Yes, The One Room Challenge Linking Event is for Everyone!

Thank you for your interest in the One Room Challenge. I have received so many questions about the One Room Challenge and everyone is asking the same thing, "can anyone join?" The answer is Y.E.S. For the next six Thursdays, it's all about YOU, YOU, YOU! Here are some other questions and answers you may find helpful.

Q: Do I need to have a blog?

A: Yes. 

Q: How do I join?

A: Write a post about your progress, and each Thursday come by and link up. 

Q: How do I link up?

A: It's really easy. Once you have your post written, copy the URL of the actual post (not the general blog address) and follow the prompts on this blog. It really is foolproof. 

Q: What are the dates?

A: Six posts (for all you technical people, it's five weeks, unless you start now) so start now.

Here are the dates along with a suggested guideline

Week 1 - Thursday, October 2 - Show us your plan and your space.

Week 2 - Thursday, October 9 - Show us some of your progress.

Week 3 - Thursday, October 16 - Did you have any setbacks? 

Week 4 - Thursday, October 23 - How's it going? Week 4 is hard!

Week 5 - Thursday, October 30 - Did you revise your plan? Hang in there!

Week 6 - Thursday, Novermber 6 - Tah Dah! It's all about the pictures. 

Grab an ORC logo, place it on your blog, and tell your friends. Trust me, it will get hard and you will want all the support and free labor you can find. 

And if you still have your doubts, here are the top 10 reasons (David Letterman style) why you should join in;

10. You have nothing better to do.

9. This will annoy your family.

8. You will meet lots of new friends.

7. This will introduce your blog to a new audience.

6. You can use #oneroomchallenge on Instagram.

5. You never know who will be watching.

4. You can show off your talent.

3. It's fun!

2. You will finish a room (or come really close).

1. You are watching it anyway, you might as well join in!

Please keep this in mind; There are quite a few bloggers looking for ORC rooms to feature, however, they need really good quality pictures. Be smart, the picture quality is as important as the design. One won't look good without the other. 

Any more questions? Have a productive weekend.

 

ORC | Trademarking | Original Ideas

These are some of my favorite subjects to talk about....in my everyday life. I love this stuff! As most of you, long before I began blogging, I was an avid blog reader. That was way back when each blog had a specific area of focus and everyone was original. The One Room Challenge^TM  is a perfect example of finding a need and filling it.

It all started in the best possible way. I noticed a need (to stay on track and finish a room) and created an event to make that happen. From the very first round, three years ago, the internet rewarded this original idea. Of course I was never worried about other bloggers copying my idea; creative, ethical people applaud your originality and work harder to improve their own game.

In the middle of the second round (more than 2 years ago), I was made aware of a large E-commerce company that wanted to host their own The One Room Challenge^TM. Yes, right down to the exact same name. This is a company that I am sure spent TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars on an advertising agency and marketing firm. Really? Your experts can't think of an original idea? By working quickly, with lots of help, I was able to put a stop to this company's infringement of my event.

Before I go on, you need to know that I am not a Lawyer, nor am I giving legal advice. This is my personal experience, and when in doubt, consult with an Attorney. 

I have said it before; Trademarking is expensive. I think it is a defining moment on how much a person believes in their original idea and what they are willing to do to protect it. My advice, it's not personal, it's business.....think like a man. When I see the TM or R on a logo, I get excited! Navigating the Trademarking system can be a long, difficult process, but worth it. Once you receive your Registered Trademark Certificate you will have a feeling of well deserved accomplishment.

Now go get busy, surround yourself with talented people who strive for excellence and show the Internet how original you are. Oh, and if you do Trademark an idea, I would love to hear your story. 

 

One Room Challenge Linking Event....Get Ready!

I'm so excited because my favorite time of the year is coming up....One Room Challenge Time! I have been working so hard since the last One Room Challenge Linking Event, and you are going to want to do this. 

For starters, the logo has been updated. Please feel free to grab a gold or blue one.

The next round starts on Thursday, October 2nd. Start planning and be ready because (without revealing my secrets) some serious sites are watching. I am not kidding when I tell you that I work on this all year long. 

Grab a friend, tell your readers and get a room finished just in time for the holidays.

 

ORC Linking Participant Hall of Fame

Did you happen to see the Remodelista Considered Design Awards? There is a total of ten winners, five categories with two winners (professional & amateur) from each section. 

I was so excited to learn that Caitlin from The Shingled House won Best Amateur Office. 

If this office looks familiar, it's because Caitlin transformed this space when she participated in the One Room Challenge Linking Event. 

In case you missed it, you can see the amazing shed transformation here. You can also learn more about Caitlin's design process on Remodelista.

And just in case you missed this.....Vel from Life & Home at 2102 had her reading nook featured in the July issue of This Old House Magazine!  

Vel and her husband also participated in the One Room Challenge Linking Event and transformed a Tween Bedroom/Reading Nook.

You will love this room makeover and can see all of it, here. 

If this inspires or motivates you....mark your calendar and start planning.

Congratulations Caitlin & Vel, those were amazing transformations!

 

The Monday After ORC

I wanted to thank all of you for your kind comments from the One Room Challenge. It is truly a labor of love in every way. I don't like to talk about many of the things I do behind the scenes to help make this a success, but I will share with you that it takes my undivided attention for the entire six weeks, and while I'm working on the current ORC I am also constantly thinking about the next one. That is why I only post a couple of times a week during the ORC. 

The One Room Challenge is also a Registered Trademark. I will do a more in depth post on that hopefully soon. What you should know is that the only way you can protect your idea legally, is to Trademark it. If you read Blog Inc., then you already know that you should be trademarking your blog title. Good ideas are stolen all the time on the internet and Trademarking is not cheap. Only you can decide for yourself if you want to make that financial investment. 

Now I would love to hear from you. Do you use the ORC for resources and ideas? Have you ever implemented any of the design ideas shared by all of the former participants in your own home? Is there anything in particular that you would like to read about? You can leave a comment or email me directly. 

Finally, I have received quite a few emails from readers saying that you no longer receive my blog via email. Sherry also mentioned this in a recent post of hers. It seems as though it is a problem larger than all of us,  it's all Google's fault and I will try to get someone to assist me with this. 

And now I'm off to check out more of the 77 Linking Participants. So much talent gathered in one place. 

 

One Room Challenge Linking Event, Round 2...Week 6

I am so excited that today is finally here. Just six short weeks ago 84 people jumped into the One Room Challenge Linking Event and have been working nonstop ever since. We have all followed along while giving support and advice to anyone crazy brave enough to attempt the #OneRoomChallenge. 

If you have always wanted to try this, or would love to do it again...mark your calendars and start planning. 

Thanks again for linking up. I know we have all made a lot of new friends. Please remember to put a link back so that your readers can see these rooms, too. 

It will probably take me all weekend to visit these amazing rooms, but I can't think of a better way to find real life inspiration.