One Room Challenge No. 1 // Fall 2015

Hello! I am ecstatic to be here today to kick off the Fall 2015 One Room Challenge hosted by the very fabulous Linda of Calling It Home! (Cue unnecessary exclams!!!) This is my fourth time participating in the challenge, and I have to admit that I'm as nervous and excited today as I was writing the very first post of the very first challenge. It's such a tremendous compliment to be asked to participate because there are always so. many. talented designers that take this thing on. If you've done it, you know that making over a room in 6 weeks (with an audience, mind you) is no cake walk. Especially for anyone as indecisive and hot-messish as myself.

I'm a total sucker for the sheer excitement this semi-annual event draws. Everyone is ridiculously supportive of each other during this whole thing (as necessary as wine between meltdowns) and, outside of the initial 20 bloggers that do the official challenge, it's so great to see 100+ fabulously talented bloggers and designers participate in the link up on Thursdays. Not to mention the fact that it actually forces me to finish a space. Something that apparently requires external motivation and hot deadlines. I first thought this would be the perfect opportunity to tackle our original 1967 guest bathroom. And then I remembered that I'm pregnant with a toddler, and I desperately need my husband to stick around. Which seemed unlikely if attempting a gut job with such a tight deadline...

So I've opted for another space that's been begging for a makeover for some time now. Not because it isn't a great space. But because we need it to function differently now that our family is growing. Ad because my taste changes constantly and I'm just ready to stare at another color on the walls.

It's a bit strange to be showing before shots that I'm not wildly embarrassed by for once! Here's the room I'll be making over in its current state:

Photos by Jane Kortright

Lovely, yes. (At least, I like to hope so!) But it never felt finished to me (notice that there's a whole side of the room you don't see in these shots...that's because I never did anything with it) and, after almost three years this way, I'm about ready for a do-over. We're also losing an office -- coincidentally my first One Room Challenge! -- to a nursery.

** YAY! **

Which means that all of my shop-related things have been orphaned, and need a new home. Since formal dining rooms seem to get the least amount of actual use, assigning this room dual functions seems like the best choice.

Things I'm hoping to accomplish in here:

• Comfortable, casual vibe. I love me some bold spaces, but I've learned that I don't love to live in them.
• Kid-friendly finishes, fabric and function (aka accommodates messy fingers, crayons, and takes a good beating).
• Suits six comfortably, ten in a pinch, and one when I can sneak a few minutes to myself.
• Functions as an office without looking like an office. Plenty of hidden storage for business thangs, table pretties, and - because they straight up can't be contained - toys and such.
• After almost four years, a space that finally gets used more than twice a year. I've already planned my first dinner party so the pressure is on!

We'll talk about how I'm going to make all of the things happen next Wednesday. Of course, you can always follow along on Instagram for real-time updates. Now let's go see what other amazing projects we'll be following for the next 6 weeks. I don't know about you guys, but it's dumb how excited I am!

Apartment 34 | Arianna Belle | Because It’s Awesome | Coco+Kelley | Design Darling | 

Design Indulgence |Design Manifest | Christine Dovey | The English Room | Vanessa Frances | 

Hi Sugarplum | Honey We’re Home | Jojotastic | The Pink Clutch | The Pink Pagoda | 

Simplified Bee | Style Your Senses | A Thoughtful Place | Kimberly Whitman | The Zhush | TM by CIH

One Room Challenge Final Reveal // Spring 2015

I am so thrilled to be sharing our "new" kitchen today! It's not an over the top transformation by any means, but a few changes have gone a long way here. Namely replacing an old ceiling fan with a pendant fixture over the table, updating dark hardware for lighter and brighter brass, adding a window treatment over the sink, swapping out for a more whimsical rug, replacing the fridge, and giving the space a fierce decluttering. And even though the design snob in me wishes more could have been done, we've certainly come a long way from where we started and I'm beyond pleased with the results! I wanted to keep the styling simple because that's soooo the opposite of what we're used to....here's hoping we can keep it that way for at least a week.

Without further ado, here is the kitchen now:

It thrills me to finally have a home for some of my favorite vintage barware in the open cabinets. I moved all of our china above the fridge where that awkward and impractical wine rack used to be. I mean, if you drink wine like I do, you need easy access! I framed a piece of Ava's art for display on the countertop, which is perfect for an abstract art lover like myself, and easy to switch out as new pieces inevitably come home.

I can't say enough about the gorgeous Mara pendant. She is quite photogenic, and I assure you she is every bit as beautiful in person. If nothing else had happened in this space, that just might have been enough of a transformation all by itself.

As you transition to the patio, you get a little more color. I was able to find the perfect home for that glorious flower pot front and center on the table. Someone suggested succulents, and I love that idea so I may try that at some point this summer! For now, Ava is sure loving the pretty flowers...which she immediately plucks the heads off of, so I guess understanding flower care comes after 21 months. ha!

