Several weeks ago, I had one of those experiences where I double check the Send To: line on an email to make sure I was the intended recipient. The email said that Shaw Floors and HGTV wanted me to come to North Carolina for a Blogger Decorating Challenge – a la the White Box Challenge on Design Star. Certainly that email was meant for someone else, right? I couldn’t believe that I was one of the 10 bloggers who had been selected to attend and compete.
We were flown to Asheville, North Carolina and put up in the beautiful Biltmore Inn. Before a private tour of the Biltmore Estate, which I will share later (and Holy Wow!), we were paired into teams. I was ever so lucky to be paired with the gorgeous and talented Rhoda of Southern Hospitality. We had met in person before, and we knew immediately that our personalities and design styles would mesh well.
In the first of what would be a series of important design selections, Rhoda and I were assigned the room that we would be transforming – from the flooring to the paint, furniture and accessories. I think we were both a little shocked when we saw our room (or “Bay”) as our Shaw friends kept calling it (we’d soon find out what that meant). It’s definitely more contemporary than Rhoda’s design aesthetic and a little more than mine.
Those are some sharply angled ceilings and skinny little windows, huh?
The five teams of bloggers had to draw a type of Shaw/HGTV Home flooring out of a little tool bag. We were the first up, and we were really hoping for hardwoods and laminate. Instead, we drew carpet.
That’s okay! Rhoda and I were up for the challenge of designing a contemporary space with carpet (the thought of that makes me laugh). Luckily, Shaw Floors has a lot of range in the line of the HGTV Home carpeting. The decision was made even easier when we began mixing and matching the carpet styles and colors on their wonderful display (the same display that your local Shaw Floors retailers have in their showrooms). There are plushes, loops, patterns, textures – something for every home – and they are all super soft.
Ultimately, we went for a textured carpet in a neutral color. At this point, we didn’t know what kind of furnishings we’d have to work with, so we thought that the neutral was a safe choice, as it is in most homes. We selected Stylish Block in Butter Bean.
After that selection, our friends at Shaw asked if we’d like to select an area rug to add to our room. Yes, please! We saw an area rug as the perfect place to pull our design themes and colors, and that’s a great way to start when you are designing a room in your own home. Rhoda and I are both fans of blues and greens, and the Shaw/HGTV Home line has several beautiful rugs in that colorway. After a last minute decision change, we selected the 8×10 Delilah rug in Teal Blue.
The very next day, we were to bring our design to life. The Shaw team put in a phone call to their installers in High Point, North Carolina, and they worked overnight to install our carpet and area rug selections into our bay. The competition was getting ready to heat up, and the next day we were driving to High Point to get started.
If you had these options – a contemporary setting, the Stylish Block in Butter Bean carpet, and the Delilah rug – what type of room would you create? What feeling would you want that room to evoke? What color would you use on the walls, and what large pieces of furniture would you want to use? Tell me in the comments! I can’t wait to show you how we brought this room to life.
How awesome! What an amazing opportunity! I think that I would have divided that space and made a dining area on the left and a living room area on the right. can’t wait to see what you did!
Hey, girl! Great recap of the carpet/rug process. I’ve got mine up today too & will link over to yours. This is great!
oh, i love that rug! i’m looking for something to go in my living room, and that would be perfect with my greens.
I have been so excited for you and Rhoda! I can’t wait to see how your room turned out.Looking forward to every post:)
LOVE your blog!!! Stopping by via Meylah!
Keep up the beautiful work crafty lady! ~Blessings!
We’ve been in Ashville all week and are visiting the Biltmore tomorrow! Is there a way we could see all of the rooms (Bays?) in person?
As always, I’m living vicariously through “my bloggers”…what an awesome experience!! And so cool that you got paired up with Rhoda. She can work magic. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story…! Oh, and I really want that rug!
Hi Lindsay:
I know that you and Rhoda pulled something spectacular together. Rhoda and I have been friends for over twenty years. It looks like you had a great time together.
You live in my most favorite city in the world. I lived in Austin for two years. I hope to get back some day. My Son, Daughter In Law, and little Granddaughter still live there. I miss being there very much. In fact, I was there last week for a visit..in the 102 degree weather.
I can’t wait to see the blogs unfold in the next few days.
Judy
I would do an adult entertaining space with maybe an extra large cream leather sectional. Lots of seating (arm chairs), large chandelier, council table or buffet used as a bar. The feeling would be formal and contemporary with a mix off classic pieces that make it feel ‘approachable’.
I’m pinching myself for not going…ugh! It looks like you had an amazing time and from you FB pictures, I loved the room that you and Rhoda designed…just beautiful! Rhoda wrote a post today about the trip and the Biltmore looked amazing. I hope we get to actually meet soon!!!
xo Jenna
What a great experience. Beautiful Delilah rug. I love the Biltmore and Asheville. Did they send you home with any free samples?
What fun! I think I would design some sort of a dining room, entertaining space. I’d probably go for purples, yellows, and grays since that’s what I’m into now. Can’t wait to see the finished room/bay. What a fun experience.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing your gorgeous room and I know you did an amazing job with your selections! I really enjoyed getting to meet you and hope we get to do it again! 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend – stay cool!
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