The One Room Challenge™ is a biannual event that gives designers (and design enthusiasts) the chance to showcase one room in their home that they’ve redesigned (in a six-week timeframe). Linda Weinstein launched the One Room Challenge™ in 2011 and the popular event is now in its 16th season. In this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast, Veronica Solomon joins Darla and Natalie to talk about her experience being a featured designer in the challenge. 
Veronica’s story is compelling—she lost her husband to cancer in 2004 and subsequently dropped out of design school to care for her two young children. But her passion for design never waned and in 2008 she completed her degree in design. Veronica launched Casa Vilora Interiors and over the last 11 years has acquired an impressive list of accomplishments. Don’t miss this vibrant episode of the Wingnut Social podcast!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:50] The One Room Challenge™ with Veronica Solomon
[4:45] Veronica Solomon’s background
[5:50] What is the One Room Challenge™ all about?
[9:00] How to become one of the 20 featured designers 
[10:15] Best advice to get your foot in the door
[11:30] What the blogging process consists of
[12:30] Should a baby designer join the One Room Challenge™?
[14:25] What does the budget look like?
[17:25] Veronica’s experience working with sponsors
[20:10] What to do to become a featured designer
[23:00] Can the design challenge help build your client list?
[25:35] What up Wingnut round

Connect with Veronica Solomon
Veronica on Instagram
Veronica’s website
Facebook group for designers

Resources & People Mentioned
One Room Challenge™
Beautiful Places, Spiritual Spaces by Sharon Hanby-Robie and Deb Strubel

What is all the hoopla about the One Room Challenge™?
It originally started as a way to keep herself accountable to finish a room in her home, but Linda Weinstein created a fun and interactive design movement. Now there are over 30 sponsors for the event and the media partner is Better Homes & Gardens. 20 designers get the opportunity to be featured twice a year. 
You need to register to participate and apply to be a featured designer. If chosen, you get to work with a minimum of 5 of the sponsors to create a stunning room. You commit to posting a blog (or a story on Instagram) for 6 weeks as you show the ‘behind the scenes’ of your design.
At the end of the 6 weeks, each designer’s carefully crafted rooms are revealed on the One Room Challenge™ website. It is a creative outlet where designers get to share their unique aesthetic and design trends with the world.
Should a ‘baby designer’ get on board? 
Veronica says this is an absolute yes! When she originally joined her first challenge she was looking to build her audience and eventually bring in more clients. It is ideal for budding designers to build their portfolio and gain an audience they wouldn’t have otherwise. 
Veronica pointed out you shouldn’t let the platform scare you—you can transform a room even with the smallest budget. She estimated she only spent around $2,000-$3,000 on her first go-around. You can start small and build what you can with what you have. 
Veronica’s latest One Room Challenge™ reveal was a bedroom design—that likely cost near $70,000. Many pieces were donated by the sponsors she worked with, but she was definitely opting for a more lavish and luxurious design. 
So how do you become one of the featured designers?Veronica’s #1 tip is to create memorable rooms. Design beautiful spaces that stand out and accurately portray your unique aesthetic. To hear the rest of her tips, how she designs the rooms, and how the challenge helps bring in clients, check out the whole episode now!
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