If you read last week’s ORC update then you’d know that I’m probably not going to finish on time.  Or so I thought.  For the first time in the history of One Room Challenges’ we got an extension.  That’s right, instead of six weeks to complete our spaces we now have seven.  Praise Jesus, hallelujah!!

Why the extension? Basically because of life.  With all of the natural disasters and craziness currently happening shipments have been delayed, or canceled all together, so it just made sense.  Which means we’re stuck together for another week so let’s get down to business shall we.

For me, things are finally beginning to move along.  Tomorrow painting will begin.  While I originally planned to hang grasscloth wallpaper I decided to instead keep things nice, light and bright with Farrow and Ball’s All White paint.  It’s one of the paint colors I used in my Shoppe, so I know it’s the perfect shade of white.  And yes, there are shades of white.

My gorgeous rug from Karastan arrived and will be laid down later this week. My Bunny Williams lamps and shades from The Mine are en route. And the most show stopping bowl from Jill Rosenwald is being fired as I type.  

I mentioned last week I’m getting custom draperies made as well as recovering benches in the most yummy of Stroheim fabrics.  Here’s where a major mistake on my end comes in.  I of course was in a rush and didn’t read through what the fabric categories were, focusing instead only on the pattern.  So when they arrived and I saw that one design was sheer I knew I was in trouble. 

Don’t get me wrong, the sheer Kefalonia fabric was drop dead gorgeous, it just wasn’t right for the room.  I hemmed and hawed trying to figure out what I was going to do when I finally reached out to Stroheim and explained the mistake.  To my surprise and delight, Stroheim jumped in and fixed my problem switching out the sheer Kefalonia for Palapye Jute which will work better in the space.  Talk about customer service.  I’ve always been a huge fan of Stroheim, but how they helped me in this situation that was clearly my fault made me a loyal life long customer. 

So what’s left? I still don’t have my sectional or coffee table situation quite figured out. Yes I know those are MAJOR pieces.  And, I’ve still got to decide on the art.  I previously had a giant Gray Malin hanging, which I adore, but it won’t go with the room.  I’m swooning over Atlanta based artist Kristen Giorgi from NG Collective. And I also have dozens of other gorgeous pieces of art I’ve collected I may move around.  It all depends on timing, right?!  Truly, MKR

Well it’s officially the half way point of the ORC and today I’ve got nothing for you.  Not a photograph, not a product to share, not a piece of fabric, nada.  To say I’m behind the eight ball would be an understatement.

Now, this is the fifth One Room Challenge I’ve participated in, and I’m always a tad behind.  But this is the first time I’m actually fearful of not being able to pull the ORC off.  I’ve completely lost the past 7 days because of a sinus infection and emergency dental surgery, which by the way is not yet resolved with a second surgery scheduled for next week.  And in looking at the calendar I just realized I’m out of town for my besties wedding the week before the big reveal which is when I always have my ORC space’s photographed. So in reality instead of three more weeks to complete the space I actually only have two. Picture me hyperventilating as I type this. 

With this even tighter time crunch the two most concerning areas are fabric choices and the sectional.  I just picked out fabric today and I needed it to arrive like yesterday.  Prayers that the fabric gets here lightning fast and the upholster can work some speedy magic.   As far as the sectional of choice goes, last week I talked in depth about how hard sectionals are to come by and if this one doesn’t work then I’m not sure what I’ll do. 

Oh, and just for one more twist I decided to nix the grass cloth.  As much as I LOVE grass cloth we’re planning on putting the house up for sale next year so I thought it best not to wallpaper this room since so much of my home is already wallpapered.  Which means I need to paint the entire living room and ceiling in Farrow and Ball’s All White; so that will be fun.   

Yep, that’s what I got.  And since I don’t have any photographic evidence of me sitting in a panic I thought I’d share a few while living room inspiration pics.  As mentioned previously, the goal is to transform this room into a neutral, calming space.  Hopefully.  Which surprisingly, when you search for neutral, or white living room inspiration it’s actually tougher to find than you may think.  So many all white rooms are too modern, too romantic, too beachy, or too shabby chic.  I’m going for more of a California cool vibe…not boho, more California traditional.  Is that a thing? Ha!

Hope my other co-participants are a bit farther along then I am! Truly, MKR