I’m taking part in a fun design challenge over the next six weeks: the One Room Challenge (ORC), a six-week design challenge that takes place every April and October. Bloggers are challenged to transform a room in just six weeks, and the before-and-afters are always crazy good.
The ORC is hosted by Calling It Home. There are 20 design bloggers that officially participate (see their designs here), and other bloggers (me) are welcome to join as guest participants.
I’ve followed the ORC for a while, but I’ve never jumped in. With our big kitchen and bathroom renovations (and non-bathroom renovation) done – and absolutely no plans to renovate those rooms again (I hope I don’t eat those words someday) – I felt like we didn’t have a room in our house that was in need of a huge before and after.
That’s not to say our house is done. There are definitely a few rooms in our house that I feel like are part way there but need some finishing touches.
One room in our house really never even got decorated though, our home office/third bedroom. The before pictures are kind of embarrassing, although they’re a million times better than what the room looked like when we bought the house.
I’ve mentioned here and there on the blog that we’re going to finish up the home office and then I’ll share it with you guys. Ha, I’ve been saying that for over a year now, haven’t I?
So even though this won’t be a huge room renovation like some of the other bloggers’ ORC rooms, we’re taking on the home office over the next six weeks. The One Room Challenge is just the motivation I need to actually GET. IT. DONE.
The office has turned into something of a storage/walk-in-closet over the past several months and while it’s easy enough to shut the door and pretend it is actually a huge (albeit, unorganized) closet, it’s not, and as a home decor blogger, I should really have my house decorated, yes? Yes!
Ready for the before?
Sorry before I show the ‘progress’ we’ve made, I need to say that in NO WAY did I ever think the red lampshades looked fabulous or even okay with those green walls.
They were just the only lamps we had at the time when we moved in, and I hadn’t gotten around to replacing the shades yet.
Not terrible (except for that red and green combo mentioned above), but definitely nowhere near finished. I mean hello, I don’t even have a throw pillow in there.
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Here is my design plan for the office:
When we first moved into our house, we painted the walls green and the trim white. We moved in the bookcase, the chaise and the desk and then basically started using the room a dumping ground for things without a home.
A few things on the agenda here:
Fun light fixture
I love room renovations, but we basically renovated our whole house at once, and I think by the time it came to picking out light fixtures, I was DONE.
We needed something close to the ceiling in all of our bedrooms, and I just picked basic lights for the whole second floor. And now I wonder what I was thinking! They all need to be updated.
I like this pretty silver one for the office:
Painting the bookshelf
The black is just toooooo dark in here. I’ve been on a white painting mission lately, and I don’t see it ending anytime soon.
New hardware
I want new hardware on the bookshelf and the file cabinet. I like these crystal knobs.
I really like the hardware on the desk so I’m leaving it. I bought that desk in college, and I love it. Kalen and my brother Stephen who’ve had to move it from my apartment to our Cincinnati house to this house are big fans, too, I’m sure of it.
New desk chair
I honestly can’t even remember where that old awful chair is from, but it’s not comfortable.
Curtains
I know, I know. If you’ve been around the blog, I talked about buying curtains for this room ooh way too long ago. I finally bought some! Of course, I have to hem them because they’re too long.
By I, I mean probably my mom (you may know her as The Hand Model if you’ve been reading for awhile), because she’s the sewing queen, and I am not.
Throw pillows
I realize this is the smallest detail, but it has to be said. Rooms just aren’t complete without throw pillows.
Closet organization
This isn’t really a design element, but the room won’t be finished without it. Much like the rest of the room, the closet was kind of a dumping ground.
When we moved in, I put a bunch of my extra clothes in here. I went on a huge cleanout spree this summer and my clothes hoarding is since under control. All of my clothes now fit in the closet in my actual bedroom. (Seriously, I had stuff I hadn’t worn in years, what’s the point?!)
We also kept a bunch of extra blankets and sheets in here for guests. Those are moving to the guest room closet. So logical, right?
Here’s the before. I can’t believe I’m putting a picture of this awful unorganized closet on the internet.
I’m going to use the office closet for my paint (I also have a paint hoarding problem) and other craft/DIY project supplies. It will be SO NICE to have all of this stuff in one place instead of spread out throughout the house.
With that, we’re diving in!
