The One Room Challenge Final Reveal – Part One

A Partial Reveal of my new living room

November 15, 2017

Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye

Filed Under > Living

First things first; I did not finish my room. For the first time, in the five One Room Challenges, I’ve participated in I’m turning in an incomplete project. A beautiful, but incomplete project. That’s why I’ve titled this reveal, “Part One” because I plan to share the room again when it’s truly complete. It may be awash in Christmas decor, but complete it will be.

So what didn’t get finished? My sectional. Which is funny considering my sectional is what spurred me to re-design this room. My current sectional is…tired would be the best word for it. Which only makes sense since this space is our only “living” space and has been very well lived in. But as mentioned in a previous post great sectionals are incredibly difficult to find and by the time I found the perfect one there was no way to turn it around in time since it’s made to order.

The other piece of the puzzle you won’t see today is my console/television area. The reasons for this are numerous and just part of the design process. No biggie though, I mean we’re not curing cancer here just redesigning a room.

Now that that’s out of the way, lets focus on what’s important…today’s reveal. Pretty amazing right? I’m not patting myself on the back or anything, but I couldn’t be happier with how this space ended up coming together.

You see when I first set out to complete this room for the ORC I was skeptical. I wanted a change, but I didn’t think the change I desired would actually create that much of an impact. Especially not an impact as big as those typically seen during the ORC. But if I’ve learned anything during this redesign it’s that a few strategic changes can make a major transformation happen. The three biggest changes in my space: paint, window treatments, and a rug switch up.

I’ve always been a person who preferred color on their walls, but between the Blog and the Shoppe my life is always so bright and colorful so I’d been craving a calmer space. The easiest way to accomplish that; paint your walls white. In my case All White by Farrow & Ball. It just makes this room so light and bright. Plus my new Jonathan Adler chandelier looks stunning hanging from the fresh clean ceiling.

Next, the rug. I’ve been lusting after the “Antelope” rug for as long as I can remember. Like leopard, I believe the Antelope print is a neutral. And the one I chose from Karastan is simply jaw dropping, and more reasonably priced to similar options. Trust me when I say, it’s even better in person, not to mention so much more comfortable than my last rug. As much as I love vintage and hand knotted rugs they just aren’t as comfortable as a SmartStrand silk woven one like this.

Third, and what I believe had the biggest impact, the draperies. I just keep standing in my foyer and looking down to the living room at those Stroheim draperies. The Stroheim Palapye fabric is a showstopper. The embroidered pattern gives the space interest, but doesn’t overpower the room. Hung well above the top trim and flush to the floor, rather than a puddle, the drapes make the room appear even taller than it is.

Speaking of fabric I also used Stroheim to re-cover my brass X benches. I love investing in great X benches like these ones from Taylor Burke Home because they’ll last forever and you only need about a yard of fabric to recover them. So when you’re ready for a redesign it won’t cost you an arm and leg to get a completely different look.

I also switched out my coffee table, opting for a simpler bright white one from Worlds Away. I kept the styling simple with a handmade bowl/vase from Jill Rosenwald and a woven tray full of necessities. Candles, matches, books, etc.

And you know my room wouldn’t be complete without a bar cart. I just love how this one from Bassett Mirror came together. With everything anyone needs to mix up a cocktail, including fresh herbs to add some life to both the cart and your cocktail, this cart is as functional as it is beautiful. And the best part, it’s on wheels to allow for easy movement during dinner parties or just family movie night. Oh, and how fun is my boob bowl full of matchboxes I collect.

Lastly, the textiles. I didn’t go as pillow crazy as previously, but I did still want to add a few fun accents. I chose textured neutrals and pale pink leathers from Serena and Lily. The cool, pale pink was the perfect hint of color and softened the space just enough. Softening the room was important to me because patterns can sometimes make a space look too intense so soft tones and soft textiles like the sheepskin and wool blankets, plus pillows really help calm it all down. And calm it makes me feel.

Thank you so much for following along during these seven weeks. I really am honored to always be a part of this amazing challenge! Truly, MKR

Photography, Rustic White

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

The start of yet another amazing 6-week design project

October 4, 2017

Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye

Filed Under > Living

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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

Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by ORC

2016 Fall One Room Challenge: Week 6 Final Reveal, Part II

Transforming a high-end one bedroom apartment in 6 weeks

November 10, 2016

Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye

Filed Under > One Room Challenge

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As promised, we’re sharing the final reveal for our second apartment in this year’s One Room Challenge. While our space from Reveal One felt most like me now, this space feels most like me about five years ago. Fun, loud, un-apologetic, and full of show-stopping moments such as our custom banana leaf sectional, a bright cheetah headboard, and lots of deep orange velvet.

But before we can dive into the details of today, let’s do a quick recap again for those just joining us. As I shared yesterday, I set out to transform two model high end apartment units in the heart of Buckhead, one being a two-bedroom with a young couple in mind. Today’s space: a one bedroom apartment fit for a single, sassy girl boss.

While the install had a few complications like any typical design project, it was otherwise smooth sailing working with such a beautiful slate. Pulling together the large living space was perhaps the most difficult since it was just that…one big space. I needed to help future tenants visualize fitting the majority of their home into a undefined box. Which of course, meant defining each area: living, dining and office.

Starting with the living room, I went big with a custom banana leaf sectional sofa. The sofa allows great separation of the living/dining room, but because the sectional isn’t tall, it still allows for an open view of the entire space and makes everything feel spacious. I also chose to again forego a standard coffee table, and instead use two smaller, (moveable) tables. I talked a little about this in yesterday’s reveal as well; I like to incorporate pieces that can move with your life. By having two smaller side tables (here’s a similar option from Society Social) rather than one, you can scoot them around to reach guests at opposite ends of that large, glorious sofa. Lastly, the killer antique mirrored console table with statement stools topped with a smaller collage of framed art from Minted serves as a great piece to house books, the cutest little gold lamp, and most likely a necessary DVR.

Next, the floor to ceiling windows jut out, creating an enclave just large enough for a major desk and chair moment. The burl wood and brass desk and orange velvet chair that literally steal the show, become the perfect place for anyone to sit and pen their plans. I kept the desk‘s surface simple by placing a white and gold lamp and easy planted boxwood front and center. Just about anything would have looked amazing in the foreground of these views, but this combo is one of my personal favorites in the space.

For the final defining area we come to the dining room. A room, which if I’m playing favorites, might just be it. The table alone is EVERYTHING, and paired with these chairs and this abstract print it’s the perfect area to both read the morning paper and celebrate the happiest of gatherings. Rounding out the room is a small bar cart (obviously) and three orange velvet bar stools that tie together all three spaces.

Lastly, moving into the bedroom, I obviously didn’t hold back with bright, bold and beautiful girly prints. This custom made headboard plays so well with the colorful throw pillows, cozy throw blankets and the prettiest bedding from Pine Cone Hill. But the color crush doesn’t end at the bed; I brought the bold green to the bamboo dresser with this gorgeous green lacquer table lamp from Worlds Away.

And that my friends, wraps up our fourth ORC! Tell me, would you go bold in a space like this? I’d love to know in the comments below. And of course, in the meantime, I’m counting down until WOM’s next One Room Challenge. A big thanks to Linda, House Beautiful and all of the generous vendors for helping me achieve another design dream. Be sure to check out all of the product details in the credits below. Truly, MKR

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