I can’t believe it’s real! My home office is totally unrecognizable compared to 5 weeks ago when I started the One Room Challenge(ORC).
Just like the first 5 times I took on the ORC, our house emerged this period of chaos looking better than I ever dreamed.
Equally important, the office is already functioning exactly the way I envisioned. I’m a big advocate of your home being a retreat, feeling like you, and working for you. This room checks all three boxes in a way it never has before.
PS: If you’re a new reader, welcome to Polished Habitat! You should head back to week #1 to start at the beginning of this 6 post event hosted by Linda from Calling it Home. The short version is that 200+ people are making over one room in their house. Each week, we all shared progress updates until the final reveals today! I’m one of those crazy people who take part in the event each spring and fall, even though it usually makes me cry.
Let’s do a quick history of the office I tackled for this challenge. A few years ago we painted it gray and added some IKEA bookcases.
Before #1
Then last year, we rearranged everything and added an awesome gallery wall of gig posters over my husband’s desk.
Before #2
The problem was that my husband is rarely in the office, and I work there full-time.
It didn’t feel like my space, and there was no flat surface for me to prepare Etsy orders. I also craved space to brainstorm and keep notes on the walls. We tried to come up with an arrangement that still kept a desk for him in the room, but he was gracious enough to volunteer his exit from my space. 🙂
With only one desk needed, I came up with this plan.
Functional & Fabulous Office
And today…drumroll…it looks like this!
I feel like I live inside Pinterest! And isn’t that the dream? 🙂
I’ll share the full source list at the end of the post and just mention a couple favorites along the way. Like that pink swirly art that was the jumping off point for the whole room design. I’m so thankful Minted was willing to provide it! (Original art no longer available, but this is a great alternative!)
When you come into the office and look right, we’ve got one of the old bookcases. I swapped out the backing to subtle gold dots using wrapping paper. We also swapped out the wimpy pulls using the same pulls and paint we used in the closet and pantry.
My husband is known for his ORC art projects and I fit one in this space as well.
I asked him to letter something on one of the gold dry erase boards and he came up with a quote the really resonates with my philosophy. “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs
I think the bookcase backing will change again when I find something I REALLY love that works in the space.
This isn’t bad, but I’m not crazy about how shiny it is in person. 
Spinning around from the bookcase, the “function” side of the room turned out prettier than I expected!
Look at all this glorious work space! It has already come in handy.
Right behind my desk, I fit in a kitchen cart that holds the Silhouette, vinyl rolls, AND the printer. This is probably the least pretty picture, but has already been so much less frustrating than the old set up. I’m pretty excited about the file storage on the wall right behind me too!
SO MUCH STORAGE! Eventually, the shelf bins will be labeled, but I’m still debating how to configure things and didn’t want to rush it. (Update: See the labeled bins & labeling tutorial here)
Ah, sweet, sweet symmetry. The right side files will be for personal paperwork while the left is just business. I keep adding plants to my collection and feel like they are going to be VERY happy on these shelves getting some sun every day.
Update: Since the post, I upgraded to a larger printer and from Silhouette to the Cricut Maker. Luckily the space was flexible enough that everything still looks great!
When I found white and gold clipboards in the Target Bullseye Playground last week, they became the perfect interchangeable art wall. The pink Chanel print by fellow One Room Challenger Foxy Oxie matches the room so well!
Tucked in between the dresser and clipboards, I had just enough room to add a rolling gift wrap cart. Isn’t she pretty?
I’m so glad we got the art hung in the entryway. It would have been sad to have a view of a blank wall. Boy, do I want to paint the front door now! Who picked brown!?!
I LOVE my new three month dry erase calendar system! 
Remember the window stress? I am thrilled we went with the Ultimate Header and SelectBlinds. SelectBlinds totally saved the day! I can tilt the blinds for the right amount of light during the day. Then, they get closed when the sun starts blazing in too much.
I really like that there is a single smooth header running across both blinds. It’s nice not to be on full view of the neighborhood if I’m working in the evening too.
Here’s one final look coming straight in from the doors. I don’t know if I ever mentioned the ceiling fan swap. I found a mod white fan that works with the room so much better than old one.
