ORC Week 5: Denial is One of the Stages

First off, please excuse the look of my blog - I am in the middle of updating it but it's not quite finished.  Second, how is this the last full week of the ORC?!? For those of you just joining in, the One Room Challenge (ORC) is a blog program in which almost 200 bloggers, designers, etc. commit to changing up a room in 6 short weeks.  I have learned that pacing yourself is EXTREMELY important - at the beginning, it seemed like we had so much time, and now that we are down to the wire, I would say we are still just barely over half done with our projects.  Eeek!!!

My sweet, supportive husband (aka contractor/handyman/electrician/plumber) has been working his tail off this week.  In the past few days, he has installed the beadboard & trim in the laundry room, framed out the desk area, put in a new sink, and installed more lighting.  I know I am going to owe him big time after this.  And don't even think about telling him that I've already got plans for the Spring 2016 ORC up my sleeve ;)

Finding a wall-mount utility tub with the faucet on the sink instead of mounted to the wall was a challenge.  See all the open floor space? Now the dog's bowls can go under the sink instead of in the doorway.  Hooray for small victories! :)

Speaking of lighting, that has been our challenge this week.  I think I've mentioned before that the lighting in our oldish home is quirky at best & downright dangerous in some areas.  Luckily, I have a a great team of electricians on speed dial, & they have benefited from dozens of hours and thousands of dollars as we bring our home up to code.  Our biggest snafu this week was when the junction box in the laundry room shattered into a dozen pieces while my husband was putting in the last screw of our new light.  And while hubby is a super handy guy, installing a new junction box was something he didn't feel comfortable doing.  So we had a last minute visit from the electrician today, and after he took a look at it, we were very glad we called in the professionals.  It might have set us back in both time & money, but at least now we don't have to worry that old wiring will cause a fire.
I really liked the old schoolhouse light we had in here (see above photo for reference), but when I realized the laundry room light was directly behind the new glass & brass light we hung in the hallway, I knew we needed a more similar light for a cohesive look.  HomeGoods did not have a second of my hallway light, so I found this one from Home Depot.  It's actually huge (I thought it was a small pendant at purchase), but I think it works.  Unfortunately, all that electrical work left a huge hole in the ceiling, and there's no time to fix it, so instead we slapped a coat of Urbane Bronze on an old ceiling medallion & it covered the hole perfectly.  It wouldn't have been my first choice as the light fixture is simple, & the medallion is a bit much size-wise, but when you're in a time crunch, sometimes you just have to go with it.

Excuse the poor quality.  This room is so hard to get a photo of, as there are no windows nearby.

I also scrambled to find new lighting for the office nook after realizing the picture light I had purchased previously was too formal for the space.  Luckily, we snagged the last 2 of the sconces I found at my local World Market, & I also ordered these beauties from Lowe's.  I think I will be going with the World Market sconces, but may have to find a different place in my home for the Allen & Roth sconces - they're just too great to give up! ;)

We still have yet to start on the mudcloset, and the desk & entry are only about 10% complete..  Yikes.  It's time to up the coffee intake.

Let's look at our to-do list, shall we? Or maybe we shouldn't.  Sometimes denial is a beautiful coping mechanism.

Laundry:

Install beadboard & molding // Paint & stencil walls (Praise the Lord I can cross this off) // Install hooks on molding // New utility sink // Pulls for cabinets // New lighting ? // Replace drying rack // Install shelf above washer & dryer // Install shelves above drying rack

Entry:

Paint walls // New rug // New lighting  // Install beadboard (added to the list this week)

Mudcloset:

Repaint // Lower top hooks so shelf is more accessible // Add shoe storage // Add more hooks

Office nook:

Floating desk // Install outlet // New printer // Cubby holes/storage for mail, office supplies

Chalkboard or pinboard // Lighting (purchased but not yet hung)

Don't forget to check out the progress of the other participants!  We can do it!

A little break and big news

I'm not going to presume that anyone reading this has been anxiously awaiting my next post.  But I also didn't want my 8 loyal followers to think that I've quit this blogging business.  ;)

Truth is, I am swamped & it's only going to get busier before things even out.  I am lucky to have taken on more clients and to be attending the Haven conference this week in Atlanta.  Big nerves about that one...I don't think I'll know a soul, but I'm hoping to learn a lot & make some new friends.

