Hi Everyone!
Happy Wednesday friends! So yep, you read that right! Your girl is participating in the One Room Challenge this fall as a featured designer! For those of you who aren’t familiar with One Room Challenge, its a biannual design event created and run by Linda Weinstein of Calling It Home. A group of super talented designers are challenged to makeover a space from start to finish in 6 weeks, and both document and share the makeover progress through weekly blog posts. ORC is responsible for some majorly swoonworthy spaces and I’m so excited and very honored to have been invited to be a featured designer. But i’d be remiss if I didnt also let yall know that Im so darn scared! This will be my first attempt at ORC and today I’m here to share with you what space Ill be tackling over the next 6 weeks. Can we get a drumroll please……..
Up on the chopping block is our BATHROOM!! *cue all the good music and happy dancing*
For those of you who have been with me for a while you KNOW how much we desperately need this space to be better. So much so that its the one space in #thecottagebungalow that you never ever see or hear much about at all. We actually put this room on our “Home Goals” list for next year and planned to renovate then, but when the opportunity came up to be in One Room Challenge I thought…why not!! #YOLO
I should preface this for all the new folks and let you know this is the ONLY bathroom in our home. Our family is on a downsizing journey and went from a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 2400 sq ft new construction house, to a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1200 sq ft cottage bungalow. Our family of 4 (2 women, teenage daughter, and tweenage son) plus guests all share this one space.
Ok so let’s have a look at it in its current state, shall we:
Yall. The struggle has been real. And notice we haven’t had a functioning sink in way too long. Im ashamed to say just how long, actually. We have done absolutely nothing to this space since we purchased our house….except hang a shower curtain, put down a rug, and hang the lion head towel ring. Everything else is as it was when we got keys, including that little wall cabinet above the toilet.
At first glance it may seem decent enough. But that’s until you get close enough to see all the serious issues. The previous owners did a VERY quick “lipstick on a pig” scenario to get the house sold and we’ve spent the past 4 years living witih their not so wise and lazy choices:
-a questionable ventilation system that barely works. We have moisture issues for sure. Also that light fixture has never worked. Its not even wired to anything.
-a really really bad tile and grout job. The floors were definitley a throw em down and hurry up job. The tiles are uneven and the grout wasn’t properly wiped away in some areas so it ended up drying on top of the tile in patches. Also im not even going there with the transition from the bathroom to hallway.
-an incomplete tile shower tile job which lead to some serious water damage
Just bad bad bad.
And aesthetcially speaking its basically my biggest nightmare: white on white on white on more white. Throw in some terrible over the mirror lighting and no natural light source and that white on white on white becomes more like a yellow on yellow on yellow. I cannot deal. I don’t do white walls yall. They give me anxiety. This bathroom is the worst.
But all is not lost because even among the many things that are WRONG with the space, there are some positives.
1. Its a generous size considering the age and overall square footage of or home.
2. I love the original tub and arch detail.
3. It can only get better from here.
THE PLAN
I’ve been doing the whole “if mysterious money showed up in my bank account tomorrow here’s what I would do in here” in my head for the past 1,519 days so while I wasn’t expecting to touch this space until next year I at least had some idea of what I wanted to see changed in this space. I called my design and real life bestie, Carmeon, to help me conceptualize the space and pull together a few details. She’s one of the smartest, most talented, most stylish people I know, PLUS she’s been to our home and has had the unfortunate pleasure of using the space so her thoughts were invaluable from the guest perspective. I told her to tell me what she hated about it and what she liked and we went from there.
Ok so heres the inspiration:
THE PLAN
I will be working with the existing space. The challenge here will be to find a way to make this relatively small space work without adding to the footprint of our home. So here’s the overall gist of what will be happening in here:
Gimme alllllll the mood. I will always and forever be on #teammoody interiors and this bathroom is about to get a heavy dose. The idea behind this makeover is to take very classic and traditional materials and use them in interesting ways, all while maximizing as much space as possible with small space friendly updates. We will be taking this space basically down to the studs and starting over and I’m so excited to have you along with me on the ride. Im the queen of slow decorating and taking my time to curate a space so it’s definitley going to be a challenge to have it all complete in 6 weeks! But I’m up for it. Yall send prayers. And a Hello Fresh subscription. My kids may not eat for the next few weeks!