Functional & Fabulous Office Product Sources
Furniture
Pink Rug – Wayfair
White Desk
White Desk Chair (or similar on Amazon)
Pink Ottoman
Gray Chairs – I lucked into mine at Tuesday Morning, but found a similar color and shape on Overstock here.
Marble Top Accent Table
Printer/Silhouette Cart – IKEA GRUNDTAL Kitchen cart
White Dresser – IKEA NORDLI
Gift Wrapping Cart – IKEA RÅSKOG with Custom Labels applied
Windows
Curtains
Blinds (Provided by SelectBlinds.com)
Ultimate Install Header
Lighting
Floor Lamp
Desk Lamp – Target
Dresser Lamp
White Modern Fan
On the Walls
Wall Shelves (Brackets painted gold) – IKEA EKBY JÄRPEN / EKBY BJÄRNUM
Dry Erase Boards – DIY TUTORIAL HERE
Pink Art – Strawberry Crepes (Provided by Minted) (No longer available, great alternative here)
Chanel Art – Foxy Oxie
Stars Hollow Print
Friends Building Print
Wall Mounted Files – IKEA KVISSLE with Custom Labels applied
Bookcase Wall Accessories
Feather Hurricane Candle Holder
Frame with Pink Eiffel Tower Print
Leather Handle Vase – Cost Plus World Market
Clear Square Storage Containers – Cost Plus World Market
Brass Wine Glass (used as planter)
Magazine Files
Decorative Boxes
White & Gold Bookends – Marshall’s in store
Pink Pillows – At Home in store
Functional Wall Accessories
Pink File Folders
Gray and White Storage Bins – Target
Round White & Gold Box
White & Gold boxes
Gold Scissors
In addition to Minted & SelectBlinds, HomeRight was a great One Room Challenge partner. As you can see by all the gold boards, my spray shelter was in big use the last couple weeks!
We’re so thankful Linda from Calling it Home started this event and let’s us join the fun. It’s such great motivation to make fast, bold decisions and get spaces finished.
Ready for more inspiration? Here are the other rooms I’ve completed during the past One Room Challenges!
Dreamy Organized Master Closet
Zan Turner says
I love love love how everything turned out!! The space is so soft and chic and is just fitting for a lady. The colors blend together so well. Not surprised as all your other makeovers are just as awesome! How nice it must be to have such a lovely space with lots of storage and just the right amount of sun and light coming through. The curtains are beautiful – always have a hard time finding ones I like. And those throw pillows – I wondered why I recognize them:)) Oh, your hubby is so talented, I love this other piece of art in your office.
Katy {ashadeofteal} says
What a pretty space! I would love to work in a office like this. Love all the gold accents.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living says
YES!!!!!!! This is fabulous!! Another amazing room transformation. I adore the prints and the cabinet drawers are super! Oh my gosh, this whole room is like a dream office. Wonderful job!
Kelley Nan says
Melissa, I would LOVE to work in here! You rocked it OUT! What an awesome hubby for creating art and “leaving” haha. You are gonna do amazing things in that awesome space; so stoked for you! xoxo
Melissa George says
Thanks so much, Kelley! I feel like I have to do the office justice when I’m working now. It was way easier to be mediocre working from bed. 🙂
Brittany Goldwyn says
Okay, I told you I loved the “before” room, but I also love your fantastically feminine makeover! This looks like such a nice place to work, Melissa! Nice job!!
Desiree Lamar says
I loved the finished product! Beautifully executed!
Chloe says
Do you remember the name of the rug? The link no longer works.
Melissa George says
What a bummer, it seems like all the 8×10’s are gone everywhere! I did find a 5×8 on Amazon (along with a runner and a 6′ round option), but it looks like even those are just a couple left in stock. Here’s the link in case any of those sizes would work for you: http://amzn.to/2lwGtKu
Kelly Ford says
I love every single thing!! This is my inspiration room!! Do you happen to remember the name of the wall color?
Melissa George says
Hi Kelly,
Thank you! The walls are Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, mixed at 50% strength. We used the leftover paint in our guest bathroom so you can see what it looks in different lighting here: http://www.polishedhabitat.com/2017/guest-bathroom-organization/ Still get a tester since colors can look different on different monitors and in different rooms. We tested TEN light grays/whites for the office before we figured out this was the magic color for us!
