Some of you may think I’m crazy by the end of this paragraph. Remember when I updated our office last year with the huge wall of concert art? In 5 weeks, if everything goes right, the room will be unrecognizable.
I’m taking on that same office starting right now for the One Room Challenge. Now you may be thinking that we’re just swimming in money, or that the house is finished and we’re starting over on spaces. Both of those are very, very false. The money tree still isn’t blooming (maybe I need to change fertilizer?) and major areas of the house need lots of love.
But, here’s the thing.
I screwed up.
Last year’s office transformation was spur of the moment. I had the opportunity to do a post with Sauder furniture. We needed furniture, they had some pieces I liked, it was a great fit! So far, so good, right?
Well..
Somehow I overlooked a major fact about the office. I’m supposed to be working in it every day and my husband is in there MAYBE one hour a week.
Yet, the space is way more masculine than any other space I’ve ever done.
What was I thinking?
We were trying to spend as little money as possible, so we made a huge gallery wall with concert posters we already owned. I like them, but I’d like them way better if they were upstairs in the game room. When I walk in and see them, they feel ‘cool’, but don’t inspire me. It doesn’t feel like “my” spot despite me spending so much time there.
And then there is the issue of function. I end up weeding vinyl and packing up Etsy label orders in the kitchen. I’m missing a big flat surface to spread out in the office. Things went from bad to worse when the printer cabinet moved to the kitchen nook. The contents of that cabinet exploded around the office.
Plus, the reading chair was moved to the living room. That meant the bentwood rocker from the living room had to move to the office. It makes no sense there. I’m telling you, it’s chaos around here!
And my awesome black and white stripe spray paint drapes? The window faces west, so I have to close them every afternoon to block out the sun. Not only is that awkward around the desk, the paint started flaking off every open and close. Dang it!
Can you relate to having a room you thought you’d be happy with, but that makes you crazy instead?
Until last week, I thought I was doing our master bathroom for this One Room Challenge. Then, I realized it’s ridiculous that I work from the couch or kitchen each day because the office set up is not working. My productivity is suffering and the “living” areas are cluttered with work. And we won’t even talk about all the hours I’ve spent lusting over organized, feminine offices on Pinterest.
My goal is to create a space that feels like the blog as soon as you see it. Black, white, gold, and pops of pink would be dreamy! Space to brainstorm on the wall would make me swoon. I’d be smitten with more space to spread out Etsy orders. Ahh, I can not wait for it to be done so I can take over the internet in style!
I’m a bit ahead of myself and dreaming about the end result. But, we need to start at the beginning. Here’s the history of the room from bad, to better, to the current chaos.
RIGHT AFTER WE MOVED IN (2013)
ADDED BOOKSHELVES (2014)
REVEAL LAST YEAR (2015)
THE HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, SCARY CURRENT SITUATION
If you were averting your eyes away from the corner disaster, you may have noticed the desk and chair are different. I added those in January and the desk is AWESOME. It’s staying, but getting moved to a new location.
And to get the horror of that office photo out of your mind, here’s what happened to the cabinet. Hello, kitchen storage!
We’ve painted the kitchen nook grey since that photo, but you get the idea of how well the cabinet works between the windows.
So…..this is the part where I normally show you a rendering. I love that part of week #1 because it proves there is a plan of what my ORC space is going to look like in 5 weeks.
For example, last fall in week #1, I showed you this plan for our master closet.
And then 5 weeks later, we pulled off a bit of a miracle and we had this!
This spring, it was the master bedroom’s turn and I showed this plan week #1.
And 5 weeks later we had…drumroll…
I can’t tell you how much I WISH I had a perfect rendering to show you of the office. Instead, I have kinda-sorta-maybe thoughts running through my head. I don’t think any major decisions have been made, and no products are on order yet. And yes, I am absolutely hyperventilating as I write this!
Luckily, I’ve got 700+home office pins to guide me. Scrolling through them, it’s pretty clear I’m looking for a brighter space with girly, glam accents. And a huge calendar. And more function than any of us even knew was possible in a home office! And for it to have the same “feel” as my logo.
Obviously, the plan for the next week is to nail down a plan! Then, we’ll empty the room and paint before next week’s update. That should set us up to rip out the carpet (hallelujah) and do the flooring the next week. Send wine! If you’ve stuck with me this far, you’re my favorite reader and I can tell you that I’m REALLY close to deciding on a dark herringbone floor. Wouldn’t that be fabulous with white walls? We’ll see if those almost-decisions stick next week!
Thanks so much to Linda from Calling It Home for hosting this shindig that is making my house gorgeous room by room. I can’t believe this is my 5th time participating! Make sure you click over to the One Room Challenge page to see everyone that is playing along this round. I bet some of them even have a plan!
UPDATE: The room is done and came together better than I ever expected! See my new glam office here.
Kelley Nan says
Melissa, your past challenges are amazing! I know this one is going to rock it!!! Can’t wait to follow along with you and your killer design skills!
Melissa George says
That’s such a huge compliment coming from you, Kelley! I appreciate it!
Emily of ElevenGables says
Oh I totally get where you are coming from! I can’t wait to see your transformation! It will be so so good!!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Emily! I’m dreading clearing out the space, but can’t wait to work in the “after” version!
Jennifer says
Melissa! Wow!!! You are so talented. I am in love with your past transformations! Can’t wait to follow along with you this time around!
Melissa George says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I LOVE the ORC progress. I’m pretty sure it gives me design powers I don’t have the rest of the year!
Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com says
I just found a new ORC veteran favorite: YOU!!! Seriously, obsessing over your master closet, dining room, and most of all, the master bedroom! I feel like I’d never leave the latter if it looked that beautiful…ha!
So excited to be joining the challenge with such talent!
Quick question, if you don’t mind me asking, which software do you use for the renderings? XO
Melissa George says
Wow, thank you so much! I may be working from the bedroom right now 🙂 I use Chief Architect, just the Home Designer version ( http://amzn.to/2d6foc4 ). It has some limitations and a learning curve, but at the same time it is crazy powerful for the price because you can import screengrabs of fabric, wallpaper, etc AND download tons of furniture from the 3D warehouse.
Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com says
Thanks so much, Mellisa, I’ll have to check it out! I’ve tried various programs – everything from floorplanner.com to Photoshopping the renderings myself, and it was the details like the fabric, wallpaper, etc. that made me ask about yours!!
Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com says
How embarrassing – I just realized I misspelled your name. I am so sorry about that, I hate when people do that to me!!!
Melissa George says
It may be the lack of sleep, but I seriously didn’t notice! And you’re making me feel better because I sent someone an email made out to the completely wrong name last week! 🙂
Angela, Blue i Style says
I’m so excited to see your new glammed up, totally YOU office! After our garage is finished {fingers crossed} my office will be the only remaining TOTAL disaster in the house. So I am counting on you for lots and lots of inspiration and motivation to get my office cleaned up and prettied up. No pressure 😉
Melissa George says
Ha! No pressure at all! Hopefully I’ll come up with some creative ideas we can both use!
Tricia @ Suburban B's says
This is going to be great Melissa – I always love your ORCs! And I completely get your need for a workable office – as I comment while sitting on the floor of my family room!
Tammy says
Hi Melissa,
I love following along with your One Room Challenges and have faith that you will once again great an amazing space! I totally understand how a room may look good but not serve your needs. So glad you decided to tackle your office and create a great working space for you. Can’t wait to follow along as you transform this space!
Melissa George says
I’m glad you have faith, Tammy, because mine is coming and going on this one! I think I’ll be way more confident once we get the room packed up this weekend!
Maria Brittis says
You are a veteran ORC and it shows all your designs are well polished and you are a true inspiration for me. Looking forward to next week plan. In love with the bedroom with the New York Sign.
Maria
Melissa George says
Thank you so much, Maria! We’re still loving the bedroom!
Jana Donohoe says
I can’t wait to see what you do with the space. I loved your bedroom from the last ORC. I’m working on my home office this round as well….we must have a function office space to work, right? Looking forward to seeing your progress next week.
Melissa George says
Thanks, Jana! And yes! If we’re going to work, we might as well work in a gorgeous, organized space!
Carissa says
Melissa!!! My fellow Tulsa girl. I am so glad to have found you!! First of all, when I started reading this blog post I was like – YES!!! Not only do we have Tulsa in common but also the fact that we JUST redid our office space and already want to redo it. This is so me! I literally just finished my office and am already having major regrets and want to redo it. SOOOOO..you go girl and I can’t wait to see the before and afters of how this space turns out.
Melissa George says
Yes! I was so glad to find you too! But, ugh, I hate that your office isn’t working for you either! Sounds like you have a spring ORC room waiting in the wings. 🙂
Sarah says
Based on your past ORC makeovers I’m sure the office will be gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Sarah!
yuni says
Melissa! I loved our ORC reveal last time around! I know your office will be amazing and I’m so excited to see it all come together. I’m so glad we’re doing this again. You will rock it!
Lynn Spencer says
Hey Melissa, I so get the ‘best laid plans’ thing…story of my life. And I think it’s fantastic that you’re revisiting the area to actually get what you want, especially since you spend so much time there.
I’ll be following along to see the progress. I’m doing my office for ORC too, so I’ll use your progress as motivation!
Good luck, Lynn
Melissa George says
Thank you! I’m excited to see your office too!
nicole torres says
I love it all, can’t wait to see how it all comes together. From your previous work, I’m sure your going to nail it.
shonee says
Love all of your other rooms. I know you will come up with a good plan. So excited to see it!
-Shonee
www.hawthorneandmain.com
Heather says
Sometimes the best things happen on the fly. I love that you have no plan. And I am sure whatever you pull out of your sleeve will be fantastic!
Melissa George says
Thanks Heather. I’ve decided my plan at this point is to just keep moving forward and the perfect epiphany will hit right when I need it 🙂
Emily says
I am so excited that you’re doing your office, too! I noticed that we have some similar images pinned on Pinterest and I can’t wait to see how you bring your vision to life and create an inspiring, well-organized space!
Ruthie says
I absolutely love your transformations and really looking forward to this one as well! Can’t wait to follow along!
Lesley Metcalfe says
We’re in the exact same boat, Melissa! I already did a home office transformation but it wasn’t functioning the way I needed it to, so I’m re-doing it. It got incredibly messy as I neglected to use it. Looking forward to following your progress and can’t wait to see what you do with the space!
Melissa George says
I’m so glad you’re taking on your office again too. It’s a bit frustrating to redo a space, but I think it’s going to be so worth it for both of us!
Jacy Maynard says
Where did you get the book shelfs you installed in 2014? Are they a combination? Thanks! Very pretty!
Melissa George says
Hi Jacy, they’re from IKEA! They discounted the exact ones we have, but brought back something similar this year with closed storage on the bottom and open on top. We still love them!