Stepping into Week 4 of the One Room Challenge (ORC), it feels less like a stride and more like a sprint through a chaotic obstacle course. There’s no sugarcoating it – the renovation journey has been a whirlwind of unexpected twists, turns, and a healthy dose of madness. But amidst the dust and disruption, a glimmer of hope has emerged, making this week’s update particularly significant.
In an unprecedented move, the ORC organizers have extended the reveal deadline by an entire week. This decision, born from compassion following recent natural disasters impacting many participants, felt like a personal lifeline. I’m not ashamed to admit that upon hearing the news, I almost shed tears of relief. For those just joining our adventure, you can catch up on our previous updates and the story of how far behind we’ve been right here. This extension is not just extra time; it’s a much-needed breathing room, a chance to reclaim a sliver of sanity and ensure our vision for the master bedroom suite comes to life without compromising quality or our well-being.
To truly convey the current state of affairs, I thought it would be insightful (and perhaps a little entertaining) to walk you through a typical week in our lives. Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of improvisation, patience, and a surprising amount of quality time with our dismantled bathroom. Yes, you read that right. I’ve even included photos of our gutted bathroom and the ever-growing collection of boxes that have become an unwelcome part of our decor. I know, deep down, you’re all really here to see the old toilet, now a temporary fixture in our garage, embodying the true spirit of renovation chaos.
Navigating the Renovation Labyrinth: Challenges and Unexpected Delays
While the finish line for our master bedroom suite feels tantalizingly close, the journey ahead remains substantial. We’re not just renovating a space; we’re orchestrating a symphony of construction workers, design decisions, and the unpredictable antics of our three beloved “fur kids.” These feline overlords, convinced they hold the mortgage and we’re merely their humble housekeepers, have made working around an active construction zone an art form in itself. Their uncanny ability to escape any perceived confinement means open doors and a steady stream of contractors are a constant source of anxiety. Trying to contain them while construction personnel move in and out all day long has evolved into a daily nightmare. This dynamic adds a unique layer of stress, demanding constant vigilance to ensure their safety and our progress.
Adding to the challenge, Jared and I, along with our trio of furry companions, are currently cohabiting in our small guest room. Our full-size bed, once ample for two, now feels more like a sardine can for five. The image above perfectly encapsulates our collective sentiment regarding this temporary, albeit cramped, living arrangement. It’s a testament to our commitment to this project, but also a daily reminder of the sacrifices involved.
Beyond the logistical nightmare of pet management and tight living quarters, we’ve also taken on the formidable task of project managing the entire renovation ourselves. This means one of us must always be available on-site to answer the contractor’s inevitable questions – whether it’s a design query, a measurement clarification, or an unforeseen structural issue. Even a small delay in our response can cascade into significant setbacks, pushing back timelines and testing our patience. Consequently, we find ourselves spread incredibly thin, juggling these demanding renovation responsibilities while simultaneously striving to keep up with the regular rhythm of our S&C endeavors. It’s a delicate balancing act that requires constant communication, quick decision-making, and an endless supply of caffeine.
A Detailed Look at Our ORC Week 4: A Day-by-Day Chronicle
Here’s a breakdown of what a typical week looks like when you’re deeply entrenched in the One Room Challenge, managing a blog, and living amidst construction:
Friday: The Creative Hustle & Demolition Day
The week kicked off with a flurry of creative energy and logistical demands. I managed to finalize two critical post deadlines for Sugar & Cloth, ensuring our content calendar remained on track despite the surrounding chaos. In a somewhat whimsical juxtaposition, I also custom-made a batch of flamingo macarons for an upcoming influencer dinner, a small but delightful escape into confectionery art. Simultaneously, my focus was on coordinating the intricate final details for our signature color wall installation. Meanwhile, back at the house, Jared was holding down the fort, patiently awaiting an oversized delivery essential for the renovation, all while our master bathroom was undergoing its intense demolition phase. The contrast between these activities – delicate baking and heavy demo – truly captured the essence of our Friday.
