasn’t going anywhere.
And to give you an idea of the height of this space- here I am looking fancy.
Keep in mind though 1) I’m short and 2) We have 10 ft ceilings and 3) I work nights so I always look that fancy.
And here’s where we are with the built-ins now.
I know, it doesn’t look like much–But what you’re seeing is about 18 trips to home depot, sleepless nights, and a lot of stressin. The bookcases are built, the backs are painted, and we are ready to install them onto the base. Then it’s add all the decorative trim and paint. No sweat right? Hence the major stressin’.
In non built-in news, we’ve hit some DIY road blocks. Part of the living room plan includes some craigslist chair makeovers that needed a good makeover. My mom graciously agreed to venture into new territory and sew some new cushions for me.
Well, with the hustle and bustle of her job, a vacation to Florida, and a hefty learning curve on this project she felt it best I look into a professional. So, I scrambled and found a local upholster and I begged and pleaded for him to get this done within a very short time period. He agreed and they are still there as we speak. Sooo not the worst hiccup in the world but could have been disaterous had I not found someone! Also quite costly (Shhh, don’t tell my Mom!).
My other snafu was with my DIY linen/lace Anthropologie knock off curtains. My plan is to recreate this look for a fraction of the cost:
So after searching and searching I was unable to find wide cotton lace that would be able to be shipped in time. But what I did find was a Sweet Store on Etsy with a beautiful poly/blend lace that had the width and detail I was looking for. Anna from Zengs Lace and More was such a pleasure to work with and sponsored the lace for this DIY project. So, if you’re in the market for lace trim I definitely recommend checking out her selection…and shipping was so fast!
Here’s where the problem came in. My plan was to dye this lace with Rit Dye to create the blue ombre look. Well, I had never dyed anything before so this was already out of my league. My initial attempt at dying with the ‘navy blue’ Rit dye ended up in turning my test piece of lace purple. Sooooo, fail. By about my fourth attempt I had gotten the color right and the lace absorbed the dye beautifully.
The ombre was looking perfect and the color stopped exactly where I wanted. But the longer it say the more the dye crept up the lace and into the top where I wanted it to remain white. So, I’m having to forego my perfectionistic ways and embrace the uneven-ness. It’s a more boho-chic vibe with the imperfections. So, here’s a sneak peak:
Does it look like the Antrho curtain? Nah. Is it so pretty and romantic? Yes!
I’ll do a full tutorial after the challenge.
And my other struggle for the week has been finding a frame for my new Parima Studio Art. So my art piece is 16×16 and I want a matted frame. So, off to Hobby Lobby I went to order a custom frame and non-reflective glass. Things were looking great until they told me it wouldn’t be ready until November 12! Yah, that’s not going to work. So, back to the drawing board. The only frame they had in stock was 24×24 and black. No shock that I want gold. So I decided I would spray the frame even though this isn’t my preferred choice. Hobby Lobby will be able to add the 4 inch mat and switch out the glass for me for a small fee. I even looked online for a 24×24 inch gold frame and it doesn’t exist…like anywhere. Well it does, but not for less than a $100 and not within a reasonable time frame. So, we’ll see how this goes.
Now is where the fun begins! Decorating, adding all the details, and watching the room really come to life! Don’t let my excitement fool you- I’m super stressed! Will it get done in time? Will everything look good together? Did I make the right color choices?! SO MUCH.
Here’s whats left on the ol to-do list:
– Paint and install the crown molding
– Add molding and trim to built ins
-Paint molding and trim
-Hang curtain rod and wall art
– Fill and decorate bookcases
-Add in all the accessories
Here’s what I do know. The husband and I will be having a big ol celebratory steak dinner after this room is done. And maybe a whole bottle of wine. Or maybe we won’t be speaking. Anything’s possible people.
HUGE thank you to my sponsors for this challenge and all the beautiful pieces!
See you at the reveal! And don’t forget to check out the other amazing participants here!
Oh my goodness, those built-ins are going to be fabulous!
The built ins look amazing and I love the curtains! Excited for the final reveal next week!
those built-ins are going to be sturdy! Is it bad that I like your curtains better than the original? they have a lighter feel. Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
Thanks Amanda! I sure hope so!
Thank you! I'm glad you like the curtains!!
OH yes Morgane they definitely will be sturdy. I'm glad you like my curtains better hehe
Thanks Sabrina! I'm nervous and excited!
beautiful DIY lace and wow to the built-in! can't wait to see it all coming together next week!
Curtains are awesome! I love them, good work. Good luck, almost there!
What fantastic built-ins! That is such a great, custom look….can't wait to see your final transformation! Best of luck in this final week of ORC!! Kristin @ Postbox Designs
Oh wow, sorry to hear about the little hiccups. I love the curtains and the build ins. I can't wait to see the final reveal next week!!!
I feel your pain on the upholstry project, it's soooooooo expensive! Lace trim looks great, good work finding the solution! Can't wait you see this room and those built-ins!! Congrats to the Cubs too! They definitely earned that win!
Those built-ins are going to be incredible…I can already tell! Oh, I feel your pain with the little hiccups along the way. Here's to 1 more week until the full reveal and for everything to be totally worth it! I'm loving all of these transformations!
I love how the curtains turned out! So pretty and soft!
Well, the builtins look amazing so far!!! You'll get it all done and then you can drink all the bottles of wine and admire your new room. Can't wait to see the full reveal!
Those built ins are going to be amazing when they are done!