Of course, you know I couldn't stop there! Once I got going, I felt like Ava deserved a new kitchen, too. So I took the Ikea DUKTIG play kitchen to the next level with gray cabinets, brass hardware, marble countertops, a porcelain sink, and plenty of vintage accessories.

She was just the proudest little nugget when she finally got her kitchen back!

Participating in the One Room Challenge is always such a treat because the transformation happens so quickly. Something that would otherwise be unheard of around these parts. I had the great pleasure of partnering with the fine folks at Bellacor to make this kitchen update happen, and I can't thank them enough for their sponsorship and great service!

Huge thanks, too, to photographer Jane Kortright for the beautiful photos.

To get this look at home: pedestal dining table | chairs, vintage (you might find something similar here) | sheepskin throws | brass light pendant | brass knobs | brass pulls | rug, vintage (similar) | bamboo roman shade | footed chop block | barware, vintage | brass wine rack, vintage | ceramic fruit bowl | wireless speaker | blue and white oversize flower pot | Benjamin Moore White Dove on walls and trim

To get the look for Ava's kitchen: play kitchen | cookware | fruits and veggies | try Benjamin Moore Cape May Cobblestone for similar gray paint (mine was a blend of old paints) | pulls | gold spray paint (my go-to!) on pulls, faucet, feet (not seen as Ava's not tall enough yet), and salt and pepper shakers (which are actually old spice containers) | white spray paint for sink basin | brass and horn knobs for stovetop/oven | faux marble paint treatment | accessories, vintage

Now, if you have the time, I recommend checking out everyone else's transformations!

Because It's Awesome kitchen update is sponsored by but not exclusively furnished by Bellacor. All opinions are expressly my own.

One Room Challenge No. 4 // Spring 2015

It's week 4 of the One Room Challenge, which means over halfway to the finish line. (See previous posts here.) We're moving right along!

The pendant has been hung (I've already switched out that bulb for an Edison)

Our new brass knobs and pulls came in

and have been installed

The window treatment from Overstock is in and will go up later today.

You guys should know that I love me some blue and white. This glorious planter arrived last night, and I can't wait to decide what should go in it!

Ava's kitchen makeover is underway as well. I was undecided between the same Benjamin Moore White Dove as the rest of the kitchen and a can of medium gray leftover from an art project. So I let Ava choose.

She done good. And she is so proud! Runs over and points to her "new" kitchen constantly. Future designer? Maybe. I'm still trying to amp myself up for some faux marble painting, but will be scouring the city for marble contact paper first. Thalita found some at the dollar store, and you know I'm all over that. This appears to be a solid contender as well. Then Ava will be getting brass hardware, too. Naturally :)

That's it for this week. Hoping to have Ava's kitchen completed by our next update. I also need to make some decisions on chairs, install the laundry room hardware (I think I'm going with these beauties), make art decisions, and pray for a kitchen fairy to replace our decrepit refrigerator in time for the final reveal.

I'm sure that last one will be successful.

See what everyone else is up to this week here and here! ox

Because It's Awesome kitchen update is sponsored by but not exclusively furnished by Bellacor. All opinions are expressly my own.

One Room Challenge No. 3 // Spring 2015

You guys. Week three is on fire!!! Things are coming in and I am getting rul rul ambitious. First, if you haven't been following thus far (umm...why not?), check out why I decided it was time to give our kitchen a facelift here, and what my plan of action is here. Once you've done these things, please proceed.

First, the pendant from Bellacor came in. I would be doing all of you a disservice if I did not tell you that it is absolutely perfect. I am pestering the husband like nobody's business to get that baby up asap. (I could probably word that better, but it's been a long week and we have a lot to get through today so bear with me.) He's putting me off, but with 8 years together, I know how to wear him down ;)

Here she is in all of her glory:

I went with the smaller of the two sizes, but know that there are options if you need more impact in a larger room. Oh, I love her so.

I also scored a few fabulous vintage items last week, like this brass wine rack and a set of three marble tea light holders. Perfect bits that will compliment my new The Aestate print nicely for the countertops.

The bamboo blinds for the kitchen sink are in as well. Yay privacy! I ended up going with these (against my better judgment given my trouble with Overstock during the last ORC). They're not out of the box yet, so I'll have to report back. Could be an elephant in there for all I know.

I'm still debating whether to keep the existing mid century chairs or switch back to our bentwoods. I LOVE the chairs that we have now, but the legs protrude at just enough of an angle in our tight space that we're constantly kicking them. I thought maybe we would adapt, but not so. The bentwoods have a nice, small footprint. So that's still in the air.

