Week 4 of the One Room Challenge with Apartmenttherapy. I finalized the tile selections and the tile layout. See the fun stripe layout. It is going to look amazing with the gold mirrors inset into the tile wall. 

HERE ARE MY TILE PICKS! Wow did I search far and low for this exact color of tiles! I finally found the tile that was not too pink and just the right terra-cotta. I am doing the 3" x 12" matte tile. I also ordered some trim pieces in white to finish off the edges. 

Here is what we accomplished this week construction wise in the bathroom. We got the drywall up to the wall and the Kerdi Board up in the shower. 

Here is how I calculated how much tile I needed for the walls. Since I am doing stripes on the top and a solid color on the bottom I seperated the bottom which will be the white color, with the top that will include both the white and the pink in an alternation pattern. 

Here are the different wall patterns I came up with on Canva. Using this it helps me to see what I think looks best on the wall. I choose number 3. What is your favorite?

Can you believe it is already week 3 of the ONE ROOM CHALLENGE  hosted by Apartmenttherapy....CRAZY!

This week was ALL about the TILE BABY! I want the bathroom design to stand out and be FUN but yet I want to keep it neutral-ish as well. I decided I want to have fun with tile design yet keeping the colors of the tile itself neutral. Is pink a NEUTRAL?!?!? Asking for a friend.

I want to do horizontal stripes along the entire bathroom wall behind the vanity, and around the shower as well.  Bringing the stripes onto the wall behind the mirrors of the vanity will help elongate the room, rather than cutting it off, therefore separating the two areas (shower/vanity.)

My first stop for my tile search was North County Tile and Stone! What a super cute shop that really had the most incredible selection.... honestly the best I've seen. 

​So many fun colors and patterns to choose from!!!

I ordered a sample of the terra-cotta color below...how cool is this. Can you imagine this as stripes! I should get most of my samples this week that I ordered. Stay tuned......

Below is my inspiration. Color and pattern play. 

YESSSSSSS!!!!! That is right....I am joining the latest One Room Challenge!! www.oneroomchallenge.com

Here is my design board which shows colors of muted pinks and golds. I'm going to have fun with pattern play and tile. I want to create bold horizontal stripes on the upper half of the wall. I want to do shiplap on the lower half. Although I want to create fun visual interest with the tile, I don't want the space to feel overpowering...that will be my challenge. 

Here is where we are NOW. Let's hope we can get our lives together enough to get this bathroom working ASAP! It can only get better....am I right?!?!?!?

Hi EVERYONE!!! First off Im so excited to be here for the 2021 Spring One Room Challenge! Im super excited and truly appreciate you joining my crazy! Lets me crazy together...shall we?!?! Super BIG thank you to Better Homes & Gardens for being the official media parter of the ORC...mad props! Soooo Im going to go out and just DO THE DARN THING and tackle my living room. How is the first room you see in my home...the living room.....the ABSOLUTE most blah room. I mean have you SEEN my home. I don't shy away from a bold pattern or a fun color! Good thing THAT design trend is coming back...YAY!! I have always wanted to to a One Room Challenge...so now would be the PERFECT timing RIGHT?!?!?! WRONG. To be honest...now is the ABSOLUTE busiest most challenging time in my LIFE. Not only is being a full-time homeschool teacher to three young kiddos kicking my bootie, I am also a caregiver to my husband who is currently mid treatment for throat cancer! Oh and this little thing called Corona virus, which has been a WILD ride and challenging beyond words. So YES NOW IS NOT THE BEST TIME. But will there ever be a perfect time? Or do you need to create the space to hold what is important?!? I have come to the desisicion that although timing is BAD, my desire to create and to dump all my emotions into my ART is critical.  Im going to let GO of perfection and just try to be true to what I can do and have THAT be ENOUGH!! I look forward to the encouragement of other participants, and from YOU!!! THANK YOU for being here and rooting me on!!!! xoxoxoxo Mel

The living room is the first room you see when you walk in the door. So it needs to have a punch. Right now although it is OK, it's not Rave Design worthy! What better room to tackle then this grand space! I feel like I could do so much with this space. 

