English Conservatory Meets Florida Sunroom - The Plan
I’ve spent years trying to convince myself that each piece was special enough to overcome the awkward disruption of harmony throughout the open living space. I felt justified with this theory when I heard Nora Ephron say - “the bag was a color that went with nothing and therefore went with everything” in, I Feel Bad About My Neck. During the renovation I’ve re-examined and modified my theory in light of new evidence, my house feels cluttered and incohesive.
Welcome back to the evolution of my Florida home, if you’ve missed any of this One Room Challenge series you can find weekly updates here: Intro, The Plan, Custom Windows, Design Changes & Lighting, Renovation Reality
We’ve moved quite a few times resulting in a collection of furniture pieces (more like odds and ends) that don’t really fit this house. I’ve spent years trying to convince myself that each piece was special enough to overcome the awkward disruption of harmony throughout the open living space. I felt justified with this theory when I heard Nora Ephron say - “the bag was a color that went with nothing and therefore went with everything” in, I Feel Bad About My Neck. During the renovation I’ve re-examined and modified my theory in light of new evidence, my house feels cluttered and incohesive.
I know this isn’t a traditional conservatory or sunroom, but these windows are stunning (more on that next week) and the space is filled with natural light. It wants to be a garden inspired room and who am I to disagree.
Feeling overwhelmed after a long renovation that seems never-ending and second guessing my choices, I reached out to my design-savvy friend, Jennifer, to help me define a plan. I love this look and fingers crossed I can finish by the end of the ORC.
Some of the new-to-me pieces are vintage and came from my in-laws home when they downsized. The vintage Dhurrie rug (similar) has been waiting for it’s next chapter since it arrived from Boston. I’m planning on layering it on top of a handmade Rush House woven rug. The tessellated bone sideboard resembles one currently in Palm Beach and I’m hoping to find a way move it across Alligator Alley (if you know, you know).
I’m excited for this room to come together and thankful my husband has given up hope on having a vote in the process. Working better under self-imposed press, I’m once again hurrying to get this post up for the fall One Room Challenge®. Here’s some of the plan for creating this look.
How I plan to put this room together -
English Conservatory Meets Florida Sunroom
I’m rounding the corner on a ten-month structural renovation that’s been in the planning phase for the last several years. The majority of the budget was focused on replacing, upgrading, and transforming the areas that made the most sense while walls were open and permits were circulating like confetti on New Year’s Eve.
This project has been eight years, two hurricanes, and a lot of patience in the making. I’m rounding the corner on a ten-month structural renovation that’s been in the planning phase for the last several years. The majority of the budget was focused on replacing, upgrading, and transforming the areas that made the most sense while walls were open and permits were circulating like confetti on New Year’s Eve. I’m finding myself in the oddly familiar place I was in over a decade ago which resulted in me starting this blog.
If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Linda, a design-obsessed homeowner currently living in Florida. Eight years ago we bought a tired older home in a great neighborhood full of potential along with some undiscovered problems.
if you’ve missed any of this One Room Challenge series you can find weekly updates here: Intro, The Plan, Custom Windows, Design Changes & Lighting, Renovation Reality
We knew the roof was on its last leg, the skylight was not hurricane rated, and the windows were original. All things that could eventually be upgraded over time - a naive statement from a newly transplanted resident confident that the lack of snow and ice dams (commonly found in the NE) would make Florida elements a minor inconvenience.
Undiscovered problem #1 - the pool was sinking. We were told it was just the decking that needed to be replaced - not so.
We lost the pool cage in Hurricane Irma - not sorry and not covered by insurance.
As time went by and nature did her thing, somehow our roof managed to keep us dry long enough for us to plan and save. We had just begun renovations when Hurricane Ian hit which forever changed the supply-chain and workforce we would be relying on. The entire process would become twice as long.
Below is what will soon be my conservatory/sunroom. The first image is from the listing eight years ago, and the rest are from during the renovation. The ceiling has been raised, PGT impact doors and windows have been installed, and insulation, LED lighting, and A/C is complete.
