One Room Challenge (week6) The Finale!

Hello, and welcome back. Well, this is it.....utensils down, hands up.....oops, wrong show! This is the deadline for the One Room Challenge. In case you are new here, you can start the challenge series here. I won't spend a lot of space writing...you have a lot of rooms to visit. Here is a refresher on what my dining room looked like at the beginning (6 weeks ago)

From this

to this

to this

The corner that looked like this

Now looks like this

The corner that looked like this

Now looks like this

The corner that looked like this

Now looks like this

The non-existent window treatment now looks like this

Including a custom pagoda cornice. The tutorial for this cornice is on Chinoiserie Chic, here.

The lanterns and ceiling that looked like this

Now look like this

Here was the original plan

Here is the execution

The only thing that did not get done was a reupholster on the head chairs that you see in the beginning. I found a fabric...but ran out of time. Next up for me is the all white foyer I have dreamed of....anyone want to play "Foyer Challenge?" Here is the information & some links for this transformation:

Wall color - Benjamin Moore Metallic Glaze in Veil Cream

China Hutch transformation - go here

Plank ceiling  treatment DIY- go here

Custom Pagoda Cornice - go here

Dining Chair's transformation - go here

Screen transformation - go here

I hope you enjoyed this series. Now let's head on over to see the other rooms. I am so excited to see what they look like. 

Saved By Suzy                                                                  Nicole Scott Designs

Dutch.British.Love                                                           Kim Macumber Interiors
Trapped in North Jersey                                                   Rue de Emily
The Pink Pagoda                                                              refreshed designs
Nana Moon Shop                                                              Taylor Morgan
insideways                                                                       House Four
Living Savvy                                                                    (A Lifestyle Thing) 

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One Room Challenge (week 5)

Hello, and thanks for coming back. Well, this is the last post before the "Big Reveal"?....I hope it is a big reveal. In case you are new here, you can start the challenge series here. This week is all about the window dressing. I was able to pick up some beautiful REAL silk drapes at Bed Bath & Beyond. Apparently, they are discontinuing their silk line. It was quite the bargain.

Here are my tips for hanging drapes; If you are buying ready-made...hang them separately.

Although they are supposed to be the same length, they were not. No worries, a custom cornice will hide all the imperfections on the top. The "L" brackets will hold the cornice (more on that next week). 

I also like when my drapes just kiss the floor. Now I know this is personal, so hang yours as you desire. Remember to measure from the floor up and not the ceiling down. Since ceilings and floors are never level, take a few measurements.

I also hang my drapes a bit outside the window frame. This gives the illusion that the window is larger than it really is. It also helps let more light into the room because the stack (bunching of fabric) is not covering too much glass.

I gave the ready-made drapes a custom look by adding a wide band of sheer gold paisley ribbon. 

The ribbon was wired, so I just pulled out the wire before I sewed it in place.

On another note, Michaels got a shipment of my metallic blue paint in so I was able to finish and hang the lanterns.

That's all I have to show you this week....I hope you come back next week for the finale. Now make sure to visit all the other bloggers and see how they are doing. For The Finale, go here.

Saved By Suzy                                                                  Nicole Scott Designs

Dutch.British.Love                                                           Kim Macumber Interiors
Trapped in North Jersey                                                   Rue de Emily
The Pink Pagoda                                                              refreshed designs
Nana Moon Shop                                                              Taylor Morgan
insideways                                                                       House Four
Living Savvy                                                                    (A Lifestyle Thing) 

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One Room Challenge (week 4)

Hello, and thanks for coming back. Before I begin, I would like to thank Saved By Suzy and My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for featuring my china hutch. It is the best feeling to see your creativity on another blog!

This is week 4 of the One Room Challenge. In case you are new here, you can start the challenge series here. The weeks continue to fly by. It is definitely time to prioritize and let the small things fall off the list. Here is the progress in my dining room

My ceiling is finished

If you would like to know how I installed the planks, you can go here. Now remember, the final coat of paint was applied by a professional painter...and well worth it!

Remember this screen I showed you

Well, I decided to deck it out a bit. First, I primed the black frame and then applied a high gloss finish. Once that was dry, I decided to add gold highlights to the carvings

This became so tedious, I hired my daughter to finish it. She still has more to do.

 I also applied gold leaf. It still needs touching up and the missing pieces have not been put back...but you get the idea

I also separated the two and will hang them on both sides of the china hutch as artwork.

There is progress in my corner,

 It now looks like this

I love the way it glows at night. I decided to repurpose the original shades and just add a bit of paint to them

I may paint the top half another color...still not sure...OR just the edges with the blue I am using on the lanterns. What do you think?

Speaking of lanterns, I have run out of blue paint and am waiting for Michaels to get a delivery. So, I can't hang them...but here is a better look at them

I am not sure if they need a black glaze on them to tone them down. I need to see them in place before I can decide that. This is the direction my room is headed

I had no idea when I started that it would evolve into this...but I think I love it! Thanks for checking in with my room, now let's go make the rounds to the other rooms and see how they are doing. For week 5 go here.

Saved By Suzy                                                                  Nicole Scott Designs
Dutch.British.Love                                                           Kim Macumber Interiors
Trapped in North Jersey                                                   Rue de Emily
The Pink Pagoda                                                              refreshed designs
Nana Moon Shop                                                              Taylor Morgan
insideways                                                                       House Four
Living Savvy                                                                    (A Lifestyle Thing)

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One Room Challenge (week 3)

Hi Everyone, thank you for coming back! This is week 3 in the One Room Challenge. In case you are new here, you can start the challenge series here. This week, I think I made a fair amount of progress with my room. I managed to finish my side chairs. If you have not seen them, you can check them out here. This is how you last saw my dining room

I also finished the planks on the ceiling and I LOVE it!! Unfortunately, if you follow the #1RoomChallenge on Twitter, you know I fought hard to get the semi-gloss ceiling finish looking good. I love the way it looks here. However, working overhead on a ceiling when you are only 5'3" (on a good day) is a challenge. After the entire weekend of up and down on the ladder, I broke down and called a painter. He is here today putting the finishing coat on it. On the bright side, since I did ALL the prep work and one coat, it isn't costing very much (hey, a tip!).

Moving on, this corner (before)

Now looks like this

And this pine piece (before)

Has been relocated to another room, and replaced with this piece that I had

It is cream and could use a fresh coat of paint. Do I paint it cream again, or white?


The sconces also got a fresh coat of paint. From this

To this

What color shades do you think I should do?


Remember when I asked you what color I should paint my lanterns? Well, here is a peak into the direction I think I am going

The 6 weeks are flying by and I am not sure how it is going to end. I can't wait to come back and find out. Thanks for checking in with my room, now be sure to make the rounds to the other rooms and see how they are doing. For week 4, go here

Saved By Suzy                                                                  Nicole Scott Designs
Dutch.British.Love                                                           Kim Macumber Interiors
Trapped in North Jersey                                                   Rue de Emily
The Pink Pagoda                                                              refreshed designs
Nana Moon Shop                                                              Taylor Morgan
insideways                                                                       House Four
Living Savvy                                                                    (A Lifestyle Thing)

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A Few Great Gals!

Like many of you, I often wonder what to write about. Will you find it interesting, inspiring, or entertaining? Will you come back tomorrow? My counter tells me you came...but does "no comment" mean no interest? I know we have all felt this. I am so lucky to have an amazing group of ladies in the One Room Challenge. I know I can count on several visits from them, and that is enough.

Now I would like to tell you about a few gals who are not in the challenge. These bloggers don't need to check in with my blog on a consistent basis. They don't need to come back at all...BUT THEY DO. They come here almost every day. They always leave a comment. They are fun, bright and have super terrific blogs! I could go on and on, instead...I would like you to meet my newer bloggie friends (in no particular order).

First up, Mimi from First Come Flowers.

Mimi has lovely tips and ideas on how to add flowers to your everyday life.


Next up, Kerry at Design du Monde. Kerry is an interior designer who is not afraid of a little DIY. She also designs fabric. I love this one of hers

Kerry has a real practical way about her with an eye for high-end.


Finally, there is Tiffany from Worthwhile Domicile. Tiffany and her husband are renovating their home. She has amazing taste, and is quite witty. Just look at the tile she chose for her powder room.

 My favorite part of her blog, is that she really wants to know what you think....and I tell her!


