Sunday, February 27, 2011

Office Reveal!

(Yes, I love to use my ellipses...) 




One wall is completely painted in chalkboard paint. I started with one quart and ended up needing 1 and a half cans. I did two coats and let it 'cure' for 3 days. My vision for this wall was to be a 'blank' canvas to be able to sketch ideas, notes, and even drawings on. I know the chalk board thing is probably on it's way out, but I didn't do it to be "trendy", I did it to be practical! {the inspiration behind this 'crazy' idea: Isabella & Max Rooms I am obsessed with her blog!}


I used my Purdy brush... P.S. Did you know they make "female friendly" brush handles?? I loved it. It was so easy to paint and get the edges. I didn't tape off my ceilings -saved me so much time! 

ALL the frames were primed and painted with my handy dandy Krylon primer then finished with the glossy white coat. Love the nozzle because I don't get that cramped index-finger-about-to-fall-off feeling!


My original plan was to use black paint and put the frames on the striped wall... but you'll see why i didn't.




A wall of frames on the chalkboard wall, with random things that mean something to me.


I had so many stamps just tossed in a container- 'out of sight, out of mind' is so true. I was starting to get multiples because I'd go to Hobby Lobby and forget I already had it! I got this narrow shelf at a thrift store for $3 and painted it grey for all my stamps! Love it! Love that I can see it all in front of me and it even adds a colorful touch.


 I bought that cabinet from a thrift store for $10 (steep for second hand haha) but it was practically brand new! I bought it for my uber tiny bathroom that has NO shelves or storage space, but alas, the bathroom was even too small for this bulky thing! It sat in my goodwill pile for months. I randomly decided to put it on a bare wall and utilize it as a craft cabinet...


Inside it contains my embosser heat-thingy (haha) and a BUNCH of unopened pens/markers, glue sticks, glue rollers, and of course my favorite little bird stickers that I loved so much I bought 6 rolls... (gave the pink and one white to my sister). i'm sick. nothing new about that. I loved the little dowel on the bottom allowing me to put 2 rolls (or ribbon in the future). 


On top is my little box for my stampy-thingamabobbers.


 So, that's my sewing/crafting side...The only thing missing is a Silhouette. Fingers crossed I win one haha because my budget will NOT allow for one! The chair is the one I redid in this post. The sewing machine is from this post :)
and that's my studying/researching blogging side... I love how the room is so me! (studious yet crafty... law student yet blogger... hahaha)


I thought the wall looked too cluttered at first, but the more I took things away the more I realized I was taking the personality and "flair" away from the creative side! I loved it just the way it was. Side note: Ordy is NOT a fan of the frames. He said I defeat the whole purpose of the chalkboard wall since free space is limited... but my vision was to have cute things IN the frames!


This is Bandit. He's the blog bouncer. He goes through all the mean comments people might be crazy (bored) enough to leave. He is not amused. and he dares them to come over and say it to his momma's face with him around hahaha. Sometimes he is the one tweeting from @ordyandjoon. He's a funny pup. I should probably start paying him for all his diligent work.


I was inspired by Mandi to take on these horizontal stripes. I swear, she is like my sister from another mister... ok, just kidding. but really, I LOVE her blog. You will be all sorts of inspired! Back to the paint. I didn't want a flat gray, so I got risky and bought SILVER. This thing REALLY is SILVER! It has this metallic sheen to it, almost reflective! It's Ralph Lauren's Silver Plated- and unfortunately, my diva idol (Martha Stuart) refused to sell her product line against Ralph Lauren's so ALL Home Depot's are discontinuing the line (go fast before they're out!) What was originally $19.99 a quart was $10 for me. I needed 3 so for $30 the whole room was done in this awesome color!


I'm obsessed with apothecary jars and would have one in every corner if Ordy wouldn't call A&E Hoarders on me... It took a lot of motivation to limit this corner to 3. I had to think long and hard about what I'd keep in them- I didn't want "cute" i wanted PRACTICAL... so... I have my sticker letters in one, my stamp pads/embossing powders in another, and of course as you can tell- my glue sticks! Love it!

