One Room Challenge: Week 7!

We are coming down to the wire for this challenge and I am starting to see it all come together! This past week I tackled a main focal point the desk and pot belly stove area.

Let's dive right in!

Feature Wall

I was back and forth on what to do with this main feature wall above the potbelly stove and between the two arches. The original thought was to make some sort of "tower" with bricks because I didn't know if the back of the stove could be wide open. To my surprise it does not get burning hot (the flue on the other hand does) and building a tower defeated the purpose of opening this space up and lets be honest, we have 8 weeks! So back to the drawing board.

At first I was leaning towards doing a slat wall, but as good as they are we have all seen that a million times. Another thought was to do a large landscape tapestry framed as art. I even contemplated a faux plant wall but with the heat from the flue I wasn't too sure how plastic would hold up!

That is when I thought of a plaster wall. I had almost an entire box of unused drywall mud so I figured I could inexpensively experiment and that is just what I did.

When I first started I was trying to apply it with a trowel and I just happened to use my hand to smear it in the corners where the trowel wouldn't fit and low and behold my technique was born! haha I then started scooping drywall mud with my hand and smearing it around making swirly movements with my fingers to give it almost a wave like appearance.

After I let this dry, it looked so "flat" and kind of boring. My first attempt was to add paint to the mud but that did not go well, it looked as if my 3 year old made me an art project. So to bring out the dimension and ridges I used what any girl would use, bronzer! I went and bought some cheaper Wet'n"Wild makeup bronzer and brushed it on to give slight definition. I still feel like more could be added but I don't want to rush it, so for now I stopped after the bronzer. I have yet to apply the matte clear coat but I plan to so that the drywall mud is sealed.

To finish it off I added stained 1x2s to the outside border and framed the pot belly stove in as well.

Flue/pot belly stove and ceiling treatment

Since I didn't do a slat wall on the wall, I figured I would do it on the ceiling here. This section of the ceiling had to drop down slightly in order to support the flue box so I wanted to make it look purposeful, so I added a design element. Having the slats on this area really draws your eye up making this room look much larger and it is such a statement piece! I used 1x2s and stained them before securing them to the green board. Finished it off with a 1x4 border and done!

Desk

I have been searching thrift stores and Facebook marketplace for a desk that I could refinish with absolutely no luck! So of coarse I ended up building one. I was hesitant because I knew we wanted one large drawer and I strongly dislike building drawers! After trouble with my stain I ended up making it happen and I am super happy with it. Lastly, I added these vintage map knobs that I found from Hobby Lobby.

I made the desk out of 2x12s and will have a full tutorial on my blog after this challenge is done. I purposefully left gaps on either side of the desk because I had an idea involving plants and rocks to go here but trial #1 did not work out! Hopefully I can figure this area out this coming week!

Extras

Every week I keep collecting small things that really make the space feel finished. A few extras I got this week are:

• Finally the risers and baseboards were completed. I painted the fronts the same as the baseboards.

• Curtain tie backs only $12 and they are magnetic!

• Books mostly from thrift stores and family

• Battery operated candles remote controlled and my most favorite ambiance addition!

• Plaster vase I am also doing a DIY using plaster of paris on a thrift store find.

• Olive Tree absolutely love the added greenery

• Up-Lighting added to the olive tree and then on either side of the desk for a cool night look.

Recap from this challenge:

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

Remember next week is the REVEAL!! This coming week I will finally be putting color and wallpaper on my bookcase built ins and then style this space for real!! So be sure to check back next week and keep following my IG stories for daily updates!

Be sure to check out all of the other participants in the One Room Challenge here and cheer them on!