Oh my gosh you guys we knocked out all of the millwork for the One Room Challenge over Easter weekend and it looks amazing and was so much fun, but kicked all of our asses like you wouldn’t even believe. I’m staying up late tonight to do my report cards and the struggle is REAL! hahaha!
Side Bar: if you’re new to my One Room Challenge you can get caught up now:
Week 1 Update, Week 2 Update 😉
This week, I have too many One Room Challenge updates but no time to update…it’s 9:58pm so I’ll keep this short and sweet and explain the millwork I designed that, my husband’s brother, Ben built with the help of our dear friend Matt Cornies. (And by “dear” I mean super-hero-we-owe-you-for-life friend who swooped in when we knew we’d run out of time….we love you forever!)
I wanted to clad the fireplace wall in a herringbone pattern and layer the millwork over top. Originally I imagined we would buy some pine and then whitewash it…then at the last minute it hit me that we had a bunch of boxes of leftover flooring from our home. Suddenly, I had this vision of ripping it in 3 (it’s 7.5 inches wide) and having Ben and Matt mill it, so that we could use it for this project!!! They loved the idea and then cut over 600 pieces of wood and added a chamfered edge (bevel) around each piece. You need the bevel so that shiz looks Profesh!
K One Room Challenge or not, this was an insane undertaking and I feel so appreciative that they took it on because the result is stunning. This is not to say that they did not go through a period of hating my ultra demanding little old self…but I’m pleased to report that I’m back in the good books as of yesterday at 5pm! But I digress… the floors in our home are white oak and have an amazing matte finish and the cracks are filled with white, so all of those details rolled into a herringbone equal to. die. for!!! Our floors are made in Alberta by Divine Flooring and I truly love them! 
I love so much that my husband’s best friend and amazing contractor Matt took the time to have Juliette, my daughter, help him. 
At this point it’s about 7pm…Ben didn’t stop until the sun came up literally…I’ve never seen anyone work without stopping through the entire night…but he was only here for a few days.
And I awoke and Ben was still going…unreal….that pile of 600 pieces was gone and more needed to be milled. Next the builtins were started. Notice Matt’s tube socks and deck shoes…I rip on him so badly for wearing them!! lol!
In this shot you can see the benches, bookcases, and beautiful crown moulding! All that’s left is to cut around the fireplace, window, build the mantle, and paint….and obviously STAGE this biiiiitch!!! I can’t wait to see this One Room Challenge come together and to show you!
Ok, so I kept this post short and sweet, but I hope you guys are liking the vibe so far and I’m really looking forward to sharing the beginning of the staging and the artwork next week…ooh and more vintage finds!
How about one last look at where we started!
Make sure you pop over to Calling It Home to see the rest of the progress going on in all of the One Room Challenges…I have to say my addiction (with no surprise) is following Christine Dovey! All the heart eyes for everything she has ever done…p.s. I am fully getting that antelope carpet for our stairs at the new reno…go check out her post to see it! LOVE!
Wow, so much work, but that is going to look amazing!!!!
Yes totally so much work! lol…but it’s worth it…can’t wait to show you how it looks now painted! Thank you so much!
Gorgeous!!
The craftsmanship and details are sublime!
Hi Renee! Thank you so much! I will pass that on to Ben and Matt…they are the best!!
OMG, this is AAAAHHHHMMMMAAAAAAZZZZZIIIINNNGGG!! Can Ben and Matt come to my house when they’re done at yours?! My husband refuses to even attempt any kind of pattern with my multitude of projects so I just get straight and boring. I’m literally DYING over here for some pattern and you nailed it, I mean really hit it out of the park. Awesome job!! I can’t wait to see how it is completed, cause girl, it’s already knock your socks off perfect!
Hi Tina!!! Oh my gosh thank you!! I knew I needed to break away from a shiplap look, so I’m so glad that you like it! Thank you so much for the encouragement! I know we all need a “Ben & Matt”! If I was rich I would have them around all day everyday and just keep doing projects!!! lol! but seriously!
In the age of the internet rarely do I see something that really amazes me. You’ve done it, this is stunning.
Oh my God Jessica, that is such a crazy seriously flattering comment. I really try to do something new and different than what I’ve seen so thank you so much!
That wall is amazing!!
Hi Bre, thank you so much for the comment!!
This is crazy gorgeous! I can’t wait to see the finished styling and kudos to you for this vision (can you ever go wrong with herringbone ?!) and major virtual high fives to Ben and Matt. That is some serious dedication. Good luck Leslie!!
HI Jodie, no you’re right you can’t go wrong with herringbone eh?! lol! Love it! Thanks so much for the comment and i’ll pass your words on to Ben and Matt!
This progress is so exciting – the chevron and shelving is just amazing and already bringing so much interest to the room! Can’t wait to see more.
Hi Kevin! Wow I’m so glad you like it! I can’t wait to show you the rest!! thanks so much for the comment!
I’m new to your blog but saw this on instagram. All I can say is WOW! I’m not a blogger or a designer….just a person who loves all things decorating/design/etc. This blew me away! First I cannot imagine the work – we planked above our fireplace years before it was Fixer Upper cool and that was enough work! I’m now anxiously waiting to see the rest of the project!
Hi Kim…thank you so much for the comment and I’m so glad that you found me…can’t wait to show you the reveal too!
Wow, I’ve been following your progress on IG and it looks amazing -so good! Love it so far.
Hi Dannyelle, thanks so much for following and for the sweet comment!! Can’t wait to show you how it comes together!
Absolutely stunning!! I’m searching for a wall we can add herringbone to! Love!
Oh that’s awesome!!! Thank you so much!
Wow Leslie!! This looks absolutely amazing. I’m going to have to hire you and your crew to help Nick and I at our new house!! Your house just keeps getting better and better!
Oh my gosh Danielle! I was just thinking about you today and how I need to see your baby and hear about how things have been going with the little guy?! How is your build coming along, has it started?? Thank you so much!
The babe is great!! He’s a good baby! The lack of sleep is a killer…butcww plug away! Build started 2 weeks ago! We have walls in the basement. And yes…you guys should come by! We owe you a dinner!! Nick can cook! 😉
OMG! I can’t wait to see your house build!!! Wow that is exciting! So happy for you about the babes…we’ll come anytime!!
I can’t believe that wall. It’s incredible! So looking forward to seeing the room when it’s done!
Hi Leslie…thank you so much!!!
OM Gosh Leslie…this one is going to be ALL OVER the PLACE! Pinterest, Instagram….etc. —Get ready! Love it soooo much! Dara
Hi Dara,
omg you’re too sweet thank you!!!
I’m reading and reading and this sneaky question kept popping up. Where did she get that amazing wood.
Then bam you pop in the link and it’s in my province! super excited, totally checking it out.
What you are doing here is so freaking awesome, I love how it’s looking and it’s so original.
Hi Jessica,
oh that’s awesome Devine Flooring has awesome choices! Thank you so much!!! I’m so appreciative of the encouragement!