How has a full week already passed since I shared my plans for my organized glam master closet makeover? I go back and forth in confidence on whether we killed it this week, or if I really should be done painting. As I thought about what to share in this update, I realized that we really did get a lot done.
I thought it would be fun to walk though the progress from one angle.
Heaven help us, this is what we started with.
And this is the destination.
The first step was pretty major – we had to get EVERYTHING out of the closet. I was dreading this step. From the sorting to the hauling upstairs, everything sounded pretty overwhelming. Sometimes I have to really think about what is stopping me from starting something. More than going through all the clothes and shoes, I was dreading five weeks of having all our clothes and accessories on a different floor than our bedroom and bathroom. Totally NOT the end of the world, but the weeks of the ORC are so draining, I just wanted to be able to put on my pjs without climbing Everest to do it.
Twenty dollars later, I found a perfect solution. A garment rack for the bedroom! I grabbed mine at Target, but it’s really similar to this one from Amazon.
I know, I know, I probably didn’t need 15 pairs of shoes for 5 weeks, but in my defense, we keep teetering between summer and fall weather! And what can I say, I like shoes.
The weird side effect of this whole garment rack situation is the new feeling in our bedroom that we live in a NYC loft. I don’t hate it.
We also cleared out our dresser, which pretty much hadn’t been opened in three years, to make room for folded items during the ORC. Afterwards, we’ll have drawers in the closet, and I’m thinking the dresser will be perfect for extra linen storage. It’s going to be an interesting experiment to find out how many of the clothes that are being stored upstairs we still think we need after not seeing them for five weeks, even though we THINK we already got rid of everything that could go. I have a feeling another bag of clothes may get collected for donation.
Here’s what the closet looked like with everything removed. Better already!
Then it got really noisy, messy, and sweaty for a few hours during demolition. If it’s killing you that we are ripping out shelving, don’t worry, we saved as much as we could and are going to use it to add shelves in our attic.
I’m not sure why there isn’t any photographic evidence that I hammered and crow-barred too, but I did! It was fun for like 2 minutes, and then it was exhausting, but also rewarding.
Somewhere between these two photos, I had a definite “hmm..no going back now” panicked thought. I mean, we KINDA have a plan for how we are going to build the new shelves, but what if we can’t do it? What if it all goes horribly wrong?
Being on the short timeline AND sharing updates publicly adds a layer of stress to these big commitments. But that’s also what I love about the One Room Challenge, and why Linda’s idea for this event was so brilliant. It motivates you to take risks, push through fear, and make things happen.
Now, the next part is the one I failed to include in both the time and money budgets. I kinda knew the drywall wasn’t going to be perfect when we removed all the existing shelves, but I think I was trying to block it out. Even being extremely careful, there was some serious damage hiding behind our shelves.
I won’t bore you with 100 other photos, but I’ve spent the last two days sanding, spackling, and retexturizing the walls. Spray texture is one of my new least favorite things. Also, I find it annoying that I don’t WANT textured walls, yet have to pay $15/can to repair them. Yuck. And it stinks. Literally. I THINK *fingers crossed* that I’m done with that part now and can finish painting tomorrow!
I did get a great start on the ceiling paint with the help of my HomeRight Ez-Twist PaintStick. I’ve talked before about my love of the PaintStick, and HomeRight’s sponsorship of this makeover. I can’t say enough how much I love not having to bend over to refill my roller constantly. Especially because I need the step-ladder for the ceiling. It’s bad enough going up and down to move the ladder, but trying to go up and down to constantly refill the roller would drive me batty! If you don’t have one of these magic devices, stay tuned to the end for a giveaway!
I got a new-to-me toy/tool to try out from HomeRight as well. The Quick Painter works in a similar way to the PaintStick, holding paint in the handle. But, it’s got a flat pad for trimming out spaces and an angled option for corners. I think the corner pad was my favorite – so much faster than brushing. I also loved the pad for painting a small section of wall that wouldn’t work to be rolled.
So to recap, we emptied the closet, did some serious demo of all the existing shelves, patched and retextured the walls, had a mild panic that we couldn’t go back, and got a start on painting.
While all that was happening, I was also accepting deliveries from the tired UPS man. The ghost chair, rug, and vanity all arrived! You can see the chair and rug over on Instagram now, and I’m hoping to put the vanity together for next week’s post!
See the whole closet makeover week by week:
Week #1: Skeletons In My Closet
Week #2: There’s No Going Back Now
Week #3: Road Trips and Close Calls
Week #4: Adventures in Closet Building
Week #5: The Final Countdown
Week #6: It’s Done – The Final Reveal!!!
