Hello! This is the One Room Challenge Guess Which Room I’m Making Over First? As many of you know my family and I very recently moved into a 30-year-old home. The majority of the rooms have never been updated. Since most of the cleaning and minor repairs are now behind us I am transitioning into decorating mode. It is perfect timing as the brilliant Linda of Calling It Home is hosting the One Room Challenge on her blog.
One Room Challenge Guess Which Room I’m Making Over First
I thought long and hard about which space I wanted to make over first and the living space right off of the kitchen seemed to be a good contender. The reason I selected this room is that it will probably become one of the most used rooms in our home. In addition, the transformation will require a bit of time-consuming labor in the form of de-glossing, sanding, priming and painting the amazing coffered ceiling as well as the built-ins. This will be easier to accomplish while the room is still empty. (The image below was from the real estate listing. Our furniture will be delivered in 2 weeks or so.)
In this photograph, you can see that there is also a small half bath within the space.
Here is a close up the paint treatment and mildewed linoleum flooring. Yes, this space rivals the worst gas station stall.
The frame around the mirror is attached with double stick tape. #stayclassy
Of course, the one item, built in right above the mirror, that caused the biggest amount of head scratching was the now infamous combination glass holder and wine rack. Doesn’t EVERY bathroom need one?
A Wine Rack In The Bathroom?
Ok, now that you’ve had a laugh let’s get down to brass tacks. The main purpose of this room will be for television viewing. The secondary use will be for family game night and it may also serve as a small library. In talking about the design inspiration of this room I wanted to give you a little background. A little over two years ago I wrote a post entitled “Does your home tell your story?” In a nutshell, I had written that I personally subscribe to a design aesthetic in which the rooms in ones home and the things they contain should tell a story about the family living there. With that, family heirlooms, childhood creations and meaningful objects collected over time will all have their place in our home’s family room décor.
Here is the inspiration board I created for the room.
The Back Story
So how does this board tell our story? I drew upon my husband’s military career and the wonderful places that it took us, as well as a bit of his family heritage. The walls will be painted a soft shade of Gustavian blue while the beadboard and coffered ceiling will receive a lovely coat (or three) of white. Now for those of you who are against painting wood please know that this is 30-year-old wood that needs help. Can you see the large irregular patches of sun fading on the side of the built-in bookcase and the beadboard next to it? The entire space has similar issues.
Here is the inspiration image I showed Mr. Décor when trying to talk him into painting the coffered ceiling.
The Plan
On the three large windows, I plan on using simple white linen drapes accented with navy Greek key trim. This is a nod to the year our family lived on the island of Crete. I plan on reusing some existing curtains I have and sew on the trim. The bamboo blinds link to Mr. Décor’s years spent stationed in Japan.
Another item to be reused: a pair of the side of the road wing chairs recovered in antique ticking and grain sacks which are monogrammed with our initials. I found them at a flea market in Germany while we were stationed at Ramstein.
The Persian rug represents the time my husband served in the middle east during Operation Desert Storm. Also, our son, Sweet Guy, wanted “a bit of red in the room”. For the coffee table, I found a metal base at a Habitat for Humanity and will transform it with some reclaimed wood. The pillows will be made from tartan from my husbands clan “Gunn”. There are two plaids, one for hunting and one for formal dress. For winter I like the dress version.
A Gentlemen’s Library
But again, I’ll just be doing a pillow. Along with a few other plaid pillows and perhaps a throw. Similar to this image but of course with lighter walls. The room will feel a bit like a well-traveled English gentleman’s home and well, the Mr. was stationed in England for a few years.
I haven’t yet found the exact couch, but there are a few options. Ditto on what lamps to use. I must admit that I also have not thought about artwork. I do know it needs to “speak to me”.
Thankfully there are 6 weeks in the One Room Challenge so I do have a little bit of time to figure it out.
Do you think I can do it?
Laura
I like your plans for the room. That rug is going to look great in the space.Can't wait to see how it all turns out!
laura this space is going to be amazing!!
I wanna see you paint it, paint it, paint it, paint it white….white as snow…I wanna see the brown blotted out from the room….(apologies to Sir Mick!)
Laura I LOVE the direction your going in with this room…can't wait to see the progress you make! It's going to look amazing!
LOVE where you are going with this- love, love. And you my friend I can already tell are going to have some of the best/most transformative before and afters at the end of this whole thing. Can't wait!!!!
I am looking forward to this room's transformation. I like the way you are planning on making it so much lighter and open. It will be such a nice room to gather and relax in while you are working on the other rooms. It will make a beautiful story! 🙂
Paint to the rescue!! He will come round once he sees the result. This is going to be great – really enjoy the story behind your choices.
I am positive you can do it and I can't wait to see it all done. You are going to transform this home into such a show place.
You can do it, and in grandly Gunn fashion!
Hugs from Los Angeles,
Kelley~
That sounds amazing…looking forward to seeing the work in progress….I vote to paint the wood..the room will sparkle and look marvelous.
Really aggressive plans but I know you will accomplish it.
