We’ve officially hit the halfway mark of the One Room Challenge—cue the mix of excitement and mild panic! This is the point where reality sets in: there are only a few weeks left, an overwhelming amount of work still to do, and suddenly, the pressure is real. But hey, at the end of the day, it’s just a room makeover, right? (Deep breaths!)
If you’re just joining in, I’m tackling a complete transformation of our half bathroom, which also happens to double as a high-traffic laundry room—because, why not add an extra layer of chaos? The goal is to take this previously dull, beige space and give it a fresh light and coastal-inspired update, all within the six-week timeframe of the ORC. Simple enough? In theory, yes. In practice? Not so much!
The Reality of a Six-Week Renovation
They don’t call it a challenge for nothing! Every renovation is a juggling act, and when you’re working under a strict timeline, it feels like you’re constantly crossing your fingers, clicking your heels together, and hoping the renovation gods are on your side.
Right now, I’m in a bit of a waiting game for some key elements—the tile, the new toilet (yes, I’m ridiculously excited about a white toilet!), the oyster shells for the mirror, and the window treatment. In other words, all the major components. And with just three weeks left, let’s just say the pressure is officially ON.
Progress (and a Little Setback)
On a positive note, I did manage to remove the old vinyl flooring, which is a small victory! I was planning to share a full update on that process, but unfortunately, I also managed to shatter my phone—the one holding all my precious before, during, and after photos. So, let’s just say next week’s update will be even more interesting! For now, enjoy a little sneak peek of what my life looks like in the midst of renovation chaos—don’t be too jealous!
Adding the Pretty Details
To stay motivated through the mess, I’ve been focusing on some of the fun design elements, specifically what’s going up on the walls. With crisp white walls and marble flooring in the works, I wanted to introduce a pop of color—perhaps a watercolor or oil print to complement the coastal vibe.
That plan, however, took a detour when I fell down the rabbit hole of Minted’s art collection. Seriously, there are so many stunning prints to choose from that I spent an entire evening scrolling while Mark watched the Bruins. His feedback? He loved every single one, which was both sweet and completely unhelpful in narrowing down my options.
If you love a coastal aesthetic, I’ve rounded up a few of my top contenders—can you guess which one I chose? (Affiliate links included for your convenience!)
Here are some of my favorite finds from Minted—each capturing the serenity of the sea in a unique way:
- Under Water by Chelsey Scott – A beautifully fluid composition with dreamy blue tones.
- Ocean Landscape by Kelly Witmer – A soft and moody interpretation of the coastline.
- Waters Edge by Becky Kisabeth Gibbs – Gentle waves meeting the shore in the perfect balance of color and movement.
- Oceanic by Leslie M. Ward – A bold yet calming piece evoking deep ocean blues.
- West Coast by Carol Dysart – A stunning West Coast seascape with soft, neutral hues.
- Dreams + Waves by Jenni Kupelian – Abstract waves that feel almost rhythmic.
- Beach by Yao Cheng – Light and airy with a watercolor effect that’s effortlessly coastal.
- Portofino Afternoon by Three Kisses Studio – A Mediterranean touch with beautiful warm and cool contrasts.
- Roil by Courtney Crane – A dramatic, textured take on ocean waters.
- Across The Wetland by Qing Ji – A peaceful, almost ethereal landscape.
- Arise by Kelly Johnston – A sunrise-inspired print full of warmth.
- Divinity by Julia Contacessi – Subtle and abstract, yet full of depth.
I know art is deeply personal and subjective, but seriously—how do you even choose when they’re all this beautiful?
How to Choose Artwork for a Room
If you’re shopping for art, rugs, patterned pillows, or curtains online, here are a couple of quick design tips I use to help make confident choices before clicking “add to cart”:
1. Enlarge the Print & Preview It in the Room
Even though screen colors aren’t always 100% accurate, enlarging an image on your tablet, laptop, or phone and holding it up in the space can help you get a general feel of how it might look. It’s not a perfect solution, but it definitely helps with decision-making!
2. Create a Digital Design Board
I always recommend placing potential selections into a design board alongside your other finishes (tile, paint, textiles, etc.). Seeing everything together in one place is a game changer—you can instantly tell if something enhances or clashes with the overall look.
For this bathroom project, I tried out several of these prints on my existing design board to see which one truly fit. There were a few I absolutely adored, but ultimately, this exercise helped me narrow it down to one—and surprise, it’s not even on this list!
Wrapping Up Week 3
The renovation is still full speed ahead (with a few setbacks, of course), but focusing on the little details like art selection keeps me motivated through the One Room Challenge madness.
Huge thanks to Linda at Calling It Home for creating and running this incredible event—it’s always inspiring to see what everyone else is working on! You can check out the other ORC challengers’ progress here.
Stay tuned—Week 4 is coming up, and it’s going to be a big one!
