Last week I shared that I’m taking on another One Room Challenge in my home. I explained which room I’m tackling, what I already like about the space, and what I hope to improve as the project unfolds.
Normally this week I would show progress photos and updates. I have a bit of good news and some not-so-good news.
The not-so-good news: if you stopped by hoping to see dramatic before-and-after photos, you’ll be disappointed — I haven’t made any physical changes to the room since my last post.
The good news is that I’ve been quietly working on a special collaboration that I’m thrilled to announce today.
When I admitted I was stuck in analysis paralysis and needed fresh inspiration, I started reaching out to friends and searching for designers who speak my language — modern farmhouse style with cozy, budget-friendly tweaks. That search led me to Melissa.
Melissa answered a design question I posted in a Facebook group, so I visited her site, The Farmhouse Native. I loved what I found — beautiful photography, thoughtful room styling, and a genuine farmhouse aesthetic. She clearly lives and breathes the style, and yes, she really does live on a farmhouse (complete with chickens!).
Beyond design, Melissa is also a photographer and a custom furniture builder — her portfolio and Instagram show both finished rooms and behind-the-scenes project reveals. After a friendly chat over Facebook Messenger, we realized our styles and goals aligned, and she offered the encouragement I needed.
“This should be fun — not stressful,” she told me. That simple reminder was exactly what I needed to hear.
From that conversation we developed a plan to collaborate. Melissa offers a design package called “The Coop,” tailored for DIYers who want professional direction while doing the hands-on work themselves. It provides clear vision, practical guidance, and a framework to move forward with confidence — perfect for a One Room Challenge.
She has generously agreed to help me with my townhouse living and dining room project, and we’re inviting you to join us live for the process. Beginning next week, Melissa and I will host a free Facebook Live workshop series called “Fearless & Fun — A DIY + Design Workshop.”
Each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Pacific (6:00 p.m. Central) for four weeks, we’ll go live to discuss the behind-the-scenes work that turns a room from idea to reality. Every session will focus on a different aspect of the design process and include real-world tips for DIYers, including how to shop on a budget, choose a sofa you won’t regret, and create a warm, cohesive farmhouse-inspired living and dining area.
Next week’s topic is inspiration. We’ll cover questions such as:
- What is a mood board, and why is it helpful when planning a room?
- How do you narrow down diverse interests and images into a clear direction to include on your mood board?
This four-week workshop is designed to demystify the designer-DIYer collaboration: you’ll see how a designer thinks about layout, materials, and styling, and you’ll learn how to apply that guidance to your own home projects. There will also be time for live Q&A, so you can ask Melissa about your own design dilemmas.
We want these sessions to be relaxed, encouraging, and fun — bring your favorite drink (I’ll have coffee), your questions, and any photos of the space you’re working on if you’d like feedback. Invite friends who love DIY, farmhouse design, or anyone who needs a little help moving from ideas to action.
To get reminders, make sure you follow my Facebook page or follow me on Instagram — I’ll post updates and links there before each live session. I’m excited to have a real designer alongside me for this One Room Challenge, and I can’t wait to bring you into the process.
See you next Wednesday — let’s make this One Room Challenge fun, fearless, and full of practical design tips you can use in your own home.