The Blog
Fall 2020 - One Room Challenge - Final Reveal
The day has finally come, the final reveal of the One Room Challenge; I will be sharing my experience and all that is involved in taking on a bathroom remodel. This project was my very first bathroom remodeling project.
As you know, the One Room Challenge is a creation of, and its owner is Linda Weinstein. The Better Homes and Gardens hosts this blogging event twice a year, once in Spring and the other in Fall. Twenty featured designers are selected and or invited to participate, and guest participants are also approved. They take on a project either in their own homes or for their clients. We have a six-week deadline to complete the project that we have taken on. You can see their progress on their projects here.
Below are the posts that I have documented from the very first week to the fifth week of participating as a guest in the One Room Challenge. You can see what I started with and what I have achieved for my clients.
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
Below is the before picture of the bathroom on the main level, which will also serve as a powder room.
Above is the original concept board that I had presented to the client, but there were some changes because the contractor didn't inform me ahead of time and altered some of the finishes. It was a bit of an upset, but in the end, it worked out and considering it was my first time, I will take this as a learning experience for future remodeling projects. Best of all, my clients were on board with the changes, and the final outcome turned out well. Take a look at the finished bathroom.
They wanted to get things completed so that they could move into their newly remodeled home.
They have bought their forever home and, so they wanted to make some changes to the house so they can enjoy their home for many memorable years to come. I am grateful and feel fortunate that I was the designer of choice of my clients, based on their positive experience of working with me.
I am looking forward to participating as a guest in the One Room Challenge.
You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
Have a Fabulous Day!
#oneroomchallenge #Fall2020ORC #bhgorc #bathroomremodel
Fall 2020 - One Room Challenge - Week 5
Wow, what an experience this project has been, and, it’s week 5, which means we are close to the finish line, polishing up our projects despite the hiccups we had to face with the availability of our trades to complete the work.
This project being my very first bathroom remodeling project, I learned a great deal and have a clear workflow set for future bathroom remodeling projects. It is a very detail-sensitive undertaking and, one must be prepared to learn along the way.
If you are new to the blog and would like to see where we started, you can click below on the links to read previous posts.
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
As I had mentioned in my previous posts, this six-week blogging event, held twice a year, is hosted by Better Homes & Gardens. Linda Weinstein is the creator and owner of this event, who wanted to create a feeling of community of designers working on their projects that they wanted to get completed. Having a six-week deadline makes it fun to stay motivated and keep progressing forward in the process. There are twenty featured designers as well as guest participants to become a part of this community and share our progress each week through our blogs. You can read theirs here.
Let us get down to the details of what have been the accomplishments this week.
All of the plumbing
Shower doors installed
The light fixtures installed
Towel rod, ring, and, toilet paper hardware install
Walls prepped for hanging the wallpaper;
As I mentioned, this is my very first bathroom remodel and, I was expecting that the contractor would bring it to my attention that the fixture I had chosen for this project required an additional component. I would have brought it if I had known. Well, now I know the hard way and tweaking the finish of the shower finish and even the style of it.
In the end, when one looks at it, it works and, the client is happy with the way the finishes are working with the hardware of the shower doors.
I still made two different metal finishes work together in the same space. It is as intentional as I had wanted it to look. As long as there is a repetition of the finish, you can make it work.
Excited for the final reveal week, I have scheduled the photographer and will be going on a quick shopping trip to style and finish the space.
Do not forget to check back to see the final reveal
You can follow me on Instagram & Facebook
#OneRoomChallenge #BHGORC #Fall2020ORC
Fall 2020 - One Room Challenge - Week 4
We are now in week 4 of the One Room Challenge hosted by Better Homes and Garden.
Linda Weinstein is the creator and owner who started this community where all designers, the featured bloggers as well as guest participants have projects that they will be taking on in these six weeks from start to finish. It is an inspiring and motivating force behind us all to get our projects completed.
Each of the participants is doing an outstanding job as we are following each other's progress. You can check their projects here.
The project is progressing and inching towards being wrapped up. You can read the previous week’s posts from the links below
The progress this week has been a bit slower than I would like it, but with everyone renovating and remodeling their homes, the trades are a bit hard to get a hold of, but things are still moving forward.
The quartz countertop was installed this week and is looking beautiful with the rich walnut vanity. Here is how it will look with the champagne bronze faucet fixture, the gold-rimmed mirror, and the beautiful vanity light fixture.
The prep work for hanging the wallpaper is in the coming week, after which the plumbing will be re-installed.
