Quitting crossed my mind this week. Not just once or twice, but over and over as I struggled to come up with an arrangement for my office that was functional and pretty. I started the week confident a plan would appear if I just kept moving forward with what I could do.
But, it didn’t. We cleared everything from the walls and I had no plan. We emptied the room and I tried to plan, but there was something majorly wrong with every iteration.
If you’re new to Polished Habitat, welcome! I’m in week #2 of the One Room Challenge, which is a fun room makeover event hosted by Linda from Calling it Home. Catch up with the week #1 before photos here.
Monday, I picked up 7 paint samples and used them on every wall. Not only did they not help my plan, none of them were winners! What in the world was going on!?! I looked around my torn-apart room and wondered what I had gotten myself into. I alternated between wanting to quit and telling myself it would be okay.
I tried designing the room starting with pieces we already owned. When that failed, I tried starting from scratch, imagining I had an unlimited budget. Nope. Still nothing.
Finally, 15 hours before I had to publish this week two update, the epiphany FINALLY happened!
I was missing an inspiration piece. How did I not think of that earlier? This spring when I was planning the master bedroom, I struggled with whether I wanted a bright room or a moody room. Then, I found a piece of art that showed me I could have both. Once I saw the art, everything fell into place.
My favorite online sources of art are Etsy and Minted. I already have lots of pieces saved as favorites both places. Why didn’t I think of that two weeks ago? After browsing my favorites, and checking for new things on each site, I narrowed it down to two options.
The first was Prada Palazzo by Leigh Viner. I love it, but as the main focal point in the office I worried it was too dark.
When I spotted strawberry crepes by Naomi Eggers, I immediate wanted to see it in the room. That was an excellent sign!
Eight hours of design later, I had only emerged from my temporary office in the dining room for food, but I had a plan!
As a reminder, here’s what the office looked like before we tore it apart.
And here’s what I came up with today as the new plan.
The inspiration art is the focal point. On each side of it, there will be gold dry erase boards for brainstorming and goal setting. The carpet is going away this weekend (hooray!) and we’ll be installing a herringbone floor. I can’t wait!
One of my biggest issues with the office has been the lack of a flat surface to make and package orders for my Etsy shop. I also needed a spot for the Silhouette machine, vinyl, and mailing supplies. Thinking outside the box when I was shopping online helped me find the perfect solution. The IKEA NORDLI series of dressers come in many configurations. I found one that is counter height, which will make the perfect workstation. And look at all that storage!
I didn’t have time to mock up anything pretty on the dresser wall. But, in a few short week, those shelves will be the perfect mix of function and beauty.
I’m excited about all the file storage on the wall next to the closet door. The thought of being able to spin in my chair and reach those files makes me more giddy than I should admit.
On the window wall, I had some pleasant surprises. Two of our existing bookcases fit, one on each side of the window. After moving the actual furniture around to test out real life spacing, we realized there was just enough room to add two chairs. It looks squishy in the renderings, but it fit really well in the test.
The only thing on my long list of office “wants” that didn’t make the cut was a spot for my husband’s huge Mac. Since he has a tablet and a work-issued MacBook, he rarely has to use his older desktop. Luckily, he was on board with getting kicked out of the office. He’s a keeper!
Now that I have a plan, watch out world! I can’t wait to get the paint and flooring done so I can start the organizing.
Head over to Calling it Home to see what all the other One Room Challenge participants are up to this week. Hopefully, no one else was panicking like I was. Normally, that doesn’t set it until week #4!
Renderings made in Chief Architect Home Designer Suite 2016. It’s got a learning curve but is super powerful for the price since you can import materials and 3D images. It has limitations not like being able to handle our vaulted ceilings in the office, so I may be upgrading to the Home Designer Professional version soon.
Brittany Goldwyn says
GREAT renderings, and I’m so happy you decided on a way forward!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Brittany!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
Being creatively blocked is never fun. We are so glad that you stuck with it and came up with a gorgeous design. We never doubted you!
