Hello there,
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I am jumping in once again to do the One Room Challenge. It’s almost a given now as I have participated in six to date – four as a guest participant and two as a featured designer/blogger. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. 🙂
I’m one of those designers who takes forever, and I mean forever, to make decisions on their own home. The ORC is five weeks of hustling, documented in six weekly blog posts, to complete a space but it’s so worth it for someone as indecisive as me. And I have six beautiful spaces to show for it which I will link to at the end of this post. And the online support and camaraderie which in a world where no one reads blogs, let alone leave comments, as much as they used to, is the best.
I moved into a smaller home a year ago, and in the process, renovated my kitchen and home office for past One Room Challenges. I also decorated the bedrooms and was left with three spaces still in need of some love. The basement was an obvious choice to tackle for this round as it would give us another area to entertain and relax in. But would also provide a dedicated space for my daughter to practice dance and for me to practice yoga and exercise.
Up until two short weeks ago, the basement looked like this. Yes, very embarrassing! Please tell me your unfinished basement looks like this too. It was a lot of work, and I have to thank a friend for helping me, to sort through it all. And this is after I had spent a lot of time clearing out my basement in my former home. What is all this stuff?? I’m not a hoarder, I assure you. I took a lot of furniture and accessories to Habitat for Humanity and stored the rest in a storage container until the basement is finished.
It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders when everything was sorted, donated, shredded, recycled, taken to the dump or kept. A blank canvas!
I have big plans for this space – a living room/tv viewing area, a kitchenette/dining area, a gym/yoga space and storage. Phew! I’m tired just thinking about what all has to be done. My contractor has assured me everything will be done in the next few weeks. I’m a little worried but I’m sure it will come together – it always does!
Because the space only has two small windows, it will be light and bright with small doses of colour and pattern. And if possible, the space would be a mashup of these spaces below and the one above:
A comfortable and well made sectional is a must:
Fanulife Furniture
Some floral wallpaper perhaps?
via Alvhem
Black cabinetry in the small kitchenette?
Blair Harris Interior DesignQuite an interesting collection of inspiration photos, right? I’m just drawn to the first photo for some reason. Come back next Thursday when I will share the floor plan and design concept so that you will see how all of the seemingly disparate inspiration photos relate. I think out of all the ORC spaces I have tackled over the past three years, I am most looking forward to having this one completed and enjoyed.
Don’t forget to check out the 20 featured bloggers here and the rest of the guest participants here. And as always, thank you for your cheer leading and following along!
Check out my former One Room Challenge Reveals here:
Prettying Up a Builder Kitchen (former home) – Fall 2014
Teen Daughter’s Bathroom (former home) – Spring 2015
My Parisian Bedroom (former home) – Fall 2015
Teen Daughter’s Bedroom (former home) – Spring 2016
My Charming Kitchen – Fall 2016
My Functional and Pretty Office – Spring 2017
Feel free to connect here:
Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter
Happy decorating,
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chloe | boxwood avenue
October 5, 2017Loving all of the inspiration! That first photo is so beautiful! I am adding a wall of open shelving for my room, and am super in love with the big floral arrangement!
Vanessa
October 5, 2017Thanks for stopping by Chloe. Can’t wait to see what you do. xo
Emily Vanderputten | chez V
October 5, 2017Yay Vanessa! I absolutely love your ORC transformations. I know you will create something incredible. Feels good to be back in the mix!
Vanessa
October 5, 2017Thanks Emily! I always love your transformations as well and glad you are joining in again. Will stop by your blog soon! xo
Lindsey Joy
October 5, 2017You have my admiration already for cleaning out your basement so effectively!! Love your inspiration images (especially that first one) and excited to see where they take you!
Vanessa
October 5, 2017Thanks for your support Lindsey! Yes, it’s so freeing to finally let go of “stuff.” I’m excited too! xo
Tim@DesignMaze
October 5, 2017Looking so much better already and LOVE an unfinished space so you get to do everything you want! Hey you may need to host us for a yoga session and then movie party in November!
Vanessa
October 5, 2017A yoga/movie party sounds like a plan Tim! Stay tuned. xo
erin - whaling city cottage
October 5, 2017I love your inspiration! That second sectional pic is a cozy sweater I want to curl up in. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Vanessa
October 5, 2017Thanks Erin! I saw that you are not joining in this round. Your son’s bedroom was one of my all time favourite ORC’s. xo
Erin | Holtwood Hipster
October 5, 2017Hooray! Happy to be participating alongside you each Thursday Vanessa! Looking forward to seeing your vision come to life in this new space.
Vanessa
October 5, 2017Yay Erin! Looking forward to seeing your living room reincarnated. xo
Jordana @WhiteCabana
October 5, 2017Wow…the clean up alone is a massive task! Well done, Vanessa. Off to a great start!
Vanessa
October 6, 2017Yes, it was but it feels so good to finally get rid of things I had been holding on to for years. Thanks J! xl
Deb
October 6, 2017I look forward to seeing what you do! I’m also doing a basement makeover as part of ORC! We have the same issue with just two small windows. I’m also thinking of keeping things light because of that.
Vanessa
October 11, 2017Oh cool! Can’t wait to see what you do. Yes, those darn small windows – ugh!
Libbie
October 6, 2017Wow, your previous challenges are all GORGEOUS! Can’t wait to see this one.
Vanessa
October 11, 2017Thanks Libbie! I have had fun doing them. xo
Summer
October 6, 2017Wow! That is quite the project! I love all your inspo pics and YASSSS to the floral wallpaper!:) Can’t wait to see your finished space!
Summer
http://www.raisingafarmhouse.com
Vanessa
October 11, 2017Thanks so much Summer. Hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. 🙂