ORC Spring 2025 Week 4 | A Little Bit of This...A Little Bit of That!
Painting
Welcome back to my home!! Everything is going smoothly at the half-way point in the challenge! While plans to glow up my 20-year-old kitchen, are in the back of my mind, I decided to move forward and refresh the bar top area that is adjacent to the Bistro area. In the Spring 2024 of the One Room Challenge, I refurbished the Dining Room, and by keeping with the design continuity, I accented the bar with some 'Black Magic'! Of course, I mean the Sherwin Williams paint color, which is a very deep, sultry shade of black, and perfect for just this spot.
Re-upholstering
Next up, reupholstering the bar stools were in order. While I have decided to retain the bar-top height facing the kitchen, these modern styled stools, covered in a black velveteen, have worn thin of their thousands of rubs going up and down. And just as luck would have it, I found a beautiful woven textured remnant at Joanne's fabric store before they went of business. Plenty of the fabric was left on the roll to cover the three square-round seat tops that I needed. The Greigey fabric adds a perfect contrast against the bar wall and create a cozier, more intimate aesthetic. Here I am undertaking the reupholstering that I learned from a very skilled master craftsman...my Mother! I am so grateful that this was one of her many talents that she passed on to me, as we untertook many projects together. Truth be told, it has been a long time since i had took on such an undertaking, but I remembered some of her directions as I stapled away!
Tech Element
I was able to find a black plate cover for the outlet on the bar wall, which was a very important design element to create a seemless look, But I took it one step further and installed a duplex receptical that contained a combination 2 USB ports. I felt this was a great add-on for maybe the future inhabitants of our home. I can remember a time, not too long ago that the kids hanging out and connecting their devices would have appreciated it! Check it out-
Delivery Time!
Now that I finally have cleared the space and rehomed a few of the existing furniture pieces, I have a perfect size Nook to work with! With the Bar zone area refreshed, I was able to move in the first new arrivals.
I am very pleased with how the Barstools turned out. Originally we had purchased from a local North Carolina modern furniture chain, now defunct, they were crafted from all natural maple wood. Their worn seat covers are now showing like new!
Also, delivered and ready to be installed, are the Fluted Wall Panels that were purchased from the Lowes Home Improvement store. Already placed up against the walls, I can envision their elevated style in the Nook!
A few years back when the upstairs Guest Room was refreshed, I had installed individual panel slats that were cut, sanded, & stained. I still admire the aesthetic, blended with the IKEA style furnishings. Now, available, in 8.6” panels , they will be much easier to install and create the perfect cozy vignette.
Nice Surprise!
In case you haven't took note, there are double encased windows in this space. I reached out to my Window Treatment distributor & workshop @RTdressing. Rhonda the Owner, was able to consult with me on just the right headers and style since I wanted to add continuity in my open downstairs areas. She is such a gem to work with! I wanted to retain an open, light & airy feel to the space, so I chose the same sheers that provide a diffused lighting in my Dining Room, that were used in the Spring 2024 One Room Challenge. They arrived over the weekend. and this is the snapshot before they hang.
They will be hanging in Cafe lengths with rings and I am so enamoured with how they will dress this space ultimately!!
…A Very Special Delivery-
…and now I have saved the best for last!! Finding the right style, size, and color Banquet seating is no small task (even for a Designer). Also, starting the hunt at the start of this 8 week challenge along with finding available stock to be in a short time frame takes a good amount of research. But when all the elements of a project start to fall into place, as they say, “resistance is futile” I ultimately chose a Trade Partner — Crate & Barrel for their Belmar model seating, made in Mexico. It has a relaxed look and feel, with easy to care for linen-blend slipcovers in a neutral colored performance fabric. I love the linear back cushions with a slight tilt back cushioning too. Here’s a sneak peek——-
In the meantime, there is still plenty to accomplish in the next 4 weeks! Let's take a look at my punch-list in the meantime-
The List
Banquet seatingBistro Table?- Rug for underfoot
- Improve lighting
Reupholster existing bar stoolsWall featureShelving for plants- Accessory plug-in garage
Cafe curtain & hardwarePainting- Decor
At this point, I am ahead of schedule, and can take some much needed breaths. I am going to need them of course, because it is such a busy month for me already! The High point Furniture Market is already happening here in North Carolina, and having already attended an industry designer workshop the first day, I have other business to attend to and will return for a second time! Follow along on social media for some of my unique finds and future endeavors!!
All in the life of an Interior Designer :))
...from the light of my home to yours,
* Deb *
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