I wake up in the middle of the night with to do lists.

Calling It Home

I can't believe how long the Pottery Barn storage wall system took me to chalk paint and then wax.  At times I felt like the Karate Kid with waxing on but never waxing off.

VIA

Seriously a total of 3 weeks and some change, but now the monstrosity is done and back to housing toys. Toys that are completely labeled I might add. I ordered the rest of the knobs, and as I write this post I'm hoping they will be in by week's end. The brass pulls haven't been installed yet because it requires drilling 1 new hole, filling the existing one with wood putty, sand, paint, and then wax. 

VIA

Here's a glimpse of 1 side. I might still play around with how they are arranged. I like symmetry but I also like keeping similar items together.

The ceiling is not finished and neither is the light fixture. I need my husband to get those 2 things done. I added Lilly Pulitzer paper pom poms for fun. I've had them for sometime now. I got them when a store I frequent, was selling a ton of stuff for just a buck.

Blah grainy iPhone pictures.  I have a very talented friend that has offered her photographic expertise to me when I am finished with the room. I will give you all her contact info as well as sources on the last post, that's if I don't pass out from fumes and exhaustion.

I went to a neigboring Community yard sale last weekend and found something unexpected and awesome for only $10.  It's from Pottery Barn teens and it's a magazine wall holder. I plan on using it for their books that come with CD's. I might even change it up a bit if I have the time. Also, another little 5 minute project got done.  I took a light switch cover and an outlet cover (only 1 each in the entire room) and I spraypainted it a bright orange.

Another thing I can cross off my list is all the base molding is finished. It actually didn't take me long at all. I usually use a bright white for all my trim but chose to go with a soft off white instead. The walls have been patched, so the real change with wall paint can begin. For me, that can be the most exciting part of a room makeover.  I feel a color change can re-energize a room.  We (by that I mean my husband) uses a laser level to mark off the lines. Because walls are never level, we have to do some taking steps back and eyeballing. My biggest tip when using painters tape is to be sure to pull the tape off when the paint is still wet. Right after that last paint stroke, pull it off. I am starting with the very top row to paint and the 3rd row.

I love this shade of pink.  Actually, I love all 4 from the swatch that I picked out. This color is Cerise. It's a very deep, dark pinkish-red color.

Next weekend when I'm not shopping my Community yard sale, I will be painting the remaining 2 stripes, or really the remaining 2 walls will be getting started on.

Any time I take a picture of this wall it really comes across as bowed. It doesn't look like this when standing in the room at all.

And just cause everyone loves a good mess that isn't their own to clean. *Update* this little mess is cleaned up and gone, but the entire room currently looks like a bomb went off.  I've had to push everything into the center of the room in order to work. 

Next week my plan is to have...

1. Ceiling completely finished.
2. Light fixture cover needs to be up.  I got the remaining light bulbs.
3. My faux roman shades have been shipped.  I want to get them up, iron the cafe curtains, and change out the rings to smaller ones. 
4. walls at least 80% if not completely finished.
5. I'd like to get started on the closet and maybe even  painting the door.
6. I'm still waiting on the wallpaper which means framing out a section of it with molding is going to be pretty tight time frame.
7. I need to order the brass floor registers.

Just called the wallpaper store and got an update it will be here on Friday. I'm doing my little happy dance. 

Please check out all the featured designers, here. You won't be disappointed. You can check out the other participants, like myself here.

Week 1// Week 2// Week 3// Week 4// Week 5// Week 6// Sources

Week 3 of the ORC, panic is setting in

Calling it home

I can't believe the halfway point is already here. I feel like I have so much left to do and not enough accomplished.  I'd be willing to bet that most participants are feeling the same way I do. I just need to keep reminding myself to take deep breaths and I've gotten a lot more done than I would have otherwise.

I painted the ceiling which was a major pain.  The acoustic ceiling tiles absorbed a ton of paint. I need my husband to run some killz paint over a few stains and then just touch up those areas. The antiquated light fixture is down and waiting to be loved in someone else's home. The new light fixture (Source post at the end of ORC), is up but not fully installed. 

The ceiling was so gross. I wish I hadn't waited so long to paint this ceiling.

I like being able to pass along things I no longer need. I don't know if this was original to the house built in 1929 but it was no longer functional in that it threw off such little light.

I love a bright, white ceiling.

All that is left to do with this light fixture is to add the glass shade, and the rest of the bulbs.  4, in total. (Complete source list to be added after the One Room Challenge is over).

In the next couple of days I want to patch and prep the walls.  This weekend I'm hoping to start taping off the stripes.  I'm leaning towards these 4 colors but I haven't committed yet to them.

And in the meantime all toys are shoved and stacked everywhere.  I did manage to label everything.

Seriously in love with some of the artwork that has come in.  I used Ikea Ribba frames.

