DINING ROOM BEFORE | DINING ROOM AFTER
Today’s the day! Calling it Home‘s spring 2016 edition of the One Room Challenge™ has kicked off, and I’m so excited to finally tell you what space we’ll be transforming. For those of you who are new to the blog, I appreciate you stopping by, and I hope you’ll stick around – like all of our renos it’s sure to be a wild ride! This blog is about the things that I make, but the last year has predominately been spent making our 1980s colonial our own. I’m a stay-at-home mom of two, married to a contractor who builds McDonald’s by day and helps me renovate our home by night.
FRONT ROOM BEFORE | LIBRARY PROGRESS
We took a break last summer to enjoy lazy afternoons poolside, but since November my husband has rarely had an evening to himself. It all started with the front room turned library and now we’re wrapping up the biggest renovation we’ve tackled yet: our kitchen. From the gut job to the cabinet installation, the tile work to the electrical, my husband with a few really great family members and friends has done 90% of the work himself.
KITCHEN BEFORE | KITCHEN PROGRESS
When I was asked to do the One Room Challenge, I knew we’d be coming off the kitchen reno we’re so close I can taste it. I knew the right thing to do. If I wasn’t going to give Micah a break the man literally spent Christmas and Easter renovating, the least I could do was give him a room. This house is full of character and wonderful details for being built in the 80’s. From half-moon windows to pocket doors, 10′ ceilings to stained glass…every space has something special. Well, every space except this one…
The basement. It’s certainly not what sold us on the house. We can pretty much always see potential, but this part of the house felt like a total miss. There is a functional guest room, an unfinished area for storage and then this space. From the 7′ ceilings you read that right and the many soffits covering pipes and HVAC, to the poorly finished details and lack of windows, this room is a doozy. There’s not an ounce of interest or a glimmer of beauty, but it’s not a blank slate either. It’s filled with blemishes that need help.
It’s called a challenge for a reason, right? Well, this will be just that. But I’m determined to make it a space Micah will love and I’ll be proud of. My style is traditional bones with modern elements and pops of bold color. Micah loves a more modern aesthetic, so fairly modern this space shall go. The Makerista will make her mark too, and at the end of the day all Micah longs for is a place to sprawl out and play Call of Duty or watch the Royals win another game in peace. Heck, when this is all done I may never see him again!
I’ll be back next week to show you some of the plans and discuss some of those eyesores. In the meantime, don’t miss the other participants befores. So many good friends and admirable designers are taking part – I know I can’t wait to follow along!
You can see the media room evolve here.
Anxious to follow along with your makeover, Gwen!
Thanks, Jennifer!
All your B&A’s are all so stunning, I can’t wait to see how you tackle a basement!
So sweet, Kevin, looking forward to seeing what you do as well!
so excited to see the progress over the weeks 🙂
Thanks for following along, Barbara!
Love your design style. New to your blog but, I can definitely see myself coming back. 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your renos come to life!
Thanks and I hope to see you around here again, Stephanie! 🙂
Wow! Sometimes a blank canvas is best to get the design juices flowing! I can’t wait to see what you have envisioned for this space and how you implement it. I’m new to your blog, but from the pics that you’ve shared here, I know I’m going to be a huge fan of your work!
Good luck!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you’ll stick around Krystle!
I’m so excited to see what you do with this space! I love everything you touch!!!
Thanks, friend!
Woah! I’ve missed so much! For some reason I don’t see you in my feedly anymore (I still have you added, there are just no unread articles). I’ll have to look into that. The kitchen looks amazing! Looking forward to seeing the ORC updates as well.
Feedly has to update the RSS, I can’t do anything about it. 🙁 You’re not the only one! If you subscribe by email you wouldn’t miss anything. 🙂 Thanks, Hannah and glad you found me again!
Good call! I’ll subscribe by email until they get it working. I can’t believe I missed most of the posts about the kitchen. I love it! Another room with a beautiful color story. Thanks, again!
Man o’ man those weird soffits are something else!
They’re definitely a challenge!
A blank canvas of sort! Cannot wait to follow along! xx
Thanks for following along, Elise!
I can’t wait to see how you work around the soffits! It looks like a challenge for sure, but I’m sure you have a vision for it!
http://danielleandco.com
Yes, now I’m just hoping my vision comes to fruition. 🙂
Wow, I had no idea you had so many projects. 7 foot ceiling…this is a challenge. Can’t wait to see this one.
It will be, and thank you for the chance to tackle it!
You’re brave giving him a space where he can hide from all future renovations!! Can’t wait to see how you figure this one out!
It’s true! At least I’ll know where he’s hiding. 😉
Can’t wait to see how this turns out! I was hoping to participate in the ORC as a guest but just recently started my blog so maybe next round.
Breann
ifitsnavyblue.wordpress.com
Yes, hope you decide to do it next time!
Woof. I actually am thrilled that you’re embracing the “challenge” aspect of this endeavor and I can’t wait to see what you come up with! If anyone can turn this into a great room you can.
Ha. Yes, definitely attempting to embrace. 🙂 Nowhere to go but up!
I love your style. The dining room – I die & the built in & colour of the library is magic. If anyone can turn a plain jane basement into something fantastic it’s you! Good Luck!
Thanks, Hollie, glad to have you following along!
Six weeks…dear God, I think it will take me six months to get our basement done!
I was wrong! not the bathroom at all. We dont have basements in our homes in Australia so this will be interesting to watch. I look forward to watching.
Thanks for following along!
This is going to be such an interesting one! My new builder grade house didn’t come with any character, much like this room. I can’t wait to see how you infuse style into a space that is lacking it naturally. I’ll be following along as I work on mine as a guest participant. Good luck! 🙂
Thanks, Nancy and best of luck with your space too!
Exciting!!! I can’t wait to see what you do with it!! Your kitchen is looking stunning!! Love it!
How exciting! I’m making over a space for my husband too, so it’ll be fun to follow along and see how our different styles come together for the same type of space! I’ve already apologized to my husband for not creating a space nearly as amazing as I’m sure you will end up with!
Oh, now that’s not true! I’m sure yours will be amazing and probably more accommodating for your husband’s taste then I will be for mine – I’m trying really hard, ha! 😉
Best wife ever! Micah is a lucky guy. Excited to watch this room come together!
I’m confident you’re going to make this challenging space a showstopper!!
Love that you’re doing a space for him! Makes me think that after this ORC I need to do the same for my husband as he also does the majority of work around here 🙂
Can’t wait to see the outcome!
Thanks, Holly! I figured he deserved something this far in. 😉
Thanks, Holly! I figured he deserved something this far in. 😉
So excited to follow along!
Thanks so much for following along!
Wow, the new space looks like a real challenge. Your husband deserves his new space though after all of the work that he has been doing. Can’t wait to see the room when it is finished and the fan/light is gone.
I’m so excited to see how this turns out! I also have a basement that has zero personality or character. Total blank slate, LOL! Best of luck and can’t wait to see the finished space 😉
Thanks, Jen! Nowhere to go but up, right? 😉
Very beautiful makeover. This design is good.
Can’t wait to see what you’ll do
My whole house is full of similarly uninspiring spaces and I’m starting on the first one for the One Room Challenge too (linking up). Will be following along – love all your makeovers and can’t wait to see what you do with this one!
So exciting, Lizzie! We’ll both hopefully be proof that you don’t need awesome bones to have an awesome space. 😉
I just finished a man room with low ceilings and it definitely presents a challenge. Luck for me there were ton’s of windows so we had a lot of light! Looking forward too seeing your great taste transfer this space!
Oh, you are lucky with those windows! Here’s to hoping my attempts at lengthening the walls pan out. 😉
I’m in love with your burgundy library. I had planned for a fuchsia library, switch to burgundy but in the last minute changed my mind again. Now it’s beige being painted emerald. Been so ADD about it when I can do whatever I want lol. Can’t wait to see how your room turns out. I know it will be smashing!
Emerald will be beautiful! Thanks, Jill!
Looks like you have a blank slate! I love all of your other makeovers you shared as well 🙂 I’ll be following along with you 20-this is my first time as a guest participant, so it’s already exciting to see evryone’s “befores”!
Thanks, Kristin and good luck to you too!
You are the sweetest to give your husband a space. I know it’s gonna be great!
Thanks, Mary, I’m excited for him! 😉
Oh my gosh, your kitchen floor is what my dreams are made of! I love it! I can’t wait to follow along as you tackle another room! It will turn out amazing!
Thank you, I’m really happy with how it turned out!
Super excited to follow along!! Your blog is new to me, but won’t be new ever again! What a fab read!! xo, paige
So sweet, thanks, Paige and can’t wait to see what you do as well!
I can’t wait too see what you do with this space. Kitchen looks fab! Where did you find your fridge/freezer and what brand is it? Thanks. Love your blog!
Hi Melissa! It’s from Lowe’s and it’s Frigidaire’s professional line http://www.lowes.com/Frigidaire-Professional/_/N-1z0ucmj/pl#!…it’s amazing and such a great price for the form and function!