Thank you, Ladies, your kind comments make my day! If you are not familiar with these blogs, I encourage you to stop by and check them out. I promise that you will have a warm welcome from them. Who are your most loyal viewers? Have you thanked them?

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Dining Chairs, a tip...and some Thank You's!

Before I tell all of you about my dining chair make over, I want to give a huge thank you to Serenity Now and Craptastic for featuring my china hutch. It made my weekend!

Now, onto my dining chairs for the One Room Challenge. I love vintage chairs, like most of you (I read all of your profiles). However, vintage sets usually only have 4 side chairs and 2 head chairs. Today, most of us want 6 side chairs and 2 head chairs. This is the best tip I have ever received.....vintage head chairs are the SAME SIZE as their matching side chairs....only they have arms. What does that mean? If you remove the arms, and patch the holes, you will have 6 side chairs! Hello Craigslist.

Disclaimer, pictures were taken long before I blogged.
Potential side chairs

This is what the set looked like when I bought it from a neighbor.

4 side chairs, 2 head chairs

For tips on upholstery, you can go here.  I removed the dated caning and painted them a gloss white. I also made semi home-made piping for them.

The various stages of the painting process. I cut a 1/4" thick piece of wood for the center and upholstered both sides. Now, they look like this

6 side chairs. In the beginning of the One Room Challenge, I showed you the head chairs that need to be reupholstered. Now, aren't vintage dining sets get a whole lot more appealing?

***Linking to***

Project Queen
A Bowl Full of Lemons
My Uncommon Slice
Kammy's Korner
Debbiedoo's
DIY Home Sweet Home
Funky Junk
Serenity Now
2805
Chic on a Shoestring
Miss Mustard Seed
Common Ground
French Country Cottage
My Romantic Home
Saved by Suzy

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Decorator vs. DIY-er

In doing the One Room Challenge with 14 other amazing bloggers, I have begun to notice a contrast among the Decorators and the DIY-ers. I am not a decorator, and have never pretended to be one. Although, I do "play decorator" in my own home all the time. I am, however, a compulsive DIY-er. I am often called by one of my friends to fix things...case in point, my friends sofa. I don't usually blog about it. I think I will start doing more of that. I regret not blogging about how I built window boxes for another friend, it would have been great for you to see how easy it was.

Back to the Decorator vs. DIY-ers.....as you are probably aware, if you have followed and clicked around the challenge, some of the women are REAL decorators! Here are the noticeable differences

Decorator - Here is my room inspiration board

(A Lifestyle Thing)

Diy-er - I saw this picture...and I'm going for it!

decorpad via Saved by Suzy

Decorator - Here is my room process (from Refreshing Designs)

To make sure I stay on track, I am going through the proper design process for this room makeover: 

1. Figure out what style and mood I want to create and find inspiration pictures I swoon over.

2. Create a design board with colours, furniture elements, lighting, etc. This will keep me on track throughout the process when I get distracted by a great pillow that really doesn't work with the design. 

3. Lay out a plan. Set a budget. Make a list of things to buy or DIY. 

4. Proceed with accomplishing everything on the list and see the space come together. There is room for a little tweaking along the way. 

 So then, here is step #2: my design board. 

And step #3: my to-do list (if crossed out they are complete!)

-order eames plastic armchair (reproduction) 

-paint room

-purchase file/storage unit

-DIY fabric headboard for daybed

-DIY wallpaper projects

-DIY art 

-DIY pillow covers

-find industrial-look hanging lamp for above desk

-find vintage lamp

-create magazine storage solution

-style and finish room

Diy-er - Yeah, while he paints....I'm going shopping

Rue de Emily

Decorator - Here is a professional tip on how to paint samples on a wall (Nicole Scott Design)

Professional Tip:  Don’t mask off squares and paint on the wall… it leaves ridges around the edge and is more difficult to sand off and prep for your painter. INSTEAD, do a freehand test, Like I have below, and be sure to feather out the edges so you don’t have to sand out any nasty ridges. 

Nicole Scott Design

DIY-er - I hated that color, so I painted this one

Nana Moon Shop

I'll have more contrasts for you as the challenge goes on. My question to you is, are you a Decorator or a DIY-er?

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