A few years ago, I participated in the One Room Challenge when they were just starting out. It was such a fun experience. I met so many talented bloggers and designers that I’m still friends with to this day. I’m thrilled to finally have the time to work on my own home and participate once again!

How It Works: Basically every Thursday for the next 8 weeks I’ll be writing a blog post here with my updates on how my room make-over is coming along. (I’ll also be posting on my Instagram @MariRDesign)

The 20 Featured designers will be posting the day before on Wednesdays. You can find them on the ORC website.

I was so grateful they extended the dates because I literally ordered a custom, blush sofa-sectional right before the world shut down. Honestly, I can’t even remember what it looks like but the nice owner at Marcela’s where I ordered it, trusted me with the fabric swatch, a critical element because I’m going to be painting A LOT and really need to have the color on hand. So fingers crossed by the end of June I will have my new sofa!

The Why: Last year all my girls went off to college and so did most of my furniture! Plus, when Bill and I designed and built our house it was back in 2003. I dare say, it’s definitely time for a make-over.

The Plan: Since we’ve been home for weeks, I’ve had lots of time to stare at this room and think about what I want to do. I know the world of Instagram and Pinterest is all white walls but just so you know, this will be the opposite of that. I’m an artist and I love color. I love bold art and soft comfortable sitting areas, and plants and kitties. Maybe not the most on trend but this is my home and I want to stay true to the things and colors that I and my family love.

Also, I sketch everything in my journal, so pardon the messiness. Another thing you can expect from me. I hope that’s OK.

This is my color palette. The blush sofa and a charcoal chaise lounge for the corner. Bill is 6’ 2’’ and needs something comfy to lounge in.

On the Left. Sketches for possible fabric designs.

The two biggest challenges are going to be painting the fireplace surround black with large scale flowers and finishing the huge painting for the wall to the left. I also plan on designing some custom fabric for pillows and cabinets. It’s ambitious!

I had a dream about covering the books in my bookshelf and painting a floral design on them. It was so beautiful in my dreams, I hope it works in real life! This is the sketch I did when I woke up.

This is the painting (work in progress) for the left side. Let’s hope I can finish this all in 8 weeks! It’s called: ‘Let’s Stay Home’. Ha Ha

If you love interior design or you are just looking for some ideas on how you can spruce up your home (since that is where we are most of the time now) I encourage you to follow the One Room Challenge Designers. There are 20 Featured Designers who are all pretty darn amazing!

This will be fun! I hope you’ll follow along! xo Mari