Disguising Imperfections: Week 3 Recap of the ORC #SubspaceSwag Makeover Journey

Every home, from newly constructed to meticulously restored historical gems like San Francisco's Pink Ladies, has its imperfections. While unavoidable, these flaws become less of an issue when managed and minimized effectively.

Week 3 brought both excitement and unexpected challenges as we eagerly awaited the delivery of our long-awaited sofa. However, the lingering effects of the sofa debacle from Week Two significantly altered our project's scope. Originally, I had hoped to showcase a fully finished staircase with a handrail by this point. But the damages incurred during sofa removal led us to rethink our approach and expand the scope of this project—something I hadn't initially planned for. If I'm being honest, addressing the narrow hallway should have been part of the original plan from the start.

Our expanded to-do list quickly turned into a lesson on how to disguise imperfections in an old home—quickly. The walls in this narrow hallway are not only uneven but also wavier than a wet noodle. So I had to come up with a solution that would add architectural interest, and at the same time reduce the appearance of the uneven walls.

With only three days to spare, we made a quick trip to Home Depot and picked up 1’ x 3’ common boards to add architectural detail to the narrow hallway. Despite its simplicity, the project required careful planning and execution to ensure a seamless transition from start to finish.

The photo collage below chronicles the progression of our efforts, from humble beginnings to a partially transformed space. Within about three 4-hour sessions of woodworking and painting, we began to see the vision turn into reality, proving that even the simplest materials can yield remarkable results in capable hands.

While common board may not boast the highest quality, its versatility made it the perfect choice for our project. We simply contoured the edges of the ceiling and the ledges with common board. Then we spaced the boards out 14.5” apart, vertically to fill in the space. Getting the right angle cut was a bit challenging at first, but the effort paid off. And we were able to get back on track quickly.

As Week Three draws to a close, we remain determined to make the most of every opportunity. Stay tuned for Week Four as we continue our journey towards the goal of creating a warm and inviting space that embodies both style and substance.