Saturday: Tile Troubles, Public Speaking, and Family Help
Saturday began with an unexpected and time-consuming quest. A miscalculation in my initial Overstock order meant a desperate search for the perfect white bullnose tile at a local home improvement store. What should have been a quick errand turned into an extensive treasure hunt, highlighting how minor errors can consume precious renovation time. Later that afternoon, I transitioned from tile hunter to speaker, delivering a presentation at Create & Cultivate Houston, a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow creatives. The evening brought a much-needed boost of family support; Jared’s mom kindly lent a hand, helping us hang curtains and artwork. Her assistance was invaluable, not only in advancing the project but also in preventing us from reaching peak stress levels with each other!
Sunday: Catching Up and Regaining Ground
Sunday was dedicated to playing catch-up. The previous week’s extensive time spent at the house meant we were behind on several photoshoots, so the afternoon was a scramble to get those done. A delightful (and calorific) detour involved attending a three-year-old’s birthday party, offering a brief respite from renovation talks. Upon returning home, it was back to business: tackling a mountain of laundry and making significant progress on painting parts of the living room, a space that needed some TLC even while the master suite stole the spotlight.
Monday: The Living Room Reveal & Plumbing Predicaments
Monday was dominated by the urgent push to complete our living room styling for its grand reveal. It was a race against the clock, transforming the space into something photographable and blog-ready. Our operations manager, Tricia, bravely worked from the solitary corner of our dining room not engulfed in renovation boxes, a true testament to her dedication. Simultaneously, a less glamorous but crucial event unfolded: the removal of the toilet and associated plumbing from our master bathroom. This necessary evil came with a distinct, pungent aroma of sewage, forcing us to keep all windows open, even as we styled for photos. It was a day of stark contrasts – beauty and… well, less beauty.
Tuesday: Pet Patrol, Party Prep, and Partnership
Tuesday dawned impossibly early, thanks to our feline alarm clocks whose incessant meowing signaled their displeasure at being confined to the guest room all night. The day was a whirlwind of preparations for our highly anticipated color wall launch party. Jared and I divided and conquered: he attended our monthly accountant meeting while I bravely manned the plumbing questions on-site. Once he returned, I raced off to finalize party preparations. We eventually reunited at the color wall, celebrating the launch with friends and colleagues before collapsing into bed by 11 PM, utterly exhausted but fulfilled.
Wednesday: Powering Through the Homestretch
And so, we arrive at Wednesday, determined to finish the week strong. The schedule is packed with two photoshoots today, another tomorrow, and two more on Friday. In between these creative commitments, we’ll be playing tag-team at the house, overseeing bedroom door installations and meticulously preparing for the tile installation. Each day is a carefully choreographed dance between professional demands and the relentless pace of our home transformation.
The Relief of a Trusted Contractor: A Renovation Game Changer
Amidst all the hustle, one particular highlight stands out: the incredible talent and reliability of our new contractor. We’ve found an truly amazing individual who is handling the entire bathroom installation with expertise and precision. This is the same professional who brilliantly remedied our previous flooring disaster, which stemmed from another contractor’s shoddy work during our laundry room and first-floor renovation. His craftsmanship and problem-solving skills have been a godsend, providing immense peace of mind in an otherwise stressful process.
Many of you have been reaching out, eager to get his contact information. And I promise, I will absolutely share his details in our final bathroom reveal post. For now, I’m being a little “greedy,” keeping him to ourselves until our current projects are fully completed. He’s proven to be an invaluable asset, and finding such a trustworthy and skilled professional in the renovation world is like striking gold. His presence has significantly alleviated the burden of self-managing, ensuring that at least this critical part of the master suite renovation is in the most capable hands.
The One Room Challenge is indeed a challenge, but it’s also an incredible journey of transformation, resilience, and creative problem-solving. Stay tuned for next week’s update as we inch closer to the grand reveal of our master bedroom suite!
We’re proud to be part of an amazing community of designers and bloggers participating in the One Room Challenge. Check out their incredible Week 4 updates below:
Boxwood Avenue | Coco & Jack | Design Manifest | IBB for DWD | The House That Lars Built | Little Green Notebook | The Makerista | Making it Lovely | Old Brand New | Old Home Love| The Painted House | Megan Pflug Designs | Pink Pagoda | Erica Reitman | Sacramento Street | Simply Grove | Jill Sorensen | Sugar & Cloth | Vintage Rug Shop | Waiting on Martha *
Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by ORC