These One Room Challenge updates are becoming my favorite posts of the week. Last week it was all about painting, casing the windows and the reclaimed wood wall. This week I am filling you in on the lighting in the room as well as the DIY custom desk my husband made. Let’s jump right in with the light I am completely smitten with. I knew the second I saw it, it would be perfect in this room.
My hubby worked hard to get this wall wired and I am so thankful. It is a great addition to our son’s “Trustic” space and is the ideal reading lamp for him while reading in bed. Thank you to Bellacor for providing this beautiful light (on sale & free shipping right now). I think the wire and dark metal play so well with the rustic wall. And there is something about the pretty historic pressed glass shade that is perfectly juxtaposed with the reclaimed wood wall.
So while I have been working on some of the other details of the room (like turning his closet back into a closet), my husband has been working his tail off on a custom desk for this space. So why custom instead of buying one? A few reasons. One, we wanted a desk that was only 24″ deep. That is almost impossible to find. If we did find one that shallow, it wasn’t substantial enough looking. Two, we knew exactly what we wanted for Grady’s room and it wasn’t out there. I did find two that we loved but either the dimensions were off or the material. That is when we decided to make our own. Thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring our materials for this desk. We will do a complete tutorial after the room reveal. Looking at this one and this one for inspiration, the hubbs made this desk from scratch without any plans. I am seriously so proud of him. And he taught my son a thing or two along the way. You can’t buy that.
And I did actually help do something with this piece. I stained the beautiful desk. Talk about pressure. I must have tried 17 different stains. No joke. And you know what I ended up going with. . . one I had in my garage. Ughh. It’s called Aged Leather and it was exactly what we were looking for. As my husband left me on the porch to stain the desk his final words were, “Don’t mess it up.” Yep. Got it. Thanks.
This is the only photo I have of the desk before putting it in his room (that you have to wait to see). I am head over heels for the metal detail he added to each side. So good. And that steel top! That steel top was a major pain in the rear. Not gonna lie. More on that later. In the end, it’s the perfect desk for our son’s room and I am so so proud of Ryan.
Next up, we need to add a standing floor lamp next to his new wingback (sort of new. . . .funny story for later). I have narrowed it down to three well priced options.
CHOICE #1
CHOICE #2
CHOICE #3
Care to weigh in? I think I have chosen a favorite but will most likely bring them all home to see how they look in the room. Sometimes you just have to try it out and see for yourself. Here’s to making the right decision.
Thank you for following along and for all of your encouragement. It means so much to me. It’s the final push. Trying to keep up our momentum so we don’t let the little details slide at the end. Can’t wait to see this all come together.
What We Need To Accomplish
remove bead boardpaintreplace baseboardscase the windowwire for the new sconceturn his closet back into a closetmake a desk- add more lighting
add a focal wallfind a new dresser- create a reading corner
paint the bed- hang drapes
- gallery wall
- have fun doing it all (said with a hopeful heart)
Catch Up On Past Weeks Here
Week One: Before Photos and Interview Video
Week Three: Reclaimed Wood Wall and Paint
Follow Along With These Talented Ladies
Lauren says
That desk is fantastic! Can’t believe your husband just whipped that up! It looks like a high end piece. Definitely something for your son to treasure and pass on to his children. Very special. Oh and I like lamp #2.
Courtney says
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm. I think that is what makes me the most excited. . .that G can pass it down one day. Labor of love. Thanks for the lamp vote!
Kerri says
2 please
Courtney says
Thanks for the vote!
Natasha says
Two all the way!! Love how it’s all coming together!
Courtney says
Thanks, girlie. Down to all of the little details.
Courtney says
Thanks, friend. Down to all of the little details.
Bella B says
The desk looks fantastic! I need one like that! I like lamp #2. ♡♡
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
Courtney says
Thank you, Bella! I am so proud of him. And thanks for the lamp vote!
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
That Ryan is so talented and handy!!! That’s awesome he knows how to do so much, and is passing it on to Grady! What a great husband he’ll be to his future blogger-wife!! 😉 Love the lights…oh, and I have that Ikea floor lamp. It’s a good one…and has a nice solid base, good for an active boy’s room.
Courtney says
I think I’ll keep that Ryan around! And it’s been so fun watching them together. I do love that light. Especially how it moves around so much.
