ORC Fall 2020: Week 3 (All About That Border)

Yassss, I put on my painting overalls this week because the Clare paint we are using in our ‘Bedroom Fit for a Tween’ project arrived! I sing the praises of Clare a lot and have many reasons I love this company and their products…woman owned startup, curated color collection, fun paint names, wall paint in a perfect eggshell finish etc etc. And Clare was so kind to feature my last season ORC project on their blog after using their ‘Wing It’ color in my office/studio design and then gift me some paint for this season - thank you!

I love designing with pops of color and have now used 3 different Clare colors in my own home. I think even if you love white walls, there are ways to add a pop of color to make a room feel more like you. You can still keep your white walls but consider painting some cabinetry, an accent wall, or even a ceiling.

‘Current Mood’ in our mudroom

‘Wing It’ trim paint on office built-ins and accent wall paint

‘Headspace’ on bedroom ceiling

….and I continue to include Clare in client design plan. Remember this fun, cat-filled bathroom?

‘Deep Dive’ trim paint on a bathroom accent wall.

Click above to check out all the week 3 project updates!

Prior to the start of this project, we had already painted both of my daughters’ ceilings with Clare’s ‘Headspace’. When we started thinking about tackling my soon-to-be 10 year old daughter’s room for Fall ORC, I knew I wanted the ceiling to play a roll in the design. So with the addition of picture rail molding and a thick Headspace painted border, we created a cool color dipped feature in my daughter’s bedroom. Thanks to Clare for gifting me this paint - it blended seamlessly with the already painted ceiling.

Measuring the border with an 11.5 strip of paper as our ruler.

Used Clare’s painters tape to mark the border before paint.

I say ‘we’ because I’m happy to report my daughter is just as excited about this project as I am. Not in a ‘when will it be finished’ pestering but a ‘what can I help with’ excitement. She measured, taped, cut-in, and rolled a Headspace border that not only looks super cool - but I can tell she’s really proud of her work.

Cut-in the ceiling and bottom edge of border.

Best little helper.

This border project took the two of us about 5 hours to complete. The fact that the ceiling was already painted was a huge time saver and I must say his was a super fun way to spend an afternoon with my daughter.

First coat of rolled paint (we applied 2 coats)

Drying…

I also found some time to get the picture rail molding painted so hubs can install it during Week 4. The molding was already primed and I brushed on two coats of the ‘Headspace’ wall paint (we didn’t want to get a gallon of trim paint just for a few pieces of molding).

Even though our taped line is pretty straight and crisp, I am looking forward to the molding being installed over the paint line for the finishing touch of this functional wall feature.

All about that border!

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ORC Fall 2020: Week 2 (Making Plans & Placing Orders)

This is the week of the ORC where the theme should be ‘feels like nothing was accomplished’ but in actuality, we did all the things we needed to do to move this project forward which includes a lot of planning and ordering. As mentioned last week, this season’s One Room Challenge is a bedroom refresh for our daughter who will turn 10 in December. She’s requested a loft-style reading nook, which we have ordered ready-made. We contemplated designing a building a fixed loft but ultimately didn’t want to build something so permanent if, in a few years, she decides she no longer wants the loft.

So, from a building optic, hubs designed (and will build) a custom bookshelf and platform bed. The bookshelf will have a drawer in it, which will give her another place to hide her trinkets and treasures (she is quite the collector of all the things).

Design + Build Bookshelf

This week we focused on getting/ordering all our materials for both the building projects (hey, truck bed full of wood) and the design elements. We will be adding custom drapes from a start-up company and some new lighting and bedding.

All the wood for custom bookshelf, platform bed, and picture rail moldings

And hubs was able to find the molding we need to make our picture rails that we will install around the room. Living in a new build home, I really think it is important for each room to incorporate a family heirloom piece of furniture /or home design/construction element of the past. Apparently picture rail moldings became passé in the 1940’s but I’m all about bringing all the passé period home design features back. I mentioned it last week, but check out THIS ARTICLE and let me know which ‘Old House Features’ you want to bring back.

Picture rail molding detail

And for all 5 of you following along (Hi, Mom!) and reading this blog post - here is where we are on the good ‘ol to-do list. I forgot to add the part where you have to design and plan and order. That was this week and it wasn’t on the list. Now it’s time to start painting!

Click on the ORC logo to check out what the other guest participants are getting into!

ORC Fall 2020: Week 1 (A Bedroom Fit for a Tween)

It really feels like we just caught up on our sleep from the Spring One Room Challenge but being one who doesn’t like to sit still, I signed up as a Guest Participant for the Fall 2020 ORC.

What is the ORC, you ask? The One Room Challenge, a biannual event in its 18th season (!), provides participants with a supportive, enthusiastic forum in which to share the process of transforming a room. The ORC is not a competition, but rather a celebration of creativity, inspiration, and original ideas. No prizes, just some great exposure and formed connections within the design community. This season, the Featured Designers are designing virtual spaces - not actual spaces in their homes - so click HERE to check out those out.

I didn’t feel like we had the energy to take a ORC project this go-round but we were planning on ‘refreshing’ our oldest daughter’s bedroom for her 10th birthday so that plan turned into tackling the project using the Fall ORC timeline. Every Thursday (or Fri or Sat), for the next 6 weeks, I will post an update on progress made on ‘A Bedroom Built for a Tween’ (love a good theme)!

BEFORE DETAILS: Overhead light and ceiling paint will be incorporated into the refreshed room design.

This list seems ‘do-able’ says the person who isn’t the furniture builder.

Current BEFORE View

I recently read an article on bobvila.com titled “15 Old House Features We Were Wrong to Abandon” and was intrigued by the mention of picture rail molding so I am going to incorporate that ‘old house’ feature into this room design. Just check out the inspiration image below by Mandi of Making Nice In the Midwest.

SOURCE: Making Nice in the Midwest

I am using the existing yellow (my daughter’s favorite color) light fixture and blue/green painted ceiling as the starting point for a more grown-up design for our growing girl. A loft reading nook, platform bed and bookshelf (built by hubs), custom window coverings, refreshed bedding, and additional lighting are included in the 6 week project plan.

Thanks so much for stopping by (and following along) as we create a fun new space for our daughter. If you are new here, CLICK to learn more about me and New Home Old Soul. Finally, for loads and loads of practical inspiration, click below to view the Week 1 post of all the guest participants.

Click the logo to check out what the other guest participants are designing!

DIY: Giant Studio Pin Board

When I was designing my new office space for the Spring 2020 One Room Challenge, I knew I needed pin boards to keep me organized and to have a place for rotating visual inspiration. I also was on a budget with the wallpaper so I needed a solution for the wall opposite the built-in cabinetry, above the peg hooks. HELLO DIY GIANT PINBOARDS. With a few simple materials and leftover paint, we were able to make custom pin boards that are big enough to hold all the projects and inspiration I can dream up.

Here are the materials we used:
1 in. x 2 in. x 8 ft. Pine Board
1/4 in. x 4 ft. x 2 ft. Plywood
Cork Squares with Adhesive Backing
Linen or Linen-Blend Fabric
Pine Screen Molding

Tools and material we had on-hand:
Table Saw
Kreg Jig
Staple Gun
Wood Glue
Paint

DIY PIN BOARD INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Figure out where you will hang your giant pin board and MEASURE!

2. Prep the space where you will hang your pin board(s). Prep, in this instance = paint.

3. Cut your cork to size. We did this prior to building the frame using a table saw to get a clean edge.

4. Build the pin board frame with the 1 in. x 2 in pine board. Make it super easy on yourself by getting your 4 frame pieces cut to size before you leave the hardware store. We used a simple butt joint (keep the jokes to yourself) at each corner and attached with screws.

5. Next we used wood glue and brad nails to attach the frame to two 1/4 in. x 4 ft. x 2 ft. plywood boards . Depending on the size of your giant pin board, get your ply cut before leaving the hardware store.

6. TEST FIT before moving to the next step (if it is going to be wedged between the window and wall - cue the song).

7. Paint the frame (use a sample pot if you have one because you really don’t need that much paint for the frame). Using the adhesive backs, stick the cork squares to the ply backer board.

8. Source some linen (not drapery linen) but a solid hobby fabric that is budget friendly.

9. Use a staple gun to attach the linen to the inside edge of the frame.

10. Cut to size (we used a 45 degree mitered edge) and paint the pine screen molding pieces. Set and glue these pieces over the inside edge of the frame to cover the staples that attach the linen to the frame.

11. Use a counter sink bit to drill a hole in each corner of the frame and screw to wall. We covered the screw holes with natural colored wood plugs which added a custom design detail as well.

12. Starting pinning, IRL, all the things!

Fall Porch & Patio Living

“Tis the season for outdoor living”

Although Summer is my season, I much prefer outdoor patio and porch living during the Fall. Less bugs, less sweat and fire pits…which means the evening usually ends with s’mores and I love me some graham, chocolate and mallows. And with the sky getting darker earlier, we can use our outdoor projector for movie and game nights. Perfect evening. I rounded up all our tried and tested patio and porch wares below with the hope that you will be spending some evenings under the stars too.

1. Modern Adirondack Chair - These chairs are sturdy, comfortable, and made of POLYWOOD so they will last forever. Perfect around the fire pit.

2. Folding Bistro Table - This is a great multipurpose table - dining, prep etc. - plus it folds for off-season storage.

3. Folding Sling Chair - Customize the fabric sling for fun movie seats in front of the movie screen.

4. Teak Dining Table - Sturdy teak top and metal base.

5. Smokeless Fire Pit - We joined team Solo Stove and are feel like we are the winners. They always offer good deals on their website and you can now get one delivered through Amazon Prime.

6. Chunky Blanket - Make a chunky blanket, or get one from a maker, or you can snag one from Target in a pinch.

7. Enamelware - Favorite outdoor dinnerware.

8. Tilting Umbrella - An outdoor umbrella comes in handy in the Fall too - especially if you need to shield your movie screen from the setting sun.

9. Side Table - Little drink and snack tables are a must.

10. Portable Table Tennis - Turn your dining table into a ping pong table!

11. Stacking Dining Chairs - I love how easy these stack and store for the Winter and the price point can’t be beat.

12. Heavy Duty Rolling Umbrella Stand - If you want to move your umbrella around your patio or deck. this is a sturdy option with rollers.

13. Portable Projector - Easily hook up all your streaming services for movie night.

14. Tablecloth and Clips - It gets windy where we are so securing that pretty cloth is essential.

15. Outdoor Screen - This pop-up screen is a good size and is compact for storing.