First Im going to tackle the flooring. Right now there is existing dark laminate wood flooring. I had that put in 8 year ago...and one of my biggest design mistakes. Dark wood flooring is the WORST!!! It always shows dirt and NEVER looks clean. Besides it is so dark, it just darkens up the entire space. I want to just paint over it with left over flooring paint from my recent girls bathroom project. It turned out AMAZING! Although I have never attempted painting laminate wood flooring, but it can only get better, right?!? 

Next I want to find a fun area rug to add some texture and warmth to the space. I have an idea of a company I want to use. I just need to reach out to them to see if they would like to collaborate! 

I would like to wallpaper the lower half of the wall, creating a wainscot. Above I would like to paint a yellow/mustard color, with accents rectangles of small trim painted pink. I want to add texture and interest above the fireplace wall since it is so high. But it needs to be something I can handle on my own, since I can't count on hubby help this time. I think I can handle designing and cutting and installing small trim accents. These are the colors Im going with!  Don't worry I got this guys!!!!

I would like to hang a custom lighting feature down the center of the room. I love this one below from Sazerac Stitches!!! It will add a GREAT design element and make the living space feel more intimate. However I have NO idea how the heck I would even get all the way up there to install?!? Any suggestions....send my way peeps!!! 

Im thinking a pink sofa would be amazing!!!! However Im not sure if I can swing that. Might have to use my existing gold sofa. We will work that out soon. The look I'm going for is art deco with a 80's vibe and modern decor! I plan to DIY a coffee table in TILE! YEP I SAID IT...and its going to be FAB!  I love the vibe of this amazing tile table below from Anthropolgie.  

​I have my eye on side chairs but that would be a purchase. And my budget is extremely limited. So we have to see how that turns up as well. We are just going for it friends. Im letting go of my fears of perfection and just doing WHAT I CAN WHEN I CAN. And that is that!!! I hope you are excited to follow my journey along. WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!!

Livingroom Refresh is SO ON!!! I am obsessed with my new handcrafted artisan rug from Revival Rugs! Seriously this company is the REAL DEAL! Revival is an online only, direct-to-consumer vintage rug shop, with operations in both the US and Turkey. That MEANS that these rugs are perfectly balanced between the overpriced vintage and the mass produced! Revival cares about their workers in Turkey and visit regularly for quality checks, which is SO important! GO REVIVAL!

​ I have been working the last few months on putting together an idea of where I wanted to room to go! I ALWAYS start with my design boards! NEVER leave HOME without them!

​I was working with my original wallpaper, existing tile flooring, lighting, and built-ins. I found a sofa that I LOVED, a few art prints, and some decor pieces like a new coffee table and plant stand. I saved the BEST for last! The area rug! I knew I wanted to work with Revival Rugs because they are UNIQUE HANDMADE rugs, at AMAZING prices, and delivered right to your front door! Can't beat shopping for handmade rugs online! The rug was delivered to my doorstep in a cute little square box, wrapped in tissue paper. It also came with an awesome reusable tote bag! Im used to getting my rugs rolled up in some sort of plastic. Revival really did surprise me with the level of presentation and thoughtfulness it was packaged. BRAVO REVIVAL!

Picking out a rug can seem like a daunting task, especially if you need it to be a show stopper like I was looking for. I began my search at Revival by using the search. I LOVE using the search and applying filters like size, color, or pattern. I knew I wanted a pink-ish rug, so I searched for pink rugs within my size. I found a really good all over pink rug that was playing it safe. But I knew I wanted the rug to pack a punch so when I found the Esmerelda I KNEW this was the ONE! I loved how the rug had the pink center with the gold border. It had vintage vibes with MODERN colors!

I love how the colors in the rug are vibrant and the pattern is bold, yet it still works with the wallpaper! 

​​I really appreciated the options that Revival had to choose from. Here were the other two rugs that made my final cut. How AMAZING are these?!? Here are the links to both rugs, tap on rug for product page!

I love the way the rug accents the wallpaper, and also adds the FUN in this space. Add some FUN to your space too! Use code RAVEINTERIOR10 for 10% off order! 

I love a good wallpaper and a wainscot! Nothing transforms a space more than adding wainscot! Here are the supplies you will need! 

