One Room Challenge / Week One / Before Photos & The Design Plan

I am so excited to participate in my very first One Room Challenge! For those unfamiliar with this event, I'll be more than happy to shed some light on it for you. The One Room Challenge is a biannual event that encourages designers to completely transform a space in their home in eight weeks time. Each week, every featured designer (there are 20 of them in all) will blog their progress every Wednesday and each guest participant (like myself) will blog their progress every Thursday. I am so excited to join in on this project this year and can't wait to see this transformation unfold!

For this challenge I will be renovating our family room/den. Currently this space is super dark, with no exterior windows so it's void of any natural light. On top of that, the walls are a taupe color and the brown stone fireplace takes up an entire wall. My husband has called it his "Man Cave" and I definitely feel like the term "cave" is very descriptive for this dark, deary, depressing room.

Here are some before photos of the space....

You can see where I started sanding down the fireplace. Good news, there is beautiful light wood grain underneath! 

We will be replacing the rocker with a modern leather chair and switching out the coat rack to something more classy and less rustic. 

I've always despised the lighting in this room and have wanted to change it for years. I'm so excited that it's happening! 

We will have a window installed here. I can't wait to see all the natural light pouring into this room. You know what natural light means? Plants!!! 

I'll be switching out the lamp and the mini side table. I'll also be adding fresh throw pillows. I would love to exchange this couch for a sectional but the budget is not allowing for that at this time. 

So excited to switch out the dark media console for a white oak one! I'll be creating an art gallery wall on that empty wall. 

The Plan: 

1. Cut exterior window to bring in lots of natural light

2. Replace all light fixtures 

3. Mount Samsung Frame TV and create gallery wall 

4. Refinish fireplace mantle 

5. Fill in gaps and cracks in fireplace with mortar 

6. Limewash stone fireplace 

7. Paint inside of fireplace and replace logs 

8. Paint entire room a crisp white 

9. Refurnish room with updated rug and furnishings 

10. Decorate with lots of plants and natural textures 

Here are my mood boards for this space. I can't wait to see it all come together and to take you guys along for the ride!

*Most photos are company stock photos. Other photos were inspired by these friends' Instagram accounts: @_thebakers, @emilysuenetz, & @gillianstevens. 

I wanted to thank the amazing companies who are helping me design this space! It wouldn't be nearly as beautiful without them! 

Room and Board // Hudson Valley Lighting // Clare Paints // Romabio

Loloi Rugs  // Framebridge // Juniper Print Shop 

If you want to follow my progress than check out my Instagram stories. I have saved everything so far in a ORC highlight! Also, be sure to check out the projects of the One Room Challenge featured designers and guest designers! 

See you next week! 

Hannah