Rad Pad Completed

It was a mad dash against time and daylight but I got my Rad Pad completed and photographed before tomorrow's deadline for the "I'm A Giant" Challenge. My son is very under the weather with a stomach bug, so my Rad Pad plans today had to take a back seat to ensuring he was comfortable and hydrated.

This was a particularly challenging experiment for me. I struggled with what to do for quite some time and found inspiration where I least expected it: Staples! In reviewing all I have been working on over the past few weeks in light of the end result, I am left feeling the following things:

1. Satisfied that I made the deadline
2. Happy to have found something new to repurpose
3. Mixed about the pressure of a deadline
4. Disappointed not to have realized the stairs and catwalk
5. Excited that this challenge has exposed more people to the hobby
6. Relieved that it's over

While I am happy with the end product, there's always more ideas and refining but I had to resist those impulses over the past few days. I did add a large "table" to the entryway (it's actually a votive holder from Crate & Barrel), which functions as a hearth of sorts. Fitting in the living area was a challenge, and I decided to abandon it, save for a white couch and rug. The stairs were a big disappointment...I did not have time to order from TAP Plastics and was concerned that I could not DIY-it satisfactorily. My kids' Jenga blocks didn't work out either. So, I went without -- you will have to use your imagination in this airy house...

I cannot wait to see what others have come up with, and hopefully Emily Henderson will post an update of her own tomorrow along with the others bloggers she recruited!

UPDATE, 12/16/11: Emily posted yesterday that she was extending the challenge until February 1, 2012, so that gives me and others time to refine and complete their homes!

Credits: I focused on the bath in my last post, so you can see all the credits there. Office: Wallpaper and flooring are papers from Michaels and the Paper Source; desk by ELF Miniatures; plant is Playmobil; shelving unit by Re-ment; chair is an ornament from Crate & Barrel; magazine holder is AG Minis; light fixture is by minimodernistas; accessories by Re-ment, AG Minis, handmade by The Shopping Sherpa, eBay finds, and Lilu Shop on Etsy. Kitchen: Wallpaper and flooring are papers from Michaels and Kate's Paperie; sink unit and stools are brinca dada; table and light fixture is vintage German; accessories are Reutter, Re-ment, and eBay finds. Bedroom: Wallpaper and flooring are from Michaels, the Paper Source and a dollhouse store; bed is vintage German; chair is Reac; bench is by Logan at OneFortyThree; accessories are Re-ment, ELF Miniatures, minimodernistas, and handmade by The Shopping Sherpa. Entryway: Flooring is made of two Crate & Barrel place mats; table is a votive holder from Crate & Barrel on a table base by Bozart; the couch is also Bozart; rug is by FranMadeMinis; moss bowl is by Gigi 'N Studio; planters at the doors are napkin holders with diorama trees from Michaels.

The time it took me: forever.

Rad Pad Bath

I hope you don't mind my Rad Pad updates, but the "I'm A Giant" Challenge ends on December 15, so I am trying to sort out all the finishing touches. The first room to be sorted is the bath on the lower level.

The bath features a lot of simple repurposing of common objects, and I want to share my store sources in case you want to keep your eyes out. I changed the flooring to a cork sheet of scrapbook paper and added some gorgeous white-on-white mod patterned paper too; both are from the Paper Source. I also reinforced the curved wall (a West Elm placemat) to make it "hug" the shape of the file holder. The gold accented "wall" behind the tub (a condiment dish from Crate & Barrel) is a porcelain tray from West Elm. The bamboo base of the tub is made of two pot scrapers from Crate & Barrel. I used some craft mirrors on the sink and added some beads as vases to the top of the bath wall; both are from JoAnn Fabrics. The round leopard print rug is a cutting from a rug sample.

Here you go!

You'll see most of the photos show the top open. There will, of course, be a floor above (the office), and while I really like the openness of of the holes, I'm not sure I will leave it open (would you want to be able to see down into your bath from your office??).

I'm going to try to tackle the kitchen next! I am waiting for some new brinca dada pieces. I also need to figure out a stairwell -- perhaps I can get some acrylic slabs from TAP Plastics in time.

By the way, I have inquired with Emily Henderson, who launched this challenge, on next steps for people to upload their completed projects, etc. As soon as I hear more, I'll let you know. You may also want to keep tabs on her blog, where she is sure to post updates of her own!

The November ***FREE ALERT*** is going on now at the Call of the Small Facebook page. I am giving away some terrific modern planters. Just leave a comment on this photo for a chance to win! Comments close on Friday, December 9, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. GOOD LUCK!

Credits: Sink is an eBay find; toilet is IKEA; tub is a condiment dish from Crate & Barrel, and the bamboo base is from there too; tub wall is a tray from West Elm, and the curved wall is a placemat from there as well; flooring and wallpaper are from the Paper Source; air plant is from toHOLD on Etsy. Accessories are Re-ment, beads, Ryan's Room.

The time it took me: 1 hour, 10 minutes (including wallpapering)