ONE ROOM CHALLENGE-WEEK 6: THE REVEAL!!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!! It’s the big final reveal of my 6 week makeover project! I don’t know whether to insert a happy dance or a nap here. Instead I think I will compromise and happy dance my way to that outdoor sectional and nap there!  What a whirlwind the past 6 weeks have been!

I want to take a moment before continuing to first thank my amazing parents. I can 100% promise you I would not have gotten all this complete in 6 weeks without all of their help and time given to this project for me. I am truly one very blessed daughter. My brother and I say all the time we have truly hit the parent lottery! I love you guys.

So let’s recap where we started.

You can find more details of the project on the challenge landing page here and more before photos of my space on week 1’s post, but here’s the condensed cliff note version. Calling it Home, hosts a 6 week makeover project twice a year, called One Room Challenge™, During this challenge, participants have 6 weeks to makeover a space of their home, sharing their progress each week along the way. This year, Calling it Home teamed up with a media partner, House Beautiful magazine. They will be live-blogging, pinning, instagramming, and sharing their favorite rooms on their social media sites!

I chose to make over my deck area. You can find my previous posts linked below.

Week 1: The Befores
Week 2: Plans and Inspiration
Week 3: Big losses
Week 4: Stripped
Week 5: Stained

I sure hope you all are ready for picture overload!

Here’s a glimpse of where we started.

Friends, we have come a long way since then!

You guys! If you need me I will be right there in that cozy corner seat of that sectional! Forever. Like I’m just going to move out here…. Until winter. Cold isn’t really my thing. All the hard work and stress over deadlines and details was ALL worth it! Take a look! I have listed all the sources I was able to at the bottom of the post.

The previous home owner left these edging stones stacked up outside after they left. There was the perfect amount for each side of the steps.In the landscaping I planted cream and yellow knock out roses, petunias, and dusty miller(below). All easy maintenance, sun loving plants.Floor Stain: Coffee in Semi Transparent stain by Behr
Railing Stain: Slate in Solid stain by BehrBegonias are definitely one of my favorite shade flowers. Their colors are so vibrant!I can’t take credit for the cinderblock bar idea. It was a DIY from Kristen, at The Hunted Interior, that I fell in love with. It worked perfect for this small area next to the grill!The hammock got relocated off of the deck and over to the grass area just to the left. I know I said earlier that my favorite spot was under the pergola on the sectional, but I changed my mind, it’s here. I just love how much light these outdoor lights from Costco give! I have a total of 3 strands, 48 foot each.

This was my first time participating in the challenge and I would highly recommend it to anyone with a room needing a makeover, however big or small. It provided just the right motivation to get after that to do list. The support group with the other participants has been phenomenal as well! If you are considering joining in next time , I’d like to share a few things I learned.

1. It’s a lot of work to makeover a room in such a short time, there will be a point in the challenge (if not several) where you want to say to hell with it and give up. Don’t. The reward at the end is 100% worth it.
2. This one is going to sound like a no brainer but, 6 weeks goes by so fast! Juggling a full time job, the project, and some fun and rest in between is tough. Make a timeline in the beginning of your goals for each week. A realistic timeline. And allow yourself some wiggle room and be flexible. For instance, during these 6 weeks, I faced a few things that set my schedule back slightly. First was stripping the deck. I was a little naive on how much work that was and I had some tough paint on there originally. Second, I live in Missouri, it’s spring, and I chose an outdoor project. I battled my fair share of rainy days. I was actually getting a little worried I wasn’t going to be able to photograph the space by the deadline, we’ve been battling rain all week.
3. Never be so set in your plan that you get stuck in the middle and can’t continue. In the beginning, I wanted my fence also refinished. Due to time and budget, that part has been put on hold. It will still be tackled at some point. However, I didn’t let that stop me from completing the challenge and having a wonderful space that will receive much love. I also had planned on a stone patio at the end of the steps and a hand built wood pergola. Again due to time and budget, I had to alter my wishlist, opt for landscaping and a pre made, ready to assemble metal pergola. Both of which I couldn’t be more pleased with!
4. Make a budget from the very beginning! And I’m not talking about just saying “I have $x dollars to spend on this” (that’s what I did, learn from my mistakes). That’s not a budget. Break that puppy down. Research what things will cost. Overestimate everything to give yourself some breathing room. Then check for sales, coupons, and anything you can get secondhand to give yourself even more breathing room. Even add in a little cushion for miscellaneous things your forgot. “Oh gorilla glue is $7? What about all those little nails and screws? Shoot I don’t have a small hand shovel for these tiny plants.” It adds up quick. You also may uncover expenses that weren’t a part of the original plan. I had to ultimately hire out having my deck stripped and stained. Extra expense. After we got the deck stripped we realized the railing and a few more boards were rotting and needed replaced. Extra expense. After each leg of your project, reevaluate your budget to stay on track. Do you need to make any adjustments? Sell your first born to free up some cash? I kid.
5. I also want to mention that you don’t need to have a website or blog to participate so don’t let that stop you. Share your progress on Facebook or Instagram (#oneroomchallenge). You won’t be able to join the weekly link up party on the Calling it Home site, but I guarantee your family and friends would love to see your progress and send words of praise and encouragement.

 

Sources:

Pergola: Lowes
Sectional with coffee table: Wayfair, currently not available
Deck Box: Costco
Pink Pillows on couch: World Market
Blue Pillows on couch: Home Goods
Rugs: World Market, 6×9
Large Blue pot: Ross, last year
Green pot by door: Home Goods, last year
Metal Fish: World Market
Concrete vase planter: Heartland, Local Nursery, Lee’s Summit, MO
Table: already owned
Striped Umbrella: World Market
Palm placemats: Pier 1
White plates: IKEA
Flamingo napkins: Kate Spade at Home Goods
Table Chair cushions: Lowes
2 Accent Chairs: Lowes
Accent chair cushions and pillows: World Market
Accent table: World Market
Flamingo windchime: World Market
Flamingo on bar: Joanns
Tray, glasses, napkins, pitcher on bar: World Market
Teal Cooler: World Market
Concrete planter by windows: Home Depot
Pink/Orange pillow on Hammock: Ross
Blanket: Already owned
Book: Styled by Emily Henderson

Whew! Are you all still with me? That was a doozy.

As always, thanks for following along with me in this project and be sure to check out the other reveals!