Office Makeover

This was a 2016 house project I took on- and one of my favorites! It made me want to be an interior designer, but alas, I don't have four more years to give for a new degree....

Here are some photos of my "office" when we bought the house....

They called it a four season type room, an extra living room, a cozy reading room....and while I loved the idea of using it for just that....it really wasn't me. I knew I needed an office or an art room, but did like a little sitting area. The windows are really pretty in the room. However, the lighting is horrible.  They decorated the room in mint green and purple, and red accents (the red accents don't show up well in the photos).

Sadly, I forgot to take photos of what we first did in the room - which was just replace the carpet, put a rug down and put my old office furniture in it. Here's a couple of poor photos....

My requirements for the makeover were: wallpaper, built-ins, a sitting area, a place for all three kids to do homework at the same time, storage, better lighting and possibly a place for a tv.  Here's how the room turned out and it surpassed all my expectations!

The only problem is that we didn't improve the lighting....the ceiling was too high and there was no way to add it without a high cost. And, we've got a lot of great window light in here, so the only time it's needed is really at night. So, we have little lights on the wall and a light on the desk- that does enough! And, I'm in here more during the day than at night!

I actually love the tv....I wasn't going to do it but it really is a nice room to sit with a cup of coffee and watch hgtv in the morning; or put on a girl show while I'm catching up on school emails....stuff like that. The kids are now out of the kitchen when they do their homework which is great for me. And, Joe is happy because my laptop and desk stuff hasn't taken over the kitchen table like it used to!

The only other downfall of the room is the countertop- I was given lots of advice to go with quartz. So, I did. But, this being an art project room has proven tricky- lots of glue, markers, crayons and paint get on this and it's not easy to clean up! But, now that I know that- I'm just more careful and we immediately clean up the messes so it doesn't stain!

This has truly turned into quite possibly my favorite room of the house! It's cozy and functional and pretty - so I enjoy being in here! I proved Joe wrong because he fought me on the necessity of this room....and now realizes that we DO use it!