It’s a grand thing to have hope, and for me, hope comes from signs of change. Those signs of change – though dusty and far from glamorous at the moment – are in fact starting to show up to the party in this little basement of ours, specifically in the form of the drywall and electrical being finished and the floor being patched with self-levelling concrete in preparation for the broadloom installation.
After living with a thin film of icing-sugar-like drywall dust on every living surface in the house over the last week, I am BEYOND grateful to have that nasty business over with so we can move on to much more exciting details this week. Remember our mood board?
Let’s just say we still have a lot to do to get from today to TA-DA. But that’s what deep breathing and hard work are for, am I right? In addition to the drywall, electrical and floor-prep being looked after, I did receive a few very important deliveries this week, and that always feels good. First off, our wall, ceiling and trim paint. Let me catch you up on the decision-making there.
I have a career-long love affair with the Farrow & Ball line of paints for many reasons. Their historical grounding, nuance and sophistication mean they bring depth and life to every space in which I use them. Their colours are richer and more complex, in part because of the unique clay base to the paint. White is not simply white with Farrow & Ball, as evidenced by the six shades of white you see above.
Choosing the right white is all about the alchemy of art and science, and the truth is, it should always begin with your fabric selections. In this case, that would be my seemingly daring choice to upholster Whittington’s Joni sofa in pure white. I know, I know. I have a teenager and a toddler in my house. Has she lost her ever-loving mind? you quietly wonder to yourself.
No, I have not. At least, not on this front. Because I know the designer secret behind having a beautiful white sofa and actually being able to live on it.
My friends at Thibaut have solved the red-wine-drinking, white sofa-loving age-old dilemma with the introduction of their line of nanotechnology-treated fabrics.
So what’s the deal with nanotechology, you ask?
- Through the use of nanotechnology, every fibre in the fabric is fundamentally transformed to repel liquids.
- The natural qualities of the original fabric are maintained, including it’s softness, hand and breathability.
- The combination gives you natural looking fabrics that repel liquids, resist stains and significantly extend the life of your fabrics.
- This is an eco-friendly process, so your conscience can stay as clean as your white sofa.
Basically, thanks to Thibaut you can have your cake and eat it (on your sofa), too. Even if it’s chocolate. OK, especially if it’s chocolate.
So the arrival of our amazing Nanotex-ified Thibaut white fabric immediately narrowed my six choices of white down to two: All White and Wimborne White. Whereas All White is a brighter, cooler, slightly pinkish white, Wimborne White is warmer while still neutral and without any yellow undertones.
Wimborne White is a perfect compliment to the warm white throughout the rest of the house. Add to that the fact that Wimborne White visually softens the feel of the Thibaut shade, and we have a clear winner. I cannot wait to get that painting done this week!
While we are still on the subject of fabrics, I’ve got some serious goodies to share with you in the form of my pilow selections from Arianna Belle. I’m thrilled to be collaborating with this brilliant woman again, and I’m seriously excited about how the pattern play has come together for this space.
Needless to say, that gorgeous linen Leopard print will bring a feminine edge to the space, while that touch of Blush Velvet (sans le gold piping for simplicity’s sake) will add an elegant softness. I know I’m repeating the use of Kelly Wearstler’s Channels from our living room drapery treatments with the kidney cushion for the chair, but can you blame me? This fabric has a sense of artistic grit, and I’m all about bringing that vibe into my home.
So what’s on tap for this week?
- Finalize and install the wall panelling on the wall behind the sofa with our amazing Metrie mouldings.
- Paint the entire basement with my superhubs.
- Cheer on said superhubs as he builds our media cabinet.
- Paint said media cabinet in more Farrow & Ball goodness and get it ready to receive the LG TV of our dreams (more on that soon, I promise!).
- Recover from the flu that I am literally fighting as we speak.
I cannot realistically ever expect to get through a One Room Challenge unscathed, and if the flu is my mountain to climb for this one, I’ll take it! It beats FedEx losing my fabric any day of the week!
I cannot wait to check out the mountains being moved by my fellow ORC design daredevils this week, and you should join me in taking in all of that goodness through the links below.
Jana Bek | Chris Loves Julia | Shannon Claire | Coco.Kelley | The Curated House
Driven by Decor | The English Room | From the Right Bank | Sherry Hart
Hi Sugarplum | House of Jade | Hunted Interior | The Makerista | Making it Lovely
Marcus Design | Pencil & Paper Co. | Megan Pflug | Place of My Taste | Suburban B’s
Waiting on Martha Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by CIH
Next week I should have a few exciting, real-life photo updates for you, as well as more delicious design details to share on how this space is going to come together. I do hope you’ll stick around for the party! I have high hopes this will be a good one.
Oh, the blush velvet, leopard print, moldings… basically this is turning into the room of my dreams – which reminds me, I should probably start ordering furniture for our own ORC, ha!
Can’t wait til next week! XO
OBSESSED. You are a design genius!
Can’t wait to see your lovely room all finished. I’m hoping to be in Canada for a visit in November and would love to see you in person if our schedules work out. (Can you believe our babies were just BABIES the last time we saw each other and now they’re almost three?) xx
Oh my goodness, I would LOVE THAT! Seriously, we have to make it happen. Play date for the kiddos, play date for the mamas! It’s a win-win. xx
The pieces you choose for this space are amazing! So inspired and excited to see how this turns out! I’m in love with that sofa…swoon!
Isn’t it GORG? Just another reason why Whittington & Co. have my heart.
Gah your plans are just so gorgeous, and that Arianna Belle pillow mix is to die for Sarah! I hope this flu leaves you alone ASAP! Hugs x
You are the loveliest – thank you, sweet friend! x
Not again Sarah! Hope this flu is done soon and you can get back on the project in full strength! Love your pillow choices and yes, that KW fabric is to-die-for … MORE is MORE for sure! Thanks for the tips on the white fabric and paint! Now I know what to use when it’s time to reupholster my white sofa!
Looking forward to Week 3!
Sarah….it’s going to be such a brilliant room! Love the pillow selection and I am so sorry you are sick:(
Loving your pillow choices! It’s gonna be awesome!
Wow – I love all your ideas. Let me know if you need any hardware – not sure if you are doing built-ins anywhere, or have a need! Can’t wait to follow along. Am doing my daughter’s room as well.
I seriously LOVE your collection, Jessica! I’ve already got the hardware ordered for this one, but let’s keep in touch and find a way to collaborate! Can’t wait to see what you do in your daughter’s room – I have no doubt it will be GORG!! xx
Love how this is coming together. I can not believe this is a basement. I think I would live in this space.
That’s the highest compliment, Linda! To create spaces people want to come home to is what drives my design business. So grateful for your support! xx
The fabric sounds amazing! Can’t wait to see more!
[…] • Chris Loves Julia • Shannon Claire • Coco.Kelley • The Curated House • Driven by Décor • The English Room […]
Love all your pillow choices! And no, that Kelly Wearstler pattern is just about impossible to pass up. Here’s to deep breathing and getting to Ta-Da!!
[…] Jana Bek | Chris Loves Julia | Shannon Claire | Coco.Kelley | The Curated House […]
[…] Jana Bek | Chris Loves Julia | Shannon Claire | Coco.Kelley | The Curated House […]
Hi, your work is absolutely stunning! I’m obsessed with your white sofa! Do you happen to know the actual name of the white fabric? I would love to have my sofa upholstered in the same fabric. Thank you.