You guys, I'm totally C.R.A.Z.Y! When I finished the One Room Challenge back in the Spring, I told myself that I'd be crazy to do it again. Well, I'm at it again and this time I know I'm plain crazy. In the midst of trying to tackle the kitchen and my busiest season of work, I'm throwing in a dining room makeover. I'm not talking about formal dining room, but our eat-in kitchen space. It doesn't need a ton of work but I have some pretty awesome plans that do require work. Does that make sense to anyone other than me?
Before I get too far, let me back up and explain what the One Room Challenge is for those of you who might not know about it. The One Room Challenge (ORC) is hosted twice a year by Calling It Home. Designers and bloggers come together to tackle a room over the course of six weeks. It's really exciting to be watching all the rooms come together and the progress posted on each room each week. The usual posting schedule will be on Thursdays, but I have a prior post collaboration for this Thursday so you get it a day early.
So, are you ready to see my space?
Bad, right? That's how we lived with the space the first year and a half.
I decided to start working in the space, and by working I mean, selling the furniture that we had and finding a more modern table. That's as far as it went.
Last year, we got busy with the wallpaper and after lots of sanding and painting... we arrived at a blank slate.
Random furniture, I know! Sometimes, when it rains it pours while thrifting. Although it doesn't look like it in this picture, this was one of those times. I had just gotten two mid-century tables and couldn't decide where to move them to. So, this table was just hanging out in our kitchen until I decided where they would really go.
Once I decided on the table, it didn't move. I recovered the chairs in a blue and white stripe but I was never really sold on it. It was just some random fabric that I had in storage.
I thrifted a light and upcycled it to make it more modern. We hung that to replace the shiny brass chandelier that was originally in the room.
Neither one of us felt like the light was great, but it was better and cheap so it was ok.
At some point last year, I thrifted this rug for $10.
It stayed for awhile and then I decided that I didn't like it. I sold it for $15. So, no loss there.
Around the same time as the rug, I decided that black trim would look good. So, we got to work and painted the trim and the door.
I really like the trim change and think it totally helps the room.
So, that's a bit of a walk down memory lane. Thanks for sticking with me! I'll be back next week with my design plans and hopefully some type of progress. If I know one thing from last go around, it's that I HAVE to make progress every week so I don't fall behind.
Kristi
SO excited that you'll be taking part again Ashley!!! I cannot wait to follow along!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Kristi! I love being able to motivate each other!!! It helps so much.
Emily @ Table & Hearth
You're already starting at a pretty great spot Ashley so I have no doubt this room is going to be awesome!!!
Ashley Mayes
Yes! We've gotten it to a blank state which is a pretty good starting point.
Julia@Cuckoo4Design
Yay, you are doing it again! My favorite was definitely the trim change. Love it
Ashley Mayes
Me too! I can't believe that $20 change was such a win!
Mindi
Ashley I love the trim change it really makes a huge difference! I can't wait to follow along and see what you come up with! I am glad we can all be crazy together! Best of luck!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Mindi! I've got some building plans so hopefully they will pan out! It's always a bit crazy over here.
Grace @ The Big Reveal
I have loved that black trim so much! Can't wait to see what you decide to do with the space.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Grace! It was a drastic change but I love it.
christine dovey
Love the black trim- looks great! Looking forward to following along:)
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Christine! Hopefully, I will stay on track this time around!
Jessica
I CANNOT wait to see what you do to your kitchen! You already know I think your house is beyond gorgeous! I will be following...
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Jessica! I'm hoping to up the ante for sure.
Britt @ white dog vintage
I feel like you're in a really good place right now! So nice to have that pesky wallpaper out of the way. I love the stories of your furniture buying/selling. Sounds so familiar! 🙂 This is a great space, I the light is awesome. The black trim was a great move, too. Can't wait to see what you build--sounds pretty exciting!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Britt! Yes, having that wallpaper out of the way is awesome! I gotta get on my design board for next week.
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste
Glad I see you doing it girl! Can't wait to see what you create! Xo
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Aniko! I'm just excited for progress!
Kyla @ HouseOfHipsters.com
The black trim just completely changed yor space. Nailed it! And I'm sorry...$10 for that gorgeous rug???
Ashley Mayes
It sure did! That rug looked better in pictures than it did in person. =)
Iris Nacole
I am excited to follow along with your dining room transformation!! It's going to be beautiful, I know it!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Iris! I love this challenge and getting to know some new blogs. I hope it turns out as good as I expect!
Corinna - A Designer At Home
Can i have the light fixture?! I love that thing! I'd be sad to see it go but I bet whatever you changed it to would be gorgeous! Can't wait to see this come together!!
Ashley Mayes
Seriously, I wonder what it would cost to ship it?
Erin @ the-organized-life
That black trim looks amazing! Great idea. I can't wait to watch the progress!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks! It was such a simple DIY that just made a huge impact!