The Fall 2017 One Room Challenge: We’re Back!

The start of yet another amazing 6-week design project
Filed Under > Living

One Room Challenge on Waiting on Martha
ORC projects on Waiting on Martha
ORC design project on waitingonmartha.com

One Room Challenge design reveal

We’re walking down blog memory lane today, reminiscing on past spaces as we gear up for the Fall 2017 One Room Challenge!  I hope you’re as excited as we are, because this one’s going to be one for the books.

If you’re not familiar with the ORC, these 6-week, high energy design projects are INTENSE.  But in an intensely satisfying, instant gratification way too…ha!  Stress runs at an all-time high as we take you through a full room design at record speed in just six short weeks.  Think of it sort of like a reality tv show when we dream big and hit a few hurdles along the way like delays in product shipments, problems with installations and assembly.  Fingers crossed that we’ll be smooth cruisin’ this go around. 

But seriously, these challenges are FUN.  They always introduce us to new friends, connect us with some of our favorite fellow bloggers.  And it’s always the perfect kick in the butt to get going, and finish, a design project.  

So before we share a peek at this round’s space, let’s take a look back.  My first ORC was in 2014 when I redesigned my home office.  I lightened up the space with modern, crisp whites and warm maple woods.  And I anchored the room with pops of orange, mango and all shades of blue plus metallic accents of gold and silver.  I mixed it all up with modern and traditional pieces giving it a more collected and eclectic feel.

In 2015, I styled a fun and quirky space for the upstairs loft in my home. I brought a whole new definition to “gallery wall” with an eclectic mix-and-match approach, TONS of pops of color, and even some 3-D elements. 

Spring 2016, I tackled the WOM office space in ADAC.  It was a big, airy space with an industrial feel, and it posed a challenge of designing and styling a large room with many different “moments” as I like to call them.  I couldn’t have loved the result more; the soft neutrals and feminine feel to the space was just the environment I dreamed of creating for the team. 

Last fall, I got really ambitious as I set out to transform two high-end apartments in the heart of Buckhead.  This ORC brought on a different challenge.  It wasn’t like any of my previous projects.  All of the spaces prior allowed for me to pull my signature go-big-or-go-home moves, whether that was with custom lighting and fixtures, paint or wallpaper.  Decorating these rentals, on the other hand, had me starting with a bright, beautiful and clean slate.  See the final reveals for both spaces here and here.

And finally this year.  This year I’ll be re-decorating the most lived in room in my house, my living room.  While it was once a beautiful space because of the high traffic it’s turned into a bit of a mess in dire need of a facelift.  And while you may think a living room is easy, this one is not.  The layout makes it extra tricky to navigate plus I only have one living room to actually live in. Not a formal living and family room, no downstairs TV room, or even a hearth.  My home has just this one space to kick back and get cozy.  Plus, the living room is truly my husband’s domain so it needs to meet my beauty standards with his comfort and technology desires.  Trust me, this six weeks will provide plenty of challenges.  Truly, MKR

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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

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The Golden Hour

Cusp Celebrates Chic Week with 25% Off the Entire Collection of Amazing Designers
Filed Under > #OOTD (Outfit of the Day)

Feathery shirt dress and over the knee suede boots on Waiting on MarthaFeathery shirt dres + over the knee suede boots on Waiting on MarthaFeathery shirt dress and Gucci crossbody bag on Waiting on MarthaFeathery shirt dress and leather jacket on Waiting on Martha Feathery shirt dress and over the knee suede boots on Waiting on Martha Feathery shirt dress, leather jacket outfit on Waiting on MarthaFeathery shirt dress and over the knee suede boots on Waiting on Martha Feathery shirt dress by See by ChloeSee by Chloe feather shirt dress See by Chloe dress with leather jacket #ootd on waitingonmartha.com

When I’m on the hunt for a great look for an upcoming event, or when I’m looking for a little #ootd inspiration, I usually always find myself at Neiman’s.  And nine times out of ten, when I venture into the Cusp section,  I find whatever I’m looking for…along with unique pieces I never even KNEW I needed.  Think Vince cashmere sweaters, Self-Portrait dresses, Tibi wardrobe staples and more.  I mean, it’s dangerous.

