{One Room Challenge} Here We Go Again!

Thanks for the love on yesterday’s style post, Work to Weekend. I hope you found some inspiration for mixing up your wardrobe a bit, especially for all those cute plaid tops!


Today kicks off week one of Calling It Home’s latest round of {One Room Challenge}, and I‘m thrilled to announce I’m participating again! I’m actually shocked, and quite flattered, that Linda invited me back!


For those of you not familiar, the ORC is an online event that brings together 20 bloggers with a love of design, and challenges them to transform a room from start to finish, while documenting the process along the way.


The kicker? We’ve only got six weeks to do it!! That’s about a tenth of the time it usually takes me to make over a room! I’ve been a huge fan and follower of the series for years, and was finally brave enough to take the challenge this past Spring with our Master Bedroom Makeover. It was a fun, crazed, panic-stricken few weeks, but exactly the kick-in-the-pants I needed to finally complete a room in this new house.

So let’s get to it…I waffled quite a bit as to which room to select this time…after all, I have a whole houseful of new spaces to design! (If you’re new to Hi Sugarplum!, you can read about this year’s unexpected move here.) At this point, only the Kitchen and Master Bedroom are complete, and the Breakfast Room and Little Miss’s Room have been started. 


Ultimately, I decided on the room you see first upon walking in the front door, the most ‘formal’ of them all…the Living Room.

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before


Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before
I spy Maggie!

When we bought the house, it was hosed down in this yellowy-beige color, and the downstairs was a chopped-up mix of carpet and tile. I made these crude floor plans so you can get a better feel for the room…basically a box with a large opening and two windows. 



Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before

The ceilings are 10-feet, which I love, but also make for huge expanses of blank wall.

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before

The first thing we did was install hardwoods throughout the first floor, and paint the walls. I wasn’t sure yet what color I wanted the room, but I knew I wanted it changed…so we went with white for a clean slate.  
And as you can see, the focal point of the room is a giant, 13-foot expanse of blank wall! Our last house had windows on every single wall, so filling a space this large was never an issue. Even the large hex-mirror (it’s 40-inches!) looked like a postage stamp on the wall.

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before
Here’s the room right after moving in, with all the furniture in place from our previous Living Room. The dimensions of this new Living Room are basically the opposite of our last one…so while some pieces fit, the overall look was jam-packed and cluttered.

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before

Hi Sugarplum | ORC Living Room before

I was a little boggled by the space, and didn’t want to miss the boat on this room’s potential, so I recruited my crazy-talented friend, Kristin, to help me design it, and have a lot of fun along the way! Our design aesthetics are very similar, and I adore everything she does, so together we brainstormed what I hope will be a knock-out, jewel box of a Living Room!


Here’s some of the inspiration we pulled from…


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I know that’s a hodgepodge of inspiration, but each contains something that will find it’s way to my room. Next week I’ll show you the design…and then ohemgee, it’s go time! I literally am still looking at the same space you see in this post…things have been ordered, but nothing has actually been done yet. #whatwasIthinking #whathaveIdone


Why did I think I could do this challenge now, with the HGTV cruise and holidays around the corner!?  But my name is on logo with all these talented friends, so there’s no backing out now! I can’t wait to share the progress and transformation, and hope you’ll follow along! And thanks again, Linda, for including me in this fabulous madness!


Be sure to click over to see what everyone else has planned!

One Room Challenge Fall 2015 Participants

Leave a Comment

51 Comments

  1. um this is going to be GOOD! I can't wait to see what you two have up your sleeves! Excited to see it come together and can't wait to celebrate the finish line with a big ole margarita in Mexico!!! xo

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Oh yes ma'am!!! #ole
      And you're going to rock your bedroom…going to be so fun to watch!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  2. Momma wrote:

    I am IN LOVE with the first picture of your inspiration pics, the blue room with pops of rusty orange! Can't wait to see the finished product!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • That deep navy is calling my name, too!! I hope you like what I have planned for it!!!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  3. I can't wait to see how it turns out. All of your inspiration rooms look awesome!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  4. I can't wait to see how it turns out. All of your inspiration rooms look awesome!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  5. Can't wait!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  6. Simply LKJ wrote:

    So excited to be following along with my 3 favorite bloggers!! With Kristin on board too, gonna be amazing.

