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!
Jennifer says
Between that tile and the pink rug, there is so much flooring goodness, I can barely take it!!! I may have to get the runner version of the rug. So pretty! Can’t wait till next week!
Melissa George says
Yes! The runner of this rug was calling to me more than the size I needed online!
Ariel says
That tile was a great choice!
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms says
It’s looking good! I love the new floor!
Jen @ Fresh Crush says
Yes! Oh my goodness it looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to lay a tile in a herringbone pattern — I will live vicariously through you! 🙂
Melissa George says
Seriously try it some time. It’s not as bad to lay as we expected! The first couple pieces are stressful, but once you get those, the rest flows!
Cassie Bustamante says
hey if your floors aren’t busy later, i would like to come over and pet them.
Melissa George says
You win best comment of week #4. There should be a rotating trophy.
Brittany Goldwyn says
I must be living under a rock, because I didn’t know that vinyl, grout-able tile existed. This looks great, especially with the price tag!!
Melissa George says
Right!?! I didn’t either until I was wandering Lowe’s hoping some freakishly affordable solution would appear. I might have squealed for joy in the store when I found them. I proceeded to take up a whole aisle laying out different patterns while convincing myself it was okay to use vinyl if it looked like this.
Denise says
That floor is awesome!!
Amy @ Love On Sunday Design says
I lOOOOVE herringbone floors. I can’t believe they only set you back $300. Amazing! I also love the rug you selected. Looking forward to your next ORC update!
Kristi says
It looks ahhhhmazing! LOVE the herringbone pattern!
Emy says
The floor looks amazing! Were the herringbone cuts painful? I’ve been trying to talk hubby into it, but he’s scared. I hope the IKEA stuff comes soon!
Melissa George says
The cuts were way less painful that we expected. We realized that for all the main part of the floor, you don’t have to cut them at all. It’s all full pieces of tile, just laid at an angle. Then, when you get to the outside of the room, the cuts repeat themselves, so you figure out the first one and then can use it as a template. The only part that was stressful was getting the first few right in the center of the room, but then falls into place. I think doing it with real tile and the wet saw would be a little more nerve-wracking, but we’d take it on in the future!
Tee @ Beauteeful Living says
Those floors…WOW! I love that you were able to do this for only $300 for the cost of materials. Loving that gorgeous rug that arrived. Can’t wait to see your progress next week!
Melissa George says
Thanks, Tee! I couldn’t believe the floors either! Eventually, we’ll need to refinish the real wood floors in the entry, so when that happens we’ll run the wood into the office so it can be stained at the same time. But for now, these are a perfect solution!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
Those floors and that rug…wow! Love them both.
Breanna Bertolini says
Love this floor!!! Looking so good!
Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com says
You know exactly where I’m heading after writing this comment – straight to “Staying Sane During Renovation.” LOL
Totally obsessed with your floors (didn’t realize they’re tiled!!!) since the first sneak peek you shared on Insta. Oh, and THAT RUG!!!!!! That rug has my pink-obsessed heart questioning why I have so few pink pieces in my home. 🙂
Your IKEA delivery is like my sofa – nobody knows where it’s at! Hoping for good news for both of us this week…
Melissa George says
Oh man, what is with the deliveries? Fingers crossed we both hear some good news today! And seriously, why don’t we have more pink in our houses. I started with one small ottoman in the closest and now I want it everywhere!
Renee says
Can you share the details on the flooring from Lowes! This looks perfect for my entry way!!!
Melissa George says
Sure! It’s Stainmaster brand and we used the Casa Italia color. Here’s the link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/STAINMASTER-1-Piece-6-in-x-24-in-Groutable-Casa-Italia-Gray-Brown-Peel-And-Stick-Travertine-Luxury-Residential-Vinyl-Tile/999957689 I’m going to do the full floor tutorial in November, but it’s really easy. We did clean concrete pretty well and haven’t had any issues with the tile not sticking. We’re confident they’ll stay in place with the grout. The downside is that they’ve shown some signs that they are easier to scratch than we expected. Based on that, I’d highly consider going with the lighter color in a higher traffic space like an entry. Although if you have a large rug, it may be okay. Just wanted to mention that so you have the good and the bad if you decide to try them before I get a chance to share the whole tutorial!
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
THOSE FLOORS! THAT PINK RUG! YESSSSSSA!!!!! And I’m pretty much shouting which is why this is all capitalized =) LOL!
Melissa George says
LOL, totally know how you feel because I was shouting about your floors!
Crystal Fox says
That tile is perfection!
Amanda says
The floor is looking amazing…and that rug! My goodness! I’m in love!
Jeanne says
The floors look fabulous and love the hand model…she did a great job…you all did! Can’t wait to see the reveal.
Jilllian says
Yes I love those floors! Spectacular!