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The One Room Challenge® (ORC) is a biannual interior design event (in spring and fall) where participants completely transform a space.
Founded by Linda Weinstein and partnered with Apartment Therapy, it is designed as a supportive community event rather than a competition, encouraging designers, DIYers, and home enthusiasts to share their progress weekly.


One Room Challenge | Week 8: The Final Reveal
Pop the bubbly, we did it! 🎉 Congratulations to all of my fellow One Room Challenge participants who pushed through the late nights, highs and lows, supply runs, and creative chaos to bring their visions to life. Whether you completed a big space or, like me, transformed a tiny space with big personality, we made it to the finish line and that deserves a celebration! My Jewel Box Powder Bath Eight weeks later, I made it!!! I survived. What started as a basic powder bath has
Nov 19, 20252 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 7: Crown, Chaos & A Few Calls for Backup
If you’ve been following along, you know we’re this close to the finish line of the One Room Challenge, and this week was all about crown molding. This week made me laugh, swear, and ultimately smile. It reminded me that experience is everything, and no amount of YouTube tutorials or gadgets can replace the experience of a seasoned trade. Crown Molding: Not for the Faint of Heart Let me tell you the truth… it was awful. 😅 I measured, double-checked, followed the formula, and
Nov 12, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 6: Trim, Texture & Architectural Details
It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it to Week 6 of the One Room Challenge! The finish line is finally in sight, and I must say, this week was one of the most satisfying yet. After weeks of prep, painting, and gold leaf, it’s time for the architectural details to bring the vision to life. This is where I get really excited because this is when the walls go from flat and simple to layered and dimensional. I’ve always loved the transformative power of trim. It adds the arch
Nov 5, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 5: The Gold-Leaf Ceiling
It's week 5 of the One Room Challenge, and if you've been following along, then you know this is a big moment for my powder bath design. The moment has finally arrived for the gold-leaf ceiling! This is the statement feature that turns this little powder bath into the jewel-box I’ve been envisioning since Week 1. Every bit of prep (yes, even the tedious sanding and skim-coating) was worth it for this. The Technique & Process After lots of research, I followed the Barnabas Gol
Oct 29, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 4: Painting Day
Now that the dust has literally settled (and trust me, there was a lot of it from The One Room Challenge: Week 3), it was finally time to move on to a more noticeable phase, painting! Last week was all about the messy prep work of skim coating and sanding the ceiling, but this week felt like a breath of fresh air, watching actual color start to bring this jewel-box powder bath to life. Painting for a Jewel Box Effect This week was all about painting, and while it might sound
Oct 22, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 3: Prep Work & Skim Coating the Ceiling
Week 3 of the One Room Challenge is here! After two weeks of planning, pulling together the vision for this jewel-box powder bath, and sourcing products, it’s finally time to roll up my sleeves and start the real work. On a typical Slate Studios project, this is when the trades come in and things start to get real! I thought to myself, it's a 24-square-foot ceiling, how hard could it be. Well, let me tell you, I quickly learned skim coating a ceiling is not for the faint of h
Oct 15, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 2: Design Concept & Planning
Welcome back to your weekly ORC escapades! Week 1 was all about showing the before, Week 2 is where the vision starts to take shape.
Oct 8, 20254 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 1: The "Before" Powder Bath
It’s time for another round of the One Room Challenge except this time, I’m rolling up my sleeves in a BIG WAY! If you’ve followed along with my past ORC projects (like Fall 2023), you know that normally my role is creative direction, design execution, and coordination with our amazing trade partners. This time, though, I’m taking on my powder bathroom (almost) entirely by myself (cue maniacal laugh.) Why? Because I want to truly show, and feel, the amount of work that goes i
Oct 1, 20253 min read