Nika says
Love your office!!! Were the large frames you used for the dry erase board also from ikea? If so, which frames were they?
Melissa George says
Hi Nika, Those ones were from Hobby Lobby. Just make sure you wait for the 50% off sale!
Claudia says
I found this on Pinterest and it is one of the most beautiful office spaces I have seen! Amazing job, I love it!
ali says
OMG! LOVE THIS!
I Needed some inspiration to design my office in our new home that will be in the formal living room space. Thank you for showing the entire room. So chic and sophisticated!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Ali!
Holley says
Love your wall color in the new office! Can you share what color that is?
Melissa George says
We used Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, but lightened to 50% (any Lowe’s or Sherwin-Williams store can do that). It does look very different in different rooms, so pick up a sample before buying a gallon!
Crystal says
Amazing! Just clicked over from Pinterest because I love that wall color! Do you mind sharing what paint you used??
Melissa George says
Hi Crystal, We used Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, but lightened to 50% (any Lowe’s or Sherwin-Williams store can do that). It does look very different in different rooms, so pick up a sample before buying a gallon!
Liliana says
Hi! I love your office and it is a great inspiration to do mine. What paint colour did you use?
Thanks!
Liliana
Melissa George says
Hi Liliana – We used Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, but lightened to 50% (any Lowe’s or Sherwin-Williams store can do that). It does look very different in different rooms, so pick up a sample before buying a gallon!
Liliana says
I have gone through so many images as inspiration to redecorate my home office and always come back to this one. It is so beautiful. I even looked for the rug at Wayfair but cannot find it. Can you share the name? One question about having the desk away from the wall. What is the trick to hide the cords?
Thank you for sharing this beautiful project!
Liliana
Melissa George says
Hi Liliana – I’ve checked everyone and no one seems to carry the rug anymore. So sad! It’s made by Bungalow Rose and they do have some other pretty options. For the desk, I got lucky and there is an outlet on that back wall (under the pink abstract art). However, I also unplugged everything for the reveal photos. I considering drilling a hole in the desk to run the cords under the desk and then up to the top, but since I used a laptop and end up working part of the day in the office and part other spots around the house, I’m constantly plugging it in and unplugging it. For laziness sake, I just leave the cord running on top of the desk and to that wall outlet.
Laura says
Oh my goodness – this is like my dream office. We’re hoping to move within the year and I’ll finally have my own office space. I totally just pinned this as my dream office <3
Heather says
Oh my this is stunning! What a beautiful job you did. Pink and white and gold – love it! Hae to share a funny story – I got a new office space in our house when my boys outgrew the need for a playroom and was so excited to set up my white office (that’s all that filled my Pinterest Office board). I purchased white Ikea furniture and shelving to put in there and ended up getting rid of it and switching to dark wood. As much as I LOVE the look of a white office, I apparently just can’t work in it. 🙁 I am envious of your beautiful space nonetheless and definitely will use some of your ideas.
Melissa George says
Thank you! And that is interesting about your white office! I can see it being easier to focus in a darker space though, so maybe that was part of it?
Jessica says
Your work is so motivating. Thank you for sharing your talents and thought process with us! So beautiful AND functional. I love it!! Where did you find the deep, rectangular, gray storage bin that is next to your shredder in one of your more recent posts? I think it is umbrella storage? I am looking for a deep tote like this for kids storage; light sabers, etc. Thank you! You are so inspirational!
Melissa George says
Hi Jessica, I’m so glad the post was helpful! That storage bin is from my friends at Interdesign and was made as a hamper. I use it for photography equipment (tripod & umbrella lights), but I’ve also used it for wrapping paper (see here: https://www.polishedhabitat.com/how-to-organize-gift-wrapping-supplies-christmas-edition/ ). It would be great for lightsabers! You can get the same fabric I have here: http://amzn.to/2nbJv5A or a cute chevron here: http://amzn.to/2DCTGY1 (product links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission if you ended up purchasing, no pressure though!)