One Room Challenge Spring 2021 - Week 6 - Creating A Keeping Room
An Update On My ORC Keeping Room Project
Week six has come with some disappointing news. Not much progress has been made on the keeping room since Week five. Read on to learn some details of what has happened this week.
I installed the verdigris Amerock Veridian Slate cabinet pulls from their Padma collection. it was at least something I could do while waiting for contractors. Since the contractors were here last and installed the lower cabinets of the keeping room built-in wall, and the fabricator has come and template it for the countertop on the lower cabinets, nothing much has occurred.
It’s a blessing to have loyal electricians on your side. Every time I call and ask them to fit me in, they are here the next morning or a few days after. The reason for the quick call was that the fireplace insert was going to be installed today, Thursday of Week 6, and needed the electric box for the fireplace hooked up for the installers. That call came on Monday. However, a late morning phone call came to say that there was an emergency call and that they will be here on Friday of Week six. Hopefully, that will happen, at least, there would be some progress.
While the electricians were working on the fireplace electric hook-up, they also finished the electrical for the TV cable connections. Now we wait for the countertop to move on with the Keeping Room project
Suppliers and Contractors - The Waiting Game
A call to the fabricator to see when the countertop could be installed was made again. This is holding up the rest of the project as the upper bookcases cannot be installed without the countertop on the lower cabinets. The tile installer was also contacted to schedule the mini pebble stone around the front fascia of the fireplace. He has informed me that he is a week and a half out. That puts me almost at Week 8, another disappointment. One might think it is easy to schedule contractors in order of the project's progress. That is not the case when you must wait for one contractor and his part before you can schedule another. It was easier during the thick of the pandemic to renovate a pink bathroom into a mudroom and a guest bathroom when everyone was working from home, and work was scarce for the contractors. Now, it’s a game of wait, wait, and more waiting.
Adding a Little Whimsy with Wallpaper
I’ve taken matters into my own hands and added another little detail to the project. The antique mirrors purchased at High Point Market’s Antique and Design Center will be pocket mirrors that slide behind the upper bookcases and across the windows for privacy at night and will get a little embellishment. Sanderson’s Woodland Chorus in cream/multi was selected for the backside of the mirrors. This would eliminate any kind of window treatment to cover the window. The intent of this paper was to create a whimsical view from the outside. When the mirrors are slid to cover the windows, the paper is full of birds, butterflies, caterpillars, and greenery and looks like an outdoor garden that would blend with the plants outside in front of the house.
I am at least happy to say that the Good Manors Living throw blanket has arrived. They had sent me a buffalo plaid throw with fringe in gray and offered this up for inclusion in the keeping room project. I was thrilled to receive this on time and to be able to use it with the four-chair conversation grouping that will finish off the keeping room. Still waiting for the chairs to be shipped.
I am not hopeful that this project will complete for Week 8. I must hear from my fabricator with an installation date ASAP to make the rest of this keeping room project complete.
Thank you again, Linda Weinstein, the creator of the One Room Challenge for creating this motivational design event.
You can follow more of my ORC on Facebook and Instagram as well. Come back to see Week 7 of my keeping room creation. Better Homes & Gardens is the official media sponsor of the ORC.
Follow these 20 talented Featured Designers of the Spring 2021 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.
