In the last 2 hours, I've decided to do two things:
1. Sign up for the One Room Challenge
2. Start this blog
I am uncertain of my ability [desire] to maintain a blog but my Instagram posts have started to get a bit wordy, so moving forward, I'll post the spillage here. On occasion I do other semi-interesting things and I guess, if the motivation strikes, that stuff will go here too. My challenge has always been intentionally documenting the cool stuff. I have this habit of being present and so many things have gone "unrecorded" because, I be in tha moment! IMO, that's a good problem. I like being immersed in shit. [figuratively speaking]
This newborn blog is unnamed. If you can think of something catchy, I'm open to suggestions. I'm sure there's a comment box somewhere below and that's a good place to put it.
WHAT IS THE ONE ROOM CHALLENGE?
The One Room Challenge is a bi-annual social media/blogging event in which designers, influencers,and other creatives take the challenge, to transform a space in their own home over a six-week period [which is like no time at all] and document their progress from beginning to end. It's not a competition, moreso simultaneous design creativity and peer support! This ingenious concept was created [and trademarked] by Linda Weinstein. Click the #OneRoomChallenge hashtag on Instagram to get six weeks of design inspo and behind -the-scenes look at what it really takes to transform a space.
THE FALL 2019 ORC
Last fall I completed my first ORC. I re-did our dining room and it was a grand ole time! I was juggling two other design projects, had my first [week long] trip to High Point Market, and had another 5-day conference to attend for my day job, which I completely forgot about and happened to line up with the final week of the ORC. All those going-on really ate into my time but somehow I finished and submitted right at the deadline! The environment and comradery of the event is so supportive that you really feel that you an do anything in six weeks [or 2.5 if you adjust for my actual available time]!
I recovered a set of original, mid-century, Richbilt Manufacturing Co. chairs and tediously hand-painted a feature wall to mimic wallpaper. I plan to dedicate a full entry to that experience, but for now, here's a pic of the finished space and you can click here for even more.
WHAT'S IN STORE FOR SPRING 2020 ORC?
I'm refreshing our tiny 132 sq foot master bedroom. This room was way overdue for a makeover as it has not gotten any love in the entire 6 years since I've lived here! I moved into a pre-existing man room and shortly after I got pregnant and then pregnant again, and so the priority had always been the kids' room. I just rolled with it. The room was pre-equipped with a gigantic flat-screen TV, IKEA night stands, horrendous curtains,questionable lamps, and a poorly dressed queen-sized bed.
I LOATHE THAT ROOM! But also, I made no effort to improve it. I am embarrassed, as a designer to be sleeping in it, but it will make the 'after' so much more refreshing!
Also a bit of self-reflection. In my pre-designer life, I was a very private person, I like to think I still am. But I didn't like people in my bedroom or personal spaces. I always felt that was an intimate space and the thought of sharing parts of my home publicly, is still very unsettling.
I was on the fence for weeks about whether I'd participate at all. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and added a layer of complexity. Financial uncertainty, product availability, and of course the background narrative that shapes all post-Rona decisions, "is this essential?"
Still undecided, I hastily purchased paint the day the Governor Wolf announced stores would be closing in 24 hours. [Unbeknownst to me that Lowe's and the like are essential]. I cannot entirely remember the blue swatch I selected. I just know I settled on a misty light blue color in about 7 minutes before rushing off to Home Depot. I knew I would at least come out of quarantine with a painted bedroom and I was OK with setting the bar that low.
I finally decided to commit to the One Room Challenge just a few hours before the official start for guest participants bc I know that even with all the time I'm spending at home, I needed this as motivation to get shit done.
I hate to sound apathetic but I don't have any overly-ambitious projects planned for this space and I'm OK with that. I was gonna do a feature wall, but meh. I just want a simple space that feels good to wake up in. Also I need to preserve some energy to balance 24 hour parenting of my 5 and 2 year olds, homeschooling, and working my full-time government job....so yeah, I'm taking it easy and leaving space for small edits. Here's my mood board for the direction I'm going.
I just wanted it to be light and airy...I was trying really hard to keep colors to a minimum but all the neutral pieces I wanted to order were sold out all over the darn Internet and so even with my intention of leaning into beige accents and whispering blue walls, I am here. But I LOVE a healthy dose of color, soooo Kanye shrug.
I love prints and patterns and texture and color and so I'm mixing a bit of all of that in here.
Also I'm striving to keep my budget at or below $500 to finish off the space. I'll keep a detailed account of all the things and will provide you all with a run down when I am finished. But shit adds up pretty quickly. So I'll allow myself the same 15-20% that I advise my clients to set aside...just. in. case.
It should be noted that I'm absolutely brand spanking new to blogging. This is my first entry, remember I just started this two hours ago...so please be patient as I flesh out the deets but thanks for visiting and I hope you check back for weekly updates for the One Room Challenge.
xoxo
-Cachet