So here we are seven weeks later, and I can’t believe we’re finally at the finish line. My first One Room Challenge was last year, and my renovations were extensive! This time around, I challenged myself to do a reno-free ORC. We’ve been renovating The Woodhouse Lodge pretty much nonstop for since May and keeping this space economical and straightforward was all I could handle. Our lives are one HUGE renovation challenge, and even if you’re not, renovating a ten-room hotel, life is complicated for us all and who doesn’t like a 100% realistic makeover.  This project depended heavily on styling, paint, sourcing vintage and a few well-chosen larger new pieces. Ready to see how it all turned out? Lets cut the small talk lets get down to the big reveal.

Seven weeks ago, we had a (mostly) empty room a lot of miss matched vintage, big questions about how to utilize our limited wall space; and a lot of back in forth in my mind regarding a particular vinatage fireplace.

This picture feels like ages ago! I’m so happy the wall color, and empty room is a distant memory. I do still like this little guy but I’ve got my hands full with the first-floor fireplace, so I have no regrets about letting this one go.

Although the room is an open floor plan I wanted to create 3 distinct arias. Behind this little half-wall is actually the entrance to upstairs living space. A set of stairs leads from the main loby of the lodge to the second floor. It made sense to try and create a small area that functions as an entryway. You know, a place to put your bag down and take off your shoes.

A chair and a small side table create the perfect landing pad. To ground this little zone, I use a vintage rug from Corre Marie. One of our dining chairs lives here unless we are entertaining. We have a big table, but we don’t always need all the chairs. That little red pillow is one of two that I made using leather I pick up in the garment district. I think it adds a nice pop of color.

rug // dining chair // side table // tall glass vase // wood bread bowl // white vases // leather pillow

The walls and trim are painted Farrow and Ball Ammonite and the doors are Farrow and Ball Pitch Black. This combination is neutral but not boring. Because of the contemporary design of the structure, I went with matching wall and trim colors. This minimizes the visual noise in an open space.

side table // vase // artwork

Right next to the entryway zone is our kitchen table. I scored several farm tables over the summer from a client. They are massive and will make great event tables once we’re open. For now, this one is living in our space and were enjoying the elbow room.

vase // candlesticks // farm table

lamp // round table // brass planter // white bowls // knotted decorative object

On the other side of the table is the living room. The low sofa back keeps the view from the dining room unobstructed, and the round side table and lamp look good from either side of the space, something you have to think about when designing an open floor plan.

This lamp has such a great shape it’s practically like a sculpture.

lamp // round table // brass planter // white bowls

We have one option for overhead lighting in this room and its smack dab in the center of the ceiling. I learned quickly over the summer that said light, also needs to be a ceiling fan. With ceilings like ours, a fan is imperative for the heating and cooling of the space. The real challenge was to find a stylish ceiling fan!  Because the fan is so visible from the exterior of the building, the new option had to look good. I really love the airplane like propeller style of the Haiku. A bonus is that it comes with a remote control and an iPhone app, so we don’t have to control it with one of those stupid pull chains; technology baby!!

Ceiling Fan by Haiku

The other half of the space is occupied by the living room. The back of the sofa and the substantial rug help define the area. In the far corner, near the window is my DIY record shelf. Positioning it close to the window like this keeps the records from being hit with a lot of direct sunlight. I know it seems crazy, but because of the roof line outside this little corner is the right spot. Speaking of daylight I had hoped to have the drapes in place for this reveal, but the curtain gods were not in my favor this time. Luckily we don’t have neighbors so privacy isn’t an issue and the view is lovely.

Coffee Table // Geometric Side Table // Peacock Chairs  // Rug

Let’s talk about this coffee table, shall we? This is one of the pieces that I feel helps keep the style mix flowing in the right direction. The black metal legs are contemporary, a little industrial but not at all rustic. The marble top adds a new texture to the room and much need lightness to the seating area. It’s the perfect counterpoint to our dark brown sofa.

coffee table // sofa

When you say the words, brown leather sofa, sexy and modern don’t automatically come to mind but the Cigar sofa from Article defies the stereotype. It has clean lines and a really contemporary profile. The leather is super soft and after having it for just a few weeks I can tell it’s going to get better with age. On top of the sofa, I needed something with texture and a relaxed feel. Thes indigo pillows remind me of blue jeans and strike just the right laid-back note.

sofa // long pillow // square pillow

Typically I prefer a symmetrical seating area but it just wasn’t possible given the limited amount of wall space and unfortunate door placement. On top of the vintage cabinet is the TV (because of #reallife). I neede to find a low profile chair that would not block the view and help fill out this corner of the room. I ended up using a beautiful linen club chair and it fits perfectly in front of the vintage cabinet. The tripod lamp layers beautifully behind it adding much-needed light.

rug // lamp // chair

I love the way this vintage mirror reflects the view. The small side table is perfect for a plant of a glass of something…

mirror // cocktail table 

The dark wall (Farrow and Ball Hague blue) color does a great job of disguising our electronics. At some point, I think I’ll mount the TV so that I have a little more room to style the top of the cabinet but, for now, I’m really into the uncomplicatedness of it all.

last week I gave you a peek at the record shelf. This solution costs about $60 and lifting the records into place was the hardest part. Yay me!

peacock chair // lucite record holder

clear and pink glass vase // vintage oil painting

So that’s a wrap! The Fall 2017 ORC was epic in every way and I’m so grateful to Linda of Calling it Home, House Beautiful our media partner and all the generous sponsors for helping me carve out a little piece of heaven among the insanity of the lodge renovations. Next week I’ll share some images of the interior of the first floor of the lodge and hopefully some exciting progress shots. Its about 800 square feet and I’m dealing with a real and massive fireplace and an open concept kitchen for guests.  The One Room Challenge was just the beginning of the renovation madness over at The Woodhouse Lodge! For a complete list of product that I used, scroll to the bottom of the post.

As always the ORC would be nothing without the talented designer who participated, so be sure and check out what the rest of the gang is up to.

Boxwood Avenue | Coco & Jack | Design Manifest | Dwell with Dignity | The House That Lars Built | Little Green Notebook | The Makerista | Making it Lovely | Old Brand New | Old Home Love The Painted House | Megan Pflug Designs | Pink Pagoda | Erica Reitman | Sacramento Street Simply Grove | Jill Sorensen | Sugar & Cloth | Vintage Rug Shop | Waiting on Martha

Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by ORC

Sponsored Product List:

1.  Peacock Accent Chairs, The Mine

2. Brass Cocktail Table, Curry & Company

3. Laundered Linen Indigo Pillow, Annie Selke

4. Marianna Linen Resist Pillow, Annie Selke

5. Ceiling Fan I Series, Haiku

6. Belgian Flax Linen Drapery, TBD

7. Indigo Woven Cotton Rug, Annie Selke

8. Cutler Copper Bronze Drum Shaped Accent Table, Uttermost

9. Polished Nickel One-Light Mini Pendant, Jonathan Adler

10. Marble Table Lamp, Jonathan Adler

11. Tripod Floor Lamp, Jonathan Adler

12. Cigar Sofa, Article

13. Dining Chairs, Hayneedle

14. Vintage Rug, Corre Marie

15. Coffee Table, Hayneedle