Wednesday, April 29, 2015

62 One Room Challenge Week 5 - A "Hot" Mess

Welcome to Week 5 of the One Room Challenge being hosted by Linda of Calling it Home.  You can see our plans here and follow all of the progress here.

Thanks for the well wishes last week!  I am beginning to feel better and starting to get a spring back in my step.  And just in time because our room still has quite a bit of work ahead of it before the reveal in one week from TODAY!

The room and I have been fighting for a few reasons, but as I continue to layer in elements, things are starting to feel a bit more like home.  Some days I feel like I have lost my way, and other days I walk into the space and just sit and smile.  This past few weeks haven't always made sense, even to me.  It has been a learning process trying to navigate a new layout while also trying to incorporate my goal of a colorful, happy, stylish, yet family friendly space.  And I totally have been tackling everything backwards... but we were waiting on the biggest element for a single "hot" reason!


What is THAT?!

We installed a fireplace!  Woot!

A big wish list item with the entire renovation of our kitchen and living room, has been to add a fireplace.  I am about the biggest freeze baby in the history of Wisconsin, and have been dreaming of a fireplace for years.  We had ordered one and scheduled the installation awhile back, but a lot had to happen with timing the HVAC work for the kitchen (same guys running gas lines for cooktop and fireplace).  Without kitchen progress, we had no living room progress.  Talk about cutting things close!

So, last weekend we started building our built-ins, including the surround for the fireplace insert to prepare for the installation process that took place this week Monday.


It is hard to show the room this week because it literally has become one giant hot mess.  We had to move all of the furniture to make room to build the new unit, which is only about half done.  Accessories are piled at the back of the room (right next to a giant pile of tools), waiting patiently to make this space feel cozy and warm.  I haven't settled on a coffee table yet (nothing has felt "right"), but after popping in our dining room bench, I sort of love the idea of doing a nice cozy ottoman.  We tried our beautiful wooden World Market table but it is just not scaled for the space, although the warmth of the wood was a great touch.  So that element of the room is going to be a last minute mystery, even for me.  And did I mention the built-in is only about 50% done? 

The custom curtain panels have arrived from Tonic Living and they are sensational.  Simple linen panels pleated and lined, adorned with a bold black banding.  The moment they were up, the room felt so much more like a room.  And it is crazy weird to have real grown up panels!  Now to dig out my steamer....


But.... between the built-ins and the curtains, I may have made the wrong choice on the chair...


I looooove white, but I have a feeling it is going to get one more coat of paint before this room is said and done.  I am OK admitting that not every choice I am making each week is going to work in the end result.  I have always been one to move things around and make changes until they settle and feel right.  I just have to do it in triple fast forward time for the room challenge.  But let me just say, the chair is about as cozy as it gets and my reading experience has never been better.  Mama is in love.

We have been taking an abundance of photos and are prepping a few tutorials for many of the projects that will end up in the final reveal next week, including the fireplace surround.


The room has always been longer than it is wide, so we were lucky to have room to spare for the 16" deep cabinets and shelves.  They were built to mimic the height and style of the kitchen cabinets across the way, and once painted they will be one more element that marries the two spaces.  Once painted they will also look much more cohesive as a whole and should melt away into the wall.  I can't wait to get to a point of posting about a single giant space again so you can visually see what is happening between the living room and kitchen.

Now that electrical has been run and the fireplace is installed, we can finish with the building.  Continuing with our around-the-clock schedule we actually just completed the tiling last night and it is pretty gosh darn lovely.  Next up is mantle building, trim work, priming and then painting.  I am on a mission to get everything done for the sake of next week's room reveal, Bryan is on a mission to get his TV mounted and his PlayStation hooked back up! #priorities


The built-ins/fireplace/TV unit has been our primary focus over the past week, so that means I still have a lot to finish up before I photograph the space this weekend (my goal is Sunday, yikes!).  Send me lots of happy vibes and luck!  Although we will probably have a few unchecked room "to do" boxes by the time of the reveal, just to know how far we have already come in a few short weeks makes us high five on a daily basis. 

Before I get back to painting, let's take some time to check out the rest of the One Room Challenge progress.  I wonder if anyone else is freaking out as much as I am that there are only a few days remaining... Sleep is overrated right?  DUN DUN DUUUUN







62 comments:

  1. Looooving everything so far! I am so guilty as changing as I go too. It's so hard to see how things will end up and I like to let it evolve as I can see it!

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  2. Fireplace...YES! It's fantastic! I cannot wait to see the whole room.

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  3. Gaah!!! So excited for you! LOVE the fireplace. It will be so nice this coming winter. The room is coming together so nicely, Jen.

    Quick question though.. did Tonic Living make your drapes? I have been wanting pinch pleated drapes for about forever.

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    1. Hi Michelle,

      Yep! Tonic Living has a custom sewing service and made the pleated drapes. They really did a gorgeous job. xo!

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  4. Please tell me where you got your curtain rod and rings. I can never find good ones and I've searched high and low!
    The space looks great, can't wait to see it all come together!