Oh and did I mention how freaked out I am about renovating a bathroom when there isnt another one to use. Heaven help us. Thank God for amazing neighbors, but still….things are gonna get interesting.
Ok so that’s what’s happening in ORC land over here. Make sure you head to all of my fellow featured designers’ blogs(listed below) to see which spaces they will be tackling. I can’t wait to see and cheer them on and follow along on their transformations as well! And make sure you are following me over on Instagram as well. Ill be there sharing daily progress, deep diving into the design, and showing major love for all the amazingly generous sponsors who are providing wonderful product to help me make this space come together.
Until next time friends…
At Home with Ashley | Bre Purposed | Dabito | The English Room | Erin Kestenbaum
Harlow & Thistle | House of Brinson | J & J Design | Kelly Golightly | Linda Holt
Megan Bachmann | Michelle Gage | Mimosa Lane | Murphy Deesign | Vestige Home
Old Home Love | Me | Shay Geyer | Sita Montgomery | SMP Living
Media Partner Better Homes & Gardens | TM by ORC
Rosana l says
super excited to see the progress of this bathroom. I love the inspiration pics.
Jude says
Cannot WAIT to follow along! I’m sure you will do an amazing job and I love all the inspiration pics. I’ll be joining in as a guest participant!! Let’s do this!
Shavonda Gardner says
woohooo! Lets do this
Linda | CIH says
I love a good soak in the tub. great to hear it stays. The plan is fantastic, but the journey might be a bit tough. Hang in there.
Shavonda Gardner says
Oh Linda! What have I gotten myself into!!!
Oona says
Hi, Shavonda! What a gorgeous mood board. I love the rest of your house and can’t wait to see this new plan unfold.
Ashley- At Home with Ashley says
I redid my only bathroom for the last ORC- and it was definitely tricky. I tried to do one section at a time- sink, then toilet, then shower than floor. So that only one key thing was out of order at a time. I love how dark and moody it’ll be!
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Ashley! Thank you so much! Oh Im so glad to hear this. Im planning on taking it in phases so Im really happy to hear it CAN be done. Im so pumped to be alongside you for the challenge and Im so excited to see your master bedroom come together.
Holly Hollingsworth Phillips says
Big and brave project to take on. I cannot wait to see the transformation. This will be an exciting 6 weeks for us all!
Vanessa Bailey says
Well, everyone just stop drinking and eating that will help a little. Good luck!
Susan G. says
Heyla!
caught your instagram last night and was chanting to myself, ‘keep the tub, keep the tub, PLEASE keep the tub!’ so I was overjoyed when you said how much you loved the tub!
so many people these days are buying lovely old properties and gutting the bathrooms to the bare studs.
I can understand this in some cases, but, every time I see someone take a sledgehammer to one of those
tubs I cringe. I’d give my eye teeth to have one of those beauties instead of the fiberglass 80’s monstrosity
in my bathroom.
so, so excited to see your new old bathroom take shape!
cheers, later!
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Susan!
I couldnt agree with you more. It breaks my heart to see the original tubs ripped out too. There was NO WAY I was getting rid of ours. Ive loved it from the moment we toured the house for the first time:) Thank you so much for your sweet words love.
Adrienne Robideaux says
Love it all. So glad you are participating in this! Can’t wait to see the finished bath.
Shavonda Gardner says
Thank you!!
Blu says
Newbie Instagram follower. I’m really excited for you and your family to have a bathroom that reflects who y’all are. The inspo looks great!
Blu
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Blu! Thank you so much! We are super pumped!
Haley says
Loving the inspiration pictures! I can’t wait to see what you do!