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks friend…I'm thrilled to be doing this with my pals!!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  7. Liz Jo wrote:

    I thought the way you had it was great, can't wait to see it re-done again 🙂

    liz @ sundays with sophie

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks so much, Liz! It's off to a good start…hopefully I'll be adding the icing to the cake!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  8. Can't wait to see it come together!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks friend…come help…bring wine!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  9. How fun, can't wait to follow along.

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • thanks so much, Marty…I'm really excited about this one! And the idea of having another room actually done!!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  10. Loove the dark walls in your inspiration images! This is going to be totally stunning when you're finished! Can't wait to see the progress!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • That navy blue is def calling my name…but so is the bright white! I think you'll be surprised how I meld the two!! 😉

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  11. wow, can't wait to see where this goes! love all the inspiration photos. #isitdoneyet

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks Pam!! I haven't started one thing…come help!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  12. Those dark walls! You rocked your bedroom and I'm sure this will be just as great.

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks friend! I'm a sucker for those dark walls, too…and having a finished room after 6 weeks!

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  13. Vel Criste wrote:

    You deserve to be back! So excited to follow you along Cassie! Love the inspiration photos!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks for the vote of confidence, Vel!!! I need all I can get with this craziness! 🙂

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  14. I can't wait to see what you do! Your style is so fun! 🙂

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • Thanks so much, Carrie…I'm certainly not playing it safe this time either! 😉

      Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  15. Allison wrote:

    I can't wait to see what you do! You have such a fun style Cassie. Love your use of color!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  16. Yes! I'm so excited to see what you and Kristin do to this room! Your inspiration photos look fabulous 🙂

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  17. Girl! I cannot wait to see this space! I know you're going to nail it!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  18. SO EXCITED TO FOLLOW ALONG!!!!!!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  19. This will be so fun! And you will have a vacation to celebrate. Looking forward to seeing your selection of goodies.

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  20. Sorry that was me above. I came up as anonymous so am trying this again! Your room looks amazing already – what a difference hardwood and a fresh coat of paint makes. Can't wait to follow along with you again Cassie!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  21. 10' ceilings…le sigh…so jelly!!!!! Very excited to see how you makeover the room- it has such beautiful bones and I love those dark wall inspiration shots! So exciting!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  22. IT'S GONNA BE SO GOOOOOOD!!!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  23. Between you and Kristen this space is going to be a knockout! Damn….who can I get to help pull this off and inspire…..!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
    • You don't need any help…you're a magician!!

      Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  24. Love your direction. Those dark walls are gonna ROCK!

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
    • Thanks, Holly! Super excited to see you back, as well. Your rooms always slay me!

      Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  25. Ok, so I'm not the only one who finds high ceilings challenging! Love your inspiration, so I'm curious what bits your pull from each. I'll be tuning in! xo

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
    • I love the ceilings, but the walls are so biiiiiiiiiiggggggg! 😉 Super excited for your makeover, as well!

      Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  26. Erin wrote:

    Cassie! Can't wait to see what you come up with! No doubt it will be amazing! Feeling a little stressed for you though since it takes me a YEAR to put together a room! Ha! Sending good vibes your way! And maybe tylenol! 😉 xo

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
    • Girl, I know!!! It takes me forever…but deadlines like these are actually pretty amazing at helping me make decisions and get shizz done!!!

      Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  27. Wow, you've got A LOT going on! Your inspiration photos are gorgeous — can't wait to see this unfold!

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
    • Crazy…just how we like it, right?! Thrilled to be doing this with you!!

      Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  28. Oh, I'm looking foward to this! I need some inspiration for my own 10 foot ceiling dilemma. We just had built-in bookcases made and painted them BLACK. Much drama, so wow. I like the navy built-ins in your inspiration photo! I'll be checking back frequently.

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  29. Can not wait to see what you do with that beautiful blank canvas. Somehow I know you you won't disappoint.

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  30. You and Kristin are a killer combo! This is gonna be bold!

    Posted 10.8.15 Reply
  31. You're so good at this. You have nothing to worry about!

    Posted 10.9.15 Reply
  32. Tobe | BIA wrote:

    LAWD, that's some good inspiration! And a great jumping off point. Excited to see what you ladies cook up for this space! ox

    Posted 10.10.15 Reply
  33. Girl! This room will be amazing!!!! I am thrilled to be on this journey with you! Makes it so much more fun!

    Posted 10.11.15 Reply
  34. The Zhush wrote:

    Love all of the inspiration images you showed! No doubt that this room will be amazing! XX

    Posted 10.12.15 Reply
  35. What a great collected look. Can't wait to see it all come together.

    Posted 10.12.15 Reply