ORC Spring 2025 Week 1 | Bistro Nook

Welcome Back!! To all the design lovers that abound, and definitely to Spring, as she sprites into the U.S. Southeast. I love the freshness that she brings to the woodlands and the contrasting shades of green out on the horizon. I am about to embark on another round of the One Room Challenge, and definitely want to thank Linda Weinstein, founder, for the creation of this bi-annual event. Along with Media Sponsor Apartment Therapy, I aim to transform another space in our ranch home! This time the team behind this event have decided to do things a little differently, given the current state of "worldly" things, and have challenged designers, do-it-yourselfers, & enthusiasts to work on a 'mini-project' in their home, and to bring it to completion in the 8 weeks allotted time. So, for this go around I have decided to transform a very special area in my semi-open floor plan of this wonderful great room...the kitchen nook. Look back to previous posts to learn about where this open plan Great Room is headed!

Backstory

When I originally had plans drawn up for this house, I modified the kitchen lay-out a bit and extended the floor space in the kitchen triangle area. This could allow space for a small island workspace or butcher block in the future. However, without bumping out to the exterior of the house, I shortened the breakfast area off the kitchen area and thus created our "morning/sitting" area. A beautiful wicker settee and some casual pieces of furnishings sufficed for gazing into the backyard and birdwatching. But now a couple of empty nesters would like to enjoy a bite or two with a cup of coffee/tea and catch a glimpse of what's on the TV or read a tablet as well as enjoy a garden view! Sure, the bar top peninsula has given us a spot to casually dine, but with not many kids jumping up to be served, it might serve us in another way. Thus, the idea of a little bistro nook would be a better use of the space.

Bistro Nook

Sooo... this is what the space looks likes now, before the break-down begins!

In the past there were different pieces of furniture used in this space, along with my Pier 1 Imports settee, purchased when I was a newlywed! It has certainly been much loved and still in great condition. Mainly offered as a beautiful natural wicker piece for maybe a sunroom since outdoor/indoor had not yet been constructed out of the resilient materials that are used today. Also, it probably would not have fared as well these past 25 years if it had been placed in a screened porch either, since the weather and environment here in the Southeast can be wet and humid!

But as with all the pieces of furniture I develop admiration for, I will have to transplant this one for the time being along with the antique library table that I acquired back in my college days!! It was given to me by my mother, a remnant from our Craftsman house in Brooklyn, and together we stripped years of paint and finish off to reveal its handiwork. Perhaps I will be able to relocate this one as well!

In any event, I am off to the races again to create a serene Bistro nook, with earthy, outdoorsy elements in this 100 square foot of space. For starters, I played around with some AI assistance to drum up some ideas...

Concept

I was finally able to realize what i could create and extract some ideas out of my head onto the screen. For sure i want to bring the outdoors in, and create cozy seating for at least 4 people, and bring in some spring like pastels in an earthy hue.

...and that brings me to

The List

• Banquet seating and bistro table
• Rug for underfoot
• Improve lighting
• Reupholster existing bar stools
• Wall feature
• Shelving for plants
• Accessory plug-in garage
• Cafe curtain & hardware
• Decor

While I will try and re-purpose as much accessories as i can, I would like this space to remain clutter free and practical for its purpose of comfy seating to relax or eat in.

This promises to be a real fun project for the next 8 weeks so follow along on social media for my progression through it all, and I will update on the EarthenChic Blog real soon as well!

...from the light of my home to yours,

* Deb *