One Room Challenge No. 5 // Fall 2015

It's week 5!!! We're still alive (and speaking even!). I don't have a ton of eye candy type updates for you because, well, we've been racing to the finish line on this custom wall unit, leaving little time to focus on other visual delights. In case I haven't adequately expressed by undying love for him enough already, I can safely say that I have scored the most wonderful, patient, talented man I have ever known. Eric has worked tirelessly this past week to make the wall unit happen, even after more than a few "we should scrap this whole thing" comments from the "brains" behind this whole operation. (I use that term loosely.) He has never wavered and I'm so grateful.

Good thing I'm totally worth it ;)

Catch up real quick if you're checking in for the first time: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Progress since last Saturday morning (yes, mere days ago):

Getting framed in

Ava and her assistant putting the doors on and testing the fauxdenza for sturdiness

Painting underway (at midnight as the Royals win the World Series!!!!!)

The doors are being reinstalled as I type this. They'll get a few coats of paint -- have I mentioned that I am NEVER painting again?! -- and we'll be ready to style this baby up.

The drapes are hemmed and will go back up tonight. Can't wait to see how perfectly accurate my measurements are (said with palms pressed and head to sky). I think I've committed to scrapping the bamboo shade for a simpler look. While I love the texture the shades bring, I think I can get that elsewhere. It's just too fussy with both.

I've also run into more than one issue with curious little fingers and accessible items on the Sarreid chest, so I conned begged by brother to come by and help Eric move this beauty into the space in its place.

It's a Kent Coffey Amerasian chest that I have listed on One Kings Lane right now. It's actually been listed for quite some time, which I kind of can't believe. If no one else wants it, I guess I'll be forced to give it a good home....Frankly, it's perfect for this space in terms of storage, and looks amazing against the light gray walls. Those of you that know me know I have a thing for contrast! And brass. And that delicious brass hardware just slays me. My only concern is the visual weight of it, especially once the large dark table is back in place. So I'm still keeping my options open.

Things left to do:
Not even going to list them lest I crumble into a weeping pile. But it's going to get done! Because photoshoot this weekend. Wish me luck filling those beastly shelves and zhushing things up just right. I so appreciate everyone's support through this ORC (especially last week). I love hearing your feedback and the encouragement truly gets me through this adequately-titled challenge. That I say I'm doing for the last time. Every time.

I suspect the people closest to me will hold me to that promise this time....

Hope the other players are feeling the burn making great progress in this final stretch! Big reveals next week!! So many of these spaces I'm just clamoring to see!

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 No. 3 // Fall 2015

Well. Here we are. It's week three of the One Room Challenge, which sounds like we're halfway through, right? Technically that is the case. However, smart kid here planned a photo shoot for next week so I'm seeeeeeeeeeriously stressing right now. (To catch up, see weeks one and two.)

As in I may or may not have had several emotional breakdowns last week selecting art and anxiously awaiting a ceiling medallion that I ordered 2 weeks too late.

Luckily, I've learned to anticipate this kind of emotional display at some point during the challenge and I know that once I get it out, things will start rolling again. And that they did.

The painting has been brutal, you guys. BRU-TAL. Here's a hot tip: If you ever ever EVER think you're going to paint over a high gloss dark saturated color, you cray. Hire. This. Out. I've used just about every paint out there, so I was eager to try ORC sponsor Farrow & Ball for myself. Next time, I'll let the results be enough of a reward....

walls Farrow&Ball Cornforth White No.228  ||  trim Benjamin Moore Simply White

This is where I extend copious amounts of praise and gratitude to my mom for spending HOURS trimming out this beast so I didn't have to tape. My mom, you guys. I am one lucky lady, I tell ya.

I am in love with the new look of this space. I know you have to use your imagination a little bit because I wasn't able to get any shots during daylight, but trust that it is looking fabulous in here. And almost twice as large! Which will be important once I get a storage system going on the north wall.

What's that? You want to see more of that lighting situation? Why sure!

ceiling medallion  ||  modern pendant

 I debated the exact medallion for far too long. A few of my favorite contenders:

From top left: Livex Lighting Medallion //  Boston Ceiling Medallion // Tomango Egg & Dart Medallion //  

Benson Classic Medallion // Granada Medallion // Studio White Medallion // Elk Lighting English Study Medallion // Ekena Millwork Eryn Medallion

I read somewhere -- in an old Bible Domino mag, I believe -- that the medallion should be 1/7th of the ceiling square footage. I'm not sure whose scientific estimate that was, but I went slightly larger because I wanted more impact and I'm pretty satisfied with the results.