Kalen is possibly more excited about the office makeover than I am. I work from home most of the time, but I work downstairs at my grandparents’ old desk. When he works from home on occasion, he has to pick between the kitchen counter or moving crap around in this so-called ‘home office’ so he has a place to work. He’s a lucky guy, I know.
A huge thank you to my One Room Challenge sponsors for teaming up with me for this awesome home office makeover! I’m excited to work with these fabulous companies:
Lamps Plus | D. Lawless Hardware | Country Chic Paint
You can see all of the home office makeover progress here:
- How to hem curtains
- 10 pretty silver light fixtures
- How to organize a craft closet without spending a dime
- How to make a throw pillow from extra fabric
- How to paint a bookshelf
- The home office makeover reveal
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Emily says
I love the details on your inspiration board – the light fixture and crystal knobs are so pretty! Can’t wait to see how it all comes together 🙂
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Emily! Me, too, ha! 🙂
Maggie @ Maggie Overby Studios says
Just bought that chair for my office. A friend told me it is the same one Jeff Lewis has so it must be cool. Can’t wait to see where this ends up.
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, awesome!
Tee @ Beauteeful Living says
Your red lamp comment made me laugh! Seriously, we all have those “eek…what was I thinking” moments with decor. I’m sure the room will come out wonderful! It’s gonna be fun to follow along everyone’s progress!
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, thanks, Tee!
Amy @ My Life From Home says
Can’t wait to see you put it all together, Meg! It’s going to be great!!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Amy!
Erin says
Meg! I’m so excited to see how you transform your home office!!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Erin!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
We are so excited that you joined in Meg! We know your office will look amazing!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, ladies!
Ariel says
Hey! this is going to be fun! Can’t wait to see it progress.
GreenWithDecor says
It is! I’m excited to see everyone’s!
Amanda says
I can’t wait to see how your room turns out, Meg!
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, same here! 🙂
Breanna Bertolini says
So excited to follow along with this!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Bre!
Kim says
Meg! No throw pillows?! I love all of your ideas, and I’m duly impressed by how tidy your dumping ground is. Have you seen mine? Can’t wait to follow along!
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, I didn’t take pictures of the real dumping ground. No one wants to see that!
April R - Uncookie Cutter says
So excited to see!!! So fun ;). I bet it’s going to be awesome!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, April!
Michelle from Weekend Craft says
Love that you always have a hint of green. The space is going to look awesome when it’s done!
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, I just always have to include some green. Thanks, Michelle!
Nicole @ The Inspired Hive says
So fun! I love how the ORC can serve as motivation to get things on our to do lists done!!! Can’t wait to see your finished office!
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, I know! Sometimes we just need a little motivation. Thanks, Nicole!
Maria Brittis says
The decor elegant but very chic too, Love the table style desk, its very classy! I can’t wait to see the final reveal, the drapes are going to make it pop.
Maria
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Maria! I’m excited about the curtains, too.
bonbon says
Love your plan for your office. Can’t wait to see it all come together
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, bonbon!
Angela, Blue i Style says
The entire plan looks great! Is it weird that I’m especially excited to see the newly organized closet? It’s the organizing nerd in me! 😉
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Angela! I’m really excited about the closet, too. Dumping grounds only work for so long before they start to stress me out!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
I’m not doing a full-out reno either…. just decor. I’m glad someone else is doing that as well. Little changes can totally transform a space. Can’t wait to watch your office come along!
GreenWithDecor says
Great to hear it! I love seeing decor changes, too.
Erin @ Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
Love your idea of going white with the bookshelves. It will certainly brighten up the office. You’ve got some great ideas for this space. Good luck!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Erin! White just brightens up a space so much!
Lynn Spencer says
Meg, I feel ya needing to get your office together…I’m right there with you. I’m tackling mine this time too. And your green walls/red lampshades? You’re just ahead of the curve for Christmas!!!
Have fun!
Lynn
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, right on top of Christmas! Can’t wait to see your office, too!
Sarah says
Can’t wait to see how the room comes together. Especially organizing a closet – they can never seem to stay clean!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Sarah! Ha, I know!
Katy {ashadeofteal} says
I love the inspiration and light fixture you picked out! I’m excited to see how your office come’s together.
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Katy!
Ruthie says
What a fun place to transform! I really need a home office! Can’t wait to follow along!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Ruthie!
Denise says
Love your plans! We are making over our home office space too and I am also on the hunt for the perfect desk chair to replace one I have had forever! Looking forward to following along!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Denise! Can’t wait to see yours, too!