Meet Lucille, otherwise known as Lucy. She was found in an antique mall in an awful golden state. I stayed up 3 nights, missed 4 class readings, and devoted 45 playlists to finish her. I couldn't find a Krylon color to match the "coral" look I was going for (all too orange), so I had this "tropical coral" mixed up and bought a quart. Yes, I PAINTED it. It wasn't too bad since I had my Purdy brush. (invest in a good brush people!--- not endorsed, just experienced haha) She stands out from her siblings Stanley, and Stella. But I still love her.


On the left side of the printer is a scale I got for $3 with my last initial on it ($5) and my favorite frame with a picture of my dad and I.


Stanley was here first, and he was so AWKWARD... tall and skinny- it just didn't look right. Luckily, I remember the sick hoarder I am just HAPPENED to have Lucy under my bed since last October when we went to the cabin and found the antique store... For "some day"... I'm glad that day came :) It was nice to go shopping in my house haha


Ok, these "curtains"... about that... Ever since I got my awesome ones on clearance for $9.99, curtain shopping has brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to get custom ones for the prices I saw! And then I REALLY hit a bump in the road- EVERYTHING I bought clashed with the stripes! The simple, elegant stripes were drowned out by chevron/floral/geometric curtains. I realized I had to do a simple color- but simple doesn't mean plain... Enter Hancock Fabric... I scored 3 yards of this raw silk coral fabric for $3 a yard and just cut it in half!! HA! This "window treatment" cost me $9 and required zero sewing (I mean, it NEEDS sewing the frayed edges but in my house, that's never gonna happen...) I hung it up with $5 drapery clips from Target. I couldn't be happier!


The desk is the same... (and no paint, dad...) and I still love it. It's a grown up desk and I'm thankful I have it. Anything nice in my house isn't really mine- or thrifted. haha


The floating shelves are "LACK" Shelves from Ikea (around $30 each) but I scored BOTH for $20 off Craigslist! Perfect condition and JUST what I needed!


The shelves hold all my sewing fabric, knick-knacks, and anything else creative. All my stationary/card stock is placed in the boxes and bins so it didn't look too cluttered.


I keep chalk for the wall and little labels for future sewing projects in tiny Ball glass jars


The frames ALL came from thrift stores/yard sales and $8 was the most I paid for one. (Average $2 each)...


Here's what I see when seated at my little sewing nook! LOVE!


The balloon picture is a card my favorite person in the whole wide world sent me for my birthday years
ago (my bobo- aka grandpa). I love the picture and the colors! I framed it in my $1 frame to add to the collection...


My awesome sister bought me the thread spools and display!! I don't even sew {yet}! I just mentioned to her one day that I loved how 'pretty' it would be to display colorful thread- and sure enough she went back to the store and bought every.single.one. Probably my favorite part of the wall!!


The itty bitty frame (.79) holds a pic of my dad and I on my graduation day...see, meaningful stuff? haha


The craft nook is SO COZY at night with my little $4 faux milk glass lights to light it up! The black shades were .50 each from a yard sale.
Hope it was worth the wait!!! (My MacBook Pro and my MacBook magically combined to create an iMac. Cool, huh?)
It's amazing what a little paint can do to a room! 

If you're visiting, check out the giveaway going on!!! $50 value!

I love idea sharing on blog land and know that everyone inspires someone! Feel free to use these ideas and contact me if you have any questions! If you are reposting this all I ask is for a link back! (and you can tell me too so I can add it to the list below!)

Featured on:
The DIY Show Off

See ALL the link parties I join here!

57 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! I love it lady girl. Your office rocks. Why do I get a case of the green eyed monster everytime I visit your blog? I love the chalkboard wall! Man how I wish we didn't have to spend our tax refund on "practical" things like fixing the air conditioning and heating unit and our stinky broken car. Okay one day I say you come out to Cali and help me redo my room. It would be fun right? Okay, I better head to bed, I am going to be dreaming of chalkboard walls and winning a Silhouette! And because winning a Silhouete would only happen in my dreams I think I'll make it extra good.

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  2. woman i love you.... it looks amazing. you must be my child lol.
    xoxo
    cathy
    almost forgot - bandit looks so cuteeeeeeeee...

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  3. It looks amazing! The guest room/office is in dire need of an upgrade. What are your travel charges?! LOL! Seriously though it's amazing!

