ORC Fall 2025 Week 1 | The Main Event

Welcome to the EarthenChic Blog, where I share with the world another One Room Challenge transformation through social media! If you are just stepping into glance for the first time, let me clue you in on what the ORC is, and why I am here. This is a social media event all started with its founder Linda Weinstein, to create a welcoming and supporting space for interior designers, do-it-yourselfers, and design enthusiasts near and far to remodel, redecorate, or just refresh a space in their home and complete their project in just 8 weeks!! It is quite the task and one that I have been wholeheartedly undertaking for the last 5 years bi-annually! WOW!! I can hardly believe it, with ongoing eDesign projects as my profession, I somehow always make room to undertake these tasks as they always turn into passion-filled projects. So here we are again……

The Main Hall

This space may actually be one of the smallest in our Gardner Ranch style home. And if you would like to take a look at past projects to recap all that has evolved in this 2,500 square foot house you can start here:

Presently, the hallway measures 16’ x 6’, a mere 96 square feet, flooded with natural light as you enter through the main door that contains transom and side-light glass. The area also includes the bottom newell posts leading up to the second floor.  Also, leading off of this hallway are 2 French doors leading to a home office and opposite that, 2 pine columns open to the dining room. Straight ahead brings you into our semi-open concept, 2 story main living area with clerestory and eyebrow windows.

When we (my husband and I) first were building, our builder got a little creative with the original plan and decided on creating and open vault upon entry. This gave the space a "baby grandeur" appeal allowing for an interesting heightened light fixture to be installed. While I still admire the decades old chained opaque fixture, the incandescent lighting only provides minimal lighting and eerily I might add, (perfect during those Halloween events :)) But it just doesn’t create an inviting ambience during the evening hours generally.

While in the daylight, the hall does showcase a serene, minimalist space to entering the home, with oohs and aahs…I feel it is time for a bit of a refresh to set the stage of what’s to come! Mainly neglected in many of homes, I am a firm believer in creating lasting first impressions!

It has functioned pretty well in the past, with not a whole lot of traffic flow, since the back entrance perhaps gets more thru traffic leading from the garage. But we do live in the suburbs, and cars are the main mode of transportation in these parts. Leading up to the home is a generous sized front porch with rocking chairs and all, which we love, and makes for a welcoming entrance up to the front door. What would be much needed when entering would be a bench for sitting and an entry table. So here is the intended make-over list:

• Entry table
• Runner for the floor
• Bench seating
• Lighting
• Wall feature
• Decor

Of course, I might consider rehoming a piece, or two, since it is the more responsible and sustainable thing to do!

But the race is on, and the clock is ticking, so I will sign off for now…and remember to check back next week to see any progress that has been made. I am really relishing in creating a magical space for all that enter!!

...from the light of my home to yours,

* Deb *