Wainscot Supplies:
Plywood underlayment 4' x 8' sheets 1/8" thickness
Base trim  6"
Top trim  4"
Top cap trim  1" tapered
saw to cut trim and plywood
adhesive for plywood to drywall
Nail gun
Caulk
Sandpaper
Wood filler for nail holes/seams
Spacers for electrical outlets
Paint of choice

Okay lets take a look at the before picture below!

I thought wainscot would be the perfect way to freshen up the living room. I also had the idea to  cut off the bottom portion of the wallpaper and wrap around the column. I thought, no worries I can do all this in TWO days RIGHT?!?! Well you better believe I knocked this baby out lickity split two days, with my hubbies help cutting wood! First step was cutting the wallpaper off the bottom portion of the wall, so I could wrap the column with the excess! When I wallpapered before I stopped at the outside corner. I thought it would give a finished look if I could continue around column. Good thing peel and stick wallpaper is so WORKABLE. This wallpaper is Chains of Leaves from Coloray www.coloraydecor.com/search?q=chains%2Bof%2Bleaves. 

Okay next step. Attaching plywood. Lets talk about panel of plywood or no plywood panel! If you have FLAT walls you can get away with NOT using plywood as the base. I have textured walls and I wanted this wainscot to look really clean. To figure out how much plywood you need, measure wall and decide how tall you want your paneling. I bought two plywood boards that were 8' x 4'. I had them cut off 8" horizontally off the top so that the plywood would be at 40" high. Height is pure preference. 

Measure to cut for any outlets or areas that plywood would cover. I got lucky and only had to cut the end of one board...lucky me! Use a nail gun and some adhesive and slap that baby up!

Now that the plywood is all up it is time to do the trim. I like to start with the base. One long piece of base trim is ideal. I had to get two smaller pieces so it is always better to cut the trim at a angle so there is less of a noticeable gap. One MISTAKE I made with this wainscot was not laying both of the base boards together before I attached the first piece. There are ALWAYS irregularities with floors, walls, and trim boards from the store. We do our best on site to figure out the best way around these! Because I nailed the top board in first we had to lay the second one down NOT fitting together the best at the seam. Make sure to see how pieces fit together before attaching!

Next time to add the top rail. I like to get out a level and make sure it is straight before attaching. I find it easier to attach the base, and top rail first then cut the vertical boards to fit at the end. I feel it makes for more accurate cuts for the rails. 

Now it is time for the vertical rails. They are the same size as the top trim (3  1/2").  I placed the cut rails along the wall to get an idea for spacing. I did some rough math in my head. total length divided by number of rails. I then laid the rails out to make sure spaces was good. Here is another area where I made another MISTAKE! looking back I should have put the vertical rail over the seam! This way you cover the seam, which now you can notice up close. Let the seam determine your spacing. I will FOR SURE do that next time!!! Hoping I can save you the trouble! Learn from my mistakes! 

I found this project to move pretty fast. We finished the wainscot built in one saturday afternoon. I measured and installed and my hubby did the cuts! I saved painting for Sunday. All in all an amazing transformation for this space. Weekends are for WAINSCOT!!!

Okay here goes nothing! Im entering the One Room Challengewww.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog/ as a guest participant. For those who are like....whaaaaat the heck is the One Room Challenge ....well its a really cool way for designers to get creative within a super supportive community! In each round 20 design influencers are selected to take part of the challenge. The goal is to transform a space in six weeks!!! Thats right people...6 weeks! I will be for sure following all the selected designers along. As a guest participant we are joining just for the fun of the creative community!! We will be posting every Thursday our Progress. Simple and fun right.....said NO DESIGNER EVER!!!! Okay Im going to try to keep my girls bathroom refresh budget friendly and with only a little work involved. WHO ARE WE KiDDING...have you seen my girls bathroom below!!! It's going to need a big transformation. But IM positive I can do this with a little effort....small budget....big heart...and crazy FUN BANG!!! Follow me along on my journey!!

My goals for girls bathroom refresh..
1.  Update walls with paint/wallpaper for the FUN!!
2.Better dirty clothes storage.
3.Refinish or new faucets.
4.New mirrors.
5.Bath toy strage solutions. 
6. Rework towel hanging/storage. 