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    1. Hello! All of the hardware was also from Tonic Living (rod and rings): http://www.tonicliving.com/hardware-C160.aspx. xo!

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  5. Im totally freaking out for you!!! And so excited to finally see the while thing!! The fireplace looks pretty cute, and this coming from someone who would sooner die than own a gas fireplace, hahaha!!

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  6. Thrilled to see the final product. It is looking fab! Love the textiles and that great bobbin chair.

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  7. Love the fireplace and built ins!

    Kristi
    www.beloverly.com

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  8. I need that abstract painting in my life! Can you please tell me where you got it? :)

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    1. Hello,
      I originally purchased the canvas online from Green Box Art, but can't seem to find it there any longer. Here is a link to the artist's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/siiso?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav

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  9. what is the manufacturer of the fireplace you installed? It doesn't look very deep. this is exactly what I want to do in our family room. I'm also cold sensitive so it is my dream to have one in our common space.

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    1. Hi Nadine! I will be sure to pull our invoice and let you know the specifics later today. :)

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    2. The fireplace model we went with is American Hearth DVD32 Series (32" direct vent natural gas fireplace). http://www.americanhearth.com/ah/index.php?view=madison-direct-vent-fireplaces

      xoxo!

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    3. Thank you so much Jennifer. I will see if they have any dealers in my area.

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  10. I appreciate your honesty about second guessing and being anxious until you can see everything finished. Some people are super confident in how each decision will come together in the end but I often fret at each turn. I love your style and designs. You are very inspiring! Go Wisconsin :) #Cheeseheadsisters

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    1. Thanks Anje! It's not always easy sharing your "oopsies" with the world, but I know I tend to learn from them and hope that maybe my mistake sharing and learning will help others along the way ;) #fretsisters

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  11. Hi Jen,

    Simply gorgeous! Can't wait to see the completed room!

    We're also planning on a gas fireplace in the next year … could you write more about how you chose yours and any installation tips please?! There are so many choices …

    Thank you!!!
    Rainey

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    1. Absolutely Rainey! I will share more when I do the built in tutorial. We worked with a local fireplace company to select something that would fit our space and could be vented directly out the back to save on upper wall space. xo!

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  12. Also, I toured the other sites in the challenge and love yours and Cassie's rooms best by far. You two are so real and are actually doing the work yourselves. The others seem just like designers hiring out another job. You are killing it at this challenge!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy your fabulous room(s) :)

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  13. Love this room!! All the details are just amazing. Love the picture that ties all your colors together. Can't wait to see this finished :-) You're inspiring little renos in my house!!

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  14. Everything is looking amazing!!! Seriously, you should be proud of yourselves. This isn't easy work. Watching the progress of your challenge has made me want to tackle our spare bedroom for the next go round.

    Great job Jen!!!

    http://chelleslittlecorner.blogspot.com/

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  15. It's looking great! I would love to know more about your fireplace...does the back ventilation of it go out into your garage wall at all? We want to add a fireplace so bad and our set up is similar to yours. Thanks so much:)

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    1. Hi Melanie,

      We had a fireplace company come out and give us some options, they did free estimates which really helped us through the planning process. They were able to vent straight out the back and to the garage and then up and out, which really saved us on upper wall space for the TV. :) If you have limited space it may be worth looking into the slimline options. xo!

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  16. Can't wait to read your tutorial for the built-ins as I'm looking to do something very similar. Can you tell me where you got the bottom cabinets (or mirrored doors)?

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    1. http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/search?q=mirrored+doors

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    2. Thank you! We did the door tutorial here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/05/built-in-bookcase-beautiful-update.html xo!

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  17. It's looking great! I also had a setback and am a week behind. So much to do in the next week!! But you've got this! :-)

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  18. I'm really enjoying following the progress in your kitchen and living room. The fire looks amazing, brilliant choice.

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  19. This looks amazing! Can't wait to see it finished!

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  20. Where is the multicoloredpillow from? I love it and need a good fabric to recover one of my pillows. Ps. We did the same fireplace to our home (minus builtins). It makes such a difference and we love it. Love the room coming together!!

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    1. Hi Brittany! The pillows are sewn from Schumacher Jade Chiang Mai. I found them on UK's eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/). :)

      xo!

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    2. Of course its schumacher! Love their designs. Thank you

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  21. Are you concerned at all about the fireplace overheating the TV on top? I would love to know how you are avoiding that problem! Thanks!!!

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    1. We have a tv over our fireplace-- a very similar fireplace to Jens. It vents right into the room (no chimney). The mantle gets warm but we have had no issues with the TV getting hot. There are about 12 inches between the TV and mantle.

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    2. Oops! Sorry I initially missed your question. We were advised to add a minimum of a 2" lip/mantle past the face of the fireplace to displace the heat. Our TV will be mounted a few feet above the fireplace and all of the components will be placed on a shelf to the side. Adding a blower also helps to push the heat forward into the room. We made sure to consult the fireplace sales rep for TV installation advice based on our specific model and planned accordingly. :)

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    3. We have had a TV over our fireplace for 10 years. Our fireplace is masonry, with a low "box" and has no mantel so the TV is about only 6 inches above the fireplace. We have never had any problems.

