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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Re-doing my office

 I finally got to the point where I desperately needed a filing cabinet in my office. It had started to get cluttered looking and frankly, not very attractive. It has been kind of ignored in the whole decorating scheme and I realized that since I spend more time in this room than any other in my home, it was time for  a makeover.  I knew I did not want one of those ugly metal cabinets and I just did not have the energy to paint one and make it all cute. I also knew I couldn't afford one of the lovely wood ones from Pottery Barn, Ballard or Restoration Hardware. I did some research on line and found a very affordable one from HomeDecorators.com. I ordered it, and it arrived a week later. I had to put it together, but it was worth it, to get what I wanted.  I had a roll of anaglipta (is that how you spell it?) wallpaper that I snapped up at a garage sale last year and I knew instantly that it would become the the face of the drawers. Didn't it come out spiffy???

 
So with that task accomplished I took to organizing my desk. One of the things I can't stand is all those cords around the computer!  I took one of those great shoebox style storage boxes that you can get from Michaels and I cut 3 circles on 3 sides with my exacto knife. Then I just threaded the cords through the holes and Presto! No more messy cords!

The next thing I wanted to tackle was my desk chair. Because I am using an old dining table as my desk, I can't use the desk chairs that have arms, so a regular chair has to work. I wanted to use a pillow for my back but the pillow kept falling off the chair. Then I got the bright idea of tying a runner around the pillow and chair to keep it from falling off. It even stays up high right where I want it! I think it looks pretty cute too.  :)

So here is my newly decorated and much more functional office space. I added a few pretties from my studio, because let's face it... the studio was pretty packed and could afford to lose a few things. :)
There is even a reclining chair to take breaks in or watch Netflix from my computer.
I'm a happy camper!!! 

52 comments:

Yayi said...

¡Maravilloso! Unas ideas estupendas.
Te felicito.
Saludos desde Tenerife.

suziqu's thread works said...

Hi Karen
Such a neat idea with the filing cabinet - somehow it is hard to get away without one of these units with the multitude of paperwork which bombards us these days! Love the wallpapaer covering the fronts.
Looking all cosy and comfy in that place we have to be so much of the time !
Love the lace wrapped cushion idea!!
Love and hugs from downunder,
Suzy

Unknown said...

wow...simple touches but amazing results!! I just LOVE your romantic office makeover!:)

Sandy said...

What a beautiful space to work in! I just got done with the last piece of furniture for my studio today, yeah!!! It feels good to have a nice and inspiring place to work doesn't it. May you enjoy many happy hours in your new space.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Nice touches, Karen! I love the filing cabinet ~ it looks wonderful with that paper on the drawer fronts. You should have your office look pretty, especially if you spend a lot of time in there.

Angela Richardson said...

Hi Karen,
Your office is a little bit of heaven, I would be in there all the time, not working, just admiring. You've done a great job putting it all together. love it!!
Hugs, Angela.

Bente said...

What good and creative idea.
The chair are just beautiful.

Have a great wednesday.

Hugs Bente

Unknown said...

It looks good. The kind of office that you dont mind at all hangin out in and being creative. I see your sweet little girl in her cute sash on.What fun.... Chickie

Teresa said...

I really like the idea of the shoe box....I'm with you, I don't like all of those cords exposed. Beautiful office. I could see being awfully creative in there ;)

Shabby chic Sandy said...

That looks beautiful! I love the lace (I think you said it was a runner) tyed on the back of the chair. Great idea --looks so sweet!

gracie said...

So very lady like! Great job...love the desk chair.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Karen
I like the new 4 drawer filing cabinet and fronts you made - I have 2 drawers and it's a blue metal one; yours is much nicer!
My chair is a proper desk variety but my back was still killing me so an obus form with elastic to go around the back fit the bill for me. Functional but no femininity to my office.
As I type, I can still see your work space; it must be inspiring to work there.
Judith

Unknown said...

Not only a happy camper but also a very stylish one! I adore what you did there and the whites and pastels are stunning!

Hugs,

"Create Beauty" said...

Looks fabulous! All your work paid off... and organizing IS a lot of work!!! Don't you just love how you feel when you enter this room now?!?

~ Violet

Jane said...

Really lovely! Lots of great ideas there! Love the box for all the cords - must try that!

Mary said...

Excellent and unique ideas, Karen! I love the pillow idea, especially. I wish there were a way to make my officey, swivel chairs look less utilitarian, but I can't give them up for the harder dining chair! I tried trying on an old curtain but it just looked messy...oh well! ;)

Romeo said...

Ahhhhh, beautiful AND functional?!?! Purrfect! Now I must look around a bit more and again (third time) because certainly you styled a place just for me. You did, didn't you????

Purrs,

Romeo and the chaperon - "her"

Lily's Lace said...

OK you are too smart and creative, it looks great! Let's do my space next! I love the cabinet and the chair pillow, is that bridal lace I see? I love that you moved the mani in there, it was too cute to not see everyday. OH before I forget, did you seal the wallpaper with a clear coat? Just wondering because I have some like it that I would like to use on something. It looks perfect! xoxox-cindy

Valery Klassen said...

This is a gorgeous space Karen! Love what you have done with making it so soft and feminine. The mannequin is beautiful and I might just have to copy your pillow/tie back on my chair! Nice job, it's stunning!

sweet violets said...