Are you curious to see how this room unfolds? Me too! It’s late Sunday evening and I’m hurrying to get this post up for the fall One Room Challenge®. Here’s some of my inspiration pins and I’ll be back next week to share the plan.
Victoria Hagan
Foyer Makeover One Room Challenge® - The Plan
I’ve been shopping for rugs on eBay for over a decade. It’s my number one source for one-of-a-kind vintage rugs!
It’s been almost six years since I joined in on the crazy fun of the One Room Challenge® and I’ve missed the creative energy and motivation so I’m jumping in on week 3 and I’m playing along with all the guest participants. This season, due to COVID, the ORC is 8 weeks and my project doesn’t require any outside help…unless my family refuses to assist. As I’m writing this, it feels like trying to squeeze into your favorite old pair of jeans, and with the same level of denial I think I can pull it off.
Here’s the space - It’s a small foyer leading to the master suite. The doors are always open and you can see it from almost every angle in the house.
The entire master suite needs attention and the entry feels like the most manageable place to start. This isn’t a area that requires much function, but I would love to display some of my blue & white collection. I’m going for a bit of Palm Beach meets California. Think Mecox Gardens in Malibu. Are you feeling it?
Here’s the plan - aka dream goal
You’re probably thinking this looks straightforward and not too complicated and next week I’ll let you know why that’s not the case. Until then you can check out all the Featured Designers, Guest Participants, and endless inspiration from previous events.
Tankless Water Heaters are Hot
Let’s chat about the systems that help run our homes. The not-so-pretty and often confusing choices we make result in either years of satisfaction or regret.
This post is in partnership with EcoSmart, all opinions are my own.
Let’s chat about the systems that help run our homes. The not-so-pretty and often confusing choices we make result in either years of satisfaction or regret. Five years ago, I let our contractor make the important water heater selection, and have spent the last year regretting that choice.
The decision to go tankless is something worth considering with the biggest benefit being a reduction in home energy usage. According to the US Energy Department, homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. The initial cost of the unit is higher than a standard water heater, but the lower operating and energy costs result in an overall savings over time.
We live in Florida where the temperatures are high and the water mineral content even higher. In our area, most home systems run on electricity, and energy efficiency is an important factor to consider because the a/c runs most of the year. When our tankless system began to fail, it resulted in lukewarm showers/baths and intermittent hot water at the kitchen sink. A decision had to be made, and it would be on me to decide which product was best for our family. I’m no exception when it comes to preferring shopping for home accessories over home solutions, but it was time to stop procrastinating.
It only took one visit from a licensed plumber to learn our system was not only of lower quality, but was also installed incorrectly and destined to fail. The system failure was accelerated by the high mineral content in our water which corroded the heat exchange. The plumber highly recommended EcoSmart as well as Installing a filtration system and flush valves to extend the life of a new system. Nonetheless, I got a second licensed plumber’s opinion who agreed.
Researching tankless systems is like any other research project. You ask professionals, speak with friends, and then do a deep dive on Google. The EcoSmart name came up several times. I never shopped by price since the inconvenience of replacing a system is far more expensive than getting it right the first time. When I decided on the EcoSmart brand I was pleasantly surprised to learn this system was not only highly recommended but also extremely affordable. Tankless water systems require annual maintenance and hard water needs to be filtered. Professional installation from a licensed plumber with experience installing tankless systems is the best way to guarantee success.
We’ve had the system installed and so far, so great! The new tankless heater is running far better than the old heater ran on its best day. The water comes out so hot that we’ve had to adjust the mixing valves to find our new preferred temperature setting for showers and baths (not complaining). Our water pressure has improved because we’re able to use our fauces as they’re intended in full mixing mode.
There’s a lot of misinformation regarding tankless water heaters online. As best I can tell, most of the complaints result from improper installation and/or omitting a filtration system. These systems require annual maintenance and an upfront investment. Proper installation and maintenance will optimize their energy efficiency. If you’re considering replacing your hot water tank, you could start your research here. If you’re not ready to commit to a brand new system, you may want to look into a water heater booster designed to work with a tank. Now that our water heater issues are behind us, I can resume my hunt for the perfect grasscloth wallpaper.
