Wanna See My New Office?
I feel like a grown-up. I have wanted my own office since forever. Jon was supportive of me having an office. But not supportive of losing our formal dining room to get it. That is, until we went to Homarama this year (a parade of new homes we cannot afford and would trash the first week of living there because we have kids and pets).
Glory be, wouldn’t you know, about half the homes there had an office where a dining room should be!
Jon didn’t know I was on the cutting edge of home decor with my dining-room-to-office conversion idea.
So, the room we used about twice a year, is now the most used room in the house, next to the kitchen. Seriously, I live in here–and the kids love it, too. Which has it’s good points and bad points.
Anyhoo, are you ready?
BEFORE….
Notice the table for four. We moved that in here when we got the new eight-seat kitchen table.
We have a family of five. So, guess how many times we actually sat here last year?
And now…
Drum roll, please…
AFTER!!!!!
Let’s do it again from another angle:
Before…..
And AFTER!!!!
The Individual Elements:
Custom French Doors, Designed and Build by Charlie Hydes. I told him I wanted as much light flooding into the room as is humanly possible. And LOOK! Windows, windows, windows!!
(Hire him. He’s outstanding)
And a matching door, separating the office from the hallway leading to the kitchen…
I like that I can shut the door. When I write and the rest of the house is not writing—shut doors are good.
(Hi kitty cat.)
I know you want this chandelier. I got it from Z Gallerie. I think it’s my favorite thing in the room.
The Desk is from Ashley Furniture–the Carlyle Collection. I’ve had the desk for a few years, but it’s been hidden in my basement. I can’t write in the basement. It’s too dark to be creative. Did I mention, I like light?
Since I converted my dining room, I needed a place to put all the dining room-ish stuff. Turns out Carlyle also has a dining room collection! So I got this matching buffet. Inside I have china and crystal. Shhhh…Don’t tell anyone. This room thinks it’s an office!
This next thing is the first item I actually purchased specifically for the new office.
Why?
Because it’s the truth.
(From a little shop in Hilton Head Island, SC)
I searched high and low for the perfect curtains. Guess where I found them. TARGET! Oh, Target, you never steer me wrong.
Oh, and that glorious paint color is called “LaFonda Mirage”
(A Valspar paint available at Lowes)
My children inspire me. So, I asked each of them to make me something for my new office. Did I say that chandelier was my favorite thing?
I lied.
Because my favorite things are these pieces of artwork from my children:
From Rebekah–an original sketch of the beach. She made it in about an hour. She’s so talented.
From Elliana–an hand bouquet. Precious.
And from Elijah–he didn’t get a choice. I took something of his that he made me when he was in kindergarten.
(it says “My mom can’t be afraid.”)
It makes me feel fearless.
Remind me to tell you the story behind this picture.
Jon and the kids know how much I love the beach. So they bought me beach-scented candles and flip-flop candle holders.
How CUTE!
A picture of us on the beach…of course.
And a picture of my 88-year-old dad with his long-time friend, Eileen.
Just because.
Q4U: Do you have a space to do your thang?
Doesn’t have to be an office…
An art studio?
A workout room?
A corner chair where you devour great books?
Tell me about it!!
Beautiful job … and I love being able to picture where you work.
Fondly,
Glenda
I always feel the same way when others post pictures of their office. Now just picture it with more stuff on the desk. And usually a kid standing next to me waiting for something.
Sandy,
You have an awesome work space. It looks great. Love the things your kids made for you too. I like the color too. I have a space in the basement where I have a tv and exercise mat to do all of my workouts.
I think all guys need a mandatory basement guy-space.
That looks so great!! And I love the artwork from your kids! Ooh, this makes me want to do something crazy and different in our house. 🙂
And we both have an Eliana. I can’t remember, but I think I said that before, now that I am saying it here, and I just forgot, because I’m an airhead.
Your office is beautiful! Love the colors, the curtains, the LIGHT!! 🙂
So funny, I was on your blog the other day and saw you had an Eliana too! I am not sure I knew that.
Right now, I have a table and a laptop, but I have great designs on the front bedroom just vacated by 65MD’s son. My sister was over yesterday and we selected the paint color.
I did’t know we were so much kindred spirits with the beach thing. It is the closest thing to heaven on this earth for me. One of my bathrooms has a total beach motif.
Lori
OK…so which beach is your favorite? We love Sanibel Island the best.
I have a great “space” in the works. It is coming together nicely…unfortunately it is still in pinterest and not in my actual home.
Ha! Well, that’s a start! I waited 19 years and worked to pay off the house before I got my office. It’s worth the wait so you can cash-flow it. 🙂
I love the whole thing! But those curtains… I need them. I’m about to re-do our bedroom and they need to be in there! 🙂 You have a great workspace. I really do love every aspect of it.
Target, baby. The curtains are one of my favorite things in there, too.
As a girl who lives alone, every room is created for me to do my thing! How do you like that one!!
LOVE what you did with the living room and I’m sure it’s not easy to get everyone out when you want in! Enjoy.
I’m a little jealous.
Wow! I love what you did with your office, Sandy- was an amazing before and after!
Thank you, Kate! I’m glad you stopped by. 🙂
I love your new office. Now if you really love the beach, bring the kids (your hubby too) and visit us in Kauai. We have a spare bedroom you know, and an air mattress we can blow up in my home office for the kids. They would love the BEACH, which is just down the road from us. Aloha, thank you for being a part of all our lives.
Jerrie–I just may take you up on that someday!!!
Did I get this right that you work from home? Any tips on how to cope with time management? Creating an office space is a good one already!