These tiles have been on my list to get rid of forever!!! I don't have the budget or the time to re tile...so for now I think I will try my hand at stenciling. 

Towel storage is needing a little pick me up. The towel bar we have now is way too small...it doesn't fit all our towels...so we end up hanging on the curtain rod!!

As you can see I think I need a better alternative for dirty clothes storage. Now they just throw them on the first shelf.

The bath toys need a better storage solution! 

Okay y'all know Im obsessed with peel and stick wallpaper!!! I LOVE how it so easily can transform a space. Not only does it give a space a HUGE impact but it is SOOOOO easy to install! My husband and I transformed our living room into this super fun vibe in less than an hour!!! 

Here is the wall BEFORE we installed the paper. 

Can we talk about this amazing wallpaper from www.coloraydecor.com!!! I immediately fell in love once I saw this pattern! I love ALL the colors....ya know Im especially feeling the burnt orange and the rose pink. I thought this pattern would look perfect as a fun backdrop against my blue sofa!  This pattern called Chains of Leaves from Coloray Decor 

Here are the tools I use. A level, a pencil and a sharp utility knife. 

Coloray recommends the surface be clean, smooth. Wait at least 3 weeks to install paper after painting. I like to take off all the electrical outlet covers. They say to NOT install over a latex based coating. 

FIRST: Lay out all the pieces to ensure there are no defects and that the pattern matches up correctly. 

NEXT: I like to get my level and a pencil and draw a light vertical line showing the angle the first piece of paper should follow. Don't trust the wall to be level, most aren't, and you don't want to lay your fist piece at the wrong angle. The FIRST piece is the most important in my opinion. Once you get that first one down...the rest go pretty fast!

NEXT: You should stick wallpaper left to right in order. Pick up the first strip and peel back a few inches. You want to make sure that you alight with the ceiling and that it is level on ceiling and on the wall verticality. Once you have your placement, stick and use your hand or a flat soft tool to press paper onto the wall, Then un peel more paper and repeat this step. 

When you get to outlets and other areas you need to cut around, just take your time and do your best to cut out the areas you need. I usually start by poking the tip of the blade in where I need the cut to start. Use firm and even force when cutting. 
​

Make sure you grab a buddy to help you hang the paper, its really a two person job! 

I had been wanting to add a bit of fun to this wall that frames our master. We have these beautiful set of double wood doors I wanted to accent...and of course ties into the master as well. I was browsing through Rocky Mountain Decals and I was stopped by this GORG vintage floral peel and stick wallpaper. The style is MADELYN. Click Here For LINK! 

Here are the supplies you will need to get started. A ladder. A pencil. A level. A sharp box cutter. Something to help you get out the air bubbles. And don't forget your friend to help! 

I found this tool SUPER helpful for getting all the air bublbes out. I got this at Home depot...it is supposed to be used for Knockdown of wall texture. It is PERFECT for wallpaper smoothing because of the soft edge. I highly recommend using this! 

Here are the top tips from wallpaper company and Myself for Installation!!!

I TOTALLY LOVE how www.rockymountaindecals.com numbered their sheets...making it super easy to know what order to hang! Way to GO RMD!!!

So after my walls were super clean and dry I went to laying all my sheets flat. 

Now its time to put up the first sheet. The hardest part in my opinion. This is the piece that sets the rest of the layout. I got out my level and drew a line in pencil on the wall. Then I used it as a guide to help show me how my paper should lay. Walls are not level so go off the level and not the wall. You want to move left to right...from top to bottom...from lowest to highest number! Peel about a foot of the backing off...and start to sticking!!

Once you have the first sheet level...and hung on the top...use the tool to work from left to right and get all the air bubbles out as you gently stick the paper to the wall. 

Repeat this process all the way to the floor. Use your razor to cut off the excess paper. Start with your second paper. Make sure it is still level...use a guideline if needed. Continue the same process as the first sheet. Move from left to right until you are done with all your sheets. 

Sometimes the paper has a slight gap in the seams...I just give the paper a little tug as I lay it over the previous sheet so that it fits perfectly with pattern AND ensures it covers the wall as well!