Follow Up: Source List & Money Saving Tips
Congrats to Ruthie for winning the SteamMachine giveaway last week. This week HomeRight is giving away an EZ-Twist PaintStick AND a Quick Painter to help a lucky winner transform their own home! Enter in the widget below (if you don’t see a box to fill out, click the words A Rafflecopter Giveaway – thanks!) a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please send happy thoughts that I get the painting finished tomorrow. I’m pretty good at the whole avoiding it, dragging it out, stressing myself out thing. Wine would also be acceptable.
Don’t forget to pop over to Calling it Home to see what the other 176 (whoa!) guest participants are up to this week!
Heather @ The Deans List Blog says
Wow! Look at your progress! I’m kind of obsessed with that quick painter just looking at the picture… Probably going to need one of those.
Melissa George says
It’s pretty handy Heather – maybe you’ll win!!!
Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus says
Love where it’s going! Can’t wait to see next week.
Melissa George says
Thank you Ashley!
Denise says
I can relate with feeling more should be done. Still more painting to do in my room too! And I had a slight panic attack this week also! I made a list and that made it worse! I think this closet is going to be amazing!!
Melissa George says
It’s always good to hear that you aren’t alone! Here’s to hoping we both feel great about next week!
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters.com says
You closet looked like my closet looks now! When you’re transformation wraps, I give you full permission to come over to my house and transform mine =)
Melissa George says
I’ll be right over! Well, maybe give me a week to recoup, and then I’ll be right over!
Casey says
Very exciting progress! I love that you’re painting the walls so dark – it’s going to look awesome.
Melissa George says
Thanks Casey – I finally have the first coat of navy on all the wall and I’m loving it!
Jessica says
Wow, you got a lot done. I know you feel like you should have gotten more done, but girl if you were sweating…you were getting it done! I am looking forward to next weeks post!
Melissa George says
That is so true, sweat should equal satisfaction and success!
ange says
I LOVE demo, I totally would have helped you out with it! Wow, it looks like you are going to be busy painting and putting the closet together the next few weeks, but you totally got this! It’s good to have those freak out moments, otherwise you know it won’t be as good if you kept it nice and safe.
Melissa George says
What great perspective, thanks so much Ange! I definetely take more risks during the ORC and I know that’s what makes the final spaces so much better, but hadn’t put together the freak out with the risk and reward!
SHERYL says
Encouraged with your efforts. I need projects similar to this that wouldn’t freak me out to the point of giving up. Thanks for the details and encouragement!
Melissa George says
You are so welcome! The desire to give up definetely occurs in projects like this. I was so there yesterday, but pushing through it always gets easier and you end up with something to be proud of!
Always Rad says
Love your simulation of the after! Good luck with process over the next few weeks, it is going to look amazing !!
Melissa George says
Thank you!
Sarah Vogel says
Love your clever and entertaining updates!! Makes us feel like we are right there with you!!! Keep up the great progress, and before you know it, you will be stepping into a closet fit for royalty! (Remember the garage ORC project? So much work, and now look at it…gorgeous and DONE!! You can do it again!!!!!) Cheerleading you on from central Nebraska…………
Melissa George says
Thanks so much – you are an AWESOME cheerleader!
Melanie says
I’m loving your design plan! You’re right, it is a bit scary to take on such a big project and post about it weekly, but it keeps us on our toes. Can’t wait to see the results!
Melissa George says
That is so true! Thank you Melanie!
Sarah Sofia Knepp says
Wow Melissa you amaze me every week and ORC with your creative spaces, eye for design, and MAJOR DIY projects! How you find the time to do it all is truly amazing! You know I love the ghost chair, & I’ve been wanting a similar rug but have no where to put it in my home! That desk, aka vanity, is also a wish list item that I almost used last ORC for my Glam office, and will be perfect in the nook you’ve designed! I have a much smaller walk in closet but similar shelving. While it’s a step up from our tiny closet I shared with my husband in our last home, I would love to knock out the shelving and add more storage like you’re doing. Can’t wait to see your progress and the glam closet! Let’s do this! XOXO, Sarah
Melissa George says
Thanks so much Sarah! Hopefully we’ll come up with some ideas that will translate to closets of any size!
Yasmina@Mina and her Blog says
Oh you are so brave! I almost cried when you took out the closet shelves! They looked great! But glad you saved some for later:) can’t wait to see the end result!