The thing that has kept me from doing the One Room Challenge before is the weekly updates, haha. Now you’re going to see how much of a Last Minute Lucy I am, and you’ll be privy to the all-nighters that are way too much of a norm for us when it comes time to make over a space. Normally I gloss over timeliness, but now I can’t hide that! I’m still waiting on one last wallpaper sample but I think I have it narrowed down to two – so help me vote and take a peek at the other decisions that have been finalized since last week. I updated the first post in the ORC challenge series with the new design elements that I’ve finalized since that post went live, so you can see everything in one spot.
Here’s a sneak peek of my current favorite wallpapers – here’s #1 (Sprigs on Ocean):
It features white sprigs on a grey/green backdrop, which just happens to be almost the exact same shade I painted the new window walls in the bedrooms and main bathroom – it’s also the same color as the bathroom shower curtain and pops up a lot in the decor and artwork. I like that it is keeping with my whole home color palette and also with the natural/woodland vibe I’m going for in this powder room. But from a distance, the sprigs form a wave, which has a coastal vibe I also love.
But I also really liked this Storyline wallpaper, but it is definitely grey – no hint of green of color, it’s a very pure grey. But I love the quirky design because it reminds me of something Hubby’s grandpa might have drawn. It’s whimsical and woodsy, but when I got our custom blinds for all four windows on this side of the house, I chose a grey/green that I worry will not pair well with this wallpaper. The sprigs wallpaper, on the other hand, works well with the blinds…
Which wallpaper do you prefer? Sprigs or Storyline?
In other news, the counter and mirror were TBD, but now I can confirm that I’ll be replacing the speckled mint green laminate with the walnut KARBLY countertop (c/o IKEA)
To complement the new walnut countertop and the circular shape of the light fixture and curvy sink, I’m also adding the walnut veneered Stockholm mirror (also c/o IKEA). I have lusted after that mirror for so many years, and as soon as I had decided on the walnut counter and a light fixture with a round shape, I knew it would be perfect in the space. The little ledge will be a great spot for guests to place something (like a watch) before they wash their hands. It’s a small space, so any extra inch of storage is much appreciated.
The rest of the house has a lot of walnut/teak furniture and accessories, from the walnut cabinetry in the main bathroom to the DIY walnut desk and bed in the office and bedroom, so I’m excited to incorporate the same warm wood into the powder room to keep cohesion and flow between the spaces. And walnut is my favorite way to warm up my otherwise cool color palette!
In a funny twist of fate, my friends at The Home Depot Canada reached out just as I was finishing up my ORC plans and asked if I could use this Indoor Studio Cartier Black Metal Barn Door Kit. I actually wanted to replace the swinging door (which opens into the laundry room and takes up so much valuable floor space) with a sliding door but I just hadn’t gotten that far in my planning and figured I could always add one after the ORC was over. But this one fits perfectly and I love the black metal – it ties in darker elements from the rest of the house, like my charcoal grey floors (in the kitchen/entry/laundry room/powder room) and deep grey/black painted fireplace. Plus it’s frosted for privacy, but will still keep things airy. And, if someone is super stressed about not getting enough privacy with a sliding door, you have to walk through the laundry room to get to the powder room, so guests are welcome to close and lock the laundry room door too (which lots of people do anyway). I am so thrilled to gain valuable floor space in the laundry room!!
The copper sink arrived! Unfortunately the butterfly got left behind, but the company is shipping it this week. Even on this gloomy, overcast day the sink just glows – it’s such a beauty.
I think that next week more things will start arriving. I have one or two more things to decide: like the wallpaper (a biggie) and whether we want to do a tile backsplash? Or maybe just an acrylic over the wallpaper – or do I even need anything? It’s not like anyone is showering or bathing chickens in here (anymore)… thoughts?
I’m so excited to be participating in the One Room Challenge as a guest participant. Huge thanks to Better Homes & Gardens, the media partner, and also the incredible brands helping me create a beautiful powder room: Thompson Traders, IKEA, Pfister, The Home Depot Canada, Lamps Expo.
Oooh. Both great choices! I think I like the sprigs one the most. Can’t wait to see what you pick.
Author
A lot of people messaged me on Instagram after I shared the ORC update and Sprigs is definitely the winner so far. I think I’ll go with my gut because that is the one that tugs at me – no matter how cute and chic the other design is. Plus the color is perfect!
Tough choice! Sprigs will pop the copper sink in a playful way, and the Gray Storyland will pop it more understated elegance. Love the color of Sprigs, but design of Storyland gray. Not much help! 😜
Sprigs on Ocean wallpaper–the color will pair so well with the copper sink. Glad to see you on the ORC train. Hope you have fun at least some of the time.
Author
It’s my first ORC! So far it’s been fun but I haven’t actually done anything lol
So much fun to see the design process in real time! It really makes all the hard work you all have put into your beautiful home come through.
Love the springs wallpaper, especially for the movement it provides. it’s such a nice nod to the stream in the picutre and the lake outside your door.
Author
Thank you that’s such a nice compliment. I think a lot of people start this challenge with everything planned but I’m taking the 6 weeks literally – from design to finish – lol. I’m so glad you like the process, it’s been awhile since I shared so many of these details and decisions. And I like your reasoning for the sprigs – I think that’s my winner!
Definitely sprigs. It just goes with your whole house better. The other one might stick out like a sore thumb. The copper and walnut look great with sprigs, too!
Aww to the mint laminate going away. Can I have it? 😉 Try to remove it carefully and donate it to a ReStore/Habitat for Humanity if you can! Some of us go treasure hunting for that sort of stuff. 😀
Author
Thanks for the vote – I’m going with sprigs and I totally agree.
I’m so glad you like the mint laminate too. I always did, but with the new sink the old laminate counter won’t work because the hole is too big. We will definitely donate everything we can – we always do because I hate to contribute to piles of garbage in landfills. Hopefully it finds a new home!
I’m going with the Sprigs. I love both but the grey one with the bunnies is too busy and fights with grandpa’s painting, which is the focal point of the room, along with the sink, of course. I would also go with no tile (or anything else) backsplash, just some acrylic over the wallpaper, for the same reason, too many different things tile, counter, wallpaper, is too much, you want things kept simple. Or maybe you don’t even need that, assuming the wallpaper is vinyl/wipeable.
Author
I’m ordering Sprigs! I like your reasoning – and it seemed to be the #1 choice based on the messages I got on Instagram about it. I am wondering if I even need tile… I’ll look into the durability of it beside a sink and see what the company says.