ONE ROOM CHALLENGE: WEEK SIX

It’s the final week of the One Room Challenge and, while I’m honestly a little sad that it’s over, we are all beyond thrilled with the end result! We’ve been spending so much more time in this space since replacing the furniture and hanging the art. And best of all, every piece we purchased is something we’ll use again and again in the years to come. I asked the boys how they feel about the new space so you can read their thoughts below. But first: the big reveal!

design darling one room challenge

I may or may not  have stood on the kitchen counter to take this picture but I thought it would be helpful to see the whole space in one shot. If you want to see where we started and what we did each week, check out the whole One Room Challenge here.albert einstein prints

Vintage Chesterfield sofa (similar, also love this one)  //  Striped rug  //  Albert Einstein prints  //  Serena & Lily suede cap pillows  //  Navy throw  //  Jana Bek brushstroke lamps (also available here)

My mom was really not loving the makeshift coffee table we assembled for week four and kept her eyes peeled for something she knew we’d like better. The “done is better” mentality had won out for me but sure enough she stumbled upon the perfect piece: a chrome and glass square table sitting in the window of a consignment shop, ours for $225. Sold! Of course now that it’s in the space I’m so glad that she held out hope. Three cheers for parents who live less than an hour away. 🙂

slim aarons car print

Slim Aarons Harbour at Nassau print  //  Antique needlepoint shield (love this mirror in a similar shape)  //  Townes van Zandt print (in mirrored frame)  //  Floor lamp  //  Arm chair  //  Navy pillow  //  Stripe pillow  //  Antique antlers (cool sconce version here)  //  Bright Bazaar x Sonic Editions buoy print  //  Antique pig print (in gold leaf frame)

Will and I agree that this is our favorite little nook in the apartment. A cozy chair and pillow situation and a killer art arrangement… What’s not to love?

design darling chesterfield sofa

Vintage coffee table (similar)  //  C. Wonder ginger jar (old, similar)

Rory’s not impressed by those lilies either. #latebloomers

west elm mirrored bar cart

Metal book tower  //  Slim Aarons Poolside Glamour print  // West Elm mirrored bar cart (tray and stand)

Will honestly wasn’t totally sold on this print when we pulled the trigger and now he’d be the first to tell you that it makes the space. The colors are so vivid and the depth of field is exactly what this small space needed!

coffee table styling

Porcelain tray  //  Anchor matches

Of course I had to sneak a few Design Darling goodies into the mix!

serena and lily leather cap corner throw pillows

A few of the many coffee table books we love: A Place in the Sun, James Nares, Rowing Blazers, and The New York Dog.

cobalt navy racing stripe pillow

Embroidered pillow  //  Stripe pillow

I knew we needed a little more color in the space and a couple Pottery Barn pillows were the perfect backdrop for the slightly smaller racing stripe pillows from my boutique. Blue on blue, all day err day.

west elm malone campaign dresser

West Elm campaign dresser  //  Slim Aarons A Wonderful Time black and white print

I can’t believe how much this view has changed since week one when there was a bulky bar, a cheap TV stand, and a dark faux leather chair against this wall. While the arrangement is the same, we brought in much lighter finishes and were mindful of choosing pieces that would reflect light. I was a little worried about the mix of metals (mirror and nickel on the bar, brass on the dresser, chrome and glass on the coffee table) but in the end I think it makes the space more interesting. If you take one thing away from this one room challenge, let it be this: do not buy a matchy-matchy furniture set. I repeat: don’t do it! Have fun mixing and matching pieces that you truly love and that are worth the search it takes to find them.

sonic editions buoy print will taylor

We couldn’t resist this buoy print taken by my friend Will Taylor. It reminds me of Nantucket!

bar cart styling shaken not stirred print sonic editions

 Shaken Not Stirred print  //  Mint julep cups  //  Striped bowl

Gin and tonic? Mint julep? I think it’s time to throw a holiday party to toast to the end of the challenge (and thank the boys for putting up with me these past six weeks!).

design darling six week one room challenge

When I asked the boys about their new digs, here’s what I got:

Mike: “It took me five years, four apartments, and one roommate’s style blogger girlfriend to start living in a place that doesn’t look like my college dorm.” (He also doesn’t understand the ginger jars, which I grabbed from my apartment at the last minute when I realized they somehow don’t own a single vase. He asked if they were storing someone’s ashes…)

Will: “It looks so good, I can’t believe I live here. It feels so much bigger and you gave it lots of character using things I already owned, like the artwork, and some things I wouldn’t have found on my own, like the mirrored bar. And now that it’s decorated so well, Rory feels more manly hanging out in an apartment that’s not hot pink.”

What do you think? Don’t forget to check out the final reveals of everyone who participated. I know what I’ll be doing today!!!

Abby M. Interiors             

Because It’s Awesome

Bijou & Boheme

Chinoiserie Chic

The Decorista

Design Chic

The Design Daredevil

Design Darling

Design Indulgence

Design Manifest

House of Turquoise

Jana Bek Design

Jill Sorensen

Maddie G. Designs

Mimosa Lane

A Piece of Toast 

The Pink Pagoda

Stone Textile

Waiting on Martha

The Zhush

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