Do you remember how the pantry makeover was done in 6 VERY FAST AND FURIOUS weeks during the fall round of the One Room Challenge™? The spring round is starting NOW and I finally get to show you how I’m going to torture myself each week until the final space reveal on 5/7/15.
If you are new and visiting from Calling it Home, welcome! I’d love you to say hi and let me know if you are participating or just enjoying from the sidelines. Before we move to my plans for this round, here’s a little peek of the pantry project I mentioned to give you a sense of my style.
Whew – at least you know I can put together a space now. I was worried I was going to lose everyone either when I told them what space I was tackling this round (the GARAGE) OR when they saw the before photos.
Most of me wishes I was doing a sexier space than a dirty garage. You know, like a walk-in pantry full of gold accents.
But I had to face the reality of the space we desperately NEED to fix. Specifically, the third car stall in the garage has amazing potential to be somewhere that we go to CREATE amazing things. As is, I try to avoid any projects that require tools like the saw or nail gun because I don’t want to dig them out of the mess.
So this project will be cool on it’s own, but I’m even more excited that it will be a space to make awesome things.
Ugh, I might just be rambling to avoid showing you the mess we’ve made in three years.
Cue the imaginary drum roll now….
This recessed area is just begging to be a workshop space. Right now it’s a little of everything – an outdoor Christmas tree that needs to be fixed, a dresser that is falling apart, golf clubs that we’d LOVE to actually get out and use this year.
I absolutely can not wait to get everything emptied out and put my new plan into place. Here is my vision of what I will see when I look at this same spot in 6 weeks.
Ah, look at all that built in storage. And the LONG workbench! And the organizational opportunities! In a few short weeks I’ll actually know where to look when I need sandpaper.
I mentioned before that I want this to be a space that inspires us to create, so I’m going with a fun navy and orange color scheme.
How awesome is that floor??? We are going to be covering the concrete in RockSolid Polycuramine in the Metallic Copper Pot finish. I have a feeling I’m never going to want to leave the garage once it is done! I’m partnering with Rust-Oleum on this part of the project and can’t wait to see how the install goes. I’ll show you more about it during week #3.
Since I’m an organizing nut, I also wanted to do a little space planning to fully envision the functionality of the space. My computer design skills are pretty stellar. I mean, that looks exactly like our cars!
I forgot about our poor neglected golf clubs in my little floor plan. Technically I usually golf for 9ish holes then remove my shoes, have a beer, and drive the cart while he finishes the back 9. But it’s still fun. And it involves special cute golfing clothes and shoes. Why did we ever stop?!? Anyways, I’m thinking the clubs will work perfectly in the front lawn storage section along the wall. Hopefully once they have a prime location, we’ll be reminded to use them.
The final feature I’m REALLY excited about is the blank wall I’m handing off to hubby to paint/design. After his butcher pig project in the pantry, he definitely earned a wall in the garage. It’s going to go on the main wall as we drive into the garage so we can be inspired by it constantly. We’re thinking the secret design will take up most of this wall:
Of course the random stuff piled on the floor and my mini spray paint table won’t be there obstructing it. I’ve realized the downside of giving him free reign on a wall this big is that all the time he’s working on his masterpiece, he can’t be helping me with anything else. Yikes!!
Is there a contest for longest week #1 post? Do I win???
My final pic is just the perfect example of why we have to fix this space. Check out the amazing finds hiding under piles of crap because we have no space to work on them.
I scored a retro card catalog that is begging to become a side table AND a great vintage chair at a garage sale last summer. The card catalog was $1 and the chair was $3. What!?! Best deals ever! Yet they linger. I’ve got a clear vision for the card catalog table base and can’t wait to make it reality.
Here’s my rough schedule for my Bringing Sexy Back Garage Makeover.
4/2/15: Before Photos & Plans
4/9/15: Week 2 Progress – Space cleared
4/16/15: Floor Done & Mural Started
4/23/15: Painting Cabinets/Pegboard/Shelving (Plus out of town 4/22-4/26. Yikes!)
4/30/15: Placement of all cabinets/shelves, begin organizing
5/7/15 – Styling and Final Reveal
Fingers crossed we can get it all done!
Don’t forget to check out the plans of the rest of the ORC participants over at Calling it Home! Give Linda a big thank you for arranging all this while you are there.
Sarah says
Melissa, first off I loved your pantry and was so thrilled that you were national recognized for your work in last ORC! I have to admit you had me at the title and I’m jealous you even have a garage to bring “Sexy Back”! I like your plan and can’t wait to see you transform this space! So fun being in ORC again with you!
Melissa George says
You are so sweet! And I am SO glad you loved the post title. I might have changed it about 87 times starting with super boring options and then getting goofier as it got later 🙂 I can’t wait to come over and see what you are up to this round!
Kim Macumber says
Love that you are tackling this garage and I am quite envious of the SPACE you have here! Will be fun watching this happen! I am a 9-holer as well … the back nine usually involves wine for me!
Melissa George says
WHA??? Your golf courses have wine?? Or do you bring it with you? I have so many questions about this 🙂 And I’m so glad you are excited about the garage!
Sabrina @ Pink Little Notebook says
Wow! I’m so impressed that you’re tackling a garage! This is definitely going to be a good one. And those floors. OMG…you go girly!
Melissa George says
Thank you!!! I am beyond relieved that people are excited about this. And yes, those floors! We were pretty excited about the idea of doing a regular epoxy coat on the floor, but when I stumbled on this option it was love at first sight! I think they’ll be the most nerve-racking part, but so worth it if we can pull it off.
