Transformation Complete

Remember this dark, musty, dingy tv wall we started with 8 weeks ago?

(If you can’t, start back at the beginning or jump into the middle here: Weeks 1, 2, & 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7)

Well, it is dingy no more!

This project really pushed me to my limits over the last few weeks, but I am so proud of what I’ve turned this space into. No longer does this room look haphazard and unwelcoming. Instead, it’s modern, bright, textured, and inviting -just in time for the holidays!

The Details

The Floating Media Console

This was my first time building a piece of furniture out of solid wood, and WOW I had no idea how much I didn’t know. I was so nervous to build this piece because I was so in love with how this walnut looked. I also didn’t have any backup wood available if I made a mistake. But I’m so happy to report, I figured it out (eventually, that is!)

My favorite feature on these floating drawers was that I was able to find a way to make the drawers without adding any hardware. Don’t get me wrong, I love drawer and cabinet pulls. But since this was going under the TV, I didn’t want to add anything that might be distracting (as if the entire wall weren’t distracting enough as it is). So I added these finger grooves into the tops of the drawers.

The Bookcases

These were the second and third pieces of furniture I’ve built, EVER. As in, I’ve gone my entire life not building a single piece of furniture except for one small coffee table, and then I set out to build these.

And somehow, I thought it would be easy. Oh boy was this a mighty humbling experience. On top of that, the staining pattern I picked out made everything extra challenging. It couldn’t just be black or golden oak. No, 8-weeks-ago Vicki said “It has to be both!”.

Although the two-tone staining made these bookcases extra challenging, I love how they turned out. That extra dimension of color adds just the right amount of variety and visual interest that I was hoping for.

One Room Challenge

Once again, Happy Ten-Year Anniversary to the One Room Challenge! I’m so thankful for this challenge. I’ve been wanting to take on this project for a long time now but couldn’t work up the nerve to tackle it. Then, once I started it, I continuously doubted whether I was even capable of what I’d set out to do. At every turn throughout this project, I felt like I was in over my head.

But this community is amazing, and seeing everyone’s amazing work- the transformations, the tenacity. It kept me motivated and inspired. I don’t think I would have been able to complete this project without seeing the awesome things other participants were up to. Check out their wonderfulness at the ORC blog.

Thank you, One Room Challenge! Cannot wait until next time!

The Journey

This has been a while ride. Relive the last few weeks here:
Weeks 1, 2, & 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7