The right side is completely painted and ready to be waxed.  I waxed the left side and just need to start placing the toys back.

I can't believe we are on week 3 and I am still painting this piece. I hope to be completely done by week 4, and that includes having it all waxed and toys back on the shelves.

Can you find our resident cat enjoying some quiet time?

The new brass pulls are in, I still have the knobs to order.

I love this rug, it just adds such fun and life to this room.

I have commissioned 2 custom art pieces which will be in soon, I sent out a picture to be framed.

Still waiting on the faux valances, and I need to iron the cafe curtains and purchase smaller rings.

Walls need to be painted, as well as the base molding, and door.

Inside of closet needs to be dismantled and painted a bright color.

I did find something perfect for displaying the girl's pottery projects.

Ok, go check out the other participants here at Calling it Home.

Week 1// Week 2// Week 3// Week 4// Week 5// Week 6// Sources

Week 2 of the One Room Challenge

Callingithome

If shopping were an Olypmic sport, I'd win gold, hands down.  I managed to get a lot of things ordered. I still have lots of painting to do and I've yet to pick out wall colors. Last week, I painted 1 unit of the 3 piece Pottery Barn unit, and got the second one started on. Once I get them all painted, I have to wax them to seal the paint. Here's my list below of what's done and what I still have to do.

1. Paint the ceiling. Currently we have very ugly ceiling tiles.
2. Replace the outdated ceiling fixture. It's been ordered!
3. Patch and paint the walls in a pink ombre.
4. Paint window casings, baseboards, and door.
5. Paint the interior of the closet a bright bold color. I'm going with Orange.
6. Finish painting the shelving and seal with wax.
7. Thin out some more toys. (I'm consigning a ton this week).
8. Window treatments and hardware.
9. Cleaned windows
10. Purchase a rug and get new floor registers.
11. Floor cushions
12. Artwork for the room.  I'm really excited to reveal these at a later date of course. 
13. Small shelving for their pottery creations
14. I've begun to label some of their toys.

I forgot to add last week new hardware for the Pottery barn toy shelves. I haven't ordered knobs yet, but my pulls will ship soon. I also ordered this amazing wallpaper to go on just one wall.

Via

Please take a look at the other Bloggers working hard on their ORC rooms.

Week1// Week 2// Week 3// Week 4// Week 5// Week 6// Sources

My participation in the One Room Challenge

One of my favorite blogs has always been Calling it Home.  Linda, twice a year in the Spring and in the Fall, hosts a one room challenge. Every Wednesday, a very select and talented group of Bloggers, share what they've accomplished on 1 space over a 6 week period of time. It's pretty inspiring to watch the entire process go from concept to reality. Also, throw in some incredible sponsors and you know these rooms will turn out amazing.

For the first time I've decided to join in. You won't find me as part as the invited, sponsored group on Wednesdays, but you can find me as well as lots of others like me, linking up every Thursday. I'm pretty excited and nervous, but this is the perfect kick in the pants to get me going.

The room I've chosen is the playroom. In 6 weeks time, I'm hoping to completely transform the playroom from green and tired looking, to pink and chic.  My son is 12 now and barely enters the playroom, but my girls, 9 and 4, dominate it with all their toys.  Too many toys, if you ask me, not enough if you ask them. The picture below is around 6 years old.

It is bittersweet to see all these toys my son once enjoyed so much. My girls have taken over this room, and most of whats in there today are various shades of pink.

This is what the room looks like most days, as well as many of the toys being dragged out into the living room.

This is what its current state is.  I started a while ago using Annie Sloan's chalk paint and then stopped. This is exactly why I need this challenge.

The very blah closet where I shove toys into.

Here's my list of what I would like to accomplish in the next 6 weeks.

1. Paint the ceiling. Currently we have very ugly ceiling tiles.
2. Replace the outdated lighting fixture.
3. Patch and paint the walls in a pink ombre. Via
    
4. Paint window casings, baseboards, and door.
5. Paint the interior of the closet a bright bold color.
6. Finish painting the shelving and seal with wax.
7. Thin out some more toys.
8. Window treatments and hardware.
9. Clean windows. Yikes!!!
10. Purchase a rug and get new floor registers.
11. Some kind of seating, maybe floor cushions?
12. Artwork for the room.
13. Small shelving for their pottery creations.
14.                           Organize and label everything.

Here are a few things I have in mind and have already purchased.

I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that this comes in on time.

Via

I need something for privacy, so when I'm on the porch I don't have to look inside and see the mess. I think these linen cafe curtains will be the perfect solution.

Via

Love, love, love the brightness of this rug.

Via

I hope you follow along with me, and make sure you check out all the other participants.  You can head over here.

#oneroomchallenge

Week 1//  Week 2// Week 3// Week 4// Week 5// Week 6// Sources