With Gratitude

words of thanks and appreciation sayings

Happy (day before) Thanksgiving!  I wanted to wish you all a HAPPY holiday, and give my sincere THANKS and gratitude for your support of CAD INTERIORS.  I look forward to continue sharing our home projects with you, and hopefully GIVING you design inspiration for your own homes.

Despite the inevitable challenges that are a part of life, my family and I have so much to be thankful for.  Today, and everyday, I give thanks for good health, and the blessings of family, children, friends, and a warm home.  We may not have a "perfect" house, but my little family makes our home "perfect". :)

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I know how precious your time is, and I truly appreciate every moment you spend reading and supporting this blog.  Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

With my heartfelt gratitude,
Carol

Kitchen Reno Update

Remember our kitchen remodel?  You would think it was done by now, right?!  Well, ALMOST.  We took a little break from the kitchen reno to focus on the family room.  But with the holidays upon us, it's time to get the kitchen wrapped up pronto!

renovation quotes and words of inspiration

The good news is that the kitchen construction is essentially done and our kitchen is mostly functional.  Our contractor finished his work in September.  The last major item pending is the backsplash, which my husband will tackle.

Speaking of tile, I ultimately decided to go with a classic ceramic subway tile.  It took me awhile to decide, but I kept circling back to its simplicity and "fit" for our modern farmhouse kitchen design.  It is also a timeless option that is always current and never trendy, which is important to me.  Classic + timeless = winning combination!
CAD INTERIORS kitchen renovation backsplash tile daltile
Although we are going with a regular subway tile, it won't be white.  I selected a soft mid-tone gray for a modern twist.  The gray tile will also provide some contrast against the white perimeter cabinets and light countertops.  The tile is on order, and I'm hoping the backsplash turns out exactly how I envision. :)  Stay tuned.

Reflections

Life has been a bigger juggle act lately.  With the top-to-bottom renovation of our family room in the rear view mirror, I have now shifted focus to other rooms in our home.  Not sure if they'll get "done" by year-end, but we're sure to make some progress.

one room challenge orc modern bohemian eclectic transitional vintage interior design home decor

But first, I wanted to pause and take a moment to reflect on my first ORC experience.  Although the overall process was very positive for me, it was also quite intimidating.  When you go through such a public process, it is important to keep your focus on your ultimate goal.  For me, it was all about creating a cozy, casual, and comfortable space that MY FAMILY could enjoy together.  Mission accomplished.

one room challenge orc modern bohemian eclectic vintage transitional interior design decorating home decor

I think the most positive thing that the ORC fosters is a sense of fellowship among the blogging community.  There was a true sense of support among the participants, as only we could really understand the pressure donned by the process.  We were really cheering each other on.  Encouragement is a selfless and powerful gift in life. :)

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I also enjoyed discovering new-to-me blogs, which I probably may have never discovered on my own if not for the ORC.  There is an overwhelmingly HUGE community of design bloggers like thousands, and it is nearly impossible to be acquainted with each and every one.  I love that the ORC provides the opportunity for design bloggers, old and new, to connect and support each other.
calling it home orc
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts!  I look forward to sharing more of our home renovation journey going forward.  There is A LOT coming down the pipeline. :)

A Unique Find & Vintage Industrial Design Board

Hello everyone!  Thank you so much for all the kind words on our family room makeover.  Wow, the e-mails and comments I received were very heartwarming!  It was definitely a challenging "six weeks" (ten months including the remodel) to get the room done, but it was all worth it.  My family and I are enjoying our comfy new space, and that was the ultimate goal.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Over the past few weeks, I was also working on a (dreamy) living room design project that had me on the hunt for interesting seating options.  During the process, I came across a very unique find that totally caught my attention.  I'm talking about vintage theater seating!
bench eclectic furniture seating
Unexpected.  Unique.  Unconventional.  Quirky.  Playful.  FUN!!!  All design characteristics that I love to see in any room design!  A big dose of courage and creative vision would definitely be needed to incorporate this piece into any home.