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  22. I absolutely LOVE everything you have done so far ! Can not wait to see it all finished and gorgeous ! I am packing my bags, and ready to move in..... Can you pls tell me where you got the turquoise tufted bench/ottoman ? THis is EXACTLY what I am looking to get for our bedroom.... Thanks, Danielle Ferretti :)

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    1. Hi Danielle! Come on over, we have oodles of extra space! ;) And here is the link to the bench, we have had it for a few years now and really love it: http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Hammond-Bench/00/330/ xoxo!

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  23. Love this space! You are doing a fantastic job!

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  24. You have really done so much so far! The spaces are forming to be a beautiful combo, can´t wait for next week and the future posts. You really amaze me by doing so much yourself, handling family life with three kids and a husband and keeping this blog! The best part is that you are so positive and honest!

    I wish you happy times in your new living room and kitchen, you really deserve such beautiful spaces!

    Best wishes from Finland!

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  25. I'm really eyeing that colorful canvas in the back. Where is it from?

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    1. Here is a link to the artist's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/siiso?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav

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  26. Omgee! I been looking for plans online I'm so happy ur doing this. Looking great so far!

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  27. Jen, you'll just adore those built-ins! I personally have 2 sets of lovely white built-ins flanking two seperate fireplaces in my upper and lower level family rooms. They are a designer and organizers dream! They have truly changed my life. The storage potential and visual beauty make them divine. Couldn't live in a house without them! So glad you went this direction :)

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  28. The first thing that caught my eye was that gorgeous painting leaning on the floor. Then, "oh, look! Fireplace!" It's looking great. Even if it takes longer than 6 weeks, it will be fab.

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  29. Yay! Can't wait to see the end result!

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  30. I am speechless over that fireplace wall. It is going to be fantastic. Love the drapes.

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  31. Oh my goodness - it's going to be GORGEOUS!! Even unfinished it's gorgeous! No hot mess here, just a beautiful vision coming together beautifully. I'm in loooove with the fireplace/ built in combo!!

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  32. That is some serious progress in a week! I am loving the built-ins with the fireplace. It looks wonderful! And every week I am jealous of your planked ceiling:)

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  33. Wow!! What a great feature wall with the addition of the fireplace! I hear you on having to tweak and readjust - that has been me this whole process! Still have tons to do - homestretch is in sight! Can't wait to see your finished room!

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  34. You certainly took on a huge project for this ORC....but I have a feeling that it will all work out! I have learned in all of my design experience that you need to let the room come together and not be so hard on yourself about what you think you might have to change. Most often it evolves to look just the way you envisioned :) I am certainly looking forward to seeing the reveal.

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  35. It's beautiful! I would paint that chair black... it will be much happier next to the black trim on the panels. Just my opinion:)

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  36. Wow! Even a hot mess looks beautiful by you!! I can't wait to see the reveal, the fireplace is stunning, and I can ready tell how lively the space is going to look :)

    Kass

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  37. It's coming along nicely! And woah....the fireplace <3!
    Are you placing electronics behind the mirrored doors or somewhere else? I was wondering if you had a good solution for using remotes without having to keep the doors open.

    I have been wanting to install built-ins on either side of my fireplace for awhile now. However, the space on either side is not even (1 side has 39" and the other 30" and is adjacent to a sliding glass door). Would it look weird with uneven cabinets/bookcases, or should I consider installing a smaller sliding glass door to make more wall space for even built-ins?

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    1. Thank you! The electronics will go on the bottom open shelf, just above the glass doors on the far right. I didn't want to have doors open every time we wanted to watch something, so I am just going to have to style around them. I personally would prefer to have my built-ins balanced on either side, but maybe try to find some images and examples where they aren't so you can visualize your options, or don't build them all the way up and maybe it wouldn't be as noticeable? Best of luck!

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  38. Love it! You are doing an amazing job. I agree about he chair, but I think it may be the cushion covers, not the chair. The framed print behind it (if it were fabric) may have been a fabric that would tie it to the room... And I loved the bench - that in an ottoman also makes the wall colors sortt of pop.

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    1. Thanks Kelley! I agree it may be the cushions, but I am hopeful that painting the frames black will ground things a bit more because I really heart the fabric. We have a lot of solid and neutral elements and I love bringing in a bit of color and pattern (I have been known to do so in just about every room of our home). Hopefully, once all of the accessories and soft textiles are in the room, it will all come together. If not, I am glad I at least gave it a try. :)

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    2. Ooooh, don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fabric. And you always have a way of making it all work! That is why we love your blog. You have an incredible vision and make it come to life in your home.

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  39. I am SO excited for your built ins! They already look amazing! You'll figure out the ottoman, more and more I think the perfect coffee table or ottoman is tricky! Cannot wait for your reveal!

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