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.
Amy @ My LifeFrom Home says
I can feel your pain through the phone! Make it your space and love it!!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Amy! I can’t wait so see how it turns out!
Tee @ Beauteeful Living says
Wow Melissa, your makeovers have turned out incredible! I especially love your master bedroom makeover. Exactly my cup of tea. Love your decor style and can’t wait to follow along this office makeover.
Melissa George says
Thank you, Tee! The office should have a similar vibe to the bedroom!
Erin says
So exciting! I can’t wait to see what you have in store!
Melissa George says
Thanks, Erin! I’m excited to see what I have in store too. 🙂
Brit | House Updated says
Melissa – so glad to see what you do this season, your rooms are always so great! And I definitely understand creating a space you end up not loving – all too well… 🙁 But I’m sure you’ll make it perfect this time!
Melissa George says
Misery loves company, right? 🙂 For a girl without a plan, I’m very optimistic that I’m going to love how this one turns out!
Danielle says
Best of luck! I’m sure it will turn out just as beautiful and functional as your other challenges have turned out!
Melissa George says
I hope so! It’s crazy that the office is the least functional space right now.
Sara says
Can’t wait… Your ORCs are the BEST!!!
Melissa George says
Thank you so much, Sara!!!!
Sonya~ at home with the barkers says
I exactly how you feel! I recently wrote a post about my ORC kitchen makeover from last year and why black kitchen cabinets were a very bad idea! I can’t wait to see what you do in your office. ~Sonya
Melissa George says
Oh man, somehow I missed that post, but I can tell you our black island is WAY harder to keep clean than our white perimeter cabinets. That was an unpleasant surprise at our house!
Jenn & Vicki Fenton @ 2 Bees says
We can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the next 5 weeks! Your reveals for ORC are always so great 🙂
Melissa George says
Thanks so much ladies!
Brittany Goldwyn says
You’re killin me girl…I love that concert wall!! Need to use this as inspiration for doing my husband’s basement space sometime next year. I know he’ll love it too. I’m sure the new office will be lovely, too!!
Melissa George says
Ah! I know!!! The posters work SO well on that tall wall. I hate that I’m going to hide them upstairs, but maybe it will inspire us to get the game room done!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
Can’t wait to see this!! I need some major inspiration for my home office so I’m super excited about this!
Melissa George says
Thank you! I’ve got major desire to snap my fingers and have it all be done because I can’t wait to use it every day!
Erin @ Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
Oh how I love true before pictures. You always knock it out of the park with your rooms, and I’m sure this office is going to be amazing in a few weeks’ time. Good luck!
Melissa George says
I do too – even though I totally cringed taking that shot and putting it in the post! The end result will be worth it though!
Vanessa@Decor Happy says
Glad you are joining in again Melissa. I totally get it. And I will be following along because my home office is my next project. Feel so unproductive right now.
Melissa George says
Ugh! It’s the worse, right? I’m SO excited to see your kitchen come together!
Denise says
What a great space! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! We are doing our home office space also for the ORC. It’s not technically a room – just a corner of our very large family room – but it needs help. Cheering you on from my chaos over here! 🙂
Melissa George says
Oh, fun! I have a strange love of offices worked into larger rooms like that, so I’m excited to see what you come up with!
Ariel says
Hmmm keeping in mind the end use of the room is a huge factor in redoing it. I think you’re headed down the right path! I look forward to watching it all unfold.
Melissa George says
Agreed! And it’s funny since most people say that making spaces more functional is my speciality. Whoops!
Sara says
I definitely feel you on needing a functional office… so I’m doing the same for my first challenge! I do love your wall decor though – it fits together beautifully!! You have quite the eye for that! Can’t wait to see how you change everything up to make it more useful!!
Melissa George says
Thanks so much, Sara! I wish be a little sad to take that wall down since the arrangement worked so well, but it will be worth it! Can’t wait to pop over and see your office plans!
Amanda says
Can’t wait to see what you do! I love your style and have been obsessed with that bedroom for a while, so I know this is going to be awesome!
Melissa George says
I’m hoping I can pull off a similar feel to the bedroom in the office! Then I’ll wake up and skip joyfully from the bedroom to the office, every morning, right!?! 🙂
lauren | love lola says
All of your transformations have been so beautiful. Can’t wait to see the end product!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Lauren! I think this every time, but I’m REALLY excited about this one!
Sarah Sofia Knepp says
Melissa, I LOVE this office from the gallery wall to those Kelly Green chairs! However, I can’t wait to see how you make this space more functional and a better fit for YOU! Let’s do this!
Melissa George says
It’s so hard when you love something and it’s still not right for your space! I love those Kelly green chairs so much as stand alone pieces, but when I’m honest with myself, I’m not sure they are quite right anywhere in the house. So sad! Although the shape would be perfect temporarily at the heads of the dining room table until that space gets done…hmm! You’ve got me thinking!
Jenna at Wife in Progress says
I think we’ve all learned that lesson the hard way at some point in time – pretty does not always mean the most functional! Luckily, I know that this time around you will make it beautiful and functional! Also, i love your renderings…what did you use to make those!?!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Jenna! I made them in Chief Architect. I just have the $99 Home Designer version and it’s got a big learning curve, but you can import furniture, pattern, textures, et. It’s crazy powerful for the price once you’re done pulling your hair out and figure it out.
Jodie @ Sypsie Designs says
Cheers to the 5th go at this! The office is amazing now so I can’t wait to see how you transform it to be more “you” 🙂 We’re working on our office too and can’t wait to follow along with your project!
Melissa George says
Oh, good! I was just thinking this morning that it would be so fun to have a group of us decide to do the same room the same round! Can’t wait to see your plans!