ONE ROOM CHALLENGE – WEEK 1| THE INTRODUCTION

It’s official! The Fall 2021 One Room Challenge (ORC) kicks off today and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have be chosen as one of the twenty featured designers for this highly anticipated event. after holding on to the secret so long, I m excited to finally be able to share the space(s) in my home I’m tackling for the challenge. As a first time Featured Designer this is a big deal and I’m excited to have you along for the journey!

Welcome! Pleased to Meet You

If you’re new here, let me introduce myself. My name is Saudah and I’m a Baltimore based Interior Designer and mom of 5. I’m passionate about designing beautiful, livable, well-curated spaces. Through thoughtful use of color, unique pieces, pattern, cultural infusion, layered textures and art, I design spaces that are both inspiring, sophisticated and soulful. Fun fact: As a mom of 5, I’ve become quite a pro at creating spaces that are both stylish and accessible. Why sacrifice style for function, when you can create a space that has both?

What is the One Room Challenge?

Created by Linda Weinstein, the One Room Challenge (ORC) is one of the most highly anticipated interior design events. This event challenges designers to completely transform a room of their choice from start to finish in 8 weeks. The grand finale is the big reveal! Each week leading up to the big reveal, designers document their progress online and share a behind the scenes look at the design process from inspiration and furniture and paint selection to installing and styling the space. We will also be sharing our sources and some professional advice you won’t want to miss. With powerhouse media sponsor, Better Homes and Gardens on board as the official media partner, the season’s ORC is guaranteed to be a blast !

Which Room Will I be Transforming?

::Drum Roll Please:: What better way to kick of my first time participating in the ORC than by shaking things up a bit? Instead of doing one room, I will be doing… THREE rooms!! Yes, you read correctly. I’m embarking on quite the ambitious task, even for a design professional. But I just know it will totally be worth it.
We moved into our current home during the beginning of the pandemic and were basically starting from scratch in terms of furnishing and decor. Since moving in it’s been my goal to transform my builder basic home into a haven. With the everyone working and going to school from home, the need for our home to feel more like a retreat seemed more important than ever. Despite my goal to turn our home into a haven, the pandemic had other plans for this design mom.
Unfortunately, I was not exempt from the effects the pandemic has had on the design industry. Over the past year and a half, through delays, backordered items and severe product shortages, I managed to (slowly and finally) complete the first floor of our home. Sadly, the rooms on the 2nd floor (the master bedroom, the shared kids’ room and my teenage son’s room) have remained unfinished and very sparsely “decorated.”
Now let’s fast forward to my Fall ORC project which I’ve been affectionately referring to as “Project Suite Dreams.” I will be transforming all three rooms on the 2nd level of the house: the master bedroom, my teenage son’s room and my younger children’s shared bedroom.

Is this ambitious? Yes..

Will there be challenges? Of course

Will the fabulous end result be worth it? Absolutely!

Here’s what the spaces looked like when we moved in.

Game Plan

The first step in my design process is to determine how the space will be used and what the functional needs are for the space. At this stage I also like to identify what feeling I’d like the space to evoke.

Master Bedroom – Restful, luxe inspired retreat with subtle cultural accents and refined finishes. Comfortable bed. Designated work and lounge area. Get rid of horrible builder grade carpet and ceiling fan

Teen Room – Traditional elements with a bit of edge and cultural accents. Designated area for homework. Comfortable desk chair. Adequate task lighting. Sneaker storage. Infusion of modern and traditional design

Shared Kids Room – Design should be gender neutral since it’s a shared space for a boy and a girl. Sophisticated with playful/whimsical elements. Art that reflects culture. Adequate book and toy storage. Reading nook. Bunk bed to maximize floor space.

Pulling all of this off in 8 weeks will be no small task but I’m determined to deliver and am looking forward to sharing the journey with you!

The goal is for everyone to sleep, play, study, & dream well in their new spaces. Join me next Wednesday for the Week 2 ORC Update of Project Suite Dreams where I’ll share more details and sources for the design of each space.

This season’s ORC lineup features some amazingly talented creatives and I’m so happy to be featured among this group. Want to see what my fellow Featured Designers are up planning for their spaces? Check out the links below!

Albie Knows| At Home with Savvy | Beth Diana Smith | Eclectic Twist| Erika Ward Interiors

From House to Home| G. Lebron Interiors | Goldalamode | Home Made by Carmona| Impeccable Nest

Jeweled Interiors| Joyful Designs Studio| Joy Street Design | Our Fifth House| Peony & Honey

Pinch Plate Party | Rebecca Propes | Reem’s Design | Saudah Saleem Interiors | Whitney J Decor

Media BH&G | TM ORC