Iris Nacole says
Loving that light, and that desk y’all have built is better than any desk you could ever buy! I can’t wait to see it in the space! 🙂
Courtney says
Thank you so much, Iris. I am really excited with how it came out. Now wish me luck with the gallery wall above it.
Cristin // Simplified Bee says
#2 lamp! and holy cow, that desk!!! gorgeous!
xo
cristin
Courtney says
Thanks, Cristin! I can’t wait to show it to you in the room. And thanks for the light vote!
Jennifer- yourstrulyjenn says
Courtney,
I like lamp number 2 because it brings out the black in the desk. That desk looks it could come from Restoration Hardware. He did a great job. I’ve been looking forward to Wednesdays now.
Jenn
Courtney says
Thanks, Jenn! It really has been fun seeing progress each week. I agree with the lamp thought. And thank you for the sweet compliment on the desk.
wilma says
#2. mimics the lighting fixture. lovely.
Courtney says
Thank you, Wilma!
Turner says
Lamp #3!
Courtney says
xo Thanks for weighing in!
Chelsea says
I think it really depends on what kind of light you want. The thing I hate about those metal lamps is the lighting is so harsh, we never turn ours on because it ruins the feel with a spot light in your eyes. I think function should play a role and how the light will make you feel in the room….so I’d have to say 3.
Courtney says
All good points. I agree with you and it’s often the bulb that makes the biggest difference! Will have to see how it is in the corner. Have a great day.
Allison says
That desk is beautiful! How wonderful that your two guys built it together. A true labor of love. The desk will be such a meaningful piece for Grady to have now and grow with it. A piece to hold on to and pass along to his kids when he grow up. I like #2 and #3. You can’t go wrong with either of the 3. I always have to bring things home to try out to make the final decision.
Courtney says
Thanks, Allison. It really is so special that the two of them planned and worked on it together. I love that he will always have it. xo
Kianna says
DEFINITELY the black lamp, #2! It goes so well with that wall sconce. And that desk is amazing, wow! I sure wish my hubby could build stuff like that. 🙂
Courtney says
I think the hubby surprised even himself! Ha. I agree with you on the light! xo
Lauren@SimplyLKJ says
Love the light, perfect for the room. And, the fact that Ryan hand built that desk along with sweet Grady is aahhhmazing…and the fact that I know you were replacing one made by his grandfather makes it super special indeed. I will say I too like #2. I have always felt a room needs something black in it.
Courtney says
Lauren, I love that you remembered that. Yes! It was hard not being able to use that special table anymore so I really wanted a hand made piece to replace it. And I agree whole heartedly on the light!
Erin Clouse says
I would definitely go with the black floor lamp. It would contrast really well with all of the weathered wood and would match that cute sconce. Can’t wait to see the finished room!
Courtney says
Thank you, Erin! I am exited to wrap it all up and show you guys. Great thought on the lamp, too.
naomi@DesignManifest.com says
what a gorgeous desk!! So special. It is seriously looking so good in there,
cassandra @ coco+kelley says
I’m obsessed with that sconce fixture – I just recommended it to a client last week so to see it here makes me love it even more! I say floor lamp #2!
Mindi says
Ummm seriously?! I am drooling over my keyboard…that desk is FABULOUS!!! And I love the wall and light…it is all just perfect!! Amazing job! I am participating in this as a guest and I am doing my boys room too, gotta love boys! 🙂
Hayley says
I’m enjoying these progress posts! I love all the purposeful decisions, and of course all of the pieces you’ve chosen are great. And the desk looks awesome! I’m a firm believer in if you can’t find exactly what you want, build it! My husband and I have been doing a lot of that lately! ( ; Can’t wait to see it all put together! Also, my pick is #2 as well.
Linda - Calling it Home says
I don’t know which one I love more, the desk or the wall treatment. Both are impressive and definitely cool. Great memories for the guys, too.
sherry hart says
I can not believe your husband made that desk….with no plans I might add. Incredible! I loved the wall treatment so much I almost copied it for my sisters place:) But I just couldn’t pull the trigger and thought I already had too much on my plate as it is:) The lighting is perfect!
Megan | Honey We're Home says
Courtney, your hubby is a rockstar with that desk! Y’all seriously blow my mind with the projects you take on and they come out perfectly! So well done! I know G is absolutely going to be thrilled with his new room, one very satisfied client! 🙂
Toni M. says
Wonderful room. When will you post the tutorial, or did I miss it?