One Room Challenge – Week 6: The Reveal!

Kelly Rogers

10 years ago

It’s finally here! The day all One Room Challenge-ers I have been waiting for. Week 6. For me, the big reveal of Project Vestibule. Big. HUGE. I blogged about the photo shoot that produced these pictures last week, and since then I’ve been practically jumping out of my skin fighting the urge to just put them out there already! Now that the day has arrived, I’m feeling a little gun-shy. I get really excited to have beautiful pictures of my work, but then that doubt creeps in. What if it’s a bit of a let-down after all of this build-up? What if they just don’t like it? Putting myself out there like this is at once exhilarating and completely terrifying. I suspect many other ORC folks feel the same way.

[Newcomers may get caught up, if so inclined…Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5]

Deep breath…

OK, here goes. (Complete source list at the bottom of the post, FYI!)

Before…an area I simply hadn’t addressed, functionally or decoratively, in the two years we’ve lived in this house.

And this is the all-important “first impression” space – the first thing visitors see when they arrive. I mean, I didn’t even have a darn rug on the floor to step on when you walked in the door. Even my husband was starting to bug with me to do something about it already! And all of those beautiful features – the original leaded glass side kites and woodwork – just sat there calling to me…”For the love of God…DO something already!”

And AFTER! First, a peek outside…

Now come on in (and please do step on the rug!)!

I know…my dog is totally a scene-stealer.

Don’t forget to look UP for the big surprise!

Here are some quick superlatives for you, summarizing the past month-and-a-half’s work on Project Vestibule…

Biggest risk: Ordering made-to-order Oomph Newport Console less than three weeks before the photo shoot. With a 6-8 week lead time. It arrived with two and a half days to spare (and, as expected, fits like a glove)
Sweetest reward: The ceiling. No doubt. I walk in here nearly every day just to look up at it. The cool, indirect light comes through the leaded glass and rakes across the metallic “Feather Fan” wallpaper from Cole & Son. It makes me happy. (the light fixture, too!)
Biggest regret: Not dealing fully with the exterior component – my front porch. My whole house exterior needs to be repainted, and we have plans to rebuild the porch in stone (it needs some love). Painting the front door, mounting the mailbox, and replacing our doormat helped tide me over
Best bargain: Those adorable antique bubble-glass miniatures (with velvet matting and gilded frames) on the wall over the bench were only $20 total! I love how they echo the paneling below
Biggest splurge: Bench fabric from Lee Jofa. Worth. Every. Penny.
Cutest canine: Duh

Major THANK YOUs are owed to all of the partners and vendors who scrambled to finish and/or deliver my orders in record time (about FOUR weeks, actually!). I still can’t believe it all arrived in time. And Eric Roth Photography for conquering the difficult lighting conditions and space constraints, and making my room look beautiful (as always).

I would also like to profusely thank Linda at Calling it Home for hosting the One Room Challenge link-up so folks like me could participate. Honestly, if it weren’t for the ORC, my vestibule would still look exactly like the ‘before’ images. Not joking. People – this is the way to get things DONE at home, let me tell you! I’m already deciding what room I’m going to tackle next, in the fall!

I’d encourage each and every one of you to grab a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a snifter of brandy, a bottle of water, or whatever your drink of choice may be, sit down, relax, and check out the other One Room Challenge reveals! The “official” group of design bloggers unveiled theirs yesterday here, while the linking participants, like myself (so many talented, hardworking folks, including my Boston-area friend Kim Macumber, whose gorgeous master bedroom you just have to see), can all be found here. Prepare to be awed and inspired.

And lastly, thank YOU for stopping by – whether you are a regular reader, my mom (hi, Mom!), a neighbor, or you just found me through the Calling it Home link-up page, I’m so glad you popped in to check out Project Vestibule – thanks!!