Hi hello! I am thrilled (and crazy nervous) to be jumping on board for my first ever One Room Challenge™. For years I have read hundreds of ORC posts, watched their transformations....would daydream about participating...being a feature designer...fantasizing about the room I would transform.....but then I would go put on Netflix or Harry Potter and sit on the couch. Whaaaa whaaaa.

Thanks so much to Linda of Calling it Home and Media Partner House Beautiful for hosting this fab-u-lous opportunity and allowing little ole aspiring design bloggers, like yours truly, to participate.

I am new to blogging. This my second post everrrrrrrrr. Go big or go home, right?! So I apologize for any mistakes as a give myself a crash course in blogging while I navigate this 6 week makeover challenge.

Ready to see the ugliest office ever???

Welcome to 1954!

Now, I know built-ins are totally in right now. I love them, wish I had some (they don't go with my house though!). These are not the type of built ins that the design world is gushing over.

One of my favorite things about renovating an old home is uncovering the story of the life that lived within the four walls before us. While I am not a fan of the excessive built in basic book shelves on every. single. wall. in this house, I love the story behind them.

The previous owner was a Scientist. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a real life scientist. He was an extremely well read man and this home was filled with walls upon walls of books. I never saw the house in that state (info provided by the realtor) and this "before" picture of mine is actually their after with some help of a stager. Having my husband agree to remove these has been a battle, but he has finally realized I am right (see that right there? :) ) and that they have to go. We do not own enough books to even fill one shelf nor are we really avid readers.

The photo below shows the layout and location of the office to the living room. The living room has already been completely updated and I will be sharing before/after pictures of that in a later post.

Soooooo...here's a little secret...that's not the current state of the office, but that is where this 6 week design journey is starting. I have learned from listening to Chris Loves Julia's podcast (if you don't listen, you totally should) that you really do not have to have your transformation in real time. Yes!!!

The Plan

All bookcases removed.
Floors-replaced with espresso engineered hardwood. This will be running throughout our home w/ the exception of bathrooms and the entryway.
Build out wall. You cannot see it from this photo but that bookcase to the left is built over a sliding door *insert eye roll* This closet has another door in the hallway so there is no need for two doors to one small closet. Oh, 1950s builders, what were you thinking?
Let the room ooze with femininity. You have heard of a man cave, right? Well, this is my woman cave. Blush. Florals. Brass. Maybe some unicorns and rainbows.
Functional. I occasionally work from home and am committed to blogging so I need space to work, store my arts and crafts, and so on.

Mood Board

I am still determining whether I want the rug to be dark/light, sorting out all the details such as art and accessories, but I have laid out the high level design of the room.

As I mentioned on my welcome page, I do try and mix high/low/DIY as much as possible and this mood board is a perfect example. I will dive into more details as the weeks progress on sources and costs. Full disclaimer, I am going to be an open book about cost. I feel it is extremely important to those wanting to tackle a renovation to have some idea on pricing.

I am so excited to finally be tackling this project and creating a private space where I can work. Stay tuned to next week when the bookcases come down and the surprises behind them are revealed.

Thanks so much for following along!

Saher