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  4. o my goodness! totally worth the wait! it looks amazing, i love everything, especially the scale!!! i have been looking for one forever what a steal! LOVE IT!

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  5. I really love it. Please fly to Texas and redecorate my house!

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  6. It's beautiful!! :) So much more you. I love it. Don't ask me to pick a favorite part because I simply couldn't. Isn't hobby lobby the greatest?

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  7. Thank you!! it was so much fun and didn't take long at all! the only thing that took a while was having Ordy come back from TX to hang the shelves and mirror! I would love to do 'cyber room designs' for anyone! send me pics of these bare walls!! not that i am anybody but it's fun for me since I'm all out of rooms to do in my house!

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  8. Looks great! Love the stripes and I love the names too! lol

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  9. It is beautiful--although I have to tell you, the "before" was pretty good, too! Mostly though I'm just jealous that you have a room for an office/craft space.

    ~ Sarah

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  10. TOTALLY LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT! SO DARN CUTE, EVERY DETAIL! well done! Sharing it on my CraftOManiac FB page! winks-jen

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  11. Thank you, Jen!!! I'll keep my eye out for the FB page!

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  12. Oh goodness! I'm so glad you found my blog...and I am SO jealous of this room! I would love having such a crafty room! (but I am guessing it would be extremely distracting when you are trying to study!) I am excited to read up on your blog! I am also thrilled to find another law school blogger!!!

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  13. haha blogs are more distracting than the craft area! i feel like the clutter was killing me. I love being able to study and craft here! Feel free to catch up on posts- you'll see i'm insane for doing this! haha I should be taking care of a take home midterm right now... hahaha

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  14. What a wonderful makeover! I love the white frames on the chalkboard wall and I love the silver stripes and the beautiful curtains. It is lovely, indeed!
    Rhonda

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  15. That's so cool!! I love the colors - great job! JenT

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  16. So awesome! I love it. I'm in the middle of redoing my craft/office/sewing room and love the inspiration.

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  17. Shut the Front Door!! This is such an insane before and after - I absolutely adore it. Girl, I've bookmarked it so don't be surprised if you see it on Tip Junkie soon.

    You've got mad skills.

    Laurie
    Tip Junkie

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  18. I'm soooo jelly! I love everything about this room!! I was about to get rid of a few glass canisters I have no use for, but not anymore, I'm totally stealing your idea and using them to store craft supplies.

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  19. fantastic!!!! i'm going to be staring at this forever! I love it all!!! you have a great eye for design and detail!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  20. Discovered your blog on Tip Junkie. I LOVE your office redo!! You have inspiring ideas for storage. I will be using some of them!!

    Keep up the good work!
    Sandi @ lucydoo.blogspot.com

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  21. I love this so much I posted it as my HO of the day :) http://www.switcheroom.com/2011/03/ho-of-day-legally-crafty.html

    AHHHMAAZING JOB!

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  22. I'm in love! Beautiful. Every detail is just perfect. I am going to love following your blog. So glad I found you.

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  23. thank you Elle, what an honor!! and thanks everyone for all the kind words and new follows- I just posted a giveaway as a "thank you" to my followers!

    http://ordyandjoon.blogspot.com/2011/03/follower-appreciation-giveaway.html

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  24. I am totally inspired!!! Next project: the home office!!!!! Thank you~ I'm definitely bookmarking your blog :)

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  25. that looks awesome!!!!
    didn't you say you are in the baltimore area? if so, we are having a local bloggers get together on 3/26 in arlington. would love to meet you!

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  26. Ahhhhhh!!!!! LOVE!!!! I so desperately need to redo my crap/craft room and it's like you read my mind! As I'm looking through your pictures I'm going, "yes, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking!"

    So glad I found you on DIY Show Off!

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  27. This is just beautiful. Everything. Love the frames on the chalkboard wall. I would love something like that to organize all my notes. =)

    Popping over from DIY Showoff.

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  28. Totally worth the wait! It looks great--the colors are perfect! Congrats on all the recognition-you totally deserve it!