Cindy Morris says
I’m interested to see how the garage will come together but even more I can’t wait to see what you are planning for the card catalogue!! I have a couple of them and an accent table sounds like just the ticket! I’ll be lurking extra hard …
Melissa George says
Oh man, if I had a couple of them I’d be trying to figure out how to stack them into one awesome table! Hopefully in late May or early June I’ll be able to get the table done and posted.
Cindy Morris says
Mine are 12″ & 14″ wide. I had been planning to spray them and stack them on the “Office” section of our kitchen counter, but a table sounds way more appealing to me as my living room is so boring (2 end tables and the matching cocktail table – all with wrought iron bases and stained wood tops). I was a sucker for wrought iron for a long time, but I feel so stuck in a rut with it now.
Melissa George says
It’s so hard to break out of those ruts! Hopefully my table plan will work and it will be something you can duplicate to switch out your tables on the cheap!
Erin Meyer says
I literally laughed out loud (oops I’m supposed to write LOL, right?) at your comment about your computer skills and the cars. Your writing makes me want to keep reading. I will definitely be back to see the garage transform! By the way, I LOVE that pantry!
Melissa George says
Thank you so much! Sometimes I write things that make me chuckle, but I never know if I’m the only one amused my them 🙂
Erin Meyer says
See, and that reply made me laugh again. Thanks for brightening my day!
Melissa George says
And that reply is getting sent to my husband to settle the 15 year debate as to whether I am as funny as I think I am. Score!
Erin Meyer says
Happy to help!
Kristi says
Looooove that you are taking on the garage and it looks like you’ve got SUCH a great space to work with!!! Definitely looking forward to following along!
Melissa George says
THANK YOU! I was nervous about doing a garage instead of a pretty indoor space, so I’m THRILLED people are still excited by it. We are definitely lucky to have the extra space to use.
Lianna@theresnoplacelikehomemke says
I know it is not “glamorous” but it will feel so good when you are done. I think it will end up being the fanciest garage on the block! Can’t wait to see the end!
Melissa George says
Thank you Lianna! I might end up with all the house building crews in the neighborhood stopping in to use our space.
Michaela says
I can not wait to see this COPPER floor! It sounds fabulous, as does the whole design. Also loving that vintage chair! : ) Can’t wait to see the progress and transformation!
Melissa George says
Thank you!!! I am crazy excited to get started on the floor. It’s actually some good motivation to push through the rest of the clean up to uncover the floor.
June says
My dear hubby had a friend dry-wall and paint my garage for me. It was my Valentine’s Day present. Best present ever! Before the remodeling, it was dark and ugly – you could see the wall studs and wiring (DH also had our friend add insulation and lighting). We didn’t abuse our friend – he was paid for his manual labor and skills. Back to my point, my garage is so pretty that I told my husband it needed art. It was another room after all. Sure enough, I purchase three huge paintings (over 6 feet by 4 feet) and hung them on the wall from yard sales. Besides your husband’s artistic mural, maybe add art. It adds a nice touch to the newest room of the house. 🙂
P.S. Love the color scheme!
P.S.S. Can’t wait to see the floors! My garage has light blue walls so I might “borrow” your floor coloring.
Melissa George says
That is an awesome present! I’ve seen garages like your before and they totally scare me. Adding additional art is a fun idea, I’ll have to see what I can come up with!
Jenna Watley says
Love that you picked your garage (my next room!) and super love the plan! You have a cheerleader and I will definitely be following your progress!
tara says
excited you are back in the ORC this time around! your posts are always so fun to read at 4am. i love that you are doing your garage…the most neglected space in the house for most of us i am sure! xoxo
Melissa George says
Yeah! I’m so glad the posts are fun for you. Something about the glorious ORC makes my personality come out more than a regular post… I need to figure out how to capture that magic year round.
Laura J says
That pantry re-do from the last ORC was arguably the best transformation of the bunch. I cannot WAIT to see how your garage turns out. And there may be some slavish copying going on around here . . . .
Melissa George says
Whoa, that is quite a compliment considering all the amazing spaces that happened last time! I am so excited to sit down later tonight and go through all the plans for this round!
Kasey says
WOW, this will be amazing! My husband needs this too lol! Looking forward to seeing the results!
Linda @ Calling it Home says
Melissa…..you are crazy! This is the most ambitious project I have seen. My garage looks like this btw. I can not wait to see how this one goes. Best of luck!
Melissa George says
Yeah, I kind and feel crazy too. I keep telling myself that most of the work is this the smaller side of the garage so I’m not REALLY taking on 600 Sq feet at once. I need all the luck I can get though!
Carrie says
I’m excited to see this transformation! Your plans are so well-organized; I loved your pantry in the fall and am looking forward to seeing what your husband comes up with for the mural. 🙂 I’m participating too (#25).
Melissa George says
I’m glad my plans seem well put together! Hopefully they all work out.
Brit | House Updated says
You had me at copper floor! That and we have no garage (darn, old Seattle houses) so I really need to live vicariously through this project. Can’t wait to see more!
Melissa George says
Ah, but you get the fun character of an old house!!!
Vanessa@Decor Happy says
Oh, to have an organized garage. Le sigh. I can’t wait to see this come together especially that copper floor – wow!
Melissa George says
Me too!!! I REALLY hope it looks as good on the floor as it does in my head 🙂
Julie - Being Home says
Wow! I really wish I had known about the Rock Solid metallic flooring system when I did our garage floors! That copper looks amazing! I love the plans for your garage. It is not an easy project, but you will be so happy when everything is organized and clean! Eh, one day I will finish mine. Its only been almost two years. 🙁 lol
Good luck and bring that sexy back! 😀
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
Okay, I would have never thought to tackle the garage for the ORC but what a fabulous “room” to pick Melissa! I am so excited to follow along! Can’t wait to see it all come together 🙂