Design on a Deadline: Eight Weeks to Fabulous

Twice a year, designers from across the country come together (virtually) to push their skills to the limit during the One Room Challenge™ online interior design event. Participants are tasked with redoing a space — from start to finish — under a seemingly impossible deadline, and sharing each triumph and setback publicly on their respective blogs.

Linda Weinstein, creator of the One Room Challenge (ORC), seeks out the internet’s most creative talents to document their projects with weekly blog posts. She said, “Each designer has their own vision for their project and staying true to the style of the room is always a priority. Build.com offers every trend, finish, and style they could ever need. Not only are designers able to find on-trend products, the ability to quickly compare the features makes the final choices straightforward.”

20 design influencers accepted the Spring 2020 challenge. Here are some of our favorites:

Delightful Details: Builder-Grade Bathroom Gets a Posh Makeover

Alisa Bovino, of A Glass of Bovino interior design and home decor blog, transforms rooms from plain to glamorous with creative vision, elbow grease, and thrift store finds. She describes her style as, “modern-meets-traditional with a touch of glamour and an infusion of color.” For her One Room Challenge project, Alisa took on a full bath — adding high-end finishes and decorative moulding to elevate it from builder-grade to glamorous.

The designer was able to work around an awkward bump-out to the right of the sink by ordering a custom vanity from Build.com.

Livable Luxe: A Casual-Chic Kitchen Designed for Company

Interior designer Cheryl Luckett, founder of Dwell by Cheryl, helps her clients create beautiful, livable homes with an aesthetic she describes as, “sophisticated but approachable.” The colorful kitchen she created for the One Room Challenge is a case study in that design philosophy. Saturated colors, classic patterns, and glints of gold come together to create a welcoming, casual-chic space.

The Curated Attic: Hand-Picked Pieces Transform an Unused Space

The designer and blogger behind Kate Pearce Vintage put her degree in art history to good use when choosing pieces for her ambitious attic conversion. The show-stopping bathroom includes a masterful blend of color, pattern, art, and curiosities. From the antique library card catalog turned vanity, to the claw-footed double slipper tub, the space is filled with tour-worthy items.

Reimagined Victorian: Master Suite Blends Classic Charm with Contemporary Style

Renovation Husbands, David and Stephen Russell have spent the past several years renovating their Victorian house in New England. The One Room Challenge pushed the couple to create a master suite befitting the stately home. Classic paneling and millwork give a nod to the home’s Victorian roots, while an enormous walk-in shower with luxury fixtures is decidedly of-the-moment.

Classic Ensuite: A New Master Bath with Timeless Style

Steve and Alyssa Terpstra each bring a unique skill set to their interior design studio, Coco & Jack. Steve manages the business while Alyssa focuses on design. Though the husband-and-wife team usually create spaces for clients, they took on their own master suite for the One Room Challenge. Their goal was to design a space that felt timeless, and to that end, no detail was overlooked. From the wall sconces to the toilet lever, every piece was carefully chosen to fulfill their vision.

Gathering Space: Functional & Fabulous Kitchen Design

Danielle and Michael Gutelli, the designer and contractor who founded Clark + Aldine, explain that their business was, “born out of a love for purposeful design and everyday functionality.”  The vision behind this kitchen remodel was to create an inviting gathering space that would encourage friends and family to linger. The black-and-white color palette is accented with wood and brass to create a soothing vibe. 

Empowering Design: DIYer Tackles a Master Suite Remodel

At Home Made by Carmona, DIY and design blogger, Ursula Caramona, leads visitors step-by-step through decorating, crafting, and organizing projects. She said, “my goal is to empower others to create beautiful spaces.” Her One Room Challenge bathroom & master closet makeover is one of her most ambitious projects to date. Ursula said she pushed her skills to the limit by installing light fixtures and laying tile herself. The extra effort meant Ursula was able to create a space she could be proud of while staying on budget.