When Plans Shift and Healing Takes the Lead

There are weeks where everything moves forward exactly as planned…
and then there are weeks that ask you to slow down, sit still, and feel everything.

This was that week.

Week 2 of the One Room Challenge did not unfold the way I had envisioned. I went into it with a full list; wallpaper the entry, finalize paint, begin painting, hang lighting, deep clean, order curtains, receive the rug, choose hardware, and pick up the bookcases.

Instead, life gently… and not so gently… reminded me that timelines don’t always matter.

A Week of Remembering

This week marked one year since my late husband passed.

And if I’m being honest, I was drastically unprepared for how that would feel.

Grief has a way of arriving quietly and then suddenly all at once. Some days this week, it was hard just to get out of bed. The kind of heaviness that settles into your bones and asks you to pause everything.

But even in that, there were small anchors.

My dogs.
This challenge.
The quiet pull to keep creating something that feels like me.

Because that’s what this space is becoming.

Not just a living room…
but a place to land.
A place to breathe.
A place to begin again.

The Vision Is Still There

Even though the week didn’t go according to plan, there were still small, meaningful steps forward.

The Wallpaper Decision

I measured the entry area and ordered all of the wallpaper I’ll need.

And I have to say… I am completely in love with it.

I chose a dark, dramatic design filled with birds and rich tones; the kind of pattern that feels layered, storied, and just a little bit mysterious. The listing photos did not do it justice. In person, the colors are deeper, warmer, and far more dimensional than I expected.

It feels like something you’d find tucked inside an old library or behind a hidden door.

Exactly the feeling I want.

Choosing Paint Colors

This part took me a couple of days; not because I didn’t have options, but because I wanted the palette to feel intentional.

These are the colors I’ve landed on:

• Onondaga Clay by Benjamin Moore
• Renwick Rose Beige by Sherwin-Williams
• Vogue Green by Sherwin-Williams
• Ambient Light by Magnolia Home

I haven’t fully decided where each one will live yet; walls, trim, ceiling, bookcases, and possibly an accent moment.

But together, they tell a story; earthy, warm, grounded, and just slightly moody.

The Door Handle Dilemma

Now this is where I need your help.

I’ve narrowed it down to three options:

• An 8-inch antique brass handle; classic and refined
• Reclaimed handles from a Michigan barn; full of history and character
• A 12-inch oversized handle placed lower on the door; unexpected and bold

Each one brings a completely different energy to the space.

And honestly… I love all three for different reasons.

Tell me in the comments; which would you choose?

The Rug Arrived

One bright spot this week; the rug arrived… and I absolutely love it.

It immediately grounded the space and started to bring that layered, collected feeling I’ve been envisioning.

It’s the kind of piece that makes everything else feel more intentional.

When Life Interrupts the Plan

And then… the unexpected.

My pressure tank blew.

Completely.

Which meant an immediate replacement and an expense I wasn’t planning for this week.

Because of that, picking up the bookcases is being pushed to next week.

Not ideal… but also just part of homeownership, especially in a building from 1891.

There’s always something.

Moving Forward, Gently

This week didn’t look productive on paper.

But it mattered.

Because sometimes progress isn’t measured in what you completed…
it’s measured in the fact that you kept going at all.

This space I’m creating isn’t just about design.

It’s about healing.
It’s about rebuilding.
It’s about creating something that feels safe, beautiful, and entirely my own.

And maybe that means moving a little slower than planned.

That’s okay.

Week 3 Intentions

Going into next week, here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish:

• Begin wallpaper installation
• Finalize paint placement
• Start painting
• Pick up the bookcases
• Hang lights
• Decide on ceiling fix
• Continue deep cleaning and layering the space

Slowly. Thoughtfully. Without pressure.

I’d Love to Hear From You

Which door handle would you choose?
Have you ever had a project completely shift because of life?

Leave a comment below; I read every single one, and they mean more than you know.

Follow along with the transformation as I continue this journey through the One Room Challenge.

And if you’re new here; welcome. This is a space for creating, restoring, and learning how to live again; one room, one moment at a time.