But the main reason I've been absent (& probably will be for the next few weeks) is because most of my days lately look like this:

That's right.  We are moving.  Again.  But hopefully, this is the last time for a loooong time (maybe even forever?).  And don't be fooled.  That may look like a meager amount of boxes, but I'm packing 4-8 a day in the hopes that I'll be ready when the big day comes in 2 weeks -  it feels like I've already packed hundreds!

We have been looking for our long-term home for a while now.  As in, it's been at least 2 years.  We have very patient family & friends in the real estate/mortgage business.  And our new house deserves a post all itself, but I will share its fun background.  Some of you may recognize the kitchen from places around the web.

milkandhoneyhome.com

bhg.com

Through a series of events that could only have been orchestrated from up above, we purchased the home of Julie from Milk & Honey Home.  And while we do plan to tweak some things to make it our own, we are grateful for the beautiful home Julie & her family have created that will now be our family's place to love & grow.

I'll most likely be busy packing, moving, & trying to squeeze in the last bits of summer over the next few weeks.  I do post to Instagram on a regular basis so follow hcb interiors  for more updates!

Have a fantastic week!
Holly

Big Dreams & Plans

     Wow!  Where did the month of May go?  The end of school/start of summer, combined with working on multiple client projects, has kept me going 24/7.  Sorry for my absence!

     I can't share all the details for another month or so, but I will soon be embarking on one of my biggest design projects to date (big as in an entire house.  The budget is on the modest side).  My wheels have been in constant motion, with ideas filling the pages of multiple notepads.

     What's more, I will be following in the VERY talented footsteps of another Southern designer (whom I will share more about when it all becomes final).  As a designer, I am excited to put my own stamp on these already beautiful interiors.  As a design fanatic, I am nervous to change a space that has been published in shelter magazines on numerous occasions & is all over Pinterest.  Will it seem like criticism if I make any big changes?  Will people like my ideas, or will it seem like I've ruined a great design? My ideas are different from the current design - not better, not worse (I hope!), & not even hugely drastic changes - just different.  I hope that when I am able to share the befores & afters, they will be seen for what they are:  my personal perspective of a beautiful home.  No two designers will see a space exactly the same way, & I think that's a good thing - variety is the spice of life, right?  OK, enough justification.  On to the planning. :)

     I don't yet have pictures to share of the space, so I will give a verbal tour of some of the main spaces I've already begun planning, & fill in with inspiration images.  In the near future, I will share the design idea boards for some, if not all, of the rooms.

First up - the Dining Room:

     How often do people use formal dining rooms these days?  Not much, I don't think.  I am a big believer in not having empty or non-functioning spaces in a house, so for this room, I've created a design that combines dining with reading, music, etc.  The room is fairly square, with a big bay window on one wall.  I picture built-in bookcases filling the wall across from the window & will have them painted a nice gray-blue to draw attention to the importance of the books & art filling the shelves. If it's in the budget, I'm thinking grasscloth wallpaper for the walls; if not, creamy off-white paint is the backup choice.

     I hope to find decently priced upholstered seating for the bay window that will pull double-duty as both a spot for reading and as the head chairs at the dining table when needed.  The table will be a round pedestal table floating in the middle of the room so that it can be used for reading, display, & dining.   These 3 images combined give an idea of what's floating around in my head.  :)

Color - atlantahomesmag.com

Creamy Buffalo Check & Round Table - southernliving.com

Built-ins & Ambiance - mynottinghill.blogspot.com

Living Room:

     This is a light, airy space with board & batten walls, a cathedral ceiling, & a fieldstone fireplace with a glass door on one side of the fireplace & a window on the other side.  The fireplace is the first thing you notice when you walk in, so I figure why not paint the door & window trim a dark color to pop with the fireplace.  I'm thinking Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze for the trim.  At first, I was resistant to choosing Urbane Bronze because it seems to be a trendy color right now, but I have to admit it's a great shade of dark gray with a hint of brown.  I chose Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige for the walls for both light & warmth. 

Accessible Beige

SW Accessible Beige Board & Batten Regan Baker Designs - houzz.com

Urbane Bronze

Restoration Hardware

The Upholstery will include an English roll arm sofa in a neutral fabric & 2 vintage chairs slipcovered in this ticking stripe (from Walmart of all places!)      I can't wait to get started on this beautiful home.  Look for more details (& plans) mid-July. Happy Weekend!

