One Room Challenge Fall 2022 ~ The Reveal

Written By Tim Lam

Welcome to Week 8 of One Room Challenge Fall 2022 and it’s REVEAL day! No matter the size of the project and how much planning or prework was done in advance, 8 weeks always feel too short to tackle every item on that never-ending to-do list. With the last piece of artwork being hung minutes before the photoshoot, we finished just in time for the reveal, literally.

Before we kick off week 8, here is a recap for our 8 weeks design journey:

week 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

A big thank you to Stephani Buchman for the amazing captures, especially such an incredibly tight turnaround time.

For this One Room Challenge, we were set out to tackle the foyer and the living room at my family home. Yup, I grew up in this house. It’s nerve-wracking to work on this makeover because of all the memories, the fear of what-if Dad doesn’t like it (oh yeah in case you missed it in an early post, this is a surprise makeover where a majority of the work was being done while he was out of the country), but at the same time it’s such an honor to take this home to its full potential … one or two rooms at a time.

Here is the design concept for the foyer: classic elegance with an edgy twist

And say hello to the foyer’s humble beginning: vintage fixture (was here when we purchased the house 30 years ago), reproduction furnishings from the late 90s, limestone inspired tiles (my handywork in early 2000s) that really need a good scrub.

And this is how we make the entrance NOW! No major construction, no additional built-ins, this is joyful decorating makeover with:

  • most of the furnishings came from my private collection, and can you believe that checkered rug is vintage IKEA I picked up over 20 years ago?

  • transformative grasscloth wallpaper in a delicious soothing creamy beige from York Wallcoverings (Candice Olson collection)

  • luxe brass accents throughout (via lighting fixture, mirror, and EMTEK hardware) for a rich classic touch

  • statement artwork and accessories to tell the story

The other side of the foyer also got a much-needed update with a contemporary bench upholstered with a nature inspired ikat fabric, a marble + burgundy glass table (reminds me of the amazing Bell side table), and some gorgeous accent pillows (esp the geometric one). Now it’s truly the perfect spot to welcome guests.

Just like faucet is the jewelry in the kitchen, door hardware is certainly the star of the show since this foyer has 3 set of doors. When it comes to door / cabinet hardware, my go-to is EMTEK Hardware. Solidly constructed and fully customizable, these are the exact items we use in the foyer:

Did you know EMTEK Hardware also carries a variety of door accessories? I love the classic door stops for the streamline look, and we of course have picked the satin brass finish to tie in with all the brass accents.

Before we head to the living room, let’s take a moment to celebrate this landing spot between the foyer and the living room. A refreshing coat of paint in subtle shade of cream and grey, a dramatic yet whimsical fixture, artwork and furnishings all work together to give guests a hint of what to come next.

The living room … where do we begin? It is a mismatch of furnishings and accessories over the past 3 decades, the mustard yellow walls + popcorn ceiling give the room a dingy vibe, and the elephant in the room: no area rug to define the space and to ground the furniture?

My hope and dream is to take this once unappealing living room (maybe that’s why it is also hardly used) into a light, bright, welcoming space perfect for both entertaining guests and everyday living.

From design concept to reality, I couldn’t be happier with how the room turned out.

Say goodbye to the floral sofa set and my various failed attempts to bring the room to the 21st century back in the early 2000s.

Now this light filled living room feels homey, effortlessly elegant, and the mix of furnishing / accessory styles truly gives the room the collected look that will stand the test of time.

The first thing I brought into the room, the jumping off point you could say, was the fireplace mantel. It’s pre-loved a cast stone mantel I scored for a song on Facebook marketplace, and the white marble tiles I picked up from ReStore were only $3 per sheet.

These two elements set the tone / style plus serve as the focal point in the room. By painting the walls a soft creamy white, and layering shades of neutral and subtle patterns + texture via furnishings and window treatment, we have created a soothing, eye pleasing backdrop to really showcase the sculptural Pirouette chandelier from Blueprint Lighting, the striking area rug in a classic diamond pattern from the latest Chris Loves Julia x Loloi collaboration, and many of my favourite accessories.

I always like to create little moments in every room I design. This corner is on full display the moment you walk into the living room. It’s full of potential, even in its former glory.

Now it is a sensational spot housing many one-of-a-kind vintage treasures, a simple yet stunning calacatta marble side table, a cute as a button stool (with storage) in deep luscious green velvet, a classic polished nickel floor lamp adds style, function and without taking up any real estate, and a beautiful artificial plant for volume and a fresh pop of greenery.

Tip:

Don’t be afraid to mix natural stones in the same room. I have counted 5 different stones from onyx sconces / travertine plinth to the white marble tiles / calacatta side table and vase, and a malachite box, the trick of mixing them all together is via the repeat of tones so they reference to other elements in the room.

And here is the other side of the living room before the makeover. This really reminds me of the power of decoration. I did consider doing built-ins on either side of the window + beef up the bay window for additional seating. That of course would require a rethink of the furniture layout, how would the living room interact with the adjacent dining room, not to mention an addition of time and budget to the project.

By sticking with essentially the same furniture layout, we prioritized our budget by investing in a real good quality sofa made locally in Toronto, having custom made drapery so they look perfect in the room (also saved money by using cotton/linen blend tablecloths as fabric), and collaborating with Toronto Artist Christopher Reyes for an incredible modern creation to contrast with the more traditional elements in the room. Again, giving the room its personality and soul.

Tip:

Another trick of mixing furniture pieces for a cohesive look is via similar leg profile and finishes. In my case, none of the pieces came from the same source and by keeping them in a neutral palette and repeating the tapered legs in dark walnut finish, we are able to unify the pieces for a harmonious furniture collection. No more matching 3-piece set!

Never lose sight on the finer detail. These details are what make the room comes to life. For those who have followed my design journey for a while know I love playing with fabrics. The layering of color, pattern, texture adds dimension and visual interest to any spaces relatively affordable and less committal comparing to wall / furniture finishes.

Tip:

Toss pillow is one effective way to inject bold, graphic patterns to make the space uniquely you. Instead of ordering fabric by yardage and then custom sewing them into pillow covers, I prefer working with SWD Studio for the following reasons:

  • less wastage of fabric, especially if I am only making one accent pillow

  • professionally sewn, meaning your pillow cover will always look perfect

  • customizable in size

  • easier on the budget book, especially on expensive designer fabrics

  • support local business

As you can see, I have gone with two different looks + silk piping on my toss pillow. They both look amazing in the room, and I love how easy it is to give the room an instant refresh.

Thank you for joining me on the 8 weeks makeover! Congrats on all the fellow designers and decorators on their amazing transformation, and a huge Thank You to Linda for another inspiring round of One Room Challenge! Ten Years and counting!

Source List

Foyer:

Living Room:

Tim Lam
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One Room Challenge Fall 2022 ~ Week 7