The Why: I had trouble sleeping a few nights ago and landed on the One Room Challenge website… and ended up signing myself up to be a guest participant! This is something I have always wanted to participate in, but have yet to join the fun! In the past, I have had multiple excuses for not signing up: about to move states, living in a rental, moving again, busy with nursing career, etc., the list goes on (as I’m sure you know)! Anyway. Here we are. I am officially signed up, and I am going to do my very best! I’m sure there are plenty of other stressed/nervous/excited/terrified first timers here too, so let’s HAVE FUN!

The Room: To me, the ORC basically means you have eight weeks to transform a space in your home. So, that is precisely what I plan to do! I have had a wild hair to change around the main floor in our home for a little while now (you know, totally switch living and dining rooms-that is normal, right…). That part is done! Yay!

Now that leaves the largest room in the house (our front room) bare and boring. It is the room you walk into from the front door, and I want it to show some of my rug loving, vintage hunting, playful personality! Drab is out, y’all.

The Plan: My dining room-turned-living room will basically be an “elevated” living room. I don’t allow TV on the main floor (sorry Jordan, I don’t want to look at a giant ugly screen), so that is in the basement - which is where it will stay. I intend to create a cozy seating area in this front room as well as an entry “zone”. We live in a relatively small (which makes for quick cleaning) cape cod style home, so our front room will get to serve both purposes.

The Details: I have a sofa ordered and am praying that she arrives on time. I have also been hoarding a gorgeous chandelier since we lived in the rental house- more to come on that soon! A few fun extras for the wall are on order, as well as paint swatches from an innovative paint company that I am dying to share! Obviously I will find the most fabulous rug to compliment the space, and I am looking forward to hunting for the perfect accent pieces.

The Schedule: Next week we will have the electrician out for lighting and the paint swatches will (hopefully) arrive. Over the following weeks, there will be lots of exciting things happening! Shopping, painting, shopping, styling, shopping, installing… you get the picture. I will be completing weekly blog updates so all of you can follow along!

The Reveal: Reveals happen the week of November 18th. Don’t miss it!

Thanks for being here, reading this, and following along. I hope you enjoy! And to all of my fellow ORC Participants… LET’S GO HAVE SOME FUN!

xo,

Gretchen

Oh, and make sure to check out all of the other lovely spaces being transformed over on https://www.oneroomchallenge.com/