ORC Week 2 - The Plan

Hi. How's it going? Welcome to week two of the One Room Challenge where I am making over my home office in 6 weeks. (See week 1 here)

Progress has been kinda slow as I keep changing my mind about what I want. I know, like who would have thunk it?! When I left you last week I showed my starting point and talked about my goals for the room. Well those have changed a bit.

The biggest change is that I'm ditching the futon. This used to be my sons room. Since it was so small we chose to have a futon instead of a traditional bed. A full size bed and desk wouldn't have given any room to walk. Fast forward and it is no longer needed as my son is out on his own. I was going to keep the futon in case he came back home. Right now that seems doubtful but we all know life throws curve balls and anything can happen. Anyway if it is needed again in the future we'll figure something out at that time. Also I almost never have overnight guests so it isn't needed for them. I do have a very luxurious air mattress so there is someplace to sleep if necessary. Task 117b=sell the futon.

Now the futon wall will have a set of Kallax shelves from Ikea. Lots of storage space for pretties and room for some books.

I'm doing a little diy and making black pom pom fringe drapes. It should be an easy project with ready made drapes from Ikea. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. There is an internet secret...use fabric glue instead of sewing the trim on!

I  have a white desk that is longer and narrower than the wood/black one. It fits the space better. Desk drawers will help keep me organized. The last desk didn't have any drawers!

The shelves above the desk are going away. I don't need display space with the Kallax across the room. I don't have enough stuff to fill both! In its place I'm thinking of a bulletin board. I first thought of a gallery wall. But I like to move things around and the ability to add and switch things out will satisfy my need to continually redecorate and yet keep it in a small controlled environment instead of the entire condo. I will either make a bulletin board or buy a new black one (pricey). There is also an option for sale on Craigslist but I'm not sure it will fit in my car.

During the next week I will paint the room Mindful Gray from Sherwin Williams with the help of my son and his girlfriend. Its a small room, but I'm a messy painter so the help is wonderful. I hope to finalize the type of bulletin board I'll be using and order it if necessary. I also have to track down a curtain rod that doesn't cost an arm and leg for the small bay window.

Paint the room gray
Paint the ceiling and trim white
Change out the desk, add storage
Change out the shelves - lighten up the place
Remove shelves add a bulletin board
Decorate bulletin board
Update the futon - new cover, stain the frame?
Sell the futon
Purchase Kallax shelves from Ikea
Decorate / organize Kallax
Add drapes
Change out the art above the futon
Change out the shelf decor
Add a surprise design element!

Check back next Thursday to see my progress!

Go To Week

1 3 4 5 6

One Room Challenge 2016 Fall Edition

I'm late to the party but I'm going to participate in the fall edition of the One Room Challenge. The challenge is the brain child of Linda from Calling It Home. Twice a year 20 Designers are picked to transform one room in 6 weeks. They post their progress on Wednesdays. And folks like me can play along as a guest participant and link up our rooms on Thursdays. There are lots of great looking projects and tons of creativity. Go check everyone out!

Let me introduce myself. I'm Kathleen and I'm in the process of refreshing my condo on Chicago's North Shore. This time around the overall look for my condo is what I like to call contemporary glamour -- sophisticated, feminine and shiny sparkly stuff!

This is my first One Room Challenge. I've decided to tackle my office. It was my son's bedroom. He is now an adult and has moved out to his own place. Its time to make the room mine. I had made a little progress last year on the shelves but I just used stuff I had laying around. Time for a redo. I want to lighten the place up, make it more feminine, add some storage and functionality and basically zhush the place up! (And I'm so tired of the pea green walls!)

Here are some pictures of the room after my son moved out. The main elements are a desk, shelves and a futon.

My plans for the room are

• Paint the room gray
• Paint the ceiling and trim white
• Change out the desk, add storage
• Change out the shelves - lighten up the place
• Update the futon - new cover, stain the frame?
• Add drapes
• Change out the art above the futon
• Change out the shelf decor
• Add a surprise design element!

Check back the next 5 Thursdays and see my progress!

Go To Week

2  3  4  5  6

Pink and Gray bedroom

Pink and Gray bedroom by kkendt featuring a white duvet

Oval table lamp
overstock.com

NuLOOM non skid area rug
overstock.com

White duvet
target.com

Wall mounted mirror
ikea.com

Heart throw pillow
walmart.com

Pink toss pillow
etsy.com

Zigzag curtain
walmart.com

R.I.P. Sebastian

It was with a sad heart that I had to say goodbye to my wonderful dog Sebastian the Marvelous after 12 years of loyal companionship. He was sick and it became unfair to keep him with me instead of relieving his pain and suffering. 

It has been several weeks now and I still look around for him and get up to take him out before bed and then realize he isn't here. My cat Starbuck has taken his absence very hard also. She walks around calling for him, looking in all his favorite spots. 

Living Room Sneak Peek

I just wanted to share a little sneak peek of some of the changes in the living room. Lots left to still accomplish, but I like the direction I'm heading. More to come!

Living Room January 2016

Word for 2016

I don't do New Year resolutions. I never seem to be able to keep them, no matter how specific, timely, accountable, blah, blah, blah I make them.

The last couple years I've chosen a word or phrase for the year. 2013 was "do", 2014 was "don't die" (leukemia diagnosis -- in remission now!), 2015 was "no projects".

I've got a couple to chose from for 2016. One is "home". I really want to focus on getting my home in order. I've got a bunch of stuff to sell on eBay, I'm painting and redoing most of the condo, I need to focus on cleaning more consistently, and I want to do a major declutter.

"Companionship" is another option. I need more friends in my life. I'd like to be in a loving relationship with a significant other. 

"Better today" is the last option. I don't just want to exercise more, or eat healthy, or go to bed at a certain hour. I just want to be better today than I was yesterday. Tiny changes daily.

 Do you choose a word or phrase for the year or set resolutions?

I'm obsessed

My new favorite singer, Stromae. I didn't learn of him in time to attend his September concert in Chicago, darn it. But I've got him playing on Spotify all the time right now.