This week, we finished facing the book nook, installed 4 can lights in the room, and ordered a pretty light for the middle (can’t wait to show you!) and we also started on installing the wardrobes–week 4 was a busy one.
That same angle used to look like this:
A few weeks ago, we talked about how we were going to tear out those closets in favor of Ikea Pax wardrobes and we loved reading all of your positive experiences with Pax! It made it even easier to swing the hammer and get the closet out.
The room looks twice as big and so much taller without the header board. Then we got to building. We knew we would have to take the carpet out of the closet because we got the taller Pax–for that dramatic floor-to-ceiling look–and we were about 1/4″ too short in here with the carpet. Although we do plan to add carpet back into the center and trim everything out so it’s seamless. Here’s the quick version of how it went down:
We had to build and install the wardrobes in a vertical position which proved to be a challenge (Oh, Ikea, you almost had us stumped!), but we couldn’t be happier with the direction this side of the room is headed. The rest of the room, including the bunkbeds, is going be a warm white, and last week, I was second guessing going so stark with the wardrobes. But now that they’re in, I love the black cabinets all over again. We have a lot of high contrast areas throughout the home which is why I initially designed it this way and once we get the dark wallpaper I ordered from Hygge & West (sneak peek in the mock-up below) installed in the center–and maybe in the book nook too?–it’s going to be a swoon fest over here.
We still have to install the interior drawers and attach the doors before we can get to wallpapering, but I couldn’t resist a lighting visual. Fun fact: This double sconce was the very first thing I ordered for this room–before I even knew what we were doing.
We’re charging full speed ahead. This time, next week, all the dirty work will be done! (fingers crossed).
Just catching up on our One Room Challenge? Check out:
Week 1: The before and plans
Week 2: Built-in Bunkbeds for around $700
Week 3: The makings of a book nook
And don’t forget to check out the other ORC participants’ progress through the direct links below! It’s all very good.
Jana Bek | Chris Loves Julia | Shannon Claire | Coco.Kelley | The Curated House
Driven by Décor | The English Room | From the Right Bank | Sherry Hart
Hi Sugarplum | House of Jade | Hunted Interior | The Makerista | Making it Lovely
Marcus Design | Pencil & Paper Co. | Megan Pflug | Place of My Taste | Suburban B’s
Waiting on Martha Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by CIH
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
SHop all
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop.
Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]
We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?
Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
Links
Get Around
Make yourself right at home
Portfolio
Design
Casual Friday
Projects
Lifestyle
Gift Guides
All Posts
Shop
RivrLinks
Links
Get Around
Make yourself right at home
Portfolio
Design
Casual Friday
Projects
Lifestyle
Gift Guides
All Posts
Shop
RivrLinks
The room is amazing! Question about the Pax wardrobes you used- you mentioned you went for the taller height, but I also saw your ceilings are only 92 ish- how did you make it work? On the ikea site they say you need a ceiling height of 95! We are planning on using these in lieu of closets and I really don’t want all the wasted space at the top if we go with the shorter. Thanks!
We actually cut out the carpet, which dropped it down another inch to where it fit perfect. 95 is what’s needed in order to stand them up, but when we demoed the closet we had some open spaces in the ceiling we were able to use to get them upright, then slide them in place.
Hi, How deep are your PAX wardrobes?
24″
Looooove the wallpaper!
Every time I visit, I am amazed! This looks amazing. I also like the back which surprises me.
Thanks Linda! xoxo
I love the wardrobes! They add such sophistication to the room and your sconce is fabulous! I can not wait to see it finished!
Jeannee
Loving the PAX. We did it in our walk in closet and also had to build some of the pieces vertically- so tough, but I am obsessed with it now!!! Wish we could fast forward two weeks to the finished product!!! Can’t wait!
I’m jealous that you guys are such diy people….the money I have spent on labor…..grrrrrr! Love the black cabinets…looks so rich!
Love it! Yes pax wardrobes are amazing! We actually have some very shallow ones for our makeshift pantry in the kitchen (builder grade house with ZERO pantry and a lot of weird wall space was the perfect spot for two of them)–of course after seeing them on JennaSueDeisgn. We have loved them!
Huge, versatile, customizable, and super easy to put together–although getting them into the standing position proved to be a bit kind of like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Can’t wait to see the rest!
We just built a PAX wardrobe ourselves and the left and right door hinges are at different heights. We installed the drawers first and had to move everything to account for the middle hinges so don’t make our mistake. Either put the doors on first or mark out where the hinges will have to be. Looks great so far!
Love, love, love it all. What warm white did you all decide to paint the walls? Looks great against the black
How did you add the can lighting by yourselves?
I love how so many of you ORC-ers are doing wallpaper! Yours is probably my favorite though. :)
Links for previous ORC aren’t on the post :)
all fixed!
We have those same sconces (the double and single ones) in our living room and we love, love love them!
(https://www.instagram.com/p/BGedKrboGP2/?taken-by=hey_littlemomma)
The room is really shaping up- looks great!