I had shown the exact cinema lounger above to my client, knowing that it would be testing the limits of her comfort zone.  Heck, it tested my own comfort zone!  I thought it could be an interesting (admittedly very eclectic) alternative to a traditional bench.  Although it didn't make it into the final room design, I thought I'd put together a mood board that shows how this very piece could be used in a space.

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Hmm, I think I may need this set-up in my own home...

Apparently, I'm not alone in my attraction to unexpected design elements.  Take a look at how these designers incorporated vintage theater seats into their spaces.

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So, did I help you see vintage theater seating in a "new" light?!  They are definitely interesting, functional, and a conversation piece! :)

Sharing with: Home Stories A to Z

FAMILY ROOM REVEAL {Fall 2015 One Room Challenge}

Welcome to reveal day for the One Room Challenge!  My very first ORC is in the books, and what an amazing experience it has been!  Over the past six weeks, my husband and I worked together to complete the transformation of our FAMILY ROOM.


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This room has actually been going through a transformation since the beginning of the year, when we embarked on our family room remodel.  This involved everything from removing faux wood paneling and non-structural drop beams, to adding insulation, drywall, and new hardwood floors.  The "before-before" photos are at the end of the post, so keep reading!

CAD INTERIORS family room remodel one room challenge makeover

This was the starting point of the room for the One Room Challenge.  It was a blank canvas, waiting for additional construction attention and lots of decorating love!

Over the past six weeks, we wrapped up all the unfinished remodeling projects and transformed this empty room into a vibrant, fun, and comfortable space that our family is now enjoying!  Welcome to our "Classic Eclectic Modern Bohemian" family room!

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CAD INTERIORS family room renovation makeover reveal interior design decorating bohemian boho transitional modern

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one room challenge modern bohemian vintage eclectic transitional interior design decorating brick whitewash fireplace diy built-ins orc

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CAD INTERIORS family room makeover renovation reveal diy modern eclectic transitional bohemian boho chic interior design decorating

The dutch door was one of the original features I loved about the room.  The newly refinished door is sporting a new aged bronze door handle/lock set (which is consistent with the door hardware finish in the rest of our home).

modern eclectic transitional bohemian boho chic vintage interior design decorating


Although we contracted out the "larger" renovation jobs (insulation, drywall, new electrical, flooring), my hubby deserves so much credit for bringing the room past the construction "finish line".  Among other things, he constructed the built-ins, made the fireplace mantel, and built out the top half of the fireplace so the television could be hung while concealing all the electronic components.

diy ikea built-in cabinetry fireplace brick whitewash makeover modern eclectic bohemian vintage transitional interior decorating design orc one room challenge

trim molding DIY fireplace mantel television wall panel brick fireplace whitewash
Brick Fireplace Makeover
Fireplace Mantel Stain Process

He also installed all the crown molding, baseboards, and trim detail in the room.  Huge THANK YOU to him for all his skillful work!  Can you believe he learned how to do all these projects "on the job"?!


With the hefty renovations we did this year (family room remodel, new kitchen, hardwood flooring), my decorating budget was very tight.  I spent very little money and really worked with what we had to bring our family room to life.  I shopped our home, used our existing furniture, and incorporated accessories that we have collected over time to style the built-ins completely cost-free.  Design is a process, and this room will continue to evolve as our budget permits!

Keeping the foundational elements of the room neutral allowed me to layer in color, pattern, and texture to create a dynamic and vibrant space.

one room challenge family room makeover remodel vintage wall tapestry indigo pillow faux fur woven accessories interior design decorating

vintage wall tapestry transitional interior design decorating one room challenge orc indigo pillow faux fur

DIY wall art modern vintage transitional urban outfitters one room challenge interior design decorating

Using this beautiful tapestry as "wall art" certainly provided a lot of bang for the buck!  I love the punch of color, pattern, and boho eclectic flair it brought to the room.  Talk about dramatic visual impact at a budget-friendly price of $50!

