Eclectic Home Office Reveal

When we moved into our home built in 1989…it was guilty as charged. The previous owners took great pride and care of their home. They even did a few upgrades that we would’ve never have been able to afford. HOWEVER, their “style” was well, let’s just say, the former “lady of the house” was pretty offended when she unexpectedly walked in the front door and her beloved Navy and Pink Cabbage Rose curtains were in a heap on the floor. Whoops!

 

Every room, and I do mean every room was outfitted with different colored carpeting and either a self-adhesive border (thanks 80’s), a metallic wallpaper or, when we were really lucky…both. Yay.

 

My now office was no exception. We tore through the rest of the house, but, that room, well it sat untouched… for 4 years.

 

And there’s a reason for that.

You see that room, with the bay window, was the room I thought for sure would be our kid’s room. Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all heavy on you 😉 I’ll let you read more about that here if you like. But, needless to say, the door to this room remained closed a lot of the time. A room that had so much potential had somehow become painful.

 

And then one day, a few years into our journey, finally tackling this room was soul-healing. Redoing this room helped us to not only make peace with our unexpected life, but to celebrate it.

 

 

It’s sort of amazing the tremendous impact that environment can have on us. So if you have a space that could use a little “life,” I hope this serves as inspiration.

 

DISCLAIMER: This office is totally imperfect. Right down to the cracked futon frame that makes me say a little prayer every time I hop on. The funny thing is, I’m totally ok with that. The perfectionist in me has surrendered to the artist in me and given her a place to experiment and spray paint all the things. For example, this desk:

 

Total Salvation Army find. It was a very bad yellowy gold. Chris gave it some new life with a coat of primer and two coats of white paint while I spray painted the handles orange.

 

It takes itself much less seriously than it did when it was gold.

 

The mirror is from Home Goods and allows us to double this space as a guest room. My “seat” is a $5 Ikea stool with a piece of cut foam on top covered in fabric and wait for it…duct taped down. “I’m so fancy..” but it’s cute duct tape..that’s better right?? 😉

 

The rug is a clearance find from Target and brings some welcome pattern into the room.  Isn’t there just something so satisfying about discovering those little red ticket items on the end caps?

 

This futon, that desperately needs a cover, pretends he doesn’t when he gets cloaked in a gifted blanket. PS. Blankets are fantastic gifts. Just sayin.

 

I like to experiment ie throw all the pillows I’m NOT using elsewhere in the house on him. Yes, that’s my Christmas Pillow from this Post, but it’s chalkboard, so its ok lol

And if you remember this “JOY” pillow, congratulations, you’ve been reading this blog For-e-ver! Yay you.

 

 

The Gallery Wall is made up of mismatched frames all united by, you guessed it spray paint. I arranged it using the method I spelled out for you when I did my Pottery Barn Knock-off wall. And yes, those kids you see in the frames…that’s Chris and I as littles. There’s something special about seeing little kid pictures of yourself. It’s a reminder that I want to help that little girl make her dreams happen, even on the days when her older self gets deterred.

This little corner makes me smile. My FREE DIY table is hosting a plant for a little shot of green in the corner. This lamp was a gold-hand-me-down that I got from my mama, the OTHER queen of spray paint, so it seemed only fitting to give it new life with Rustoleum’s White in Gloss. You may remember this chair from my living room. He’s also lived in my Master Bedroom. He’s a bit of a nomad.

 

 

The White Polka Dots are from Classy Clutter Designs on Etsy. The same shop I got our beloved “hello.” decal from. They’re so whimsical my only regret is that I didn’t get 2 sheets. 😉 But for $4.50…I’m thinking another one is in my future really soon! 😉

 

There you have it friends, “my little slice of DIY.” The “you’re free to play, and get creative inspiration space.”

 

 

 

The only thing that would make this space better…other people.

 

Home Offices are nice and all, but they can get a little lonely. Now I’m only in mine 1-2 days a week, but if this were my full time gig, you better believe I’d be craving people, big open spaces, oodles of natural light, and great design. Something Loft-like, industrial meets glam maybe? With awesome seating? Exposed brick? (Are you drooling yet? 😉 )

 

While that may be a dream for now, I have to tell you guys about this company called WeWork.  Have you heard of them? They’re mission is to:

 

 

create a world where people work to make a life, not just a living.

 

 

I love that. They have some of the COOLEST shared community work spaces ever. And maybe just maybe if they like this post enough, they’ll want to put one in my neck of the woods. 😀 Maybe. #HeresToHoping #AGirlCanDream.

So there you have it. A glimpse into my creative space. A little inspiration for one of your room’s that could use some life. AND a new company for your No Small Life to check out.

 

 

What would your ideal creative space look like???

 

 

Until next time,

Meg