The big moment of the One Room Challenge arrives today!
For those unfamiliar, this challenge, hosted by Linda from Calling it Home, invites bloggers to transform a single room over a six-week period.
I participated this year, though the timing was unexpected because we relocated to a new townhouse six weeks ago.
Starting with a completely bare space is an understatement; this challenge proved very helpful personally as I adapted to downsizing.
Even though it is only one room, it must serve as:
- an Entryway,
- Living Room,
- Dining Room,
- and an office.
The initial space was well-constructed, yet several functional improvements were needed:
- Injecting character into a standard builder's room. (Week 1 ~Modern Industrial Farmhouse Inspiration)
- Brightening up the dim and uninspired area. (Week 2 ~ Selecting Paint for a Small Dark Space and Week 3~ Creating Feature Walls)
- Finding effective storage solutions. (Week 4 ~ Billy Bookcases to the Rescue!)
- Improving the functionality of the entryway closet.
Through gradual refinement, we reached this point: Week 6 ~ The Reveal!:)
Please come inside, and I will give you a tour.
LIVING ROOM AREA
(prior)
A fresh rug introduces some hue to the neutral setting. While searching for a new couch continues, replacing the loveseat with 2 chairs makes the area feel more expansive.
The most significant alteration in this space occurred on this wall:
(prior)
Greetings, Billy Bookcases. I truly adore them!!
The 2 tall bookcases arrived the day before yesterday, so we haven't had extensive time with them yet. There are still tasks ahead, but they look fantastic for now!!
ENTRYWAY
The closet in the entrance area also required some updates.
The bifold doors presented a cumbersome and difficult experience…
…and the interior was perpetually a disorganized mess.
We completely renovated it, applying a fresh layer of (Gray Cashmere) paint, installing hooks, and adding shoe shelving.
Furthermore, we transformed the bi-fold doors into french doors and incorporated a ship-lap detail on the front.
I genuinely adore having that touch of ship-lap in the space. (It makes me feel quite like Joanna Gaines!):)
{A quick note: Elegant new hardware is being fitted to those doors as well…I plan to share a guide on this door modification; it was a rewarding task!}
THE HOME OFFICE
A small alcove next to the front entrance proved to be the ideal spot for a compact office setup.
(prior view)
An aged table functions wonderfully as a desk, and enjoying the blue sky while working is an added pleasure!
DINING SPACE
After painting the room Simply White, we decided to introduce accent walls to enhance visual appeal and delineate the Dining Room.
(previous look)
Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore emerged as the perfect color choice.
I appreciate how it conveys drama yet maintains a feeling of warmth.
I recalled an article from a few weeks ago emphasizing the value of blending vintage items with contemporary pieces for a welcoming and snug atmosphere.
This concept guided my work on this project. This dining room set has been in my family for many years, and I cherish the memories it holds.
The botanical print gallery wall inspiration came from examining Joanna Gaines' finished designs on Fixer Upper. The prints are available as Free Printables here, mounted on repurposed wooden trays.
When selecting decor and art, I aimed to combine diverse shapes, textures, and finishes. Materials such as wood, metal, white, paper, and greenery are featured throughout. Circular elements, like the mirror above, help prevent the room from feeling overly rectangular and elongated.
Thank you for accompanying me through this tour of our refreshed Townhouse (with a Farmhouse spirit) Living & Dining Room.
For those interested in the budget details, here is the rough estimate (based on memory, as I lack the actual receipts):
- Paint ~ Simply White & Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore – $80
- Billy Bookcases (Ikea)~ 2 short, 2 tall, 8 doors ~ $600 (approximately)
- Organizing the Entryway Closet with Wood and Supplies from Windsor Plywood and Home Depot, costing around $150
- A decorative area rug from Walmart priced near $39
- Two artificial succulent plants obtained from Superstore for about $6
- All remaining necessities were items already present in our possession
Should you require further information regarding any source details, feel free to inquire, and I will strive to locate the specifics for you
