One Room Challenge: Week 5: The Hiccups

CRIB SHEET | QUILT

We’re closer to the end than I am ready for, yet I’m so excited to get the space wrapped up and finished for baby and work.  In case you’ve missed the journey thus far, here is week one, week two, week three, and week four.

This week I thought I’d talk a bit about the kinks in the chain, if you will.  I do my best to keep it real around here and today I’m reminding you – if you think that this design/DIY/renovation thing just comes easy and problem-free for Micah and me, you’re sorely mistaken!  Do I LOVE doing it?  Yes, but with each and every detail there is usually something that goes amiss or a component that doesn’t add up.  With every project we learn so much and just when I think I’m getting to be knowledgable about something, another area quickly humbles me.

I already told you last week that the wallpaper was not my first choice.  I spent more than a little time agonizing over that, and those near and dear to me can probably attest to my dismay complaining.  But like my mother has always said, “things have a way of working out for the best.”  And best it did.  I am completely in love with this paper and can’t picture it being anything else now.

The lighting.  I knew I wanted a pair of these Broche lights from Chrystorama.  When we had the ceilings floated we pulled down the can lights and planned to put the flush mounts right in their place.  Turns out the hole for the can was about 1/2″ bigger than the plate for the lights.  Calling back the drywall guy meant time and money, so instead I opted to add some small medallions from Lowe’s to fill the gap.  Then there was the issue of the ceiling fan.  When we took it down we planned to replace it with a can light I always go for more lighting options as opposed to less.  We ordered this insert so we could place the can from underneath, but when Micah was up in the attic he realized that the joists were in the way.  The can would of had to sit off-center from the flush mounts, and while I prefer more light than less, I will always choose symmetry over asymmetry.  With that Micah got back into the attic, disconnected the electrical and filled in the hole.

Then there were the issues we faced with removing the cabinets.  As I was getting the kids ready for bed one night, Micah yells out for me to come here in that voice where you know something isn’t good.  No flooring under the cabinet.  “Do you still want me to remove it?”  “Well, what are our options?”  “If I remove it I can try to feather in some flooring, I guess…” I know he was hoping I’d say to put it back, but he also know’s me better than that.

There was the plumbing.  With a wall mount sink and the fittings to be exposed, moving that drain pipe over was going to look much better.   Did you know brass fittings aren’t just available anywhere?  After talking with a few plumbers several months ago it seemed like no big deal, but turns out no one around Kansas City stocks brass fittings and can’t get them in for months.  Thank goodness for friends like Grace, who live in cities that have such things and personally overnights parts to you!

After searching for someone who sold individual flooring boards, we finally found a hardwood floor guy that would sell us a few pieces.  In stores you can only purchase them in bundles way more than we needed.  The floor transition is hardly noticeable, and the plumbing is ready for an upgrade!

Did you know that older sinks can only take 4″ center set faucets?  I had picked out this beautiful, wide set and while it fit within the space, the holes in the sink are only 1″ and the plumbing on the faucet was an 1 1/4″.  Because things have a way of working out, I think this Kingston Brass faucet from ATG is actually a better fit for the sink.  I love the cross handles with the porcelain buttons, such a pretty detail at a great price!

Speaking of ATG, they are kindly offering ORC followers an incredible discount right now.   Use code: OneRoom100 to receive $100 off your order of $199 or more. From beautiful furniture to stunning hardware, they have so many great offerings!

Finally, the desk has been painted it’s third color.  Yes, I said three.  While black was my gut choice, I thought it might be “safe” and first tried a few shades of deep burgundy/plum.  The problem with a high-gloss color on a large, solid piece of furniture is that color is intensified greatly.  No matter how dark I went with the color, it was still looking very “grape.”  Not what I was going for.  The black feels right, and I know it will stand the test of time.

We live in a world specifically on social media that makes so much of this stuff look easy, even effortless.  Is putting together a beautiful room fun and exciting?  Yes.  But it’s also work that is filled with ups and downs and the need to problem solve at every corner.  If you’re in the midst of a space that’s giving you problems, I hope we can commiserate together today!

 

 

Need to catch up?  WEEK ONE | WEEK TWO | WEEK THREE | WEEK FOUR

Be sure to check out all of the other wonderful featured designers updates this week…

Jana Bek | Chris Loves Julia | Shannon Claire | Coco.Kelley | The Curated House

Driven by Decor | The English Room | From the Right Bank | Sherry Hart

Hi Sugarplum | House of Jade | Hunted Interior | The Makerista | Making it Lovely

Marcus Design | Pencil & Paper Co. | Megan Pflug | Place of My Taste | Suburban B’s

Waiting on Martha  Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by CIH

Thank you to all of the wonderful sponsors and partners who have contributed to this space, including Crystorama, ATG Stores, and Pemberley Rose.