    -Anna

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  29. GORGEOUS!!!! I love your color combo. I'm jealous of your space for sure!! :)

    PS- I'm doing my first ever giveaway on my blog and I'd love it if you would stop by and participate! Check it out: http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-first-giveaway-and-introducing-your.html

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  30. So glad I am signed up for DIY posts. And so glad I came over for a visit. Your office redo is absolutely gorgeous! I love the mirrors and the picture of Aundrey Hepburn add a wonderful touch. Thanks for sharing. I will be sure to visit again,

    Have a great day,

    Janet Bernasconi
    Janet's Creative Pillows

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  31. Oh how I LOVE the framed thread spools. I am in the process (seemingly forever) of redoing my sewing room/studio as well. I've wanted to do something practical and functional with the thread and I think this is perfect. If you don't mind me steeling our idea, with my own spin and a definate credit back to you of course. Love your creative space.

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  32. Thank you so much!!! I post pics on the blog for idea sharing- it's not stealing when I put it out there- it's yours to take and make your own! Of course I would love to see it tho! I love finding different ways to display things and the thread is one of my favorite touches!

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  33. this looks like a place i could Get my Crafting on!

    Darling!

    Im now a follower visit me
    chickhardware.blogspot.com

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  34. Your room is amazing! What a Fabulous place to be!

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  35. Wow it really looks great. I love it. I would love for you to stop by and join in the Winter Blues Wednesday party. Hope to see you there.

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  36. Totally adored and blogged! You have me very very inspired... and I want your dog... does he also do laundry?

    http://feathersfreesiasandfishingtackle.blogspot.com/

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  37. I like both the before and after! Great job!

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  38. What a funky chic office makeover!! Love your creativity, thanks for linking up to my blog bash K.I.S.S. @ The Tattered Tag. Please link up more of your great ideas tomorrow. Bandit is pretty cute too! :)

    Drop by The Tattered Tag

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  39. Looks fab! I am still mourning the loss of Ralph Lauren Paint at Home Depot.

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  40. So funny-I just grabbed a big glass jar that I used to put candy in out of my kitchen pantry and dumped it out. I decided we had too much candy and put ribbon scraps in. (I moved it to the scrap room, didn't leave it in the kitchen.) Now I want some apothecary jars!

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  41. LOVE LOVE LOVE your room - absolutely gorgeous and looks like a room I would be in all day and night - - Thank you for the share! AWESOME!

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  42. I love everything about this room. Great decorating. If you want an honest opinion of the color selection I would have to say that the orange with the gray and black are to childish and halloween like. Another color choice besides the orange would be wonderful!

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  43. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I've been trolling around the blog world looking for inspiration for my craftroom... it's in NEED of an update.
    Your pictures are amazing. Thank you so much.
    I'll be keeping a close eye on your blog for more goodness.

    Buffie
    http://scrappingwithbuffie.blogspot.com/

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  44. Oh my dear! This is WONDERFUL! I love how personal it is! Filled with all of the things you LOVE and need to be a creative mind! PERFECT!!!!

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  45. That's so funny we do have the same mirror frame. I almost hung mine on my chalkboard wall too! They sure look a lot better all white rather than the plastic-y gold like mine was when I found it at the thrift store. Your office is beautiful, and so inspiring! ~ Merrilee

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  46. Look at this fabulous space, and all those stamps!! What a great place to get some fun work done, and...thanks for the shout out! Glad you are enjoying your chalkboard wall, it turned out great! Janell

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  47. Did you see this?!!

    http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2011/04/blue-ribbon-award.html

    CONGRATULATIONS!

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  48. I am so glad I came over to visit!! What a great space!!

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  49. I want your craft room! It looks amazing, every detail is just spot on! I just looked around your blog and I'm in love with your creativity so naturally I have to follow, lol!

    I linked up too but wow no where near impressive like yours!

    Loving that duvet you found for next to nothing either!

    Megan

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  50. Stunning I want you on my blog roll.
    Best Carolyn

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  51. That looks fab!! Super job. I love it all.

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  52. Love this room! I want a horizontal striped wall in my kitchen! Following you and would love a visit if you get a chance... :)

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  53. Loved your space! We recently moved and I have my own office/craft space. Since finishing my degree in the fall, I plan to craft and scrapbook more regularly again. I look forward to using some of your ideas in making the room more fun!

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  54. What a FUN space! Loving that pink mirror.

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