Kosa Flushmount by Tech Lighting
Market Fringe Woven Runner by Chilewich
All photos courtesy of Nicole Dianne Photography.
Designing an Entryway with Studio Plumb
Interior designer Rebecca Plumb is back with another One Room Challenge,
this time tackling an entryway with a quick turnaround time.
We got the inside scoop on how she gets it all to come together.
Another season, another #OneRoomChallenge in the books; and our friend Rebecca Plumb from Studio Plumb has another gorgeous renovation to share with us. We partnered with Rebecca to help her transform two narrow hallways and an outdated guest bath into beautiful, functional spaces that leave no factor un-wowed.
We asked Rebecca more about her process on this project, and she's even got a pro tip for you if you're considering a similar renovation. Read on!
We've worked with you on the One Room Challenge before; what inspires you to keep coming up with fresh ideas for your home?
We purchased our home 3 years ago and I fell in love with the property and the midcentury bones, but it needed every surface refreshed. So basically, the list of spaces to update seems endless, but dreaming about how to improve the function and beauty of our home is my favorite hobby.
What are some common issues you run into while planning and executing a renovation like this?
Besides time and money, the most common issue is the impact on our family. I've gotten smarter about it and created a self-care plan to get ahead of things like meal planning, and limiting time away from home.
Your home's rooms are cohesive yet each tells its own story; where did you gather ideas from when planning this entry?
I was inspired by the playful wallpaper and color scheme in the adjacent guest bathroom. Since it was so bold and colorful I had to restrain myself and the majority of the materials used were neutrals: black, white, wood and brass. To add the whimsy I painted the back door itself a sky blue and added multi-colored pegs that tie into the bath. I pulled the colors themselves from midcentury modern palette like the walnut wood tones, sky blue and peachy pinks. The brushed brass in the light fixture is midmod reminiscent but in a contemporary finish.
What was your favorite part of this process? And your favorite result?
The favorite part of the process is definitely putting in the final materials and styling the space. All the finishes look beautiful when they're done, but I don't think a room comes alive until its accessorized. I usually can't contain myself and am rolling out rugs and placing art before things are cleaned up and ready. I was pleasantly surprised at the little “shelfie” moment we were able to add in the laundry area. What is traditionally a utilitarian eyesore (and previously was for us), I put a couple vignettes together that have a “secret” laundry theme. The glove mold is a nod to hand-washing and the art is made up of a framed piece of textile and vintage fiber art.
Got a pro-tip that stands out?
My biggest tip for a fast-paced renovation is to keep an open mind and be flexible. I had a vision and plan in place but, of course, we had a few hiccups along the way. The cabinetry I originally wanted wasn't going to work and I had to make a last-minute change to meet our timeline. Of course, that had a trickle-down effect with other finishes. It turned into one of my favorite changes once I let go of my original idea.
Rebecca's thoughtful insights and inspiration can be applied to any home renovation you're considering taking on, whether it's a speedy six-week whirlwind like the One Room Challenge or a more forgiving timeline. Visit Rebecca's blog to see Studio Plumb's full reveal and watch for future One Room Challenge reveals next season.
