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The Library: One Room Challenge Week 2

Thank you for all the love last week regarding choosing the library for our One Room Challenge™ project. What I especially appreciate is your confidence that we will get the library done in six weeks and that it will be beautiful. There is a chance that you are all enabling my delusions, but in all seriousness, you motivate me to be better and do better. Gracias, danke, merci.

(Fun fact: I also know how to swear in several languages, and I may bust out some of those words in the next few weeks.)

Presently, the library looks like a horror show. I removed both the wallpaper and the acoustic tile. The next step is major clean-up.

Yesterday, I wrote a post about removing wallpaper the easier way which you are welcome to read or save for your own project. What is the best way to remove wallpaper? is a question that I get asked very often.

Project Management

Since this is such a large project, I am writing about pacing today. In order to accomplish a lot in very little time, managing this project efficiently is the key to its success.

One thing we have going for us is that we are using all in-stock products in the library. Since I am not a designer, I do not have the added stress of ordering custom products that may or may not arrive on time. I am still finalizing the design. I have solved the “function” part of the equation, but I am still working on the “form.” Being a real designer would probably come in handy right about now.

Pacing: Week by Week

  1. Week 1: Tear out Wallpaper and Acoustic Tile  – DONE
  2. Week 2: Get estimates for ceiling repair and remove Windows – (Complete today.)
  3. Week 3: Ceiling Repair – Wall Repair – Window Repair – Order Supplies
  4. Week 4: Continue Wall & Window Repair – Paint – Begin DIY work table
  5. Week 5: Finish DIY work table, Refinish Floors
  6. Week 6: Finish Everything – Reveal! (Holy cow! That’s vague and somewhat terrifying.)

I wish I could leave you with inspiration photos or something more substantial to dream about in the interim. This quote by Plato will have to suffice.


Photo Credit

Please head over to Calling It Home to take a look at all of the One Room Challenge™ rooms from the featured designers and the other guest participants too. If there is a specific ORC project that is inspiring you during this challenge, feel free to post a link in the comments.

Hi ho! Hi ho! and all that jazz.

16 Comments

  • Chad
    Posted April 13, 2017 at 8:51 am

    The ceiling doesn’t look too bad… in the photos!

    The only ceiling I had intended to keep started sagging so badly I put up furring strips like the ones you have and drywalled over it.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 13, 2017 at 9:41 am

      Photos don’t do it justice. 🙂 The furring strips are keeping it solid. I’m getting two bids for drywall. The plaster will still be there if a purist wants to come along someday and restore the original ceiling.

  • SH
    Posted April 13, 2017 at 12:53 pm

    All the wallpaper is down?! Good work, take a break and get yourself an ice cream or something 😉 And please, you must, use that Plato quote in the library somewhere: a large canvas, a small framed print on a wall or shelf, or some sort of textile. Something. Somewhere. Already anxious to read next week’s post. Go Team BHH !!!!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 13, 2017 at 5:29 pm

      Thank you, SH. You are always such an excellent cheerleader. 😀 The Plato quote is definitely making its way into this project.

  • Homespun by Laura
    Posted April 13, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    It’s looking great (as in, ‘progress is being made and I can’t wait to see what’s next,’ not as in ‘you should keep it like that’)! Y’all deserve a massage after removing that much wallpaper, even if it was the easy way!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 14, 2017 at 8:44 am

      Thank you, Laura! I also appreciate the idea to add a massage into this project plan. Smart! 😀

  • Courtney
    Posted April 13, 2017 at 8:45 pm

    LOVE a good “before’ especially one with wallpaper!! Excited to see the transformation!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 14, 2017 at 8:47 am

      Thank you, Courtney! I love that you have an old house too. I can’t wait to read more about it. 😀

  • Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com
    Posted April 14, 2017 at 10:04 am

    I am so jealous that you will have a library in your home… what a dream! And as much as I’m enjoying decorating the nursery for our ORC (for obvious reasons – our first baby!), there’s nothing like a project where you’re tearing things down to set my renovation-obsessed heart aflutter. When we first bought our 1930 bungalow, the place had previously been abandoned for 20 years and was NOT in a livable condition, so we went through about 1.5 years of total gutting and renovating. I remember being so excited about finally being able to decorate, but now that that stage is over, I sure do miss it! Never thought I’d say that…

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 15, 2017 at 7:49 am

      You understand! It takes so much time to get these old houses to the point of stability that decorating has to come second. I am happy that you are at the decorating stage now. You are going to love being with your new baby without the added headache and stress of a renovation. I am really happy for you. <3

  • sarah_in_illinois
    Posted April 17, 2017 at 2:24 pm

    What a great quote! I can’t wait to see where you incorporate it.

    I have removed lots of wallpaper in my previous house, and yes renting a steamer is the only way to go!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 18, 2017 at 7:29 am

      Ugh…wallpaper! We have two more rooms of wallpaper to remove, and then we are done with that stage. I can’t wait! 🙂

  • Linda | Calling it Home
    Posted April 17, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    Oh wow, this is a huge job. I hate removing wallpaper. Great progress!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 18, 2017 at 7:29 am

      Thank you, Linda! Removing old wallpaper is the worst.

  • Jen Noting Grace
    Posted April 20, 2017 at 12:59 am

    OOF! Been there – solidarity sister!

    Can you tell I hate stripping wallpaper? But, hooray it’s over! I’m so excited to see what amazing things you do for your library and I’m oh-so-excited to be doing this along side you as well!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 20, 2017 at 7:31 am

      I’m with you! Stripping wallpaper is a terrible job. I’m really enjoying following your project, Jen!

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