The frameless shower doors will also be coming this coming week. The hardware for the shower doors is the same as the Schluter (edging) which is in antique bronze finish because I wanted to have a continuation of that metal look to coordinate with the vanity hardware.
I mixed two different metals in the same space. As long as you have it repeated, you can mix metals. It works if it is intentional.
So, these are the updates for this week. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my project updates.
Have A Fabulous Day!
#oneroomchallenge #betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc #farhasyeddesign
Fall 2020 - One Room Challenge - Week 3
Time is zooming by, Week 3 is here and the project is progressing with some little hiccups as some of the things have yet to come to complete the project.
In my last post, I mentioned that before the tiles were into be installed there was a waterproof membrane is first laid down and then test to ensure that there will be no leaks after the tiles have been installed. You can read my previous posts from the links below
This was a two-day process to check for leaks and the tiles have been installed and things are coming together.
This bathroom was dark and looked very closed in. The wider, larger, and light-colored tiles make this small bathroom larger. The way the tile is laid down is also the trick in making the space look larger. The tiles are installed lengthwise toward the shower, and then the shower surround was installed vertically to let your eye travel to the height of the room. We have an antique bronze Schluter (edging), as you can see the edge of the shower looks framed with it as are the window and the niche.
Just look at the difference from where we started in the picture below.
The wood flooring, the wall at the edge of the tub enclosing it, and the tub and shower surround walls are also dark.
We are eliminating the builder-installed light and relocating it in the form of a pot light above the shower to light up that area as the shower doors selected by the client are frosted with a design in the middle of it. The light above the vanity will have clear glass to keep the bathroom bright have an open feel.
This is the update for you all till next week where I am hoping all will start to shape up and coming close to the end of the project. I can envision the space already and can’t wait to see it implemented.
This has been an amazing learning experience of remodeling a bathroom that I am able to share with you all through the One Room Challenge hosted by the Better Homes and Gardens. I am looking forward to participating in the future as well. This has been a lot of fun. I have visited some of the site links of my fellow participants and their projects are looking great. Can’t wait to see everyone’s completed projects. You can look at theirs here.
Have A Fabulous Day!
Fall 2020 - One Room Challenge - Week 2
Welcome to week two of the One Room Challenge, hosted by Better Homes & Gardens. It is really exciting as this is my first time participating and I have been given an opportunity to do a complete makeover of my client's powder room/guest bathroom.
Linda Weinstein is the creator and owner of this online event that takes place twice every year. It was created to have designers/friends keep each other motivated throughout the process for the duration of six weeks of completing their rooms. So it is fun working on the project together and sharing the final outcomes which are full of inspiration.
There are 20 Featured Designers that are selected along with the designers who are given the opportunity to participate as a guest. You can take a look at the work of all the participants, both featured and guests, here
The powder room/guest bathroom is the space that I am working on for my client’s home; for this challenge. The shower and tub were to be converted to a standing shower with sliding doors as it will be serving the ease of getting in and out for the elderly parents of the homeowners.
As I had mentioned in the blog post last week the demolition was set to start. There will be a while before the new tiles the new vanity and everything will be put in. Here is a glimpse of what it looks like right now.
It is down to the studs. The next step will be to get the drywall up and then there will be a layer of waterproof membrane that prevents water from seeping out of the shower door or through the shower floor. This is the time the plumber will ensure all the pipes are intact and also will not leak after the tile has been laid down. This is a two-three days process,
And while all this is happening, the wallpaper is being shipped, as are the vanity lights, mirror, and art. So everything will be ready to go on after each stage. The faucet and the shower fixture as well as the walnut finish vanity have already arrived.
You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
Till next week I wish you a Fabulous Week.
Fall 2020 - One Room Challenge - Week 1
I am beyond ecstatic to be participating in this year’s One Room Challenge, as well as the perfect project that has come up where it has coincided with the timing for this challenge. For those who don’t know what the one-room challenge is; it’s a bi-annual challenge that gives the designers an opportunity to showcase their work that spans over six weeks in which we designers take a space and work from beginning to end and reveal the completed room at the end of week six.
Linda Weinstein is the creator and owner of this bi-annual online Interior design event for designers/influencers. It takes place in April and October. There are twenty featured designers in each event who are selected and then there are guest participants who are also approved. I am participating as a guest participant this Fall.
I have been planning to participate for the past two years, but a good project didn’t come along until now. The timing is just right, this year as people are either moving into their new homes or renovating their current homes. I am hoping to participate a little more regularly, as I have enjoyed reading about how all the other designers have transformed their spaces. Thank You, Linda, for letting me participate.
