Calling all renters and commitment-phobes ???♂️. Yeah, you see me looking at you! I just want to say that I feel your pain. I really, truly, sincerely do. I know what it’s like to WANT to make dramatic changes to your home, even if it isn’t really YOUR home (or if you are afraid that you will hate said chances in 6 months). This post is made ESPECIALLY for you. So pin a rose on your nose and see how I have made removable “lacquered” walls in this entertaining space of our 10 month rental. As an added bonus: all answers will be disseminated in a game show format?…I know, I shouldn’t have ?
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6- The BIG REVEAL!
Photo cred: Amy Greene (IG: @Contactamygreenephotography) ?
What is the ORC?
I want to start out with a huge thank you to Linda, from Calling it Home, for organizing this…THE MONSTER TRUCK EXPEDITION of all link-ups…THE… SPRING… ONE ROOM CHALLENGE???! (said in my best echoing “big voice”) Yassssss!
Never heard of it? Well, my friends, then you have never lived! This is a 6 week competition between 20 “Challenge Participants” and hundreds of other “Guest Participants” (like me). All of us have the goal of transforming our spaces with only a month and a half to get it done (how is it already WEEK 2???!!!). As an added bonus there are two great media sponsors for this event, House Beautiful and Old Home Love, who will be picking their favorites to showcase. It’s all so…what’s the word…CRAZY?…MASOCHISTIC?…EXCITING!
Thanks for Stopping By
If you are new around these parts then let me give you a virtual hug and high five ✋. I’m pumped you stopped by to check out the CRAY-CRAY that we call normal life. You see, we are a military family of 6 and we move A LOT! Yep, this is our 12th home and it’s only a 10 month rental. With all of these HARD KNOCKS experience I have learned how to set-up a beautiful, bold, colorful, and collected home in a very short time frame and on a limited budget. So I guess the ORC is right up my alley?!? This will be my second time on the ORC roller coaster and I thrive on the adventure (and the excuse not to do my laundry for 6 weeks ?).
The Vision
Note: some products in this post are sponsored but the opinions are 100 percent my own.
Here’s the deal. I want my place to look chic…I mean- like crazy high-end…but I want to accomplish this look for peanuts…oh, and I want to be able to take it all down in less than an hour when it is time to move. Is that too much to ask??? Clearly, I’m a sane and rational individual.
Here’s an inspiration pic for your viewing pleasure…
Source unknown- Please let me know if you have this info
What did you notice about the walls? in that gorgeous pic? That’s right! Lacquer! Ain’t it perdy? Don’t get your hopes up though. I did a little research and truly lacquered walls may be sexy, but they are not easy to obtain. Everything I read said to expect several days’ worth of working with toxic chemicals…ummm, no thanks. Also, I will not have time to repaint when the moving trucks roll up, so I needed a solution that was completely removable and that wouldn’t damage my rental. Finally, I didn’t want to spend more than $100. So that’s when I had to get creative.
So, while my new walls may not be “technically” lacquered, they are high gloss and that suits me mighty fine…
After- for now
Note: The top half of the wall is currently white because I have some killer wallpaper coming from Spoonflower.com (Available this weekend). It’s totally going to make this space ROCK! Until then, I’m going to teach you the ways of the removable “lacquer” walls.
Being the competitive, former-track coach that I am, I have naturally chosen a game show format to disseminate truth because, well, its more fun that way… and…well… I get to make the rules around here?♀️.
Game Show Time
AKA- How I did it
COME ON DOWN! You are the next contestant on THE Jeweled Interiors Blog Game Show ? ! The thrilling new competition where the stakes are low and the prizes are non-existent.
Question #1: The Trim
For $100 (x 0)– What products did I use to make this removable, glossy, and inexpensive trim?
Here’s a hint- (You’re welcome)
Ding Ding Ding ?!!!!! If you guessed that I used shiplap and flipped it over backwards then you are today’s lucky winner! For those of you who haven’t ever purchased trim, it can be quite expensive. It is priced by the linear square foot…like $6 per lsf…Gulp.
To paint it this fresh shade of blue I simply used a foam brush and applied nice, smooth, even coats of high gloss paint in multiple thin layers.
Question #2: The Walls
Ok, so MAYBE you guessed the last one, but I’m going to be pretty darn impressed if you answer number 2 correctly .
For $200 (x 0)- What removable products did I use for those shiny blue walls?…… cue Jeopardy music….
Did you get it? Eucaboard! Whatever that is, right? All I know is that it is in the lumber section of any big box hardware store. Yep, I picked up three pieces of these for around $10 a board and cut it (poorly) with my jigsaw. Luckily the cut job didn’t need to be perfect since the top was trimmed with the answer to number 1 (shiplap…you hear me talkin’).
Thi pic? was taken after the first coat. See how I applied the paint in a very thin layer. Truthfully, my paint didn’t adhere quite as well as I would have liked. I would recommend asking your local paint specialist for their advice on which primer to do with if this is a long term solution for you.
