It's been a little over a month since we've fully moved into our new house & jumped right into some projects, including the media room.

Having already spent time ideating made getting started right out the gate super easy, but I was still — mostly — working off of a High Point Market specified design.

Did I love everything I chose for that design? DUH! But was all of it feasible? Nope. 

Between cost, customizations, and availability, I quickly (mentally) processed all the substitutions I'd have to make to make this design come to life for us for real for real.

Because Duke Renders did such an AMAZING job virtually bringing my design to life, it made pivoting & sourcing more accessible options a breeze so here it is...

How does it hold up to the virtual?

Now let's see a before...

The virtual design features a textured wall covering that gave the perfect tone on tone contrast with Sherwin William's Tricorn Black (6258) on the doors, trim, and ceiling. While I did consider getting wallpaper — because y'all know it's my jam — we decided to go with Sherwin's Cyberspace (7076) to achieve the same complimentary yet subtle contrast.

In months, years, whenever, we may go back in and apply panels to the ceilings as well as the recessed lighting shown in the virtual design, but, for now, going in and replacing the old ceiling fan with a new 3 Blade LED Ceiling Fan by Hunterallowed us to instantly modernize the ceiling with this sleek design.

The virtual design, while very dark & moody, purposefully featured a mix of lighter neutrals so that it would still have cozy hygge vibes — it is the hygge ranch after all. In real life, the hygge vibes would be even more important because this is where my family and I would do a lot of hanging out & chillaxin as one does in a media room.

This isn't to say my planned design is devoid of custom elements because custom can be accessible!

You're going to have to come back next week for a shopping update to see what exactly ends up in the space. To date, the popcorn ceiling has been removed & the ceiling painted. We've also already begun painting the doors & trim, plus changing out the door hardware to Schlage sets from their Camelot Collection in Matte Black. The way the hardware sits up against the new black doors is, legit, what dreams are made of... well at least my media room dreams.

By my next update, everything should be close to done & I'll be getting ready for photography. I’d love to know what elements you’re excited to see in the real life mood board.