This week had a hefty dose of progress in the office, mixed with some panic that we have less that two weeks left to finish. Let’s start with all the good news first. The floor is done!
PS: If you’re a new reader, welcome to Polished Habitat! You should head back to week #1 to start at the beginning of this 6 post event hosted by Linda from Calling it Home. The short version is that 200+ people are making over one room in their house. Each week, we all post progress updates until the final reveals on 11/10/17. I’m one of those crazy people who take part in the event each spring and fall, even though it usually makes me cry.
Last week, we had picked a paint color (SW Repose Gray lightened to 50%), painted, and pulled up all the carpet. With that out of the way, we started laying the new floor on Friday.
I didn’t think there was any way to swing new flooring in the budget. But where there is a will, there is a way! I found some 6″ x 24″ vinyl tiles at Lowe’s that could be grouted like real tile, but were completely affordable. Plus, they could be cut with an Exacto knife. No wet saw required. When I added up the cost and realized the whole office floor could be done for under $300, I was in.
The tiles went down easily and would have been fast in a brick pattern. The herringbone took a bit longer, but the floor looks like it cost WAY more than $300.
I don’t want to spoil all the reveal fun, but here’s a pretty major peek that shows where we were at on Sunday morning.
After we finished all the perimeter cuts, it was time for the grout. Mom came over Monday to hand model for me. Actually, don’t let her pretty finger nail polish fool you, she worked HARD on grouting day and saved me. I was able to apply the grout while she worked behind me doing the clean up of the tiles. As she pointed out, I like to make messes and she likes to clean, so it was the perfect division of labor!
Tuesday night, we finally started replacing the molding. First, we pulled the old stuff off the wall. Why yes, we probably should have done that before painting.
After demo, we finished the closet door frame and then those dang Cubs and Indians got in the way of my progress. Did someone forget to tell the MLB that the One Room Challenge is going on? Couldn’t the World Series start after the reveals? Not okay, baseball. Not okay.
Hopefully we can finish the molding today, which means I’ll finally get to move some of the furniture back in and start organizing. Quite a few key things are coming from IKEA, and they are MIA at the moment. Delivery was scheduled for today by a local courier. But, they haven’t even received the stuff yet. YIKES! They think they will get it tomorrow. I’m crossing my fingers they’ll be able to turn around and bring it to me Friday.
In happier news, the rug did show up and I love it!
I ended up picking this rug in case anyone else is looking for the perfect pink rug! (affiliate links)
All in all, it was a good week. Two weeks left is scary, but we can do it!
Here’s the updated status since last week
Install Flooring – Done
Buy and Install New Baseboards – Getting Closer
Install Blinds – They should be delivered next week
Install Curtains – Dang, I still need to buy a curtain rod!
Install Fan – Done
Hang Shelves – In the MIA IKEA Truck
Hang File Organizers – In the MIA IKEA Truck
Hang Art – Just need the furniture in place
DIY the Gold Boards – Yep, still need to buy the frames and make the boards
DIY the Calendars – Frames in the MIA IKEA Truck
Assemble Dresser – In the MIA IKEA Truck
New Backing for Bookcases? – Hmm, still deciding. Need to see them as is with the curtains
Pick and Order Rug (I can’t find the one I used in the mock up – help!) –Done and Delivered!
Pick and Order Chairs – Might go with these white beauties from At Home. I need to go sit in them ASAP!
ORGANIZE EVERYTHING – Can’t wait to get to this part!
If you’re pulling your hair out trying to stay sane amidst the One Room Challenge or any room remodel, I’ve got some tips for you! Monday, I shared all the things we’ve learned over the years that help us stay married during times like these. Without them, I’d probably be crying every day of the One Room Challenge. With the tips, it’s greatly reduced. 🙂
Don’t forget to check out all the other One Room Challenge progress this week at Calling it Home. With two weeks to go, some will be almost done and others will be panicked. It’s a bit like a reality show. I love every minute!
mysha says
melissa… that floor is gorgeous! We just got done installing the tile in our master bath for the Orc too! Good call on the herringbone! oh and that pink rug!
Melissa George says
High five for getting all the tiling out of the way this week!
Rachael @ This is our Bliss says
Um those floors with that beautiful rug on top is going to be an absolute show-stopper! We went with Repose in our dining room, too. It’s one of my faves! You just keep working your magic in this office!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Rachel! I’m loving the color! I might be hyperventilating about my ability to get everything else done. The days are flying by too fast!
Tammy says
Your floor looks amazing Melissa!! I love the herringbone!!! Can’t wait to see that rug in place!!!
Melissa George says
Thanks Tammy! We literally just finished caulking the new base molding. I’m crazy excited to get the room cleaned up in the morning so I can unroll the rug all the way. i haven’t seen it yet either!
Sarah says
I’ve been telling my husband I want to do herringbone floors SOMEWHERE in our house and he keeps saying no. I absolutely loveeee how the floors look. I mean it could not look better. I can’t wait to see the full reveal!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Sarah! The first half hour of figuring out the pattern was a little iffy, but after that it wasn’t bad to lay at all. Keep working on him! 🙂
Maria Brittis says
Thats rug is to drool over, its like a blush color! its goes so well with the flooring! I can’t wait to see the final end.
Maria
Colette @ restyle it wright says
Who would have thought there would be grout-able vinyl flooring?! AMAZING! The herringbone pattern is my fave! And the pink rug…swooooon.
Yuni says
Oh my gosh , the floor looks fantastic!! The herringbone pattern really elevates the look and I love that your mom helped you. What a sweet mother! I think my favorite is the pink rug bc I looove mine in my office. It’s gonna really brighten your mood just having that color. Great progress, Melissa!!
Emily of www.elevengables.com says
Melissa! That tile is fantastic! What a perfect option. I just love that you can grout it. and your hand model!!!! Gorgeous! What are dear mom to help you out! I can’t wait to see everything falling together for this coming week!
Erin @ Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
That tile! It looks awesome, and the fact that you were able to do the whole room for under $300! That is amazing!
Joy says
Oh my goodness! Beyond gorgeous – love the floor till color and that rug! It is the perfect shade of pink! Can’t wait to see the finished space.
Kelley Nan says
Melissa! Your floor! That rug! Ugh! I have never hated my upstairs carpet more! You are killing it and I totally feel you- football and the World Series have seriously hindered progress here too!!
Melissa George says
I know what you mean! We’ve still got the same carpet in our closet, bedroom, living room AND everything upstairs. I want to rip it all out! These cheap tiles scratch pretty easily though, so the budget is making me wait in all the higher traffic areas. Football has been a bit of a delay around here too, except I love it, so that one doesn’t get whined about. Clearly it’s all about me. 🙂
Jenna at Wife in Progress says
Love love love the tile! AND THAT RUG! My gosh, you have great taste, lady!! xo
Lynn Spencer says
That Rug! The floor! Oh my…it will be so lovely. I truly cannot wait to see the final reveal and know that you are so excited about it!
Well done!
Lynn
Angela, Blue i Style says
Sorry it took me all week to finally comment, but I’ve been drooling over that herringbone floor tile and pretty pink rug ALL WEEK LONG!
Ruthie says
I absolutely love everything about this week! That herringbone flooring is everything and so is that pink rug!!
Hannah Milstein says
Beautiful! Did you cut any of the tiles other than the perimeter tiles?
Melissa George says
Sorry it took so long to reply, Hannah! We didn’t, the only ones cut were around the outside of the room.