Week 8: Office Reveal, One Week Late!
Welcome, dear readers, to the grand finale of my One Room Challenge journey! It's been an exciting eight weeks of design and a touch of chaos, but I'm thrilled to finally share my office reveal. Now, if you've been on this wild ride with me, you know we aimed for an eight-week sprint, but like all good stories, ours took a twist and danced its way into nine weeks. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right? In this blog post, I'll take you through the entire process –
Nov 22, 20233 min read


Week 8: Expect the Unexpected
Week 8 of the One Room Challenge has been no cake walk! Embarking on a construction project is well, complicated. Every project has numerous pieces that need to fall into place. Trying to pinpoint a fixed completion date can feel elusive, as there are many variables. At Slate Studios, we frequently joke with our clients that attempting to pinpoint a finish date is like trying to nail Jello to a wall—nearly impossible. If you haven't all ready, be sure to check out my previous
Nov 16, 20233 min read


Week 7: The Office Comes to Life
We've reached Week 7 of the One Room Challenge, and the excitement is palpable. With the finish line in sight, our focus this week is on the vital finishing touches that will bring our office project to life. From wallpaper to cabinetry and countertops, we're checking off some major milestones! If you haven't all ready, be sure to check out my previous blog posts and follow along with me on this 8 week challenge where I transform one room! The Art of Wallpaper Installation in
Nov 8, 20233 min read


Week 6: Shedding Light on Decorative Light Fixtures
Week 6 of the One Room Challenge is here and I am thrilled to share a significant milestone in our project – the installation of a stunning light fixture from Alora Lighting. It's no secret that light fixtures are like the jewelry of a room, and without the perfect light fixture designs can fall flat. Of all the lighting out there, we choose a gorgeous fixture from Alora Mood. Why? Well because of what sets them apart. Let's delve into the details. If you haven't all ready, b
Nov 2, 20233 min read


Week 5: Behind the Scenes
As we enter Week 5 of the One Room Challenge, we're peeling back the curtain so you can have a look behind the scenes of an interior designer. While our previous posts have highlighted the vision, creativity, and inspiration that go into crafting a beautifully designed space, this week is all about the efforts and meticulous details that bring a designer's vision to life. If you haven't all ready, be sure to check out my previous blog posts and follow along with me on this 8
Oct 25, 20233 min read


Week 4: The Art of Patience
Welcome to Week 4 of the One Room Challenge, where patience becomes an art form. We're officially at the halfway mark, and the anticipation is building. If you haven't all ready, be sure to check out my previous blog posts and follow along with me on the 8 week challange where I transform one room. Custom Cabinetry: Worth the Wait For the most part, everything was readily available with the exception of a few backordered items and custom cabinetry. I firmly believe in not set
Oct 18, 20232 min read


Week 3: The Design Reveal
Welcome back to the One Room Challenge, Week 3 edition! This week, we're thrilled for the design reveal that's been taking shape. I found the most incredible pieces that tell my story. Every Piece is Intentional: Crafting a Thoughtful Design Reveal Take a look at the design board I've thoughtfully crafted for this compact space. In a room of this size, each individual piece must make a statement of its own. First, let's talk about the rug—a charming cheetah pattern that adds
Oct 11, 20232 min read


Week 2: Unveiling the Design Concept
Welcome back to the One Room Challenge, Week 2 edition! Last week, we explored the practicalities, and this week, it's time to dive into the exciting world of design concepts. If you haven’t heard of the ORC, the origin started from a designer who was finally fed up with unfinished projects around her house. She decided to motivate herself and a small group of friends by creating a challenge to have one finished room. This year, I decided to participate in the one room challe
Oct 4, 20233 min read


Week 1: Introducing the One Room Challenge
One Room Challenge This week marks the start of the Fall 2023 One Room Challenge! If you haven’t heard of the One Room Challenge, the origin started from a designer who was finally fed up with unfinished projects around her house. She decided to motivate herself and a small group of friends by creating a challenge to have one finished room. This year, I decided to participate in the one room challenge because we are in the process of buying a house and I need a home office th
Sep 29, 20232 min read
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