I LOOOOVE the simplicity of the Nelson pendant! It lets off the most delightfully diffused glow. Pretty sure it's been on during all of my waking hours at home. Wasting electricity = happiness.

You might have gotten a peek at the Sarreid chest in the shot above?

 She needs a little cleanup before settling into her new home, but I think she'll be quite happy here. I suspect this will be where most of the linens and misc dining goodies live. (We found this beauty locally, but One Kings Lane has something similar right now. You'd just have to track down a base!)

I've finally made some of my art selects. ORC sponsor Minted has an unbelievably vast library of fantastic options. My OCD tendencies had me going through every single piece before deciding. Which took, you know, until last night.

From top left: First Flight // Lula // Messy Dots // Gentle Embrace // Distant Island Pier //

Portofino Afternoon // Form // Blossom // Louise

Hopefully I'll be showing you which pieces won next week. I've also had some of Ava's art framed for the walls. Our little budding abstract artist is making mama proud!

Left to accomplish:

• Replace the window. That should be arriving tomorrow. Wish my husband luck for good weather and a speedy install this weekend!
• Window treatments up. Going neutral here as discussed in week one. Or two...What day is it?
• Settle on final answer for storage wall. (Shoot me now.)
• Accessorize. The fun part!

That's all I have for you this week. Eager to see what kind of progress everyone else is making now. Some of these ladies have been out of town up to this point. Crazy!!

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

 Also check out the link up participants because there are some maaaajor projects going on there!

Huge thanks to Linda of Calling It Home for helping me maintain a sky high level of crazy.

Thanks as well to generous sponsors Farrow&Ball and Minted for their help transforming our home!

 

One Room Challenge No. 2 // Fall 2015

Oh heeeeeyyyyy. We're back today for week 2 of my One Room Challenge dining room makeover. Those of you that are stopping in for the first time, I'm one of 20 bloggers that has jumped on the ORC bandwagon yet again (see my first, second, and third trips to crazytown) and am in the process of making over my dining room in 6 short weeks.

Which is really 5 weeks because, you know, gotta give the photographer more than a day to shoot.

Cue hives.

We took a look at the dining room in its current state last week (check that out here). It's clear from the public outcry that I'm completely nuts and shouldn't be touching this room unless it's to finally finish it. But, as fate would have it, our family is growing next year and I'll be losing a dedicated office, resulting in this room now doing double duty. So it had to change anyway. Might as well give it a fresh, clean look. Something with the mixed up vibe of these spaces:

  1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 (source no longer active) // 6 & 7

Which might only make sense in my twisted head. Fresh, casual, and bright is the idea. I spent plenty of time exploring a few directions for the space before settling on this one. At one point, I was dead set on grass cloth. Deliciously rich and depth-enhancing, this option also screamed PLEASE COLOR ON ME, SMALL CHILDREN. So I'm putting these dreams in the "someday" file. But ohhhhh do I wish it were going to be mine! I'd even honed in on this lovely paper from Walls Republic when my dreams met reality. Just so we can all properly mourn this evolution...

Not long after the grass cloth realization, I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which pretty much changed everything. This is when I decided that we needed more function in here. With warmth and personality. In the book, Marie Kondo talks about the importance of owning only those things that very literally bring you joy --

I'm going to be honest here. A lot of things bring me joy. Which is why I buy them immediately. Dah. But then I sell them. Sometimes right away, sometimes after displaying them in our home for a time. And that works for me. In fact, it's how I love to live. I definitely hang onto things that have meaning, and I like to move goods around fairly often. (Some of our rugs have lived in almost every room in our 4 short years in this home!) All to say that the ORC -- especially this round -- isn't about acquiring new things. It's about making our home even more of a home. Beautiful? Yes. Design fluff? Nope. (Well, okay, maybe just a smidge.)

Enough of that. You get the idea. Here's a really rough idea of where I've landed. ish.

And here's the nitty gritty of what needs to happen real quicklike:

• Walls primed. Done!
  
