The black chalkboard paint has glammed it up a bit, but it still needs your help in becoming the perfect Neutral-Bohemian-with-a-touch-of-Glam workspace. So, I've made a list of next steps.
Step 1: Update room with a modern desk. Mission accomplished! My mom surprised me with a sleek, white desk from West Elm, after seeing it on my blog!
She even picked up the matching chair and chandelier herself. Aren't they awesome? (Note: the beloved desk in the top photo—my grandfather's—will move to the living room for more prominence.)
Step 2: Find a cozy rug. Since rugs are SO expensive, I turned to eBay. What do you think of the one below?
It's 8 x 7', the exact dimensions I need, and I found a "good-as-new" version on eBay for $150 + shipping—a great price for a rug that size. Do you like it?
Step 3: Buy a chair for guests. Mission accomplished! Yesterday I found a cute chair at Ikea...
...and outfitted it in the black and white fabric below. Now all it needs is a splash of color, which brings me to...
Step 4: Toss in some color. Remember, my office is adjacent to our family room, which is primarily chocolate brown and pale gray with accents of navy. So, I'm thinking I'll tie it all together with some colorful throw pillows and tons of books.
And finally...
Step 5: Decorate the walls. Easy! I love maps, so I want to buy a ginormous one for the wall behind my desk. Two sleek, white shelves will finish off the space, along with an inspiration board above my file cabinet. Clean and simple.
So, what do you think? Love it? Hate it? Don't hold back!
Step 1: Update room with a modern desk. Mission accomplished! My mom surprised me with a sleek, white desk from West Elm, after seeing it on my blog!
She even picked up the matching chair and chandelier herself. Aren't they awesome? (Note: the beloved desk in the top photo—my grandfather's—will move to the living room for more prominence.)
Step 2: Find a cozy rug. Since rugs are SO expensive, I turned to eBay. What do you think of the one below?
It's 8 x 7', the exact dimensions I need, and I found a "good-as-new" version on eBay for $150 + shipping—a great price for a rug that size. Do you like it?
Step 3: Buy a chair for guests. Mission accomplished! Yesterday I found a cute chair at Ikea...
...and outfitted it in the black and white fabric below. Now all it needs is a splash of color, which brings me to...
Step 4: Toss in some color. Remember, my office is adjacent to our family room, which is primarily chocolate brown and pale gray with accents of navy. So, I'm thinking I'll tie it all together with some colorful throw pillows and tons of books.
And finally...
Step 5: Decorate the walls. Easy! I love maps, so I want to buy a ginormous one for the wall behind my desk. Two sleek, white shelves will finish off the space, along with an inspiration board above my file cabinet. Clean and simple.
So, what do you think? Love it? Hate it? Don't hold back!
45 comments:
I actually love that paint so much that I'm considering doing it in my office. I love your accessories. Excellent work!
Things are coming together beautifully B. I would reco you check out Target for a rug. Very stylish, not too expensive, and BRAND SPANKIN' new. Jus and I just bought two for our new apt. Hope you and P will come visit. Xx
That desk is perfect! Lil Bee Mom rocks!!!
I think this is so smart! xoxoxo Abbey
I just love it all. Your office is going to be beautiful!!!
Good luck. Keep us posted!
Love it. the chalkboard works so well and when you get those maps up - it will be very cool.
Love the rug. And that chair will look pimp with the wall color!
i love that desk! i saw it somewhere, or everywhere, around the internet lately and LOVE the white. what a perfect choice. so classy and sleek and simple. and i think it's perfect with the chalkboard paint. what a perfect plan for an office! i love the idea of putting my to do list on teh wall!
I think the new desk will be a GREAT addition!
I LOVE the way the room is turning out... and for the record, I just spent the last 15 minutes trying to decide which room in our house to paint with chalkboard paint!!!
Keep up the great work, Bee!
Thanks, guys! And Jesse, you know what I think would be so neat? Painting a wall in your kitchen chalkboard black. You could write menus and to-do lists on it!
I think it will turn out fantastically! How did you learn to decorate? Were you just born with a decorating gene? Or was it years of reading up on it in magazines like Domino? I always have ideas in mind, but I can never pull it together. Boo.
Bee I might steal the idea of painting one wall in the kitchen black...My office shares a room with the kitchen so i think this is a win win situation...Oh and I love the rug, the desk and everything in between. Looking forward to the final look!!!!
i really like that dark wall lilbee! and that striped chair would work so well with it.
the rooms in my house are brick red and olive green. eep. i'm thinking i need something lighter for mine.
You have a great eye and a great mom. I can't wait to see the finished product! And - YES - buy that rug. Right now.
I'm going to paint a narrow wall in our kitchen with black chalkboard...I can't wait!
Oh I love it - I think the modern desk and rug will really make a big impact. Your Mom knows you well!
definitely love it...great picks! Can't wait to see it all together...
I think it is really coming together and like everyone else, I adore the chalkboard wall. The only thing I might suggest is to go to a fabric store or even a vintage store and pick out some fabrics that you absolutely love. Could be vintage scarves even. Then get pillow fillers at any craft or fabric store and make your own pillows. (If you can't, it is an easy job for any seamstress) That way it really becomes your own and if you put a zipper in them, they can be washed and or changed if you get tired of them.
P.S. Love your mom.
LOVE it, Bee! Nice work and big ups to your Mom!
Oh my gosh, that's perfect!!!
I am totally going to do a wall in the kitch! I know just the one, too. On one small wall next to the door I painted a quote from the Dalai Lama, "Approach love and cooking with equal abandon", and I think chalkboard paint on the adjoining wall will be just what it needs!
Love, love, love it. You've got the knack. Just perfect! A-M xx
Love it!! The desk is fabulous but the chair that goes with it... I just love!