Question #3: ?This Large Walll
Ok, on to the final round…
For $300 (x 0)– Tell me the paintable and removable product I used to cover the large wall?and the shelf area of my half wall ledge. Hint…If you look closely at the last shot you can see that I haven’t quite finished it yet. The product in question had to dry before I could trim it…Did that give it away?
If you guessed water-activated paintable/removable wallpaper that I keep finding buried in random locations at all of the local Home Depots in my area then you are the all-time BLOG CONTESTANT WINNER. Please write in the comments section so that we can all lavish you with praise. I hereby crown ? you with fame, fortune, and fabulous walls.
Let’s Review the Plan
TO DO LIST
Add furniture and rugs to the space. Not yet…the zebra rug was just temporary
Buy and cut lumber
Buy and paint HIGH GLOSS paint (probably blue…Though purple has crossed my mind)
Add molding to the lower wall
Wallpaper upper wall with the tiger wallpaper (Spoonflower)
Upholster striped chairs (Spoonflower)
Sew fringe on sofa (Fringe Market)
Upholster 80’s bench (Spoonflower)
Decide upon, order, and hang chandelier (Lamps Plus)
Style it with pillows etc (Roostery)
Optional:
Wallpaper ceiling (Spoonflower)
Wallpaper entryway (Spoonflower)
Build built-in shelves
Upholster sofa in velvet
Paint dining room shell-chairs
Paint masterpieces
Sleep and good personal hygiene- let’s be honest…That’s not happening
Spoonflower || Roostery || Fringe Market || Lamps Plus
Thank you so very much for joining me on the Spring 2018 One Room Challenge- Week 2 If you like what you see here don’t forget to come back and poke around a bit after visiting the challenge and guest participants. Oh, and following me is fun too ?. Don’t forget to come back each week as I show you how to use a limited budget to transform a rental into an unforgettable space.
Nice trick, Jewel! I was thinking about tackling high-gloss in my powder room, but wasn’t so sure I could pull it off. Maybe using your trick….things are looking up! Beautiful room Love the blue….. ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thanks Chelsea- I think using the foam brush would be the ticket in your bathroom…Don’t fall for the foam roller.
You are a serious DIY queen. That is all. Progress is amazing so far.
Lol…I really don’t have any other talents. Thats all?
You really need to write a book about all these tricks you have for renting and making a house a spectacular home (that can then be dismantled 10 months later and used in the next abode!) I LOVE not only your smart ideas to get the look you want but also that gorgeous paint color and the high gloss drama!! This room is going to be so beautiful Jewel!
Thanks Lisa! Your room is look so fab too!
Those moody walls! <3 And what an ingenious idea! I can't wait to see the next clever thing you do. No pressure. 🙂 Good luck!
LOL. Thanks Chris! I’ve got some big plans a brewin’
Whoa, this is AMAZING!!! What a creative solution. Can’t wait to see the wallpaper, eeekkkkk!!!
Looking good! Hardboard aka Eucaboard was my go-to when I was renting!
Number One: you are hilarious. Could we hang out over drinks sometime? Love your plan and how you are going about achieving it. My kind of girl.
Number One: you are hilarious. Could we meet for drinks sometime? Number 2: great project. Love the process you’re going through.
LOL! I’m a hot mess right now, if you are into that kind of friend ?. Thanks, It’s coming together.
The final samples come Friday and I am super excited!
Thanks Jess! I LOVE your Rental ORC room! Its one of my all time favorites!
Wow, you’re so creative. Way to make it work, and it’s looking amazing already!
Thanks Dannyelle
Wow!! I am super impressed and I love the blue!!! I can’t wait to see that wallpaper 🙂
Thanks! Me too!
We have only been owners for a little over a year now, so I have a special place in my heart for renter makeovers! You really gotta get creative. Also I love Spoonflower!!
It’s looking good! I’ve never heard of eucaboard!
Oh my gosh, this room is going to be fabulous! I love this trick and wish I’d known that when I was renting apartments back in my single days. Your entire home is beautiful and I can’t wait to check out even more.
Jewel you’re an absolute genius and I am seriously impressed by everything you do!
You are brilliant! Way to get what you want on your terms – you are a gal after my own heart! Love the depth of color and can’t wait to see your next post.
Brilliant may be taking it a tad too far, but if you insist ?. Thanks!
Thanks Diane! I’m loving the bedroom you are working on too.
Thanks Diane- That means a lot coming from you my dear!
Thanks Toni! I am loving your room too!
I think some people call it backer board. It comes in thin long sheets of various sizes
Yes! Props to Spoonflower! Such a fabulous business model!
This is fantastic! I tackled high gloss on a ceiling during an ORC and it was only marginally successful. Doing it this way would ensure a much more consistent finish – great tips, and the room is fabulous already!
Your space is really coming along! Great ideas for someone who needs their wall treatment(s) to be temporary!
Wow! The ceiling? That would be tricky for sure. Way to have to guts to tackle it!
Thank you! I am super excited to no have to repaint!
I didn’t even know that was a possibility. How cool!
Yeah! I was pleasantly surprised with the result