Welcome to Postbox Designs! For any of you that might be new here, I’m Kristin, mama to three, wife to remodeler Ben (that’s right, we have some sweeeet tools at our disposal!), and labradoodle pup owner of Jasper. We bought this crazy multi-level three years ago, that we have been slowly turning into our dream home. I’ve been an interior designer for almost 12 years now, and I wanted to rip out every room on the first day. But we have been taking it slow and steady, and doing one room at a time, always with budget in mind.
But today I have something fun to share with you all! I am always blown away by the over-the-top creative people I see on all of the blogs I follow. Want to see TWENTY of them in action all at the same time? There is an amazing design blog Calling It Home, where she not only showcases her designer talents, but also started a bi-annual Challenge. Every year Linda asks 20 designers to participate in her One Room Challenge, and you can follow them along in their six weeks of renovating any room of their choosing.
Well, if that isn’t enough eye candy for you, I don’t know what is! But she also generously invites anyone who wants to participate at home, to follow along and add their weekly updates. Well you might as well be dangling a chocolate cupcake in front of someone on a diet. I knew right away I wanted to play along, so I started looking for a room that needed some major help, but that I could do in six weeks. I also knew I had to pick a space that I could remodel on a budget. With those restrictions, I narrowed it down to the oversized, empty hallway outside of my kid’s rooms.
When we bought our home three years ago, I laughed that the people who previously owned it most have had some major collections. There were dozens of glass shelves all through our home. Well I neither collect things (to the relief of my hubby), or want to dust that many empty shelves. So for all of you detail oriented people, that is right, there are TWENTY NINE SHELVES here. About 28 more than I need. So here a shot of the existing area:
Here are some of the other issues I had with this room when we moved into our home:
It is way too white.
It has white carpeting. I have three young children.
I don’t need 29 shelves.
There is a great balcony, but it needs some window treatments on the slider.
I hate track lights with every fiber of my being.
But most importantly: What do I do with this area?
It is too small to be a room, but too big to just waste as a hallway.
I do like the location of the room, because it is right outside of my kiddo’s bedrooms and their shared bathroom. So this wing of our home is like our kiddo command area. I knew I wanted to do something for my bambinos. We aren’t really into too much TV, so I didn’t want that kind of space. And it isn’t big enough for a full fledge playroom for my 4, 6, and 8 year olds.
But you know what it IS big enough for? A homework area. I’m thinking a triple desk where the big kids can do their homework, but they can also do crafts, draw, and paint. So I need something that is durable enough to stand up to their crazy craftiness. (And confession time, my four year old draws on EVERY surface. Then tries to get away with it by giving me her puppy dog eyes. Oh boy). So I don’t want to create an uber expensive desk that I KNOW is going to get a lot of abuse. I don’t want to cry when I find the black Sharpie has made it’s way outside the lines. And it needs to be done on a BUDGET. Like $1,000 or less please.
Okay, so it needs to be:
Durable
Cleanable
Budget friendly
Pretty (I am a girl, and a designer after all)
I have some ideas. I want something neutral with an industrial vibe. This area also happens to be off our front entry way so it can’t be too crazy. So I rounded up some photos of rooms I loved. If you want to see these, and dozens more, check out my Pinterest Boards! In this room, I love the vintage inspired schoolhouse chairs. And that chandlier-WOW. I’ll take it now!
Okay, I’m digging the idea of sconces here. Three kids=three sconces? And the vintage map and chalkboard combo make me want to swoon. I love this industrial looking desk that looks like it can hold up to anything a six year old boy could bring to it. (A much needed feature). Ohhh…and ship lap?
I love the cool metal accents here. Plus I have a thing for numbered items. It just makes me feel more organized somehow.
And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up some Fixer Upper style here. I like the industrial look, but not TOO much of it. Our house has a cottage inspired style, so I can’t go too trendy industrial, then kick myself for it later. So you know Johanna would put it some shiplap in there to warm it up.
I love this mix of the salvaged-looking wood top and metal legs. And I love an industrial look light fixture. Our room was born with track lights. Ugh.
Okay, so I have my look down. But some of these desks alone blow my budget. So I need to find a way to grab the look I want, but pull it into my budget. I think I may have some ideas….
Stay tuned for Week 2, where I show you my design ideas and drawings, and I narrow down my final selections for the space! Also on Facebook and Instagram where I’ll be posting behind the scences photos, I would love to have you hang with me! And check out all of the progress of the amazing designers selected for the One Room Challenge!
Katie says
I love all of your inspiration photos and can’t wait to watch the progress! I’m pretty sure this is going to be the coolest homework station ever!
Sabrina @ Pink Little Notebook says
What a great idea for this space. I love your direction. Great inspirations pictures!
April R - Uncookie Cutter says
Oh my gosh, what a fun room! I think you are going to work wonders in this space. Can’t wait to see the transformation and love the concept of your blog!
Kathy says
Hi Kristin, love the space and your inspiration pictures! There’s so much potential, I’ll be following your progress for sure! I”m totally addicted to skinny jeans and chai tea too. lol I’m intrigued by your website and that your husband is a remodeler. It’s nice to “virtually” meet you! xoxo
PostboxDesigns says
Ha! I love to hear I have another soul who shares my love for the skinny jeans and chai tea-my four year old drinks (a tiny bit) with me every morning! thanks for checking out the progress-I’m crossing my fingers it turns out the way I’m thinking in my head 🙂 My hubby isn’t always as excited as our remodeling projects around the house as I am! 🙂
Carol @ CAD INTERIORS says
What a wonderful area filled with natural light! I love how you plan to use the space as your kids’ homework nook. Great inspiration pics. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out. 🙂
Nancy @ Slightly Coastal says
I love the direction you are going with this space. I too think it is the perfect space for a homework center. I’m sure you have some really great ideas already in progress and I can’t wait to see what you have come up with in this short week. BTW, did you know hairspray can take off Sharpie? I know this because a few years ago the driver of the monster truck WarWizard signed my son’s forehead on a Saturday night. Not wanting to go to church with WarWizard on his forehead, I had to find something that worked. Hello Aquanet. 🙂
PostboxDesigns says
So filing that tip away! I am 100% sure some sort of marker/pen/etc. will end up on this desk-one more reason not to spend a fortune on it! 🙂
Jessica says
I am crazy about your inspo pics for this project. It’s so great. Love the touch of industrial. I’m excited to see it unfold!
Kim says
Kristin! I’m loving all of your inspiration pictures and can’t wait to see what you do with that space! I love the idea for a homework center – the space is perfect for that with all of the natural light – I did something similar in our office using file cabinets made-over and a custom desktop – haven’t posted it yet though! 29 shelves, huh. That’s a serious, serious collection! haha!
PostboxDesigns says
Great minds think alike-I did that desk style in MY office-I will have to check out yours if you have photos of it on your site! Believe it or not, BESIDES this room, I took out another 18 glass shelves. Someone had a serious collection going…. 🙂
Maggie @Maggie Overby Studios says
What a great space you have to work with can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Jana says
Oh what a fabulous space, so much potential! Love your inspiration as well!