One Room Challenge – Living/Dining Room: Week 1

Hey y’all. I’m proud to announce that I am a guest participant of this cohort of One Room Challenge. One Room Challenge is a widely anticipated biannual event every April and October, and provides an opportunity to share the process of transforming a room with a huge community to back you up. So many of my friends have participated in the past and I’m looking forward to the “challenge” that lies ahead.

My last post was alllllll about my fabulous pantry that I was so proud of and this space looks nothing like my house, so, you’re probably wondering: What’s up with the boxes?

Well…

Life has been a lot different lately, and it’s going to be a lot different in the days to come. So, this is me earlier this week, sitting in my new apartment, looking a little hopeful that maybe this is a good landing spot for a while and a place where I can build back my confidence and repair my broken heart.

How One Room Challenge Came into the picture

The past month-plus has been a blur. I have received a ton of DM’s and texts from people checking in to see if I’ve been okay because I haven’t posted (by the way, thank you so much) or shown my face on stories in weeks. This is why. A few weeks ago, I was with my dear friend Rebecca and I had given her an update on what was going on. There’s nothing like leaning into your friends that know your heart and soul when you’re needing support. At this particular check-in, I was feeling a little more empowered since I had just locked down my living situation but even still, I was feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, and definitely not feeling creative.

She casually asked me, “So, have you thought about doing One Room Challenge? It’s coming up and it may be a good opportunity for you.”

Quick Note: Of course she said this. I feel like this is the part where I insert that she hands down KILLED IT last year. Check out her blog to catch up. Her kitchen was amazing and she’s participating again this year. 🙂 

Anyway, I didn’t really give her an answer at the time but thought that I wouldn’t be a good candidate because I’m not a homeowner, I can’t do any demo and really, this would make me have to be “public” again and I wasn’t sure I was really feelin’ that.

But then I thought about it more.

I thought about how it would be nice to focus on something else.

That it might shift the energy in my body, mind, and spirit.

That it would push my creativity a bit and get me back in the spirit of creating content.

And of course, that I could really demonstrate to you all how to make an apartment and/or rental home look and feel like a personalized and glamorous place.

Because, there really is no place like home, and creating a living/dining space that I’m proud of is going to help me feel grounded.

The Grown and Sexy Lady Space

When I thought about what my new place would be like, I knew it had to be personal, it had to be functional, and it had to be luxe and chic. Can I even say that it should feel like a treat, almost like something I’m not supposed to have? A space that long after the nuptials, I’d see it in a catalog and fantasize about the furniture I could enjoy if I were “young and single” because it sure wouldn’t fit into my life of tiny tots and arts & crafts. Not that I didn’t or still don’t still want that life, but at this moment in time, that is not where my life is headed.

I want a space that I would love to invite people in, because entertaining others is how I like to show my love and appreciation, and I want a space that embodies the meaning of my name: prestige.

Living Room Inspiration

Rebecca really wanted me to participate, so she graciously helped me mock up some of the design and Studio Plumb will be supporting me in this process. I’m so excited about that, by the way!

I’m going to keep it 100, she and I never had a lengthy conversation about my vision for the living/dining space. I sent her over the floor plan and beyond my answer to her initial question with more adjectives than design styles, that was about it! Now, this is another way I knew she’s a good friend and listener: I loved everything she picked on the first round and it’s all in the style I dreamed of. In my professional world, no edits and approved as-is is a dream phrase, and being on the other end of it made me very excited. Here’s a little taste of where we’re going for the living portion. I’m very excited to be partnering with Article on the furniture in this part of the room!

If you’re not familiar with Article, they are an original modern furniture brand engineering remarkably better experiences. Check out their website to learn more. 

All of the things: 1. Sven Left Sectional Sofa in Pacific Blue // 2. Equa Side Table // 3. Mara Coffee Table with Walnut Legs // 4. Deco Façade Rug

My Design Vibe

Overall, I want to blend a few of my favorite design periods into the living and dining room. Originally, I wanted to infuse Art Deco elements into my wedding because it’s a style that I have long loved, and now that will show itself in my new home. My love affair with Art Deco started when I just turned double-digits, around the first time I saw Mildred Pierce and the way that Joan Crawford dressed and the spaces she occupied. So, velvet, gold, deep hues, and marble is what I want. Mid-century modern is also another design period that speaks to me. That began around the same time when my great-grandmother moved in with me and my mother, and her furniture came with her, too. 🙂 I loved the peg legs and clean lines, and of course, the wood craftsmanship. I live in a very “blank canvas” space, so almost any style would look lovely in here, however, the concrete floors give it a very current vibe. You’re probably wondering how this is all going to work out, right? Well, leave it to me to figure that out. 🙂

So what’s next?

So, this isn’t going to be your run-of-the-mill One Room Challenge. This is going to be a process because I’m processing everything else. While designing the room of my dreams will be thrilling, fun to share, especially with your feedback over the next few weeks, I’m probably going to have those days where I’m sad, indecisive (that’s where you come in), impulsive, and maybe a little agro.  I’ve realized that’s okay and I hope that by showing the “ugly,” you don’t feel ashamed or like you have to keep up appearances when you’re going through a challenging time. I’ll be sharing on Instagram Stories so you can see it all.

When life throws you lemons, you grab those bitches and figure out how to make the most of them. Even though this transition is difficult, it’s time to focus on myself, push through the pain, and move forward, and through One Room Challenge, I’ll be able to do that.

I hope you’ll follow along. 🙂 One Room Challenge is such an exciting time! Be sure to check out all of the featured designers as well as the other guest participants). You can also be inspired by checking out the #OneRoomChallenge and #BHGORC hashtags.

Here we go!