I of course had a recent fall-in-love-and-try-on-everything experience when the team invited me to play dress up in celebration of its Chic Week this week, when the entire Cusp collection is 25% off.  I almost couldn’t believe it either; this sale includes SO many great deals on amazing, high-end labels, and the pieces are going to sell FAST. 

While I had a blast trying on pieces from some of my favorite designers, I must admit that I was absolutely smitten with the entire See by Chloe line.  I’m not kidding you when I say that I could have bought the entire line right then and there.  The collection is b-e-a-utiful.  Just take a look for yourself at this blouse, this top and this top

I settled on this girly, fluttery shirt dress since I’ve always been a big fan of a good shirt dress, and the details on this one are just incredible.  The feathery, frayed fil coupe, the mandarin collar, its arched hem and of course the fun print just screamed my name.  I can’t wait to dress this piece up and down, too.  And when the temperatures drop, I’ll layer this See by Chloe dress with a beautiful silk button down blouse

And do you remember these gorgeous boots?  I snagged these Stuart Weitzman over the knee suede boots last year, and I’m still madly in love and very pleased with the investment.  The unique color combination is no longer available, but there is an amazing pair of bordeaux velvet ones that are just as good.  In my opinion, SW boots are ALWAYS worth the splurge.  Whenever you can find them on sale, buy them in every color…ha!  They’re comfortable beyond belief, and the over the knee style is incredibly slimming AND flattering.  Truly, MKR

  

Photography, Kathryn McCrary for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with Cusp at Neiman Marcus, a brand we love and adore.  All opinions are 100% our own. 

Be Well: A Grounding Essential Oil Rollerball Recipe

A calming blend that enhances focus, relaxes the mind & fuels creativity
Filed Under > Everyday

"Be Well" calming essential oil blend recipe on Waiting on Martha

As many of you know by now, I’m deep into essential oils.  And by deep, I mean if you’ve got a problem, I’ve got an oil for it.   I find myself reaching for oils for just about anything these days; think immunity support, mood balancing, sinus issues, energy and creativity boosts, household cleaning…the list goes on and on. 

That’s why I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my love for the oily life down at 30-A this week during The Southern C’s Watercolor Wellness Retreat.  I’m dishing on social media and digital strategy to small business owners and creative entrepreneurs, but I’m also sharing my journey with essential oils and why I launched Waiting On Martha Everydaye, WOM’s sister wellness brand. 

The cat’s out of the bag on this one, but we’ll be sharing our favorite DIY essential oil rollerball recipe with all of the retreat attendees.  We dubbed it “Be Well” because its many benefits pretty much sum up our entire mission to keep your “well full.”  This special blend of essential oils includes lavender, cedarwood and orange, and it is incredibly calming, grounding and relaxing.  It’s perfect for the bosses and dreamers out there—hello, creative friends!—because it enhances focus.  The lavender and cedarwood work together to help relax the mind, while the orange really reinvigorates and enhances creativity. 

Like all DIY rollerball recipes, when making this blend yourself, pick up some 10-ml dark glass rollerball bottles.  The dark glass helps preserve the beneficial properties of the oils inside.  You’ll simply mix the essential oils in the bottle, and top off with a carrier oil of your choice.  If you’re new to all things oily, you can use whatever oil you prefer here; I used organic grapeseed oil in this recipe, but I also like to use fractionated coconut oil and jojoba oil too. 

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils—or just have questionsdon’t hesitate to email us at waitingonmartha@gmail.com, leave a comment below, or DM on Instagram at @womeveryday.  We’d love to help you get started on this holistic path to well-being and answer any questions you may have.  Truly, MKR

P.S. Looking for custom labels like ours? You can order them HERE. xo 

"Be Well" grounding rollerball recipe
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Ingredients
  1. 15 drops lavender essential oil
  2. 15 drops cedarwood essential oil
  3. 8 drops orange essential oil
  4. top off with carrier oil of choice, I used organic grapeseed oil
Instructions
  1. Combine the essential oils in a 10-ml glass rollerball bottle.
  2. Top off the mixture with a carrier oil (you can use fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, etc.)
  3. Apply to wrists, temples, etc. when in need of calming, yet energizing support. If you experience skin sensitivities at all, be sure to do a skin patch test (place 1-2 drops of a diluted essential oil on your inner forearm and take note if you have any reactions).
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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

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