Holly

A Renovated Cottage

     Last summer, I had the privilege of being asked to help these homeowners with the design & renovation of their new home.  A Cape Cod-ish style cottage, it was already a great home, but the homeowner had a vision for how truly wonderful it could be (not to mention she has fantastic taste, so working with them was a dream).  I was honored to take on the role of consultant & stager.  They blew out the small kitchen, & created the beautiful, light-filled space you see below.  It was so much fun for me to be a part of the ride.  Even more fun, the work I did for them last fall has to be redone due to the construction, so I still get to spend many enjoyable mornings at this home, reorganizing & styling bookcases, hanging pictures, moving furniture, etc.

     They expanded the kitchen, changed the floor plan, added an island, & most importantly, made these incredible windows the focal point .  The wife had a good idea of what she wanted, & used me as a sounding board & the deciding vote when it came down to Choice A vs Choice B.  For the island paint color, we had only an hour to pour through images, magazines, & paint decks before the final decision had to be turned over to the cabinet maker.  Happy to say that it turned out beautifully!

     When you are in the beginning stages of your career, having a client/boss/co-worker who believes in you  & gives you the green light to run with your ideas can make all the difference.  Helping with this huge project confirmed for me that the ideas in my head can translate into the real world.

     The home has wonderful built-ins in the two main living areas, and it has been a fun challenge for me to re-use their things in a fresh new way.  This is a real home, full of character & a few imperfections that make it all the more perfect in my eyes.  Nothing is off limits to kids, & their love of family is evident in each room.

     I have been so incredibly blessed with wonderful clients who not only encourage me but make it a goal to help me be successful.  This project has been the most fun learning experience.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your home!

Holly

Does Size Really Matter?

     The older I get, the more I appreciate form, function, & quality over size & quantity.  When I was a young newlywed, I dreamed of a great big house that would someday be mine.  I dreamed of media rooms, libraries, formal living rooms, family rooms, sunrooms, & screened porches.  If your home has all of those spaces, that is wonderful!  And oh how I would love to come up with the designs for each of those rooms!  But I have discovered two things about myself - I prefer cozy over cavernous, & a smaller, well-thought-out floor plan over a giant house (partially due to the fact that more house = more cleaning, & I am not of fan of that!)
     That being said, right now we are in our largest home to date (1700 sq ft), & it doesn't work for us.  Why?  While it seems like it should be enough for our young family of 3, the flow just doesn't work to our advantage.  The kitchen is cut off from the rest of the house, so I have no idea what is going on in any of the other rooms while I'm cooking - not good when you have a very active & curious 2 year old.  The only living space (family room) is narrow with lots of awkward angles & random doorways.  The room's layout makes it a challenge to have friends over: when we're all smushed into the small space, it's difficult for the parents to chat while the kids play less than 5 feet away.  Finally, we hardly use the 3rd bedroom.  We don't have guests that often, & while it would be nice for it to be a true home office for both the Hubs & I, the fact of the matter is that he has a voice that carries, & loud business phone calls don't mix well with napping toddlers & shared walls.

office/eating area/playroom

     We are currently searching for our forever home (a process that feels like it is taking forever itself!), & my focus is more on how many rooms could have multiple purposes, as opposed to how many rooms the house has itself.  I dream of libraries/offices, sunrooms/playrooms/breakfast rooms, or even libraries/dining rooms.  My creative muscles get a good workout trying to eek out as much function from one room as possible.  The part of me that desires a simpler way of living - one not overwhelmed with 15 thousand tiny plastic toys or a t-shirt collection from 1990 (I'm looking at you, Hubs!) - also loves the idea of having to edit due to storage & space constraints.  Wouldn't it be lovely if our homes were filled only with things we truly cared about, instead of the junk that seems to accumulate on its own?  I want my shelves to be full of books, art, & photos, and not all of the small random bits & pieces that we hold on to, just in case we need it in the distant future (Hoarders, here we come).

library/dining room

     Don't get me wrong.  I still admire those great, big, beautiful homes.  I wouldn't turn down a sprawling beach house if someone decided to gift it to me (anyone?).  But I no longer feel the self-imposed pressure to keep up with the Jones, to have the biggest house on the block.  And my hope is that by not putting everything we have into our home, we will be able to experience life outside of it even more.  To me, a well-designed home, big or small, is a work of art to be appreciated & enjoyed.  No matter the size, it should work for you; you should not have to work for it.
     What are your thoughts on the subject?  Do you long for a home full of large, airy spaces?  Or do you dream of cozy, small rooms that wrap around you ?  Both are beautiful, it's just a matter of figuring out what works best for you & your family.

Happy Monday!

Holly