This project is for the whole house to be furnished with some key areas to be remodeled, one of which is the main level powder room and guest bathroom that I wanted to use for this challenge.
Here is a concept board that I created that I have envisioned for this powder room.
The overall color scheme for the rest of the house is gray-greens, blues, off-whites, creams, and warm wood tones with gold accents. I continued the same theme in this powder room as shown in this concept board.
This home is a bit older so the materials are a bit dated and too dark for the space which was making it look smaller, as shown below.
The tub will be converted into a standing shower and opening up the wall to the ceiling will make the space feel bigger. The wood flooring will be replaced with white floor tiles, which will also continue up into the shower surround up to the ceiling so it takes the eye to the top. The penny accent tile will be on the floor and niche.
This gorgeous floral wallpaper will be behind the rich walnut vanity cabinet with a quartz top with champagne bronze fixtures with a matte gold round mirror. The colors from the wallpaper are continued in the abstract art framed in a matte gold frame.
The demo has taken place and is being prepared to make sure the shower is leak-proof. It is exciting to see all of the curated materials that have been gathered for this project and those that are on the way. All trades have been scheduled based on this six-week timeline. Now fingers crossed that all things fall in place as precisely as planned.
Selecting The Right Flooring For Your Home: A Complete Guide
When it comes to floors and I am all about hardwood flooring because not only do they look classic and timeless, they bring in warmth and look great with a wide range of color palettes. Need I say more?
There is a wide variety of flooring options to choose from for your living spaces. Your options are endless; natural stone, travertine & marble tiles, ceramic and porcelain, wood floors, bamboo, and cork floors.
Natural Stone: Natural Slate is a choice that is preferred by many designers in foyers, mudrooms, and in many cases throughout the entire home, if you want low maintenance and durable floors in natural stone then slate is your best bet. American Slate, is the company you should go with when getting your flooring because they mine deep to get the best quality to provide their clients. Slate is suitable in any setting, from cozy cottages to high-end spaces because of its versatility.
Travertine and Marble: Very high-end but are very high maintenance because they are prone to stains and scratches. Polished Travertine floors come in a variety of finishes. They come in matte and glossy finishes, filled and honed or unfilled honed, brushed, tumbled, and polished. They come in unique, patterns, and can really be used either in the interiors or exteriors of your home, for a beautiful flooring option.
Ceramic or Porcelain tiles: Ceramic tiles are very high maintenance because they can crack very easily and are not suitable for outdoor spaces if you live in regions that freeze. Porcelain is a bit harder and sturdier than ceramic tiles and can withstand extreme cold weather if installed outdoors. They are easy to maintain but need to be sealed every year. The tiles also need to be carefully picked because you might not realize the patterns and colors in the tiles can be dominating and will limit your options for wall colors and furnishings.
Wood Floors: These are very classic and timeless and give character to a home. They are easy to maintain and if they are in a medium tone, they don't show dust or pet hair as opposed to the darker wood options. The medium tone is great if it does not have an orange undertone because it will dominate and limit your choices for furnishings and colors for walls.
Bamboo: It's an eco-friendly choice in flooring because of its durability and easy care. It's resistant to insects and moisture and is similar physically to hardwoods. Most Bamboo is most commonly used in flooring and has origins in China and Asia.
Cork: Another eco-friendly choice because it's only the bark of the cork oak tree that is harvested and is considered a renewable source because the bark is replenished every nine years. It's soft under the feet and acts as an insulator because it traps the heat in the ground and is to a degree fire-resistant. It's insect resistant and anti-allergen due to a naturally occurring wax within cork that is called Suberin.
Though it's a great choice for a green flooring option, it does have a few drawbacks, it gets scratches and indentations from a pet’s nails or high heel shoes. And a coat of polyurethane should be applied every year. It also fades over time so it does need to be protected from UV-protected windows or window coverings to prevent fading. These are easy fixes and not a whole lot of trouble to not keep it as an option for flooring. This much care is required for any floor that you would install.
Ask me for the best floor choices for your spaces to give you the best bang for your buck.
If you like what you have read then become a client and contact me for an online or in-person consultation for all your flooring needs.
Always remember I'm an email and phone call away to solve your design dilemmas.
10 REASONS Why Your Designer Is Worth their Weight in Gold
Time and again I have either come across potential clients asking how I work or other designers’ have been asked this. So I would like to acquaint you with why your designer is worth her weight in gold.
Let me elaborate on the following ways that I will be to your benefit if you invest in a professional designer (yours truly) who will take care of you and your home.