Your inspirational picture is BEAUTIFUL! This will be exciting to watch you achieve your dream and vision.
But. You ARE keeping the wine rack. Right?
Wow, this is quite an undertaking! I know you'll do it and it will be gorgeous. I like the plan and look forward to seeing the end result. The bath? God bless you ~ 🙂
xo
Pat
Man that looks like a lot of work! I love the inspiration picture you've put together. It will be just beautiful!
Yes! You can do it and will do it and I will be right here, hanging on every word. How exciting!!!
Nonie
I've come to learn that you can do anything you put your mind to, Laura! I totally believe you can do this in the 6 weeks allotted. I love your selections for the room and your plans for it. I think painting the ceiling (wood and all) is a great idea and will probably solve some issues in how things look. I also love the inspiration picture you found. I hope that sold Mr. Décor on the idea!
It's going to be fun for all of us to see your progress….lots of work for you. But I like that you are using collected treasures and furniture and adding to them. I like an eclectic look. I don't like everything too matchy matchy. All right? heehee! Just kidding you my friend. You've been so sweet to share your adventure with us! Sweet hugs, Diane
Good luck with the room. Have fun… and I know you will.
Good luck Laura! I hope you get plenty of rest, so you can feel better 🙂
Wow, you are much more calm and together than I would ever be so soon after moving into a new house. Great picture to show the husband to bring him around to the idea of painted ceilings. That room is so gorgeous, how could he refuse? Good luck on the challenge, can't wait to see it finished!
xoKathleen
It will be fabulous! 🙂 Can't wait to see the progress.
~Liz
The makeover sounds wonderful, Laura. I love the coffered ceiling, and hope to do that in the living room of the house we'll be building.
I love the inspiration board. I really like the idea of painting the woodwork white – it will make the room so bright and cheerful. I'm a huge fan of blue walls too. Can't wait to see how it turns out!
This is going to be spectacular!! Can't wait to follow along!
Could hold rolled up guest towels! The glass holder, though….well…
Your plan is great! This should be fun to follow. I just sent you an email.
I just found your blog today. Welcome to Ft. Worth, my favorite city in Texas!! I can't wait to see the finished project as I have a similar room, in a similar home, in a similar neighborhood, built about the same time. I think it is going to be fantastic. Again welcome to Cowtown!!!!
Love the ceiling and I'm going to adore it after 3 coats of white. 😉 Good call! The wine rack thing is the funniest thing I've ever seen! Can't wait to see more and good luck!
Hmm. Maybe for the spring ORC I'll do my master and add a wine rack. I'm thinking hidden in the weirdness, there is some brilliance to that rack. Or maybe not. I can't wait to see that ceiling painted, it will be amazing!
Laura, I am so excited for you as you embark in making your house your home! All of the pictures you posted for the plans are gorgeous and I love the English design aesthetic, especially English Country. The idea of using a little of the plaids appeals to me. I could have kicked myself recently for not buying a plaid wool skirt at Goodwill. It was apparently owned by a pretty large person and had a couple of yards of wonderful fabric. I went back(story of my thrift life)and, as might have been expected, someone had snatched it up! Dum-de-dum-dumb! That's me. I cannot wait to see the “after” version of your new family room, as I just know it will reflect so much of you and your loved ones.
Wow, quite the task lady! But please keep the wine rack! That's a story all by itself
I love all of your plans – the white, the rug, the furniture. What an incredible Before and After it will be. And I love how everything does tell a story about you and your family.
Such a great room! The bones are amazing, there is so much potential here. I have no issues with your plan to paint the trim, the built-ins, the coffered ceiling – paint away! I can't believe the wine rack and glass holder in the bathroom – now I can officially say I've seen everything. 🙂
I really love your plan for the room, and especially the stories and meaning behind everything you put into the room. Looking forward to following along!
Laura, this room is going to be FANTASTIC! The ceiling is to die for and I can't wait to see your plan come to life!
BTW, I am also from Texas and a small town at that. I am about an hour and a half to two hours from the nearest large city and 45 minutes from my beloved Home Depot! The best advice I can give you is to become good friends with the internet. There are millions of great internet sites to source from but always always always do your research before purchasing! Good luck with everything and welcome to Texas!!! 🙂
I KNOW you can do it Laura! And it will be so fun to see what you turn that room into! And you know I'm right there with you on painting – get that place lightened and brightened! And I love how your decor choices reflect your family life and tell your story 🙂
Being in the One Room Challenge gives you a great incentive to get it done quickly! I need that sometimes!
I'm so excited for you Laura!!! Love that your joining ORC and that you finally found the home for you! So giddy to follow along!
I love how your plan incorporates your family's story! The inspiration photos are pretty amazing too! Good luck! I'm glad to be following along. 🙂
Looks like a great room to transform. Can't wait to follow along and see how this turns out. Good luck 🙂
Love your story and plan, Laura! The entire space is going to feel so much different with the ceiling lightened up! The wine/glass rack is just crazy, so hilarious! Have fun!
Great plan and I see what you mean about the wine rack ~ crazy 🙂 I love the story behind it all and I can't wait to see how it comes to life!!