• Walls painted. Done! After much debate, I've selected Farrow and Ball Cornforth White. Now you would think from all of that inspiration up there that I would be going with a true white, wouldn't you? Unfortunately, this room couldn't handle a true white and we're not in a position to add natural light. So I opted for this deliciously versatile gray. The color actually changes from warm to cool depending on the time of day. I'm so eager to see how it looks when everything is all said and done. I've always been curious about F&B paint, so I was really excited when I learned they were a sponsor this round! Honest opinion: Goes on like butta and has incredible depth. It did take 3 coats even after priming, but worth all of the minutes.
• Trim painted. Got started. I went with Benjamin Moore Simply White because I have plans to carry this throughout the house. Nice and crisp and lets the Cornforth White really shine.
• Swap out overhead lighting. I know, I know. I truly love our existing chandy! It's glorious. (Even more so since the color change actually.) But I'm mentally committed to a quieter vibe in here aaaand some co-workers were selling a longtime favorite - a George Nelson saucer pendant - so I really had no choice.
• Find a ceiling medallion. I love how these juxtapose modern fixtures! Also, we have a gaping hole to cover so there's that.
• Solve for window and treatment. The existing window is original to our 1960s home and no longer opens, so we'll be swapping this out with some help from Lowe's. I think I've settled on pairing a bamboo roman shade with the existing white Ikea curtains for a casual look, but we'll see how I'm feeling about the combo once the other elements are in place. The drapes will need to be hemmed fo sho.
• Solve for storage. This is where I get nervous. I've secured part one of this conundrum with a gorrrrrrgeous brass Sarreid chest that rests on a bamboo stand. I die! Because if you don't know about my brass obsession, you don't know me at all. As for the other wall -- though I really love the mid century credenza in this space (scored at an estate sale many years ago) -- it's not going to hide an entire office AND our table linens AND misc dining room treats and trinkets. I'm thinking hard about yet another Ikea hack -- because that seems to be a theme with my ORC posts -- and attempting a floating credenza the length of the room. OOOORRR maybe full on built-ins with open uppers and cabinet lowers?? Or it would appear from my inspiration that I like open storage?! I'm such a visual person that I need more progress in here before I can decide for sure. So stay tuned there. I'm sort of at a loss here. Note: This is likely going to end up being my breaking point for this challenge. Because a deadline is looming and Ikea assembly instructions and my brain don't get along...even without the added pressure. Husband to the rescue!
• Find some art. One can never have too much art, minimalism be damned. We'll talk about some of my favorite options next week.
• Accessorize. Secondary lighting, greenery, (brass) accessories. I'll likely display some of my favorite inventory to get my fill before pieces find happy new homes.

Other notes: The table and chairs will stay. This table is a perfect 60" round and has an extension that tacks onto the outer edge to make it 72" round. A table that keeps its shape when extended was pretty hard to find. Plus I scored it on Craigslist for $150 and you can't beat a $150 table, man. I do wish there were time and resources to get the chairs reupholstered, but I go back to my kid-proof (okay, and husband-proof) argument. I'll be a lot cooler with spills and accidents if I wait to put any money into the chairs. Plus, I actually dig the existing fabric so much more with the neutral palette. Winning!

I haven't decided if the hide rug will stay or go. Many many many of my inspiration images are rugless, and I'm loving the look lately. Practical, too. But I may cave if I find that working in here results in a chill without and/or the room needs a little punch. TBD on the rug front.

Holy longest post ever. If you're still reading this, maybe make a lap before you dive into everyone else's week 2 progress. ;) And don't forget about the link-up participants on Thursdays!! SOOOO much talent in that group!

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

Inspiration // A Hallmark photo stylist's home

So I don't mention this a lot --

Okay, let's be real. I don't mention anything a lot due to my on again off again blogging schedule.

-- I work for Corporate America. And (gasp) I kind of love it. For some reason, I feel like those are words you're not allowed to say in blogland. I know there are a lot of us full-timers out there, but most don't talk about it. And I guess I've never really had a reason to either, because what I was doing for so many years (design/typography/hand lettering) didn't always relate to what I talk about here (interiors). But -- lucky me! -- those worlds have started to combine.

You see, I blog for a living now. And I get to talk about the most unbelievably talented people all day everyday. Mostly about their work, their craft, and the gorgeous products they create for our company. But sometimes I get to talk about their homes. Which is, of course, the very best part of the job for me.

Dah.

Enter Andy. He's a wildly talented photo stylist for Hallmark, which is clear from the moment you step foot into his beautiful home. He's warm, gracious, and it feels like you've known him forever from the first moment you meet. To me, his home really reflects his personality. It's one of the most enchanting spaces I've ever been. Truly. (Like, I sent him a thank you note for the wonderful photo shoot when it was technically just part of my job to be there. It's all that charming.) I couldn't help but snap one thousand pics during our shoot, but you should definitely check out all of the real deal photos (by the same Jane Kortright that has shot my own home on numerous occasions) and hear the story behind the details of Andy's stunning abode over at Think.Make.Share.

See allllllll of the Hallmark home tours to date here. That should help you kill a couple hours on this fine Friday. Don't say I didn't warn you. ox

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