Everyone’s noticed the improvement with my husband, chief dishwasher, commenting that the kitchen sink temperature is now perfect for doing dishes. Thank you, EcoSmart, for Keeping the human dishwasher happy.
SHOPPING FROM HOME ON EBAY
I’ve been shopping for rugs on eBay for over a decade. It’s my number one source for one-of-a-kind vintage rugs!
Sponsored by eBay, all opinions are my own
Well Hello! It’s nice to connect over the hot, Florida, summer. Summer feels like a time when life slows down a bit, in theory, and families spend more time just hanging out. That’s not the case at my house, but I hope it is at yours. Over here, my to-do list grows with the expectation longer days are my friend. She’s a ‘temporary’ friend who will be leaving soon and in light of her impending departure, I’ve felt obligated to spend chunks of time with (said) friend binge-watching shows, eBay shopping, and the occasional trip to the supermarket. It’s been great!
Now that August has arrived I’m ready to reconnect with my home (and the people who live in it) while I plan for some upcoming room transformations. With a unanimous vote of one (me) the declaration of my master bedroom as my next project was overwhelmingly approved. I’m even considering jumping into the One Room Challenge™ as a Guest Participant for the motivation to make this happen this year. And that is why I’ve been shopping on eBay!
First up – Rugs!
I’ve been shopping for rugs on eBay for over a decade. It’s my number one source for one-of-a-kind vintage rugs! My current vintage rug collection consists of bright, vibrant, ‘notice me’ reds and blues.
My bedroom is long with an ideal rug size of 9 x 13. In addition to the uncommon size, I wanted muted tones to blend with the floor providing me the flexibility to use vibrant colors in the bedding or furniture. Here are some of the rugs I considered in my search.
This is the gorgeous rug I purchased. It’s so pretty in person with touches of rose, cream, pale grays and hints olive green. finding a 9 x 13 size was a stroke of luck, and by luck I mean a few hours devoted to eBay hunting. Time. Well. Spent.
I’ll keep you posted on the bedroom progress as it unfolds. And now back to reconnecting with the family. We are jigsaw puzzle addicts. No lie, if there’s a jigsaw puzzle open we feel compelled to complete it in record speed. Will we build the same puzzle twice? Highly unlikely, what’s the point we’ve conquered that beast. Here are a few of the challenge puzzles we’ve built or are anxiously awaiting the challenge..
I feel like I just completed my back to school essay – How I Spent My Summer Vacation!
Happy hunting friends.
ONE ROOM CHALLENGE™, FALL 2018, WEEK 5
We are not going to lie…we’re worried!
PLEASE VISIT ONEROOMCHALLENGE.COM
Welcome to week 5 of the One Room Challenge™. If you have been following along on Instagram, you know that many of these rooms are still in progress. Furniture placement, wallpaper hanging, late deliveries, and room styling is happening everywhere. We are not going to lie…we’re worried!
Do you think everyone will finish?
Follow #oneroomchallene + #bhgorc on Instagram where you can watch all the crazy fun in real time.
ONE ROOM CHALLENGE™ FEATURED DESIGNERS
At Home with Ashley | Brepurposed | Dabito | The English Room | Erin Kestenbaum
Harlow & Thistle | House of Brinson | J & J Design | Kelly Golightly | Linda Holt
Megan Bachmann | Michelle Gage | Mimosa Lane | Murphy Deesign | Vestige Home
Old Home Love | SG Style | Shay Geyer | Sita Montgomery | SMP Living
Media Partner Better Homes & Gardens | TM by ORC
Thank you to the One Room Challenge™ Media Partner, Better Homes & Gardens, for your support and love for original interior design.
I’ll see you tomorrow for another fun-filled day of design inspiration when the Guest Participants post their transformations!
You can follow all of the fun on Instagram #oneroomchallenge + #bhgorc