The Keeping Room One Room Challenge Gets Underway

The cabinets arrived in Week One of the Keeping Room One Room Challenge. Once Jamie brought them to our house from his shop, we uncrated them. It was obvious that the bookcases were the wrong paint color. They did not come painted in Chantilly Lace white. The lower cabinets of the built-ins were correct, in the oak driftwood finish. The point was to have the keeping room cabinetry mirror the open kitchen cabinetry, with two white pantry cabinets flanking the ends of the center lower cabinetry in the oak driftwood finish.

Due to miscommunication when the order was reviewed and placed, this mishap has now set the project back. Rectifying the paint color mistake was not an easy fix as they were made in a small shop in Canada, and we have waited since placing the order in November to get the cabinets. With the pandemic, they could not be personally delivered to our home as they have been in the past.

I quickly contacted my painter to come and view the bookcases to see if he could professionally paint them in Chantilly Lace. I did not want to attempt them myself as they have a professional grade finish on them, and I did not want to destroy the bookcases with a DIY paint job. John Pearl of D&R Painting Company came over and assured me that he would take the two bookcases, facias, and shelving to his shop to spray them. At the same time, he will prep the backs of the bookcases to get them ready to install the Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallpaper, killing two birds with one stone. I am fortunate that my painter can also install wallpaper because of his years of experience. It is hard to find someone who does both these days. Because John is so busy, he is fitting me in. However, he has left for a scheduled trip, and we have to wait a week for him to take the bookcases to his shop. I hope this will happen in time for the reveal of the project.

The second challenge was to get my contractor here to at least install the lower cabinets and build out the fireplace box while the upper bookcases were being painted. Because we had to wait for the cabinetry delivery, he has moved on to another job and will not be coming until the end of next week. I could not wait as the wall had existing lower wood paneling and chair rail that needed to be removed, and rough electrical was required before the cabinets were installed.

Taking matters into my own hands, I quickly took a hammer and pry bar, and my daughter and I started hacking away at the paneling. It was pretty easy to remove. Once the paneling was removed, I called Jake, my electrician, and he came in two days' time. He roughed in the electrical before the contractor's arrival next week. I was so happy that at least we made a little progress. Moving the existing light switches and making sure there was enough space between the door frame and the end bookcase was necessary. It will be close, and the light switch plates must be scored to fit.

Turning the negatives into positives, I needed a little pick me up. So, I have unpacked the Currey & Company Tavey Silver wall sconces. They are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is top-notch. These sconces will be mounted outside on the two bookcase facias. The brushed silver finish is perfect with all the other elements in the space, as is the white linen shade that completes the sconce. Thank you, Currey & Company, for your generous sconce donation. I have multi-light fixtures from Currey & Company in my home, and they are my go-to lighting resource.

As for the stair runner installation, I am waiting for a date for him to install the runner. I will try this installation myself as I have watched many videos on installer a stair runner. It does not look that difficult. Wish me luck!

See what has transpired with our new keeping room and progress on installation next Thursday.

I want to thank Linda Weinstein, the creator of the One Room Challenge, once again for creating this motivational design event.

You can follow more of my ORC on Facebook and Instagram as well. Come back to see Week Three of my keeping room creation. Better Homes & Gardens is the official media sponsor of the ORC.

About Debbe Daley

Debbe Daley is New England’s leading interior design expert in the fields of design, decorating, and styling of interior spaces. She is a professional speaker, educator, influencer, and business coach in interior design. She also teaches creative interior design and change-of-career-minded individuals at her School of Interiors. These courses provide mentoring and hands-on training. Debbe is currently an installed Design Services member for the Boston Design Center. She also is an educator and instructor at Middlesex Community College in the field of interior design.

Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.