Farmhouse Master Bedroom // Before (ORC, Week 1)

THE FARMHOUSE Without a doubt, the biggest eyesore at our Farmhouse is the master bedroom. We haven't touched the space since moving into our 1912 home back in July, and it's in DIRE need of a makeover. So that's just what we're going to do. Yippee! Over the next 6 weeks, we'll be tackling this renovation as part of the One Room Challenge, which, if you haven't heard, is a 6-week room makeover challenge hosted by Calling it Home. Every Fall and Spring, bloggers from all over the internet take part and document their progress along the way.

Now about that master bedroom...

the-grit-and-polish-master-before-8

It's bad, I know. I'm a little embarrassed about these 'before' photos. As people who spend their days designing, renovating, and renting old houses, you would think Garrett and I have higher standards. And we do. I promise!

For anyone who's new to the Grit and Polish, let me tell you a little bit about us. My husband and I renovate old houses in Washington state and have been doing it for for 8 years, while also growing our family and working/going to graduate school. Last summer, the income from our Seattle rentals turned into a full-time living, so I quit my 9-5 job and we *retired* to our 5th house, a 1912 farmhouse in small town Ellensburg. We are now officially country bumpkins and loving it! Our farmhouse is my idea of a forever home (at least as much as any renovation addict can use that term) and we're taking our time fixing it up, while also tackling other people's renovations. Like the #6daykitchenreno, which somehow we pulled off in 7 days (I know, I should change the hashtag...but can you ever really change a hashtag?).

Back at the Farmhouse, the master bedroom was put on the back burner so we could focus on the nursery (if you're a parent, I think you get this, right...?), Wilder's room (did I mention we are tired parents...), and then there was the #6daykitchenreno, and a couple other projects I haven't showed you yet. Plus, we really didn't want to start this room until we were ready to finish it.

Well there's no time like the present!

I'm not sure if I even need to point out the rusty-colored, stained carpets (which smell even worse than they look), or the pattern on the drapes, but yeah...Those carpets! Those drapes! Ugh. Of course there's a lot of good in here too. The large south facing windows, the corner overhang, the tall ceilings, and the wood millwork are all features that make my heart swoon with old house love. Needless to say, the design plan is going to highlight these 100 year-old goodies, and kick all the sad, unfortunate updates to the curb. And before you ask, no, we won't be painting any of the original millwork.

My goal for this bedroom is a historic, breezy, country feel. I realize that's not really a genre, but it's something like Country Living meets Restoration Hardware. Our farmhouse sits on 3 acres and we spend most of our time wearing muck boots, catching frogs, and swinging hammers. So I don't want any space in this house to feel too polished or fussy. We're casual people and our home should reflect that. Plus, I want the country setting and the architecture to speak for themselves.

I'm pretty sure that's just a long-winded way of saying, I want a simple, comfortable, and bright master bedroom. Here's the plan:

the-grit-and-polish-orc-design-scheme-text

Of course, every renovation has a surprise or two, so the finished space will undoubtedly veer from this somewhat, but you get the gyst. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), we have a lot to buy. We own the linen tufted bed already - a Restoration Hardware outlet score from a few years back - but otherwise, all the finishes will be new. I've already ordered the custom lighting and the Skyline rug from Rejuvenation (yes, the same rug that I'm using in the nursery, which has been backordered forever!), but I'll still need to source vintage theater seating, art, a corner chair, and nightstands.

We have a lot to do in 6 weeks! Wish me luck.

And if you want to know more, you can read up on my family and what we do, our current renovation project (the farmhouse), how renovating old houses and working hard helped us to *retire* by 35, the current state of the nursery, and a peak at Wilder's bedroom. Or just use the categories on the right to scroll through our previous renovation projects. I post more frequently on Instagram too, if you're into that kind of thing.

Thanks for being here!

xoxo

-Cathy

p.s. two of my favorite bloggers are featured designers in the ORC this fall. Check out coco kelley and Chris Loves Julia for what are sure to be great transformations! I'm also really excited to see what Sarah and Megan do with their rooms. So much good internet time is coming my way this fall!

p.p.s. I adore dark and cozy bedrooms, like the guest bedroom in our last house, as much as I adore bright and light bedrooms. Here are all my favorites from both sides of the spectrum.

p.p.p.s. Molly's cookbook is out (eecchh!) and I can't wait to read it. Her cakes are AMAZING!