I thought this wallpaper project was super fun and easy. I did this in a few hours ALL by myself! I think it added a huge impact to this space! Now go out there and WALLPAPER something!!!!

Whats going down my wallpaper loving friends!!! I am beyond excited to have finally finished my guest room renovation....and boy what a reno it WAS!!! But let's be honest...this room is all about the WOW and the WOW is the AMAZING wallpaper by Coloray Decor.  I had such a success story with my cactus peel and stick wallpaper for the girls room...I was eager to work with the same wallpaper company again! You guys.....no joke....this paper is legit easy to install....and adds that WOW feature to any space. Im going to share all the deets on how to install....so YOU too can bring the WOW!!

So let's start with a little before picture shall we....and let me say....I for SURE had my work cut out for me...am I right...or am I right?!?!?!

So ya see what I was working with here....NOT much! I knew I wanted to do DIY wainscot board and batten....and I had my eye on this bold fun pattern "Vintage Floral Art" from Coloray Decor I knew I wanted something bold, oversized, and moody dark....to work with all my stark white. I fell in love with this pattern the minute I laid eyes on it. It was a bit of a process working back and forth with Natalia (who is freaking awesome by the way). Because I was only doing the upper portion of the wall....AND...wrapping it around to cover two continuous wall was a good design challenge. I was originally thinking I would just do two of the same full images on either wall.....BUT genius Natalia came up with a few options of how we could wrap the paper around the two walls in one continuous pattern!!! Annnnnnnnnnd BOY am I glad she came up with these options because this made the patter sooooooo much more stunning. We worked back and forth for a few weeks tweaking and trying new things until one day I received this mock-up and was STOKED....I knew we had found the ONE! 

Once I placed the order I was pleasantly surprised to receive it like a week later....they are ON IT with shipping...so don't let buying all the way overseas worry you! The wallpaper comes in rolled sections packages in a tube. I suggest unrolling the pieces as soon as you receive them and lay them out on the floor to inspect for any problem areas...and to make sure the prints match up to each other on all the pieces. I labeled mine on the back so that when it came time to install it made for MUCH easier organization....and we are ALL about THAT...am I right?!?!?

I prepared my wall by applying a skim coat to make the surface smooth.....(my walls are heavily textured)..and I didn't want to see any bumps through the paper. You can hire your local painter to do this for you...I personally paid mine $100 bucks for two walls. If you have recently painted your walls I would recommend waiting a few weeks to ensure that the walls are really dry before installing wallpaper. Here are all the tools I used. I did wrap a cloth around the spatula and secured with tape...so that when using on the wallpaper to smooth....it wouldn't leave any marks!!!

The GOOD news is this wallpaper is actually VERY VERY easy to install. And that is what makes me so hyped on this product you guys!!! So I started with the right corner of the walls....you can start on whatever side....that doesn't matter. .(with the cactus room I started on the left). You want to have a friend....or in my case....a VERY sweet and pretty fun installation BUD...my HUBBY!!!  You want to start with one corner and make sure it lines up on the side of the wall and also at the top of the wall next to the ceiling. This part is a bit tricky....and honestly just do your best and don't overthink it....the wallpaper is very forgiving and you can easily carefully pull back off the wall and start your corner again something is off the first go around. You peel the backing from the top portion....being careful to only peel a bit at a time as you work. You wan to use the little white tool (covered with a cloth) to help smooth out any bubbles....I worked at an angle from top to bottom and left to right. Being carful to work a little at a time you repeat this process over and over until the entire piece is on the wall. 

When you are ready for the next piece I like to  make sure that it overlaps the first piece a bit on the side so that there are not any gaps in the wallpaper. You keep repeating this process with each new piece until you reach the end. If there is excess on the bottom or the last side...you can easily trim with a razor blade. I had a few gaps in between the wall and the paper...and I just filled it in with black paint....no biggie. 

I mean look at how amazing this room came out! I still can't believe I am done....I am ready to PARTY....and when I say party....I mean NAP!!!  Im a huge fan of this product and what possibilities there are with so many RAD peel and stick wallpaper patterns. NOW get out there and WALLPAPER!!!! 

Peace Out until next time my friends!