Should I Stay or Should I Indigo

Last Updated on February 15, 2024

Phew! Man, the past week has flown by. Radio silence has ensued (sorry about that…it’s not you, it’s me), but I swear I’m not sitting on the sofa eating bon-bons watching Days Of Our Lives. (Is that show even on anymore? In college was addicted to it.) Anyhoo, I’ve been moving around furniture, styling vignettes, giving the UPS man hugs, shopping at my favorite vintage stores, and pawing through what I already own like a mad woman. Then I move it all around again…and again…and again…and then I change my mind…again. The One Room Challenge progress report is in full effect today. My home office is starting to take shape. Transforming right before my eyes, and I really like what I’m seeing. If you missed it, I posted this sneak peek of the space on my Instagram Monday morning.

How ’bout that rug, eh? I’ve been drooling over this Loloi Rug named Anastasia since its launch and pretty much freaking out over it. I knew I had to make it work in the space because, one way or another, this bad ma’am-a-jama was going to be mine.

Before this rug arrived, my main objective was to empty out the room. I had to go through everything. I made piles to keep, donate, and toss. Today I’m going to refuse to show the complete and utter mess of the before makeover again because it’s hideous and embarrassing, but if you insist on viewing it one more time. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. Alrighty, you back? Did you live to tell the tale? I certainly hope so. Let’s get crackin’ and take a looksy at what’s been happening over here.

As of last May, I knew I wanted to participate in the One Room Challenge, so I couldn’t help but start to put a plan together in my head. But all that kinda goes out the window when your husband starts to travel. Right now, I’m a day before the link-up deadline, and I’m thinking to myself, “Why is it so hot in here? And why am I in this handbasket?” It’s only Week 2!!! This challenge is tough you guys, and it’s insanely stressful.

The original plan was to buy a small brown leather big box store sofa but then I thought, girl you are all about vintage. You got this. So, I phoned just about everyone I knew who sold vintage furniture and stalked Craigslist. I found a ton of pieces that JUST sold the day before or it was too darn big. But, that is how buying vintage goes. I wanted something classic with clean lines, specifically brown leather with some patina. Wow, I just got ridiculously specific. Rule Number 1 when shopping vintage: don’t be specific and keep an open mind, especially when you’re on a tight deadline. I went back to West Elm and pondered the Axel. It was an easy buy, but the $1700 price tag plus shipping and a month-long delivery wait did not seem like the smartest idea for my first One Room Challenge experience. I needed a new plan, and fast.

But first, let me show you the off-the-charts artwork that kinda started my whole color palette. I’m so incredibly excited about it…find of the century. It’s an original acrylic painting by an amateur artist named Ferne Milosevich. From the yellowed paperwork stapled to the back, it looks like she was selling it for $100 at the Michigan State Fair and named it “Fun On The Beach.” It was painted in 1970. While I was carrying it through the flea market, people kept stopping me to see it. Seriously, it’s gorgeous!

While at the antique market, I ran into my friend Beth of South Loop Loft. I told her what I was looking a couch, and she responded with, “Well, I have a loveseat that fits that description. It’s a Chesterfield though.” I’m sorry what did you say sweet angel from heaven? You have a vintage brown leather Chesterfield with patina that is in my price range AND I just so happened to bring Layla (my monster truck) down to the city so I can haul it home today. What luck! YES MA’AM! And while you’re at it, let’s wrap up those fantastic lucite nesting tables of yours as well. That’s right folks, I walked away from a flea market with a jackpot of vintage: Chesterfield, lucite nesting tables AND this amazing painting above from Xavier’s 20th all in one day. Boom! Challenge-shmallenge. And that’s how we do at HOH. Now if I can just figure out how to photograph this room…I’m in the basement with very little natural light. Bear with me.

The blue tones and the leather just seemed to lend themselves to vintage African indigo pillows and rattan. All week I’ve been sitting here, staring at gorgeous indigo panels draped across the Chesterfield. Franco Albini style rattan chair sitting in place. Rattan is my jam, AND I have all of these items in my possession. I’m having serious doubts.

The DIY pipe shelf is a mess and is in need of some serious styling, but I think it’s going to stay. The Boy did a lot of work on it, and it was one of my first DIYs.)

At the flea market a couple of months ago, I snapped up all the vintage African wedding indigo I could find and already had the rattan chair from Chairish. I literally owned everything I needed, so that meant zero dollars to spend on this project (mainly because those dollars are already in circulation…shhhh…just watch and learn), so there will be zero frowny faces from The Boy. No “what’s your budget” talk. No lectures about credit card bills. No, you and your bloggery talk. But…and this is a big ol’ but, in my hipster opinion…indigo and rattan is an easy out. It’s trending. Besides, I already have it in my home. Rattan is all over IKEA, indigo pillows can be found at any big box store. It’s super hot right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look, but this is the One Room Challenge! I wanted a look that was a bit more unique and up and coming. Darn it, I see frowny faces in my future.

I broke down. The indigo was removed yesterday, and the rattan chair is no longer. I might have shed a tear as I carried it out of the office, but what is to come is going to be amazing! Promise. While pining away over the Axel sofa from West Elm, I happened upon this beautiful velvet blush-colored mid-century chair that I’ve been eyeballin’, and that sucka was on sale plus an extra 20% off. I channeled @ihavethisthingwithpink. Blush just entered the color palette. It would work. Besides, how could I resist the Milo Baughman – esque look. The color was delicate and the brass super feminine against that masculine Chesterfield. TAKE MY MONEY ALREADY! The site said 1-3 weeks for delivery upon checkout, but the confirmation email said 4-5 weeks. YIKES! Fingers crossed this little pretty lady gets here before I turn into a pumpkin. Times a tickin’.

So now I’m off to find a bit more blush to tie into that chair and a big chunky cream knit throw or maybe pouf? And I might just have another smaller Moroccan wedding blanket ordered for the Chesterfield. The pipe shelf needs some serious help in the styling department and I’m trying to figure out what to put on the lucite nesting tables. Painting is happening this weekend along with curtains and a fancy light that you will be flipping over! I also swear there is a desk in this room, but you’ll have to tune in next week to check it out.

Do you guys have any suggestions? Is anything catching your fancy? What do you think? I’d really love some feedback. Did I make a mistake with the rattan and indigo? Did I make the right decision?

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