I’ve been redecorating rooms for over 30
years. I’ve had the privilege of owning
3 homes – 2 ranch style homes and 1 Victorian home. My tastes have evolved over time, but I like
to experiment with traditional, contemporary, Asian, Plantation…okay I need to
stop here. It’s clear that the idea of
designing in different styles has always appealed to me. That said I have learned that a cohesive
design for a home (at least on one floor!) is easier on the eyes and
spirit. My family and friends just smile
when I point out a paint color, wall texture, or any other décor I like in a
restaurant, on TV, or basically anywhere.
I feel so empowered when I plan a project and see it through to
completion. So, why would I challenge
myself in such a public way?
The first reason is that I simply enjoy the process and, of
course, the result. Tied closely to
that is that I’d like to inspire others to make the spaces where they live
provoke the feelings of comfort and pride, and to provide the functionality
that enhances their lives. No, I’m not
writing a hallmark card, but I’m trying to envision the feeling I get when I
look at an area of my home after a project is successfully complete. If I can smile, I’m home.
So let’s get to this
challenge! The 3 areas I picked are
1. Our Foyer – a space that is approximately 9 feet
by 7 feet
2. Our main bathroom, which I use as the place to
get ready for the day – approximately 7 ½ feet by 7 ½ feet
3. Our Den – a space that is supposed to be our
office/library, but ends up getting all the items that have no real place to
go…it’s a mess and it needs to change!
I’m
starting with the Foyer. Oh EASY, you say? This is a challenge and
that means a budget. I have expensive taste, but I don’t enjoy paying
full price on most things because I’m always seeing ways that I could do
things for less. This first project has a couple of challenges:
The closet doors (or lack of):
I’ve shopped a couple times a week in the last month to search for new (gently used) bi-fold doors at the Habitat Restore (a great place to shop and contribute to a cause that helps keep so many items from the landfills), but at this point, I haven’t found the size I need.
And, did someone say BLAND?
The lack of functionality:
I’m taking a fresh look at this area and want it to be
inviting and functional. I want a place
to take off my shoes, hang up a coat, scarf, or purse, and tell visitors that
this is place where creativity is celebrated.
Clutter and more Clutter!
I don’t even know what is
in that laundry basket on the shelf above the coats. My family members don’t want to use hangers;
I do. There is enough height in this
closet to add another shelf and perhaps relieve some of the clutter in my Den
(project #3).
My goals
- Add color – I just purchased a gallon of Behr paint which will cover the wall behind the soon to be gone organ and the inside of the closet.
- Organize the closet – I’ll be building a simple storage structure, adding hooks for the anti-hanger family members and removing items that don’t belong there.
- Build a bench and then some: I want a bench to sit on that has character, storage, and class. I bought 6 heavy wood shutters from Habitat Restore for a total of $12. There’s going to be a lot of sanding and an antique painting technique applied to hopefully give them new life.
- Change lighting - I will update the lighting, but plan to keep the style in line with the rest of my home choices.
- Do all this by Christmas and with a budget of no more than $300.00.
Another reason I’m doing this challenge so publicly is that
I’d like to gain credibility as a home decorator. Busy B’z’ Designs could be the start of a new
career for me some day. You will have
opinions and may or may not like the direction I take or a decision or two I
make. I’d love to see your comments. I plan to post on every other week starting
11/8/2013. I don’t want to make you
wait, but I will be doing these projects while blogging and I want you to see
my progress. A couple of weeks of work
in between posts should give me a chance to do my day job (as a software
developer), get the decorating fun done, and ensure my family that they will
like the result as much as I will.