I can't wait to see your choice of throw pillows... that's my next step in my living room makeover and I just haven't found any that feel "right."
I love it all! BUT, watch out for the rug. I bet I know why that rug is on e-bay - we had one exactly like it, from crate and barrel or pottery barn I think, that we actually gave to the thrift store ... OMG I GAVE AWAY such a gorgeous rug??? YES!!! It shed like you wouldn't believe...like you have sheep living all over your house! I was SO disappointed, but it was seriously a LOT of shedding. I hope this helps - if it didn't shed, I would buy it again in a second, and every other thing you've chosen!
The rug is shedding fool! Also a used Shag....NO GRACIAS...if it came from a smelly home there is no way you will get it clean. Also if there is a puppy accident...yuck.
If you want the look, go to a carpet store and look for a remnant, or a store that will cut an 8x10..A Lot of people are putting "shag like" carpeting in bedrooms these days...get an extra thick (like 1.5") pad for underneath and voila!
LOVE it of course! I am liking the ikat (sp?) inspired throw pillows from Pottery Barn, I had just eyed those for myself a few days back! Can't wait to see the finished product!
Sounds fantastic. I can't wait to see it all pulled together.
omg i LOVE what you've done so far. as far as bohemian touches go, i'd add something slightly unexpected. perhaps a quirky lamp, antique chandellier or a collection of mirrors in a shape on the wall. i can't wait to see the finished product, love!
It looks beautiful! I think the desk that was in there is beautiful!
Oh my gosh, I love it! It will be the perfect work area! The desk/chair is beautiful, I love the carpet and the map idea is great.
Love love love! This is going to look AMAZING when you get it all together. Top marks for finding that rug---the texture is fabulous! Can't wait to see pics of the final result!
things are coming together so well! I love your ideas. The desk is lovely...I've admired it for a while in the West Elm catalouge.
The rug is divine. Lock it up! Jensen Lewis in the city sells great rugs and very reasonably priced. But I have to say...West Elm has grat rugs and I've bought a few of them myself. :)
As for the pillows I love the idea of giving a bit of color and your choices, which I've seen in Domino, are BEE-u-tiful. ;-) Also, when we go to Calico Corners (can't wait! just waiting anxiously for my new couch so I can bring a pillow with me) I'm planning on choosing fabric for accent pillows. I found a seamstress in my neighborhood who promised me a good price to make me pillow covers and to re-do another cushion (maybe it has sthg to do with the 10, yes 10, pairs of boots her genius husband fixed for me last month)...so, perhaps you can choose your own fabric for your existing pillows rather than buy them.
This is the LONGEST comment evah.
i love it all, and cannot wait to see the room with all the pieces within! and yes, mom bee rocks, you are one lucky lil bee!
Simply love it.
Ummm LOVE it!
For some good map options try Cavallini. They print reproductions of vintage maps on Italian paper and they are awesome for the price--super reasonable. They look great framed. I think Kate's Paperie in NY sells them or you can find them online. Bright, colorful pillows would be great...what about pulling in a little aqua pop and to tie in with the maps? I think it will look grat with the brown and navy in the adjoining room.
and yes, your parents are awesome!
It looks so great and I love your ideas.
I can't wait to see the finished result! Your mother is officially fantastic, what a doll! I do love your grandfather's desk & am glad you are still going to put it on display in another room! Oh, and I LOVE the middle pillows in the Ikat print.
I love you guys...this is all so helpful! Where to begin?... First, yes, Mom Bee is awesome. And theeeeennnn....
Jackie: You are too nice! I'd have to say it's my obsession with Domino, maybe? But, really, I'm just indecisive. Clothes I can do, but furniture is another story!
Vana/Mary/Jessie: Go for it. Love it!
Jae: That is a great idea. Maybe it's time I get a little crafty? Or just find a good seamstress?
Liza/Anon: Thank you SO much for the warning!! That is such a good point. And I love your idea of getting "shag-like" carpet instead, Anon.
Em: Leave it to you to think of that perfect finishing touch:) LOVE the mirrors idea.
Suzanne: I was thinking of a map from Kate's, actually! They are awesome and very cheap:)
Moni-Love: I can't wait for our Calico Corners trip, too! And speaking of longest comments EVA, I'm signing off now.
Everyone...thank you so, so much!!! I will keep you all posted;) xo, Bee.
I love the chalkboard paint. I'm so excited for you, it sounds like it's all coming together. And your mom is so nice! xx
oh i love it! the west elm stuff is gorgeous, I would love to have that chandelier in my place! I never thought to look for a rug on ebay. i'm gonna go check it out right now!
Aren't moms great? Especially when they read your blog and they know just the trick.
omg this is so fun! I love the chalkboard paint. I cannot wait to use that in my future house ...the desk, chair, omg all of it is so great. I think yellow pillows ...bright. like the walls. maybe a smaller pattern so it won't compete with the large stripe pattern. ..OH I JUST LOVE IT. Can't wait to see it finished!
love it! love the chalk wall, that rug will be fabulous, and I am coveting that desk & chair.
can't wait to see it all pulled together.
All I can say is WOW! Everything is coming together so nicely! I'm glad you aren't getting rid of the other desk as I think it's absolutely gorgeous as well! And that paint is fab! Are you giong to put that chandelier up in your office that your mom got you? When I get my own place, I'm def getting that book as I keep seeing everyone use it, it must be fab as well!
Was that chair delivered assembled? or did someone special put it together?
Your mom is so sweet for surprising you with the desk. Think everything will look fantastic! Looking forward to seeing everything come together.
xo
love it!!!
I really like the rug!
especially the giant map, please post photos of the room when it is all done:)
I love everything. That rug, the office chair, the prospect of maps :) Very nice
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