Office: The Big Reveal

I'm not entirely sure that today's post perfectly qualifies to participate in Emily's linkup, but the reality is that I never do anything around here without trying to work with what I have.  And I'm guessing that is the case for you as well.

 

Before / After

January 2011 / February 2013

 



Notes and Details:

• Look how the morning sun shines in on my workstation!
• Cords are a fact of hardworking offices, though exposing them feels a bit like forgetting to shave your legs before date-night. Oh, well.
• The chairs are garage sale and Craigslist finds fixed up with spray paint and fabric remnants.
• The chalkboard was the only piece I purchased for the gallery wall.  Everything else came from around our house and most of it had never been hung.

• The map above the couch (currently hung with sticky-tac) will either stay and get framed or be replaced by another painting from my Grandmother.
• I bought the blanket basket in a little shop at Niagara on the Lake last fall.  It was love at first sight and a steal of a deal at $12 (or something).
• If we had a long-term commitment to this house, I would request a wall-mounted, swing-arm lamp above that little grey (consignment store) table on the right side of the couch.  I think it would offset the visual weight of the bookcase on the left and it would be very handy.  Of course, David is always itching to use his mad electrical skillz around the house so...

• Thankful for my dear mother, who helped me alter a PB outlet slipcover. IDHTBPTBB.
• Waiting for the right pillow fabric, in the meantime green linen works just fine!
• The leather ottoman was another impulsive, inexpensive find at an estate sale last summer. I love it because it's almost not my style.  That's character and quirkiness that you can't find at Target, ladies.  And it's stuffed with fabric scraps.
• The pleated valance is Java Ikat from fabric.com.  For awhile I thought it might be too trendy, but after living with the sample pinned to the wall for a few weeks, it just seemed like the right choice.  It also helps that it was less than $10 per yard and I can always refashion it into something else down the road.  A little bravery really does pay off!



• The walls are Sherwin Williams Lattice grey... same as our kitchen and master bedroom, since I had left-over paint.
• That ficus tree has a throw rug wrapped around it and sneakily held together with safety pins.
• I sewed the striped ottoman slipcover last fall. It's one of those storage ones from Ikea and it holds my in-progress sewing projects. See all those gathers? No, I've never used gathering tape. Craziness, I know.
• The sisal rug is from RugsUSA during their 60% off Thanksgiving sale.  The price was good, but the service... what service?  I know a lot of people have good things to say about RugsUSA, but I will definitely hesitate before shopping there again.
• Lastly... that view of the gallery wall above the desk?  Sometimes I just sit and look at it.  I love it so much, I don't even notice the flaws.  Shucks, I hardly even notice the mauve and hunter green marbled matting.

They say that the art of creativity is working with what you have, so go forth, friends! Sew, paint, refashion, repurpose, borrow from another room- use what you already have to make your home more beautiful and comfortable!

 

ps.  I've always wanted to title a post "Something, something Reveal".  haha. It's a total joke because "reveal" insinuates that it's actually complete.  And nothing around here ever is.