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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

THE OFFICE-CLOSE UPS & DETAILS



This room was builder's beigey-white when we moved in, went red immediately, and now is back to a crisp white.  If you missed my post last week, the ceiling is "Wrought Iron" by Martha Stewart and the walls are "White" by Behr.


Here's where we came from:


 I have painted the formerly stained cabinets in our kitchen and the living room built-ins, but really didn't want to paint all of the shelves in this room.  So, my thought was by lightening the walls the stained wood wouldn't look so dated.  I ended up painting the back of all of the shelves the same color as the wall to lighten the interior of the shelves as well.
 

Last month I asked you all to help me pick an accent color for the room.  You all had some great suggestions, but I realized as I started putting things back in the room and on the shelves that I had just about every color to work with!  I decided to let all of that speak for itself and kept the fabrics and pillows neutral.  I did add a few pops of turquoise, and some red stands out a bit in a few of the accessories.

Let's just work our way around the room...mmmkay?  Here are the shelves to the left of the computer-by covering the lower shelves I was able to move the baskets that were previously down low for and use them for storage (and take up a shelf...there were tons to fill!).







There's no way a candle would be functional on that top shelf, so I filled these oversized lanterns with some books and my children's handmade baskets that they wove in the third grade.  You can't quite read it but that red book has one of my favorite titles ever: HOW TO BE A Preacher's Wife AND LIKE IT.  Ha.


Here's the shelves to the right of the computer:


Plain old paperbacks look a little more interesting displayed in an antique dough bowl.  This shelf looked a bit empty so I framed a few pages out of an old children's book and nailed them to the back.






  
Rather than the shelves being strictly for books (which we could have done-I stashed a lot elsewhere), I wanted to be able to store many of my often-used supplies so they would be at my fingertips.  This shelf houses glass containers full of stamps, markers, glue, scissors, and other assorted craft supplies. 





The bike memo wheel that my parents made is the center attraction of the gallery wall over the piano.  I also gave a little gold spray paint to my lamp with the striped shade like Carmel's.




Just what the doctor ordered...1 lemon drop per day after piano practice is completed! 



I picked up this old tambourine at a thrift store for $1.  I think it's perfect on the gallery wall over the piano to tie in some of the wood tones from the rest of the room. 


There are some things that will never look "pretty" (speakers everywhere, video equipment, cords, etc.), so I tried my best to work around them and move on.  A big solution was to cover the previously open lower shelves.  I've loved the look of the skirted consoles that are so popular right now, and adapted that a bit to make it work here.  I kept the fabric simple since there were so many other colors and patterns in the room.


My husband is a drummer, and on his international trips he's started picking out a small drum as a souvenir.  The brown one is from India and the red one is from East Asia.  Also displayed are gifts brought back from foreign lands from his parents.  


A metal container holds fabric remnants.  Did anyone else's parents spend way too much money for "the only music library you'll ever need" when you were a kid? :)


I used baskets that were previously for toy storage to corral children's books, break up the shelves a bit and add texture.


My grandfather's mug-beautiful and bold and crazed and old.


 A final look with my DIY Drum Shade and Hand-Painted Accent Wall Panel-



With that, I think I will declare this room officially done!  And the best part is, other than the paint, about $15 for the skirting supplies, a new photo mat, and switching a few photos from color to black and white, I didn't buy anything for this room!  Hooray for using what you have!


Linking up with:
Working With What You Have link up at emilyaclark.com 

TDC Before and After



Would you like to comment?

  1. Love all of it! It looks amazing!! I think I'm going to borrow the idea of the baskets for the children's books. Even though the kids are getting older, there's no way I'm parting with some of them. :)

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    1. I agree, Denise! We did clean out a lot of them and donated to the school, but some are just keepers!

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  2. Such a great cozy and timeless space! I know those shelves took some time and a good eye...you did a great job!

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  3. You have a lot of items here but it is all arranged so beautifully! I love all the small touches you added! Now, I'm off to take a look at your drum shade!

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  4. What a perfect example of how beautiful and functional a room can be! Incorporating all of your sentimental pieces gives it so much charm and interest! Wonderful job!

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  5. Your room looks fantastic! I especially love how you stored books in the dough bowl and lantern.

    Angela

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  6. Just gorgeous! So many interesting pieces but all displayed so tastefully. I adore the accent wall!

    xo
    Pat

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  7. Looks incredible, incredible, incredible! So sophisticated, classy, fun, whimsical, sassy, gorgeous and so much more! I'd love to sit and have a chat with you in this room :) Keep up the good work! Ruthie

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  8. It's total perfection...I love your personal touches...makes it toally one of a kind! Xo, Aimee

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  9. Loving it! I especially love the leopard carpet...I've been thinking of putting some in one of our master closets (mine of course!)

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  10. What an Amazing space! I love how your personality shines through all your decorating,just lovely:)

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  11. Jennifer - I love your blog and I LOVE what you did with this room! I especially like how you skirted the desk in a simple but elegant fashion and I am also really liking the painted panel behind your desk!! the gold paint gives it the perfect pop :) You did a great job! the lamp with the stripe shade has inspired me for an old lamp that I have that is in need of an updo!!

    Can't wait to visit your blog again!!

    Blessings - Sara

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  12. This room is utterly charming. The color on the ceiling actually made it look taller! Love it with that beautiful wallpaper.

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  13. You did such a fabulous day with the details of this room, Jennifer! I love the bread bowl for the kids' paperbacks - the way they fan out adds so much interest to your shelves! Also the mix of books and the glass jars with collections, and the photo wall over the piano. It's a feast for the eyes!!

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  14. LOVE the painted ceiling. I have been dying to try out that color...anywhere. I love the drama it adds. Great job!

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  15. WOW what a beautiful office, you've done a fabulous job transforming it. I'm your newest follower!

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  16. I came over from the ShabbyNest and saw your beautiful office. It stands out!
    What a lovely space!
    Thank you so much for sharing!

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  17. You are beyond good at this. Everything...perfect. Love the sentimental touches, too. It makes a house a home.

    And surprisingly, we did not have that music collection in our home, LOL, even though my uncle was a composer (has a hymn in the Baptist Hymnal...I'll Tell the World That I'm a Christian), my mom is a pianist and my brother, sister and I grew up playing piano and various instruments. Much to my mother's dismay, the only instrument I use now is my voice. ;)

    Loved this closer look at the room!

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  18. What a beautiful makeover. The paint colors and choice of flooring really make the room spectacular. Love the drum shade. Very classy looking room.

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  19. What great looking room. I was wondering if the ceiling and the french doors are same color? I love the idea of painting the doors also.

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    1. Hi Michele, thank you! No, they are different colors. The doors are black and the ceiling is a really deep navy blue. The lighting plays tricks on me in there!

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  20. I am seriously impressed. You are one of the few people I have ever seen that can make oak look good! Love this!

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  21. Love this space! I was wondering if you could source your cheetah carpet? Want to use some in my office.... Thanks!

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  22. What brand is that leopard carpet? I'm searching for one and this one looks perfect. Great room style & function!

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    1. Hey Sarah, I believe the brand is Milliken, and the style is Leopold. I've had it for almost 8 years and still love it! The colors are great. Good luck!

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  23. I have the International Library of Piano Music, too! My piano teacher actually gave it to me as a high school graduation gift. ;)

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