- One Room Challenge - Week 2
Hey Hey,
Well that seven days went fast. How are we already on week 2 of the One Room Challenge? It’s a pleasure to welcome again and catch up on all that should have been happening.
That’s right should have. The three main points that needed to be done and dusted were:
- Plan down to the fine details, what storage the living room calls room.
- Design the home office space that’s equally attractive as it is an productive environment to design from home.
- Figure out the lighting plan
The planning went to plan with the storage being sorted but the office space isn’t being totalling fused out as the corner desk I had my eye on is out of stock until further notice. With space being tight finding a 83cm(ish) desk length is a challenge that exceeded a week. A bespoke surface is an option so i’ll be contacting the reclamation yard to raise of wood. The great thing it’s a street away.
The lighting plan also has been figured out as the living room can be dragged out of the dark ages. lol
Having a room that looks flat is totally not a good design idea so I’m super excited to create depths of lighting to highlight, illuminate and ease the eye strain.
Designing from Potential
Like every other room in this house, it was once decorated with the dreaded woodchip wallpaper. Couple that ghastly fact with paper-thin walls, and the main limitation to the living room is the few walls that can hold any weight. The two alcoves either side of the chimney thankfully were built of stronger stuff so this is literally the only wall to take shelves of book-holding strength.
There’s a bunch of homeless books chilling out on the floor BEGGING for a piece of wood to live on. 5 piles of literature and info can easily make use of the 4 metre tall ceiling and I’ve been wrestling with being resourceful and not buying new shelving. I like the pink shelves (although the colour is gonna have to go) so I have been thinking of ways to save them and still store all the books that we (as in me and Mr) currently have.
To add extra depth breaking up the monotony of rows of paper stuck between binding, wall mirrors low down the wall are on the design agenda. I was thinking of doing the same for the fireplace which isn’t in use and never will be. Instead a splash of subway tile will be added in colour contrast with the rest of the chimney. Ohhhhh, it’s gonna rock and make for a perfect background for fireplace vignette.
BUT, the question that needs an answer is the colour of the walls. So last week I put it to you to give your input into whether the walls should get a lighter makeover or to remain dark. It was the best thing to take this decision totally out my hands and I can no reveal the answer.
Casual Approach To the Colour Palette
REVEAL
THE DARKNESS REIGNS! The teal walls are staying, albeit with some whole filling and fresh re-coat.
So the biggest colour in the room is obviously the teal walls and the navy blue sofa so everything else has to work to bring these two colour together.
Firstly there’s the wonderful power of white, making its appearance on wall wood trim and the huge sash window. I must confuse the monster of the window has never been fully painted. A fresh coat after a sand down will show of how architecturally beautiful it is. It frames the view of the garden and street below and deserves to look better kept.
Taking the rest of the palette actually comes from the cushions that arrived for the sofa. They have small touches of teal and navy like the walls and sofa, and combines pink and rust.
The great thing is the living room have pink accessories, which stops me from falling into the shops and coming out with homeware that the room doesn’t actually need. The element os reusing accessories around the room is something I’m a fan of. Interior design, after all is not just about ditching the old to replace with the new, especially when the condition of the old is good and likeable.
Next week the thing to explore is art. A way to add texture, pattern, interest and an injection of more colour….on top od casual personality. Stay tuned…i adore exploding art and really want you to be with me on this one.
Lighting
“Where you can use natural light because your body doesn’t need to be subjected to its artificial cousin all day.”
Ceiling lighting is a way to bring a statement to the 5th wall. Don’t miss the trick.
All chandeliers AREN”T made equally, meaning there’s so much choice for any room and style.
As you mentioned last week, we’re getting straightened out on the lighting and it’s current state of lack. The ceiling pendant was quite fine for 7 years ago and the whole traditional chandelier vibe that complimented the architectural detailing of the room.
Lights, statement, action
Nowadays, a new statement is ready to be made and a ceiling pendant light will be great to draw the eye to the centre of the room. The room is like a box in terms of the dimensions, the ceiling height is 4 metres away from the ground (aka tall) is the aim of a protruding lighting fixture to visually bring the ceiling closer to create.
I’ve figured, especially as this autumn darkness is firmly setting in, artificial light MUSRT have several levels all around the living room. To chill in a dim level of light provisions for bookshelf lighting is in the making as well as back up lighting for reading under. I’ll be honest, I have no idea YET if this will materialise into a floor lamp or table options. I should have been looking and haven’t made a firm decision. Time will tell depending on delivery times.
Lighting Up a Little Craft Project
I’m quite fancying some sort of over sized wall light and this is very much the opportunity for a crafty element to this challenge. In the wondered spirit of being eco friendly, using a pendant shade I already have around the house, is perfect excuse to get my ‘makers’ hand dirty. I’m imaging tassels, very in at the moment BUT more important, a design details I I adore. The organic cotton yarn is making its way very small mail so when it arrives it’ll be time to get crafty. Can you smell a step-by-step coming up?…..hopefully in next week’s update.
Tasked for a spot of work
Task specific lighting is a must since the living room double up as my office room. Designing, whether digitally or the old fashioned way definitely calls for decent lighting so I can see what i’m doing. Since I don’t like to be ball’n’chained to the desk all the time, a floor lamp will do better justice than a table lamp.
What kind would you suggest? Pop you suggestion in the comments.
“If you’d like to be colour confident but don’t know where to start, reach out to figure out a BOLDER colour palette”
That’s it for this week, thanks for catching up on the bedroom developments, pop back next week to see if i’ve pulled my hair out yet. While the next 7 days passes, do yourself a favour and check out other awesome and seriously talented participants, they too are sharing their Week 2 One Room challenge developments, frustrations and all. www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog
What needs to happen by week 3?
Get all the prep works done shelving.
Order the lighting a book an electrician
Fills holes and prep for paint touches
Receive the curtains from the small mail deliverer and source a contemporary curtain pole to hang them on
Hi5s & curtsies! Thank you for coming along on this journey. Drop a comment below with any input into a fancy floor and desk light that you think will suit the casual vibe of the space.
