It happens every season of the One Room Challenge. Stunning rooms that showcase not only the brilliant talents behind them, but also some great design lessons we can all learn from their beautiful results. Today I’m sharing some of my favourite ORC reveals along with some takeaways you can use in your own home.

To say Shannon from Burlap & Lace nailed it would be a major understatement. This room for me is pretty darn perfect. From that delicious black marble mantel to the yummy Annie Selke rug to the modern lighting and traditional bust, the mix is timeless and fresh all at once. The number one design lesson from Shannon’s space? Moulding is magic. I love how she used Metrie’s moulding and that stunning door to give her room a sense of architectural presence. The simple formula for me is that panelling = good bones. Naturally, what Shannon did with all of her tasteful and interesting layers makes the room, but she was super start to lay the right foundation first.

Confession time: I’m pretty nuts over Hunted Interior‘s lovely layered lounge. It’s so boho-glam-meets-rock-and-roll it hurts! The design lesson here is in not holding back on layering textures and patterns for a room that feels collected over time and well-traveled. It’s modern and current but won’t date, a tough thing to accomplish with a space that is so fashion-forward. She’s also a black built-in buddy with a gorgeous custom bookcase that totally transformed the eating area in the space. I love the unexpected layering of rugs in the seating area. The mix of black and white pieces – from that amazing striped tray table to the subtle roman shades – is strong and classic all at once. Add to that the variation of patterns in the blue pillows and all that texture and this room just draws you in and makes you want to stay awhile. Be sure to head on over to her reveal post to check it out. So good.

When decorating her home office, Hollie Hollingsworth of The English Room didn’t hold back. This room is bold and glamorous, colourful and eclectic, and ultimately a reflection of the courageous creator behind it. Hollie is definitely the master of the unexpected mix. Most designers wouldn’t dare to use this many colours and patterns in one space, but Hollie makes it seem like magic. I adore the homage to Iris Apfel (Hollie’s style icon) in the art gallery wall, and the nailhead x detail with agate centres are seriously to die for. The design lesson here is that not a single inch of this room went without Hollie’s careful consideration. She literally took every opportunity she could to personalize and customize the space. The result is one of the most unique ORC’s I’ve ever seen.

When it comes to investing in a room as important as the Master Ensuite, some people can be tempted to follow the trends. The design lesson from Nancy Marcus‘ gorgeous Master Retreat is that the classics are always worth mastering when it comes to your ensuite. Her use of porcelain Calacatta tiles from our friends at Creekside is totally timeless. It was also a smart save, as the porcelain is as easy as the eyes as it is on the budget. Accenting that with moonstone marble mosaics and a real Calacatta marble mosaic inset in the shower just ups the sophistication and timelessness. Add to that Nancy’s stunning claw foot tub, and she has created a sanctuary retreat that I for one would love to come home to every day!

When it comes to creating a one-of-a-kind room, murals are magical. I love the way they tell a story and draw you in as if you are one of the characters in the narrative. These two talented ORC Linking Participants actually painted these stunning murals themselves! Insert all the applause hands. Seriously, ladies. The first space is the enchanted bedroom of Less Than Perfect Life Of Bliss‘ daughter Lola’s room. It feels like a fairytale, or even better, the backdrop for Lola to write her own story.

In the case of Eleven Gables‘ lovely little powder room, it was a “wallpaper fiasco” that led her to paint her own mural. With skills like that, I’d consider the wallpaper as the back-up plan the next time!

There were truly so many spectacular finished spaces with this round of the ORC that I could go on and on, but these were some of my favourites. Have you seen them all? Which rooms did you love the most?

Be sure to share them with me in the comments below, and pop back next week for some festive love! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, and I’m beyond excited to share it with you as a part of White Buffalo Styling Co’s Christmas Home Tour.

Until then, have a fabulous weekend! Keep your eyes open for beauty. It’s in all kinds of unexpected places.