The tapestry art was a pretty straightforward DIY project.  My hubby built a frame to mount and hang it, while I stretched and stapled it down.

one room challenge modern bohemian eclectic vintage transitional interior design decorating orc DIY built-ins fireplace brick whitewash makeover

one romo challenge woven pillow black and white eclectic modern bohemian vintage transitional interior design decorating accessories swivel slipcovered chair thrift find bar cart

one room challenge interior design decorating modern bohemian eclectic vintage transitional decor woven basket indigo pillow

one room challenge modern bohemian eclectic transitional interior design decorating accessories family room remodel makeover

one room challenge woven baskets silk paper art succulents DIY bookcase cabinet interior design decorating accessories

home decor interior design decorating styling built-ins cabinets

one room challenge vintage transitional interior design decorating

To truly appreciate the transformation of our family room, I'm sharing the initial "before" photos of the space when we closed escrow back in May 2013...

home improvement remodel makeover
Dutch Door Makeover
Kitchen Renovation

What a difference!  Looking back really makes me appreciate just how far this room has come... and how much progress, in general, we've made in updating our beloved fixer upper!

one room challenge modern bohemian eclectic transitional vintage interior design decorating family room makeover remodel decor

Modernizing all the dated cosmetic finishes took the room from shabby, dark, and dreary, to light, bright, and airy!

One Room Challenge modern bohemian eclectic vintage transitional interior design decorating accessories home decor remodel

With a modest budget (I spent ~$250), I was able to create the foundation for the casual, cozy, comfortable and dynamic space that I envisioned for our family room.


Sources for new items purchased:

Tapestry $49 (similar)
Woven pillow $25 - Home Goods
Brass floor lamp ($50 sale)
Swivel slipcovered off-white chair ($60) - Thrift find

Thank you to Linda at Calling It Home for providing the challenge and motivation to wrap up our family room transformation.  We now have a space that we truly love to spend time in together - just in time for the holidays!  And THANK YOU to all of you for the words of support and encouragement during this process!  I truly, truly appreciated it.  That's a wrap for the Fall 2015 One Room Challenge!!!


Sharing with: Inspire Me Monday, Thrifty Decor Chick

A FINAL GLIMPSE {One Room Challenge Week Five}

The countdown is ON for the Fall 2015 One Room Challenge!  We are down to the last several days before all of the participants reveal their transformed rooms to the worldwide web audience next week. Whoa... intimidating!  Our once barren family room has definitely come a long way since the ORC began five weeks ago.

calling it home orc fall 2015 interior design decorating modern eclectic bohemian living room

This past week, a few more textiles and accents have made its way into the room.  Some items are new, but I pulled most of the decor from what I already had.  There's been A LOT of "shopping our house" to pull this room together!

textures neutral pillows home decor accessories textiles interior design decorating one room challenge orc CAD INTERIORS family room makeover

I love the different textiles that have come to play.  So much texture, pattern, softness and dimension!

CAD INTERIORS family room makeover one room challenge orc interior design decorating bohemian tapestry art wall decor eclectic modern transitional design

I am bringing in an eclectic, colorful dose of "feminine" into the decor!  I balanced out the room with neutral elements and some "masculine" touches, including stripes and lots of blues.

CAD INTERIORS family room makeover interior design decorating home decor modern eclectic bohemian transitional one room challenge orc pillows striped black and white area rug woven jute rug ikat

Last week, I also shared how I styled our built-ins COMPLETELY COST-FREE.

CAD INTERIORS family room makeover interior decorating design built-ins cabinetry styling one room challenge orc blue and white

Although my budget forced me to compromise on the design aspects that I could include at this time (new furnishings and custom window treatments will have to wait), the foundation for the "CLASSIC ECLECTIC MODERN BOHEMIAN" space that I'm envisioning has been planted.  I'm keeping things real, knowing that our family room will continue to evolve past the six-week ORC timeframe.

At the end of the day, I'm embracing the progress so far, and appreciating how far this room has come! Remember where it started?!

CAD INTERIORS home renovation family room remodel

I will be sharing the entire room NEXT THURSDAY!  In case you missed some of my previous ORC posts, they are all linked up here:



Don't forget to check in on the rooms being transformed by the other ORC participants!