The textural Details - One Room Challenge - Week 4
Hey Hey,
Are you enjoying the One Room Challenge so far? Let me lay it out what’s been going down over the last seven days we can now label week 4.
Are you wondering how we even got to this point, catch up on the first 3 weeks. Here. But first, i’ll spill the details with all the room developments.
The room currently looks like a storage facility, at least in one corner:
Work until the early hours on a school night, knowing that you have to get up for work in a few hours.
Were you expecting something pretty? Haha, no! The sofa is covered up for its own protection, there’s a pile of deliveries in one corner and a few of the plants are seeking shelter at the top of the antique writing bureau. Yup, a house built without storage is frustrating during projects. Since the books are laid out in the hallway, bedrooms and in the kitchen, there is no place for new supplies to go. But I can say things are on track and the room slowly taking form.
Special Order Express Deliveries
Do you recall last week the lighting drama of opal glass shades on special order was yet to be confirmed? I’m cartwheeling in happiness that the factory in China were able to provide 5 opal pill shaped glass light shades and they are making their way to the living room.
Pretty please, do not break in transit. The awesome new company House Of, as I mentioned, ship without using bubblewrap or polystyrene meaning less installation waste. I’m confident their packing game is figured out but there is a slight pang of anxiety over this. We are, as a society so ingrained that plastic is essential, that its absence makes us nervous. Crazy.
Before booking an electrical date to install the chandelier, everything was checked from parts to defects to instructions. All, thankfully, were in check.
Just ahead of posting this weeks update, via express delivery, the ceiling chandelier was delivered. YEY. But I wasn’t at home. After the email notification from the delivery company came through you should have seen how quick I jumped on the phone to find out who signed for the package and how it was handled. I’m telling you, the anxiety that came with knowing that my eldest girly set down the light fitting with her oh so NOT delicate nature was finger bitingly nerve wrecking. All was ok though, phew. Now to find that electrician and see the brass and glass combo handling from the ceiling. I can’t wait.
Taking Hold of the details
With so many decisions to make, it was fun to put it out into the social media stratosphere a simple to decide on door handle to use on the room’s door once the final paint coat is dry.
Of course, like any project, there was the stage of whittling down the options to 2 or 3 under the following criteria:
My eldest girly has been known to break door handles for breakfast. Something robust is a must.
Mr is paraplegic, door handles that are inclusive by being easy to operate help him remain independent.
Some door handles catch the fabrics of the wide arms of my kimonos. Yup that’s the lounge ware of choice. It’s a right pain and safety hazard getting caught on door handles.
Any handle must suit the room scheme, now and in the future. Nailing down your design aesthetic and taking a timeless approach is way to being friendly to the planet. Better design decisions equal less waste.
Black handles are timeless. Matt black is practical. The combination is what the room requires, making it easier to dismiss chrome, nickel or brass. The social media lovelies voted on a snazzy Art Deco number verses a Manhattan style door handle with knurled knob. Which won?
Manhattan style got 75% of the vote. It’s a more affordable option compared to one I found on School House. If i’d bought on the America website they’d be international shipping feed and customs charges plus a longer wait time. Another plus it that the handle exceeds the aesthetic by having a flush backplate and tactical texture of knurling (pattern of straight, angled or crossed lines) around the door knob. The knurled texture helps with grip so helps Mr out. Once the votes were in I took no time in putting in my order. By week 5 it should be delivered. Woo hoo!
Soft touches
I swear I was only shopping for birthday pressies when my eyes got locked on another room essential. A throw. Perfect to draping over the arms of the couch to set a tone of informality BUT essential creature comforts under this roof. The combination of sash windows that help seep cold air into the room and this autumn weather situation coming at London full force, a throw is a functional soft furnishing to cosy up under.
These autumn nights are chilly & miserable, a new throw is one purchase i’ll be putting to use asap.
Even though I bought the furry throw blindly, its colour is picked up in my watercolour painting. RESULT!
A simple picture of your moodboard is a handy shopping essential. Don’t leave home without it.
The entire point of having a larger sofa to lounge around is to have family time. We like nothing more than putting our feet up and diving under a blanket/throw. With a fresh room, it’s a given a fresh throw to match the vibe is in order. I had a patterned number in mind, of African or Aztec influence but had drawn a blank through internet searches.
Then stumbled on some amazing contemporary covers by
TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE. Combining the rough with the smooth is what every room needs.
What kind a throw or blanket do you like to have handy for these colder months? Share in the comments below and any questions you have. You know I can talk design ALL day.
and just before we go, Making tassels without hassling any animals
Between home and the mainland Europe, cotton yarn with my name on it is making its organic way to be turned until tassels? once again tassels will be a feature in the room and since staying no toxic, vegan and eco friendly, using organic cotton rules over polyester, animal wool or nylon. You’ll have to pop back next week to see how these will be used in the living room. Which reminds me, it’s time to warp this journal entry up and lay out what needs to get done before week….the penultimate week…… 5. EEEEEEKKK!
What needs to happen by week 5?
Install the chandelier and light up the room a timeless manner
Source floor lamps and do a DIY job on a table lamp.
Hang shelving in the new arrangement.
Plan the placement of artwork to give the room personality.
“ORC MISSION STATEMENT
The One Room challenge™ will provide 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. Welcome!
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As always, I won’t leave without reminding you to head on over to support Other participants of the challenge. You’ll be sure to be amazed by the journeys, Hop on over to and get inspired www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog
