One Room Challenge Fall 2019 Week 6: The Partial Reveal

Welcome, design enthusiasts and fellow renovation adventurers! Today marks a significant milestone in our journey with the One Room Challenge (ORC) Fall 2019 edition: the much-anticipated reveal day. However, instead of unveiling two perfectly polished, magazine-worthy spaces, we’re pulling back the curtain on the true, unvarnished reality of large-scale home renovation. Grab a comfortable seat, because this update is going to be a candid dive into the beautiful, chaotic, and often unpredictable world of transforming a house into a dream home.

The One Room Challenge, for those new to this exhilarating design marathon, is a biannual event where designers and bloggers commit to transforming a room in six short weeks. It’s a test of creativity, time management, and sheer will, often resulting in breathtaking transformations. This season, our challenge has been an extraordinary testament to the unexpected twists and turns that define real-life home improvement projects. While our ultimate vision for these spaces remains firmly in sight, the path to achieving it has been anything but straightforward.

We embarked on this journey with immense excitement, planning to tackle two distinct spaces: a bedroom and a bathroom. Our goal was ambitious yet meticulously scheduled: complete all major construction, electrical, plumbing, and tiling work before my arrival in Memphis for the final styling push. This collaborative approach with Carmeon Hamilton was designed to allow us ample time to focus on the aesthetic details, bringing in furniture, decor, and personal touches that truly make a space sing. Little did we know, the universe had a different kind of challenge in store for us.

As we reached Week 6, the official reveal day, we find ourselves in a unique position. The beautiful, finished photos we envisioned aren’t quite ready to be shared with the world. This project has been a whirlwind of unexpected issues, from logistical nightmares to structural surprises, testing our patience and problem-solving skills at every turn. Yet, despite not meeting the stringent ORC deadline for a full reveal, we are incredibly proud of the immense progress made, especially over the last seven intensely productive days.

A Glimpse Into the Current State: Progress Amidst the Chaos

Our last comprehensive update was shared during Week 4, just before my trip to Memphis. At that point, we were still navigating significant delays, hopeful that my arrival would coincide with the final decorative stages. Unfortunately, when I arrived for Week 5, the spaces were still very much in their “raw” state, a stark contrast to our initial timeline. The foundational work, which was supposed to be complete, was still underway, leaving little room for the collaborative styling we had envisioned.

The difference between Week 4 and Week 5 was minimal in terms of completion. Construction dust still hung in the air, tools were scattered, and the true bones of the rooms were still exposed. It was a humbling reminder that renovation projects rarely adhere perfectly to a schedule, no matter how carefully planned. Despite the initial disappointment, the dedicated crew worked tirelessly. By the time I departed, significant strides had been made: the bedroom ceilings were expertly scraped and floated, drywall was completed, the intricate process of installing shower tile had begun, and a much-needed coat of primer graced the walls. Accessing the spaces for anything beyond observation was still a challenge, with active work dominating every corner.

Battling Murphy’s Law: The Realities of Renovation

This One Room Challenge truly became a living, breathing example of Murphy’s Law: anything that could go wrong, often did. We’ve navigated a myriad of setbacks that are all too common in the world of home renovation, but rarely shared with such transparency. From crucial trade workers and construction crews failing to show up as scheduled, causing frustrating delays, to damaged product orders that required re-ordering and extended lead times, every step presented a new hurdle.

Plumbing issues emerged unexpectedly, demanding immediate attention and diverting resources. Perhaps the most unwelcome discovery was a series of pest problems, including active wasp nests and other creepy crawlies, necessitating pest control interventions before any further aesthetic work could safely proceed. These unforeseen circumstances, while incredibly frustrating, underscored the unpredictable nature of transforming older homes and served as a powerful reminder of why flexibility and a robust contingency plan are paramount in any renovation endeavor. We’ve made a conscious decision to share every detail of this rollercoaster ride, believing that transparency about the challenges is just as important as showcasing the triumphs.

The Eleventh-Hour Push: A Week of Miracles

Despite the cascade of challenges, the past few days leading up to this reveal have been nothing short of miraculous in terms of progress. The collective effort and dedication have propelled us forward dramatically. All the walls in both the bedroom and bathroom have received their final coats of paint, transforming the ambiance of the spaces. The stylish pocket door and elegant French door hardware have been meticulously installed, adding crucial functional and aesthetic elements. Trim work is now complete, providing crisp lines and a polished finish throughout the rooms.

In the bathroom, all tiling has been successfully laid and expertly grouted, creating a cohesive and beautiful foundation. The shower area, once a collection of raw materials, now boasts stunning tile work. The bedroom, in particular, has reached an exciting stage: it’s now ready for furniture! While not fully styled, the groundwork is laid, inviting us to imagine the finished product. This burst of activity has revitalized our spirits, reminding us that even the most arduous journeys eventually yield significant rewards.

We are so close to the finish line, yet still realistically about one to two weeks away from truly completed spaces ready for their grand reveal. The final touches—the styling, the decor, the placement of every carefully selected item—are what will bring these rooms to life, and we cannot wait to share that with you. We know Carmeon is beyond ready to reclaim her home, and we are equally eager to see her enjoy these newly transformed spaces.

Stay Tuned for the Grand Finale

The One Room Challenge might officially conclude today, but our journey with these spaces is far from over. We promise to continue sharing every step of the remaining process on our social media channels. We’ll be posting regular updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and eventually, the highly anticipated final images, complete with all the links and detailed information about the incredible products and materials that have pulled these spaces together.

In the meantime, we wholeheartedly encourage you to dive into the other official ORC reveals! Be sure to check out Carm’s reveal post, where she shares her unique perspective on this challenging yet rewarding experience. And do not miss the stunning transformations from all the other ORC featured designers. I haven’t had a chance to go through them all yet, but the ones I’ve seen so far are absolutely phenomenal and incredibly inspiring. Prepare to be amazed and find plenty of inspiration for your own design dreams! Happy indulging!

A huge round of applause to the incredible community of designers participating in this season’s One Room Challenge. Their talent, dedication, and ability to create such inspiring spaces within a tight timeframe are truly commendable:

At Charlotte’s House | Design Addict Mom | Erika Ward Interiors | Erin Kestenbaum | Girl & Grey

Nicole White Designs | Old Brand New | Oscar Bravo Home | Place of My Taste | The Rath Project

Thank you for following along on this incredible, challenging, and ultimately rewarding adventure. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to us. Until our next update, happy designing!