One Room Challenge -Week 1

One fine September day, while browsing Instagram, I decided on a whim to sign up for the Fall 2019 One Room Challenge (ORC).

Two weeks ago, I had no plan even for what room I was signing up for. We have a spare room in our house, that is a semi-guest room and semi-office with an old ikea desk and bookshelf which are basically dumping grounds for all bills, odds/ends, etc etc. You know, those surfaces or a room in our case, where you dump things and never look back. Until you need them another day, and cant find them. Yup, this room was THAT room in our house. It looks extra terrible here because… I want to get the full effect for the before and after shot 😀

So, here I am.. bringing you a very nervous me having never participated in the ORC. I have redesigned only ONE room before in our house, and that was super simple. But this time, we are talking about a FULL revamp. I am making this dumping-ground-from-hell room into a modern boho office space! I am starting a new job in January, where I am lucky enough to work from home half the time – so I will need a dedicated space at home to work. Plus, I can always use a second room for all my instagram stuff you know 😉

So here is the task list for the room, which I am breaking down by week for two reasons:

Self-motivation – if I write it down, I am more likely to do it.

Accountability – If i share it publicly, I am more likely to feel accountable for that week.

Here is the twist. I am travelling in week 5 and 6 of the ORC. Which means, I am not going to be at home for the reveal week… which means, I have basically FOUR weeks to get this room done.

So here is the breakdown for FIVE weeks, because one week is already completed as of today. Confused yet? Don’t be 😀 Just come back every Thursday to this space to get your weekly fix 😉

WEEK 1: Install light fixture, and repaint room.

WEEK 2: Ikea Trip; assemble furniture

WEEK 3: Build floating shelves + install

WEEK 4: Style everything!

WEEK 5: Reveal!

Yup. All that, in 5 weeks.

Can I do it?

Maybe…

Maybe not?

Lets find out!

The room has a lot of windows and doors, with no wall being a full wall. My original inspiration for this room came from these photos I pinned almost a year ago to my Pinterest Board, while I daydreamed while on residency.

See a pattern? Hint: There are two 😉

1. I love dark accent walls.
2. I am drawn to the more modern farm house look, with modern dark tones contrasted with neutral farmhouse elements.

This has driven my basic principles as I have been sourcing items for this room.

Create accent walls – because they make everything amazing

Use neutrals to balance out the accent wall, and bring in antique farmhouse elements to give the space more character and old world charm that I love.

Now the room is a bit tricky. There are THREE doors in the room (closet, bathroom, entrance), and two semi-functional windows (semi functional – because they don’t provide a lot of natural light).

This makes it harder to do an “accent wall” per se. So, I have decided to split it diagonally, for one main focal point and then a little reading nook diagonally across. The desk focal area will have an accent “wall” or more like two walls and the other section is where the book case and reading nook will be. Below is my design/inspiration board!

It seems like a lot, but I can actually see it in my head… and it looks pretty sweet! So stay tuned, because this week – we are painting the room Beau Green based on my insta family’s popular vote last week! We are also installing the light fixture! So, check back on Instagram stories for all the behind the scenes action, and updates! Also there are many talented bloggers joining the One Room Challenge from everywhere today, so head on over to the ORC Blog HERE to check out what rooms they will be transforming over the next 5 weeks!

Until then, don’t be a stranger and come say hi on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

See you all on Instagram stories and back here next Thursday!

Areeba