I will take you through a process that is systematic and easy to follow where you as the client know what is coming next.
I understand that the designers at the furniture stores are offering free design services, but they are limited only to what that furniture company sells, and where they work. These designers do not take any risks on themselves as independent designers like myself do.
Independent designers, like myself, on the other hand, are not limited in the resources they can incorporate in their design of your home, which you cannot find in retail furniture stores.
I have a variety of services I offer for all types of budgets that range from Turn-key designs to e-designs and everything in between.
Also, I would be making sure that I am utilizing the budget in a manner that makes the most of all the resources incorporated in the design are of the best quality, with the end result is a beautiful room(s) or the entire house.
I offer you a discount off of retail, which is savings that will outweigh the fee that you invest in your designer.
I will manage your project from start to finish, which includes, arranging for trades, ordering and procuring your furnishings, accessories window treatments, etc, that they arrive on time and undamaged, the installation process.
I will ensure that necessary adjustments can be made if necessary at the time of installation so that everything runs smoothly and does not cause any unnecessary delays that keep us (me and my trades) from finishing our project on time.
If any of the goods that arrive damaged I will make sure that they are replaced and you do not need to worry about it.
I am taking risks and responsibilities on your behalf, to ensure that all parts of the project run smoothly, from trades preparing the spaces to ensuring that all things come in one piece and that they are installed without any problems that you do not have to worry about.
You, as the client will benefit a great deal as per the points laid out above when you hire an interior designer and sit back, relax, and watch your home transform into your dream home for you to enjoy for years to come.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Tell me a bit about your project.
Have A Fabulous Day!
Head Over Heels For Chaises
The chaise being a versatile fashion-forward piece of furniture, can be set in a variety of settings. It can be a very formal piece in a Victorian-style room or a laid back relaxed setting with a hint of glam with a tufted upholstery that is different from the rest of the pieces in the room to make a statement and have a prominent presence. As you can see in the image below.
I would pair my favorite statement chaise in a long room with two sitting spaces with a chaise that is the middle piece, in a bright color bringing in a punch of color with lots of pillows. The rest of the furniture will be classic roll-arm sofas and chairs with beautiful accent tables.
Two Persian silk rugs on either side of the chaise, silk drapes soften the room but will just frame the window as stationary drapes. Two chandeliers above each sitting area, and sconces on walls for ambient lighting flanking beautiful paintings.
How would you like to pair this luxurious piece of furniture?
Or you can check out the amazing Chaise Lounges at One Kings Lane for whom I have written this post.
Have A Fabulous Day!
Give Them Something To Remember
Love that song.
Now, wouldn't you just love it when your house is the talk of the town because of the beautiful interiors that they can't help talking about? Everyone wants a space that not only they'll enjoy for years to come but rather give their guests something to remember. It's the spectacular atmosphere, that is felt the moment one steps into the house.
Dare to be you, dare to be unique, and give them something to remember. Always think of ways to entice them to beg for more of what they see at first instance as they enter. Don't settle for just the typical styles, mix things up and create fabulous, outstanding results. A bit unsure are we, of how to start out? Always go for what truly speaks to you and get something that represents your taste to a T. Literally. Here are some inspirational photographs that would get your wheels turning.
I'm sure you've been re-energized looking at such fabulous photographs and planning out your next project.
Never ever underestimate the power of light. I can't stress this point enough, as I have in my previous posts, you can read here. It’s what makes the spaces you love to see on movie sets, in magazines that attract you. Again, be daring and pick a fixture that is truly you.
Color plays just as important a role in how your spaces make you or others feel in your space. So be sure to consult with someone who really knows about it. Please don't go out without a plan to the paint store and buy something that you're not going to like. Please consult a color consultant, who will create a space that flows from one room to the next without it being too choppy or as if someone just went on a whim to paint rooms that don't relate in any way. A common mistake, that can be avoided.
When you read about how designers, mix and match furnishings, there's always something that would click together from one room to the next. Mix things but make sure you use some element that is repeated in one way or another to keep things BALANCED and cohesive. If the budget is open or limited, each scenario can produce spectacular results that one would not know how items were pulled together.
It takes a bit of creativity and knowledge of how to bring things together to create a cohesive look and have a room that is put together well, with the smallest details that make it an accurate representation of yourself.
Still not sure, how to create a room or space that looks put together and has a lived-in look, well look no further, tell me a bit about your project here.
Always remember I’m an email and phone call away to solve your design dilemmas.
Have A Fabulous Day!