Rochelle says
Hiiii!! What a great read my friend!! I just knew it was gonna be the bathroom! Cant wait to see this journey!
Tee at Beauteeful Living says
Love the design inspiration and looking forward to following along!
Cheryl McInerney says
Everything looks beautiful. I can’t wait to see the finished room. Good luck.
Camille says
Soooo excited to watch the transformation!! You already have my vote. Good luck ✨
Carli says
Love your mood board and that arch in the bathroom is darling! So exciting!!!! I can’t wait to follow along!
Lee Ann says
Hi, Shavonda! You are one brave soul! I remember a week without a bathroom when I was a child … a reno project for sure! Sweet neighbors offered their bathroom, but of course, it rained the whole week we were traipsing back and forth across yards!
Not sure if this is possible, but maybe y’all can rent one of those luxury “port-a-potty-on-wheels” while you’re working on this project????
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Lee Ann!! Oh nooooooo! Dont you just love Murphy’s Law! Jeez. So we are planning on tackling things in phases so hopefully we can minimize downtime of the necessities. And its good that we have a separate tub and shower so while the shower is being tackled we can at least still take baths.:)
Christine says
Very exciting! Loving the whole plan!
jennifer@decoratingdelirium says
So happy for you Shavonda!! I can’t wait to see you transform this space. You will rock it. I am excited to follow along. If you need emotional support via coffee and cocktails I am good for that too 🙂
Shavonda Gardner says
Oh sweet friend..I will definitley take you up on that offer!!!!
Valerie says
Let the challenge begin!!???⛏????????♀️????You got this!!!!!!
Susie Carranza says
SO excited to see what you do!!! I know it’s going to be gorgeous…!
Shavonda Gardner says
Thank you Susie!
Lena Wu-Fuentes says
Soo excited for you ALL! i have no doubts the reveal will be epic, and yes i am good for meals to ensure your kiddos ( and Naomi) won’t starve!! LoL. Smooches.
Lena Wu-Fuentes says
Sooooo excited for you ALL. I have no doubts the reveal will be epic – and yes , im good for some meals to ensure your kiddos don’t starve!!
Natasha Habermann says
YOU BRAVE GIRL!! I was banking on your bedroom but you took it up a notch!!! Cannot wait to follow along! I’m here for you if you need anything!
Lauryn Rachelle says
Okay, so let me just say that it’s not nearly as bad as I anticipated, as you reeeeeeally NEVER show it. But yes, it’s definitely gots▪ta▪go! You’re a brave soul for tackling it sans porta potty.
Wishing your household peace, understanding, compassion, and an abundance of patience during your reno, Love.
Erin@ liveprettyonapenny says
Yes yes and yes! I figured it would be the bathroom! I can’t wait to see it come together!
Angela Martinez says
I have been dying to know what room it was gonna be! How exciting! Can’t wait to see your vision come to fruition. I know it’s going to be bomb!!!!
Veronica says
Oooohhh. I’m in eager anticipation for this one. Looks like a yummy plan. Good luck! Hopping on as a guest participant tomorrow. ?
Emma says
OMG the light fixture wired to nothing! Who thought that was a good idea?! Best of luck on your mission to renovation!
Angelina says
Aw man! I’m happy for you guys! I didn’t even think about the bathroom! But now that you’ve said it, it couldn’t have possibly been another room! Excited!
Brittany says
I am hoping to redo my bathroom in the spring, so I’m excited to see what you do! I wish I could incorporate a skylight, but the bathroom is under the attic. Already put in a pocket door to maximize space inside the room though!
Ryan says
That’s where solar tube work to get light into an interior bathroom!. As long as you can run what is essentially an 8″ pipe to the roof you can get light. They are low profile on the ceiling and just look like a big recessed light fixture.
Brittany says
Thanks! I would love that. I am in a condo so I will have to look into that.
Albertina says
How exciting! This makeover will make a huge difference in your daily lives! And I love your moodboard and moody colors! I can’t wait to see what you do!