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The Library: One Room Challenge Week 4

Last year, when I completed the kitchen pantry and the dining room as our One Room Challenge™ projects, I fared pretty well without a lot of panic. This year, not so much. The exhaustion is setting in, and the to-do list still looks way too long to complete in only two weeks.

So where are we with this room? We are everywhere and nowhere and all points in between. I have divided myself between all of the tasks instead of focusing on one until it is complete. It is not an ideal way to move through a big job like this, but since I am working mostly alone, it helps stave off the loneliness and boredom.

The Floor

The floor is 95% sanded.

Unfortunately, the edger was too tall to fit under the shelves, so I am stuck sanding under there with the orbital sander and the mouse.

Sanding with the smaller tools is excruciatingly slow, so I tackle it in 15-minute increments. I used a chemical stripper to take off the tough top layer of poly.

Working on the floors before the walls is a bit of a risk, but the finished floor needs to cure for at least a week before we can put the rug on it, and as you well know, time is running out! Also, sanding creates a whole separate dust disaster, and I did not want to get the grasscloth or chalkboard wall full of dust and grime. To protect the vulnerable floor, I wear shoe covers in the room, and I hold a towel under all of the paintbrushes and rollers. Fortunately, I am also a freakishly neat painter.

The Walls

I have made a lot of progress on the walls, but none of it is very visible yet. We are still about a week away from wallpaper and paint. The prep work takes three different primers!

I am using the Zinnser Gardz on the wall we are painting to seal the chalky surface leftover from old wallpaper paste. I am using Kilz Odorless Oil-Base on all of the woodwork. The Zinnser Shieldz is for the grasscloth wallpaper walls.

Once this challenge is over, I will post more specifically about each primer.

The Windows

This week, I had the replacement glass cut for the windows. All together, there are 5 broken panes. When I can steal a few minutes, I sand, prime or paint the sashes.

By the end of this weekend, I plan to have all of the new panes in the windows. Then, we can reinstall them next week.

During week 2, I posted a general pacing list, and I updated it today. It is satisfying to see that everything is moving along especially since the entire project still feels so disjointed.

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 – DONE
  3. Week 3: Ceiling Repair – Wall Repair – Window Repair – IN PROGRESS
  4. Week 4: Continue Wall & Window Repair – Paint – IN PROGRESS
  5. Week 5: Finish DIY work table, Refinish Floors – IN PROGRESS
  6. Week 6: Finish Everything – Reveal! (Holy cow! That’s vague and somewhat terrifying.)

At this point, I have purchased all the supplies we need to get everything done. That was a task in itself. Next week, the update should be more visually appealing. Thank you for hanging in here with me while I am still sweating and toiling with the basics of this project. I will not give up.

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. I am so jealous of everyone who is down to the details of their project already, but I am proud of them too. The ORC is not easy. If there is a specific ORC project that is inspiring you during this challenge, feel free to post a link in the comments.

Also, we post real-time updates all week on Instagram. Head on over to stay in the loop between posts.

12 Comments

  • SH
    Posted April 27, 2017 at 9:33 am

    BHH is the first ORC I check every Thursday! It must be a bit frustrating that so much of the work at this stage seems like a step backwards: removing, scraping, sanding (so. much. sanding), and repairing. But the floor and windows will be such shining stars. So smart and clever to tackle some projects in limited increments, so not so overwhelming. I’m going to remember that tip. And only a year ago, the pantry was incomplete, and the dining room ORC not even on the radar. And look at them now!!!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 27, 2017 at 10:01 am

      I love that we are the first stop on your ORC rounds. 😀 Thank you! You hit the nail on the head about feeling like we are taking a step backwards. In my head, I feel like I should not be tearing things up at this point. And yet… I sure do appreciate your comments every week, SH. <3

  • Liz
    Posted April 27, 2017 at 10:50 am

    Hang in there! I have great faith in your ability to get things done…and WELL done at that! You may not see it (too close to the mountain to see the top), but I see great progress, especially in the first picture posted above. It has gone from a little depressing to bright and cheery! Greatly looking forward to what comes next!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 28, 2017 at 7:25 am

      Thank you, Liz! 🙂 I love your analogy that I’m too close to the mountain to see the top. It’s so true.

  • Courtney @ Foxwood Forest
    Posted April 27, 2017 at 10:58 am

    It’s coming together! I know you’re putting in some pretty intense labor, but it will be so worth it. Keep it up, friend! 🙂

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 28, 2017 at 7:26 am

      Thank you, Courtney!

  • Andrea Matters
    Posted April 27, 2017 at 10:59 am

    I’m with SH…when I fire up my computer on Thursdays I always think, “Ooh, maybe there will be a BHH post today!” You are making wonderful progress. I can’t wait to see the floor when it’s finished. Well, I can’t wait to see ALL of it. Especially the windows. And the grasscloth. And the millwork. And the shelves filled with books. Yes, all of it!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 28, 2017 at 7:26 am

      Thank you, Andrea! 🙂 I’m really excited about the windows too.

  • Cathy
    Posted April 27, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    keep going, Stacy! I’m rooting for you!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted April 28, 2017 at 7:26 am

      Thank you, Cathy!

  • SH
    Posted May 1, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Whoa! Just checked your IG and wowed by the floors. So glad you could keep them light. Big leap forward–woohoo! [still have not yet joined IG, so commenting here since I just couldn’t wait til Thurs;)] Wallpaper date too sweet 😉

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted May 2, 2017 at 7:06 am

      Thanks! They got slightly darker with the poly, but when it dried, they looked lighter again. 🙂 I was relieved!

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