One Room Challenge - Week 2, Spring 2020: Design Reveal!
Now that we’ve have a room or rooms selected, we can now begin the design process! This is the 2nd step in our design process. This is where we dig deep to uncover what the true design needs and wants are. When developing design, it’s important to ask yourself questions like; how would I like the space to function, what should it feel like, what’s the feel and flow that I would like to achieve, etc.? These types of questions will help to uncover what it is that you truly desire. Additionally, another trick to uncovering what you truly want in a space… is to find a source of inspiration! It can be a piece of art, a family heirloom, Pinterest and more. So what inspired me for the One Room Challenge? PARIS! A little over a year ago my husband and I went to Paris and it was a dream come true!
Here’s a picture of us on Day 1 in front of the amazing Notre Dame Cathedral. (It is our hope that the restoration efforts are able to restore this work of art to it’s former glory). Along with the Notre Dame, we were able to visit other iconic sites such as the Louvre Museum, Gardens of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower and more All more beautiful then the next. I mean… even the subway platforms were beautiful.
After just a few days of sight-seeing, I’m sure I took over 300 pictures. I loved every visual moment. I quickly realized why I was enamored, besides the obvious. Overall, the Parisian architecture and even the classic but trendy energy, of it’s people are a representation of my leading design style of… Contemporary. So for the Once Room Challenge, I wanted to capture that vibe in a design plan that is contemporary but effortlessly blended with timeless elegance and a bit of culture. I also took note of all all of the earthy colors and texture on the streets in grays, beige, browns, and metallic. That is what I wanted to bring into my home.
Once I honed in a source of inspiration, I took inventory of the pieces that I currently have in my home and what pieces are needed. I have a beige sofa that I am reusing. A pair of existing dark gray wing back chairs will help to drive conversation and bring contrast to the space. The use of plaster is abundant in the city of lights and I wanted to find a way to bring it into my home. So, decided to use it as a finish of one of the new surfaces that I am adding to the space. A fireplace! We will be building an 11 ft tall fireplace in our living room and finishing it in a roman clay paint that is indicative of plaster! If you go back to our Week 1 Blog, you’ll notice that it doesn’t exist and we will build it from the ground up. Here’s why I decided to add a fireplace. My home is built in the 1960’s and is a quintessential mid-century modern home. It’s very open and has lots of straight lines. My living and dining room area sort of creates a great room and spans a massive 38’ feet. I love the openness but wanted to create a cozy feel with the additional architecture.
I’ve wanted white walls in my home for some time now and this was the perfect project as it works well for the classic feel of the space. I have decided to paint the walls Pure White by Sherwin Williams. and for high contrast, I will be painting my window trim Caviar by Sherwin Williams, (a soft black). To balance the presence of the fireplace in the living room, I wanted to find the perfect chandelier for the dining room. I searched high and low for the perfect light fixture and the Eris Chandelier from Kichler Lighting (pictured right) checks all boxes. It’s 1960's inspired shape pays homage to our home’s origination and it’s contemporary look and feel embodies my design style. It’s perfect! I literally jumped up and down when they agreed to be a sponsor for our One Room Challenge. It just screams Parisian chic! The clear fluted glass mixed with polished nickel is both elegant and contemporary. I’m obsessed. I can’t wait until you guys see it installed and and illuminated. So after weeks of drafting and creating, I am excited to share the completed design plan with you!
Design Reveal!
I pushed myself to infuse a mix of design styles into one space so that it feels collected and interesting! It’s a bit contemporary, traditional, industrial and glam. It’s so exciting to see how all of the concepts and plans will come together into one master plan. What do you guys think?
I’m excited and have already started to order furniture pieces. Next week, we start paint and I can’t wait! Stay tuned for progress photos and more.
XoXo,
Rasheeda
Be sure to check out all of the other designers’ participating on the ORC blog page: http://www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog
