I’m participating in the “One Room Challenge,” which is again taking the design blog world by storm this spring (thanks to founder and hostess-with-the-mostest, Linda at Calling it Home). Basically, between today and six weeks from now (Thursday, May 7), I, along with loads of other bloggers, will be transforming a space in my own home – and you get to come along for the ride! So not only do you get the “befores” and “afters,” but the “everything-in-betweens,” as well. I’ll be posting each Thursday between now and then with project updates – all of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs. I’d love it if you followed along with me on the journey as a linking participant!
It’s possible that my space will be the smallest of the bunch. I will be working on my 4×10 vestibule. For those of you who are wondering what on earth a vestibule is, it’s basically an in-between room connecting the front door and foyer or front hall – most often found in homes of a certain age (mine was built in 1896). I basically decided to throw my hat into the ring two days ago, and before then had done zero pre-work or thinking about this space. So I’m really feeling the time pressure! This week is all about the “before,” as well as my design inspiration and vision (which is, quite frankly, still a bit of a work in progress).
So…the before.
I am blessed to be working with seriously good bones in this house. Unfortunately, beyond the bones, everything’s a bit lackluster. I just never got around to dealing with this space – not even a bench, which my husband has been bugging me about for months!
A view from inside the foyer. The interior door and windows mirror those on the exterior, and let much needed light pass through into the center of the house. You can really appreciate how tiny the space is (and completely closed off!).
Classical details for miles. The interior windows, leaded glass exterior windows, and columns on the front porch all line up in perfect symmetry. The fluted pilasters and crowned headers are found throughout the “original” parts of my first floor – though most of the rest is painted white. Spoiler alert – I am NOT painting this wood! That would be too easy…
So, there’s the mailbox I’ve had since the beginning of winter. Time to install that puppy. The old old and gross carpet/door mat is really overmatched here. Oh, and then there’s the quartersawn oak floors. Gorgeous…until our dear visitors mar them with wet/muddy/salty boots. Everyone feels bad walking in on this floor. I feel bad because they feel bad.
…and a nearly 4-foot wide front door! Very handy for furniture deliveries, by the way.
10-foot ceilings? Check. Original crown moldings? Check. Period-appropriate lighting? Hmmm…not so much…
Are you picking up on the theme here?
I’ll leave you with two “teaser” images that summarize my initial design inspiration for this vestibule transformation (well, three if you count all of that lumber…):
If you’re not subscribed to this blog, the best places to follow along with my One Room Challenge are:
1. Facebook (Interiors for Families)
2. Instagram (#KRIProjectVestibule, #oneroomchallenge)
See you next week!
And don’t forget to check out all of the other amazing transformations about to take place!
Good Luck!
Thanks! Was just checking out the Historic Colors of America collection last night, Dan – sent away for some chips to test out here :).
I can’t wait to see what you do with the room!
Thank you!
Wow I’m in love with all the stunning wood work in your home! This is going to amazing 🙂
Thanks, Sabrina! Woodwork like this tends to be a blessing and a curse – hopefully I’m able to bring out the best in it in this space, with the right colors and decor.
Your vestibule is already a work of art with that gorg woodwork!! Can’t wait to see more!
Thank you! I might have been motivated less to do this if the color on the walls wasn’t so wrong. Paint will play a major role in this transformation!
WOW! What a beautiful space to start with!!! Cannot wait to see what you do with it!!!
Thank you! Lots of big decisions being made totally on the fly over the past two days. Scary, but good!
I am so envious of your older home … such details and structure. I am desperately trying to add character to my 1968 Cape!! This is going to be gorgeous!
Aw, thanks so much! With great detail/age comes great responsibility. I’m just a steward of my house – trying not to mess it up!
Such a beautiful tiny space! I love the wood panels. Looking forward to see the end result:)
I love the wood, too, but this is just the right dose for me. I’m glad someone else painted it in the rest of the house so I never had to make the decision to do it myself!
I have to agree with you, the details are amazing.. Can’t wait to see where you take this vestibule!!
Can’t take any credit for the architectural details, but I sure love them! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with your ORC project, too!
Always love adding a piece of chinoiserie!
Hi Linda – So nice of you to stop by, thank you! I’m not sure there will be an actual piece of blue and white in this room, but we shall see!
Your house has so much character, I love it! I am so excited to see how this space turns out! I will be sure to follow along. Good luck! (By the way, I heard about this challenge the day before it started, so you’re not the only one trying to figure out the process last minute- just makes it a little more crazy and a lot more fun)
Phew, so glad to know I’m not the only last-minute joiner to the ORC. After I linked up on Thursday, I saw post after post with detailed design boards, fabric selections, floor plans and even some elevation drawings/diagrams! I’ve actually made a lot of progress over the past couple of days, and will have some more “eye candy” type content for next week’s post. 🙂