Design House Progress

First I just want to say THANK YOU to all of the amazing comments you left on the last post.  We're definitely not alone and it's nice to know that.  I nodded, laughed and even teared up at some of your comments from yesterday's post.  Each & every piece of advice is awesome so if you didn't get the chance to read the comments, check them out. 

On a totally unrelated note, things have been progressing with the DC Design House.  In case you don't know how it works (I didn't until just a couple of months ago) I thought I might explain the process.  In December, just before Christmas, the house was open for two days so that designers could drop by, choose a room and measure & photograph it.  (Like I've mentioned before, the house is amazing.)  I was seriously nervous.  It's an interesting feeling to be in a room with other designers, measuring the same space.  Everyone was really nice though & there were no reality-TV drama moments or anything like that. 


{See the balcony?!! Looooove this house... and this room.}

We had a couple of weeks to put together a design proposal & board for the room we'd chosen.  We scampered around making phone calls for donations and getting everything just right.  We had an artist do renderings of our proposed space and we submitted the board and portfolio to be reviewed by the Committee.  That was on January 7th. 

We had to wait until January 31st to find out if we had been selected or not.  Twenty-four days doesn't seem like a long time, but by the last 3 or 4 days I could barely stand it.  I got a phone call that I had been selected (eeeek) and then it was time to get to work.  I got a different room from the one I had submitted a design for (I am thrilled with my new room!! :) so I had to change the design a bit.  (The room determines its design just as much as what someone wants to do with it.)

I got the chance to measure the new room and meet there with our contractors.  The new room needs something a little different than the what the first room needed, so I tweaked the palette and of course reworked the floorplan & furnishings to fit the new space.  Here's a quick pic of the original board being torn to bits as we tried to salvage the pieces of it that we are reusing in our new room:


{Don't get too attached to anything other than the Peter Dunham Fig Leaf fabric you see in the pic}

I created a new plan for the new room and we finished up the board today.  It'll be shown on Bare Bones Day, which is when people can tour the house to see it "before."  I'll be there and if you live in the area & are free, you should come check it out!  (info here)  We've spent the past couple of weeks sourcing the pieces that will go into the room, finalizing plans, and securing donations from generous companies & contractors.  It's been crazy because it's not a normal house you can just go to whenever you need something.  There are specific times you can go & meet with contractors and everyone needs to be on the same schedule. 


{design house room before}

The Bare Bones Tour is next Saturday and work begins the following Monday.  Our rooms need to be finished by March 31st.  Press Day is April 1st and the Design House opens on Saturday, April 8th!! 

I'll keep you posted as our room progresses.  First up is removing the current wallpaper!


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

27 comments:

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Congrats!!! Love that leaf pattern. How exciting.

xo,
cristin

courteneykay said...

Oh congrats! This must be so exciting for you. It is going to be great!

Marissa Waddell said...

That balcony room is pure magic! I'm excited to see where you go with the Peter Dunham fabric... I'm only a couple of hours away, so I hope I get to see it in person!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

I'm living vicariously, in my dreams :). I am totally cheering you on!

Brittney said...

No. Way. I will forever have balcony-jealousy now! haha

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren - What an amazing balcony! The whole house looks incredible, and I can't wait to see what you do with the cool Peter Dunham fabric...

Wish I lived near D.C. to see your "Bare Bones" tour. This weekend our local showhouse (Vanguard Designer Showhouse for Albany Symphony Orchestra) is having similar "Sneak A Peek" tours.

Loretta

................. said...

This is so AWESOME!!! How exciting for you. Can't wait to see what you do to the space...surely it will be brilliant.

Pretty Inspirational said...

What an exciting process. I'm looking forward to reading more!

René said...

I can feel the excitement building. The room is going to be gorgeous and I love the leaf fabric.

Lynn said...

Never did a show house before so loved to hear about the process. The fig fabric looks like a wonderful launching pad. Wish I lived in DC so I could see it all in person. Here is wishing that your installation is snag free. :-)
Lynn from Decor Arts Now

LindsB said...

That balcony room is crazy fun!! But I have a feeling that you will make that bedroom the best room in the house, balcony or not :)

Gigi said...

Good luck, can't wait to see what you've come up with! The fabric is beautiful.

I Dream Of said...

How exciting! I can't wait to see the "after" photos. That fabric is fabulous. Have fun pulling it all together!
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

I'm very excited for you and am enjoying following along...thanks for the updates...we wanna hear all the details as things progress...
maureen

kayce hughes said...

I am so excited. I wish that I could see it in person. Nothing like a deadline to get the adrenilin flowing.

Unknown said...

Very cool. Congrats on getting selected!! I'll definitely make a point to stop by and see the Bare Bones and the finished product. Good for you, Lauren!!

Lauren@BaylorSays... said...

Well this is just thrilling!! I just wrote about my very first Design House experience and it was AMAZING...and I'm just one of the peepers! I can't imagine how giddy (and stressful!) the experience is on the professional side. Thanks for sharing the process, very interesting. Isn't it fun to have so many people cheering for you? YAY! :-)

AnneHH said...

Here's a quick shout out to say "You go, girl!!!" So happy for and proud of you!!!!! Know that your room will be stunning and that the whole process will prove such an opportunity for you.
Can't wait to see the results and please call if you need any "muscle" or other help. Happy to do a lunch run or whatever.
xoxoxo, A

Megan said...

Eekk! That is SO exciting! I can't wait to see it firsthand in all its glory! With you behind the helm, its sure to be fab!

The enchanted home said...

A gorgeous room indeed. Nothing like a spectacular empty space just awaiting new life...cannot wait to see what you do!~ Its really fun to watch the journey of a room or house being put together.
PS Am your newest follower!

Plesae visit me at my newish blog about the building of our home and my love for design/decor! Thanks...and have a great weekend!

The enchanted home said...

Oops forgot....

www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

lauraloves said...

Oh wow so beautiful! The Balcony is so gorgeous.

Check out my new blog...

www.lauralovesroses.blogspot.com

COCOCOZY said...

Please let me know if you need any pillows, throws or drapes from the COCOCOZY collection for your space. Would be happy to see what I can do!

xo
Coco
COCOCOZY Shop

Brilliant Chic said...

I cannot WAIT to see you the AFTER pics! Congratulations for being chosen! What an honor!

Alicia B. Designs said...

Lauren, I've been meaning to tell you how ridiculously impressed I am with this!! You're just amazing! I can't wait to see what you design.

xoxo
Alicia

Maria Killam said...

Darling, I can hardly wait to see you very soon, and can't wait to see what this room will look like!!!
xoxo
maria

Veronica El-Showk said...

I'm not sure if I tell you this enough but I love you and I'm so so proud of you.