What a great looking space, nice job!!! And I love Home Decorators, have ordered from them for years now, the prices are so reasonable and so much to choose from. Also, great idea for the pillow on the back of the chair.....I am copying that right now!! hugs...cleo

Charlene said...

I LOVE how that filing cabinet turned out! ADORABLE! The whole office is so cute. But, every room in your house is. HUGS!
Charlene

Creative Grammie said...

Aloha Karen,
You have such wonderful ideas! I love what you did with your file cabinet. And your cute cushion idea is adorable. I'd love staying in my office if it looked like yours.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas with us.
Warm hugs of aloha!

Unknown said...

Great ideas Karen and all of it looks great, I'm sure it was fun at the same time and so rewarding to have a comfortable and pretty work space:) Hugs and love, Marilou

Maria said...

That is a great looking space and very inspirational. I love what you did with the archive drawers.
Hugs
Maria

ImagiMeri said...

Seeing as how I was just there a few weeks ago, it looks almost totally different......great job pretty lady. As you can see, I still haven't done anything to my blog, even with all your wonderful help. Having had to deal with my mom's move and the hubby losing his job has kind eaten away at my mojo and creativity levels.

Big Hugs,
Meri

ΕΥΓΕΝΙΑ said...

I loved all the stuff! They are great!

Sheila Rumney said...

Great idea on hiding all of the cords! Your studio is beautiful!

Maureen said...

Wow. That wallpaper on the filing cabinet fronts is AWESOME! What a wonderful idea! And I adore the way you tied the pillow on the chair with the lace! Beautiful!!!

fairyrocks said...

Such a pretty fix for your office. You do the nicest things, thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

Karen,
Live that file cabinet, it is so you! And the idea with the box is a great one....I have a few boxes here already I could use....I have a major change coming to my space as well, as soon as I can find a competent handy man! Know of any???? :) Sandy

gail said...

Hi Karen,,, how adorable. I know you will have very many happy and productive hours in such a pretty space!
Its been beautiful weather, I hope you are out and about to enjoy it this weekend.
:) Gail

Linda K. said...

Great idea with the pillow and runner tied on the chair!. Your office looks absolutely beautiful to say the least. Confession: I am a copy cat, so I'll do this cuz my back needs some cush! Many blessings Karen.

Linda
Queen Bee Cottage

Maggi said...

What a gorgeous office! I love the way you made it functional AND beautiful! Bravo!

podso said...

Wow Karen I would enjoy working in your pretty office. I love what you did with the filing cabinet and the cords and your chair! I am wondering what you did with the box with the cords--did you cover it with that thing sitting on the top? You did a great job on it all! Have a good weekend!

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Wow! Love the filing cabinet! Very, very clever use of the wallpaper. It looks wonderful. I love the bow on the chair, too.
Patricia :o)

Anonymous said...

LOVE the bow on that chair! So glamorous office!! :3

Rustique Gal said...

Karen, What a lovely office. I love the treatment on the file cabinet and all your pretty touches! Want to come and redo my office?
Just wonderin...
Hugs,
Sherry

Unknown said...

What a wonderful office. That's an area of my home that desperately needs a facelift. Hope to do that before too long. You had some great ideas here. Looks so pretty!

Lana said...

Hi,
Your office looks beautiful. Makes me think mine could use a redo. My home office is 1/2 office and 1/2 craft room. It is getting a bit full and disorganized. I need to make it pretty as I spend a lot of time in this room as well.

Marlynne said...

Very attractive makeover! Makes me want to change a few things around!

Linda Carole Bloom said...

Love your office! I put that wallpaper on my bedroom ceiling in my former house. It took forever and oh my aching back!! but looked like tin ceiling after I painted it gloss white. I love your idea with the filing cabinet!

A SASSY SCRAPPER said...

Love your office, Karen! ....Patty

Auntie Em said...

Your office is so pretty and you have come up with so many lovely solutions for UOS (Ugly Office Syndrome). I would stay in there and work overtime! :)

Cindy said...

Clever girl! I love it. Beautiful and functional.

c

Sonya Badgley said...

Hi Karen,
I LOVE the wallpaper on your cabinet. So so cool! I would love to put some of this on mine! My studio is really needing a redo too.
Your chair is adorable with the pillow. Great idea using the runner. And the shoebox! I need to do that too! I just hate when the cords show.
Your office turned out really pretty, Karen! Thanks for the inspiration!

Hugs,
Sonya

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

I love the chair pillow and tieback idea - so pretty!

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Karen-
I'm so jealous of your office redo! I need one so badly!! Your new changes are beautiful and efficient-- your office is a perfect solace for work. I love that you have a lounge chair for watching movies on your computer-- way cool! You are a lucky girl!
Xo
Vicki

Ps- congrats on your speaking engagement in April- that will be a great conference and they are so lucky to have you!

Denise @English Purple Ribbon said...

Hi Karen~your new cabinet reminds me of you....organized and beautiful! Denise

Kathy said...

Ohhhh this is just sooooo very pretty! I love it!

EllenaElizabeth said...

Love the filing cabinet finished look. Great work and thanks for sharing.

Annette said...

Great idea aobut the paper on the cabinet, ou gave me a great idea. and many thanks. xoxo

arrielle_p said...

Nice workplace you have posted in here. Like the filing cabinet too. :)

real estate ph

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