I’m back with a quick One Room Challenge update (too much to do, not enough time to write)! We’ve made so much progress in such a short time. The biggest update is that the wallpaper installer I wanted to hire doesn’t have time in his schedule to fit us in, and so my in-laws—in town from Washington State—are helping me wallpaper the playroom because they are generous and handy and wonderful. ICYMI, they helped us renovate an entire house earlier this year. So we’re both simultaneously keeping them young and aging them. But they swear they wouldn’t say yes if they didn’t want to help.

That being said, would you try wallpapering with someone else—especially your mother-in-law? I’m brave, I know.

When I called the installer weeks ago, he told me the project would taken 2-3 days (which he didn’t have available until the end of November) and cost about $1500, so it’s nice to save that money. But I don’t think we could’ve picked a harder room for a first wallpaper experience. Between the sloped ceilings with its wonky lines and multiple walls needing pattern alignment, it’s just…a lot. It’s tedious but also not impossible. We’re also trying to tackle the playroom as well as my daughter’s closet, so it’s basically a two room challenge. Ay yi yi!

Here are a few dark and blurry progress photos. We work at all hours of the day, often when the lighting sucks, so you’ll just have to take my word for it that it’s looking so, so beautiful in person.

And here’s a quick list of what’s left to do (and I know I’m forgetting things):

Playroom:

• Finish hanging wallpaper

• Finish building, painting and installing closet doors

• Hang pegs and basket inside closet

• Paint interior shelving

• Install baseboards and ceiling trim

• Convert recessed lighting into flush mounts

• Carpet installation

• Paint flower boxes and build holder (and buy) for flowers

Closet:

• Finish building shelving

• Cut and install arch

• Add trim

• Install clothing rods

• Paint window and cabinets

• Install cabinet pulls

• Install bulletin board backing

• Install new light

I’m off to wipe the wallpaper paste out of my hair before starting again. Wish me luck!!