In other very ambitious news, I've decided that it's unfair for Mama to get a new kitchen while Ava stands by. SO. I will be attempting my first Ikea hack. Ava got a DUKTIG play kitchen from Santa last year and I'm going to turn it into the dream kitchen I've she's always dreamed of. Some inspiration:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

I'm imagining a combo of pretty much all of the above. White uppers with gray lowers, brass hardware, brass faucet, countertop treatment, stylish "burner" knobs, etc. Those of you that have been around awhile know that I am NOT a DIYer in the least. I love it in theory. But I work with hundreds of creative folk everyday that put me to extreme shame. I'm setting a high bar by even mentioning it and making you anticipate the results.

Anything for the babies, right?

I'm planning to paint a faux marble countertop. If all goes well, I may apply the same treatment to our DOCKSTA tabletop. DIY. TIMES. TWO. Man, I'm getting crazy with these ORCs.

That's all I have this week. Keep up on Instagram for the latest.

Let's go see what everyone else is up to, shall we?

One Room Challenge No. 2 // Spring 2015

Welcome back! Last week, I revealed that I will be giving our kitchen and eat-in a few updates as a linking participant in the One Room Challenge. (Check that out here.) This week, I reveal zero percent progress (kitchen-1, Tobe-0). But I do have a solid plan, so there's that.

For those of you that aren't familiar with my style, I'm literally attracted to all decor genres. My "gift" is applying all of these styles in one place, and pretending that it doesn't look like a hot mess. Mind you, I am also a vintage goods slanger with inventory that is in constant flux...all over my house. So things change quite regularly around here. And the interior designer trapped inside really loves that, because it means that I get to buy all of the things and then constantly move them around ask my husband to move them around.

Winning!

As my business evolves and we look at getting an actual space to store our shop goods (we being my mom and I, as we are in business together), I've been thinking more and more about the overall vibe I want for our home. The truth is, I started decorating this space well before considering a family. (Read: children.) Now that our little has arrived, I recognize that some things could change. I'm hankering for a cozier, comfier, quieter look and feel. Less precious. Visually calming. Layers of texture instead of layers of color and pattern. Easy on the eyes after a long day at the office.

In general, something like this:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

But with a bit of blue and white and copious amounts of brass. Because I'm sure living in a completely neutral box won't last for long. Which, for our kitchen, translates to this:

pendant // tea towels // topiary // bamboo roman shade // planter // saarinen-style table // bentwood chairs // brass knob // brass pulls // benjamin moore white dove paint swatch

I'm excited to be working with my friends at Bellacor to make many of these updates! I also have a few extra projects brewing, but you'll have to come back next week to learn more about those.  ;)

Now let's go see what everyone else has planned for their spaces. Whose rooms are you most excited about following along with? There are a few that I'm definitely eager to see progress from today!


Because It's Awesome kitchen update is sponsored by but not exclusively furnished by Bellacor. All opinions are expressly my own.

One Room Challenge No.1 // Spring 2015

Helloooooooo. So you will never guess who just decided yesterday to participate in the One Room Challenge™ as a linking participant this round? YES. Because I love that this challenge, albeit mighty stressful at times, forces me to finish a space -- a feat that might will otherwise take years to accomplish. Plus, there's truly nothing like the camaraderie of this challenge and those who participate. Who doesn't love decorating with cheerleaders?! So here I am, back for round three!

For those of you that might be new here, welcome! I am a two time participant in the ORC (my home office in spring 2014 and our master bedroom in fall 2014) and I've been blogging here at Because It's Awesome since January 2011. Initially about all things design and lifestyle, but over time, I have developed a devoted passion for interiors. I was honored to be tapped for a One Kings Lane Tastemaker Sale back in March 2013, where I continue to sell unique vintage treasures, many of which are in everyone's favorite metal. Brass. If you take nothing else away from this visit, please remember the brass! I'm currently in the process of opening a shop of my very own (!), so stay tuned there.

Whew. On with the show.

I've chosen to focus on our kitchen and eat-in this time around. While there is nothing particularly wrong with these spaces, they are definitely lacking personality and style.

See what I mean? We inherited a beautiful remodel, but have dragged our feet putting the finishing touches in place. Oh, I'd love to be replacing countertops...ripping out the backsplash...swapping out for french doors...and -- for the love -- banishing that terrible fridge. But these big ticket items certainly aren't necessary changes, so I get no buy-in from the hubs. I am thrilled to have at least finally convinced him that the fan above the table must go (after only about 3 years of protest). We will replace that with a lovely pendant fixture. I also plan to freshen things up with new cabinet hardware, I'll give that fridge a bit of a makeover since we still have to look at it, add window treatments, do some general sprucing with decorative accessories, and solve for a few functionality challenges.

More specifics about the plan and my inspiration for the space next week, so stop back by!

As always, big thanks to Linda of Calling It Home for coordinating the One Room Challenge™. You can see what the official participants are tackling here, and check in with all of my fellow linking participants here. See you next week! ox