Melissa George says
Thank you! I’m glad someone had the faith! 😉
yuni says
I’m loving your progress for week 2 and so glad you got a good layout and design plan! I love the art and those gold boards are phenomenal! I think I need them for my own office. Love the pink rug! I have a bold pink one for my office and it just puts me in a good mood. Great job!!
Melissa George says
I’ve been dreaming of those gold boards for over a year – can’t wait! I’m so glad you love your pink rug. I wondered if I would get tired of it, but I think it will be a winner!
Amanda says
Oh that rendering is beautiful – I love the calming colors, and that art piece is amazing! Can’t wait to see it come together!
Melissa George says
Thanks, Amanda! I’m so excited that I’ll get to walk into this new calmer color scheme every morning.
Sara says
I do love both of the art pieces that inspired you! I’m looking forward to seeing this room come together – that dresser looks like the perfect storage for all those things!
Melissa George says
I can’t wait to start organizing all those drawers!
Ruthie says
I really like your new plans for the room! Can’t wait to see how it transforms!
Carissa says
OH my goodness I absolutely love the room design and that inspiration piece of art is perfection. Can’t wait to see what you’re up to next week!
Lesley Metcalfe says
I love your plan!!! The space will be so much more functional once you’ve brought it all together. So pretty, it’s going to be an inspiring office in a few short weeks. 🙂
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
ooohh la la.. seriously glam and so you. Can’t wait to see this beautiful space.
Jenna at Wife in Progress says
Your renderings are perfect! I love the pink artwork and rug, it ties everything together beautifully!
Kelley Nan says
Melissa, so glad your creative juices started flowing! Such awesome advice to take it down to one piece for inspiration. I love your plan and can’t wait to see how you pull it all together!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Kelley! I hope I remember this lesson the next time I start planning a room!
Mysha says
Melissa I love the pink! Can’t wait to see it come together
Keila says
Ooooh! I love the design idea! Can’t wait to see it all come to life!
Jennifer says
It’s a gorgeous plan Melissa and I’m so glad you powered through! I think Week Two was rough on a lot of us. Both of your art pieces are beautiful choices and I can’t wit to see more!
Melissa George says
I was so suprised to see how many people struggled in week 2 this round! Maybe it will be easier for everything from here on out.
Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com says
When I first started reading, I thought, “Hmm… doesn’t sound like Melissa… Maybe she needs a vacation from it all, like me!” 🙂
But with a little creative problem solving, you figured it all out, so NO VACATION FOR YOU! LOL
I love, love, love the art you’ve chosen, but to be honest I am totally lusting over that master bedroom art! I MUST get my hands on it for our own master – so you know where I’ll be heading once I’m done writing this rather lengthy comment… Oh, and gold dry erase boards?! How is that a thing, and I don’t know about it?!
Can’t wait to see what you accomplish next week! XO
Melissa George says
Ha! Thanks so much! Wait…I would have gotten a vacation if I didn’t figure it out? That’s pretty tempting! I’m DIY-ING the gold boards. I’ve wanted to do it for two years and REALLY hope they live up to the hype I have about them in my head. 🙂
Maria Brittis says
I am already in love, you have chosen all my favorite colors, that baltic blue is to swoon over.
Sarah says
Gold dry erase boards sound like the best idea ever! And I can’t wait to see the herringbone floor.
Melissa George says
Thank you, Sarah! I’m crazy excited about those boards!
Lisa | Shine Your Light says
Melissa, that piece of art and the GOLD DRY ERASE BOARDS!! Love. This already is a great space and it’s going to be beautiful in it’s newest incarnation. Can’t wait to see the floors!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Lisa! I’ve been dreaming of those gold boards for two years and I can’t wait to see them on the wall!
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
You’re renderings are awesome! Can’t wait to see it come together in real life!
Melissa George says
Thanks Kyla, I’m beyond excited to get to work in this space!
Rachel says
Love your renderings! I love your style so I know this will be one beautiful and functional room. A inspirational jumping off point is so important. Glad you found yours. Love both pieces of art.
Melissa George says
Thank you, Rachel! I don’t know what took me so long to find an inspiration piece, but we’re rolling right along now!