I’m working with Sherwin-Williams to redo my office. I’ll have a $1000 budget to use, and I’ll be trying out the new line of HGTV® HOME by Sherwin-Williams color collections and paint. I also have two giveaways to tell you about too! But first, let’s discuss the office.
I started to make some changes to it last year. I rearranged the furniture, brought in a pretty mirror and a crazy zigzag rug, but that’s where the progress stopped. I was going for a kind of granny chic look, remember? Then I found out I was expecting (and I had zero energy), and we also started on the basement remodel (yes, I still need to finish my studio and the playroom too). Then I had my baby (sweet little August), and well… work on the office kind of stalled.
The room is more than just an office though. You’ll see in the video below that it’s also where Eleanor and August spend much of their time playing, and I would like the room to feel cozy and happy. Want to see how it looks right now?
To recap, these are the main issues I’ll be addressing.
- Either the rug needs to go, or I need to reupholster or replace my office chair. They don’t match, and since I do like the rug a lot, I’ll probably switch out the chair. The Eames Management Chair is still the chair I dream of owning, but they’re very expensive and I don’t want to buy a knockoff. I’ve been watching eBay and Craigslist, but I may have to keep looking for an alternative.
- I need to move the redundant computer and clean up the cords on my desk.
- Storage and organization: Yes, please.
- I’ve had a curtain for a closet door since we moved in to this house in 2007. Our house is 100 years old, so nothing is standard. We’ll need a custom-sized door, which is why we’ve put off fixing it for so long.
- The window needs curtains and a new shade.
- I’ll be painting the trim white, and painting the walls. The HGTV® HOME by Sherwin-Williams colors are grouped into 8 collections to make it easier to choose colors that will work from room to room in your house (I liked the Livable Luxe and Traditional Twist collections). There are a lot of nice greens, but I’m leaning toward a light, creamy neutral for the walls, along with painted white trim.
- It’s time for the ceiling fan to go. It’s not terribly ugly, but it hasn’t been working well lately and I’d like to replace it with a prettier light fixture.
Now, about those two giveaways…
- Need some color and design help in your house? Enter the What’s Your Color Now? sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5000 home makeover from BHG.com and HGTV® HOME by Sherwin-Williams!
- I also have a 4GB Flip MinoHD camera to give away (so you can make stellar videos like mine, ha). Just leave a comment on this post to enter for the camera (one entry per person). This giveaway is open to US and international entrants, and will run through June 30 at midnight CST. One winner will be chosen randomly on July 1.
Good luck to you in both giveaways!
p.s. How much do you think it would cost to reupholster an Eames Management Chair? Say, if I found one from 1986 with really awful fabric?
July 1: Congratulations to Jennifer, winner of the Flip camera! And remember, there’s still time for everyone to enter the What’s Your Color Now? sweepstakes.
473 comments
Julie
I am doing my own space now and love yours. I’m wanting a streamlined desk. Where is you desk from?
Christina
Hi there, what are you using for the child safety on the cabinet knobs? Are you using black rubberbands? Whatever it is, I really like how unobtrusive it looks. Please share because I hate the way my child safety locks look! =)
Making it Lovely
They’re ponytail holders! There isn’t anything dangerous in the cabinets (just papers), so the hair ties do the trick just fine.
Making it Lovely
We have the typical child-proofing locks in the kitchen, but their white and therefore blends with our white cabinets. We don’t even use them anymore really, since our cleaning supplies are in a little closet.
Christina
That is such a cute idea! I am completely copying you! So, what do you use on cabinets that hold dangerous items? I hate how my kitchen looks but I am so scared my little ones will get into stuff.
Elena @ Breakfast for Dinner
Oh, shoot, I think I’m too late, but I’d love a Flip!
erin godbey
Oooh, I’d love to have a Flip!
Megan
A Flip would be fun!
Kelly
Lights! Camera! Wait I don’t have a camcorder…
I could use that Flip.
Janssen
I didn’t really understand the appeal of video cameras until I had a baby and now. . .I do.
Charlotte
You should do videos more often! It’s cool to hear your actual real life voice! Aaaaand I would love a flip cam.
Joan
A Flip would be flipping fabulous!
Pam
I SO need color and design help! Why do you think I LOVE your blog! It’s full of wonderful ideas, georgous colors and beautiful design. Thanks!
Pam
Mary
Thanks for offering the giveaway. I’d love to win that camera to record moments with our little guy. :)
Ceci
It would be just perfect for our roadtrip across Spain and portugal this August!
Elizabeth
I would LOVE flip!!
Jill J
I have my 1st baby on the way, and would love a flip camera to record the new babe!
Natalie
Oh, I would flip for a flip :)
anna mae
this would be a great win!
leslie w
Would love to win the flip cam!
Shelby
Thanks for the give-aways! I love the zig zag rug — hope you keep it! I’ve always loved geometric prints but I’m recently getting into chevrons. Looking forward to reading more about your remodel project — and getting inspired for my own.
Crystal
We would love to win the Flip phone – it would be great at helping us capture moments with our little one that is due in July.
Delena
Good luck with the remodel! …I know I’ll need luck here!!
colleen
I will be eagerly reading your office makeover series as I’m in serious need of inspiration for the sad blank space that is currently serving as our home office. Would love the Flip!
Yvette
Would love one of these! Thanks for the opportunity. Btw, painted my youngest daughter’s room Wild Aster. So sweet!
wendy
Oooh! I could totally use one of those!
Cara
I would love to win either of these great prizes! Thanks!
Laura Beth
Thanks for a chance to win these great prizes! Love your blog!
Anna B
Cool! Working on our home office right now as well.
Pallavi
ZOMG! I would loove a FLIP! I was literally just trying to justify the purchase of one to my fiance – he said no … party pooper.
April Johnson
Can’t wait to see the new updated office. Thanks for the chance to win the camera :)
laurie
Yikes, I can’t believe how many comments this post has! cheers to a room re-do for you!
Katie Kimsey
Oh I hope I win a camera!!
Laura J
I really like your old chair! What did you end up doing with it?
Tracie W
We’ve got a little boy on the way (due in 2 weeks!) and I’d love to be able to record videos on-the-go!
Cassie
The Flip camera would be awesome. I could definitely use it in my interior design/real estate business for capturing virtual tours.
Ashley @ 7HL
Noticed the Weighted Companion Cube, haha! My husband would geek out ;)
Monica
Love your plans for your office. That rug is very pretty. I’d love to win the Flip camera. I’ve never won anything from a blog yet. =)
Lindsay
I’ve always wanted a Flip camera! Fun!
Courtney M
Oh, this is a fun giveaway! Wishing & hoping…
Sasha
Yet another awesome giveaway! You’re going to spoil us! Not that I mind, in the least. Thanks again!
jill redding
I just found your site, I love it!
Iva
I wish I could enter both giveaways but one will have to do :)
Thanks!
Janna
I can relate to the long to do list and life happening. We’re trying to get sooo many projects on our renovation done before our first baby comes along in Sept.
I’ve heard good things about the flip camera and think it would be awesome to have when we have a new baby around!
corinne
would LOVE to win, these sound amazing!!!
can’t wait to see what you do to you office :)
Tamsin
i love reading your blog. it’s my morning coffee, “can’t leave the house in the morning until i have checked your blog.” love it
Chris
Love that office chair. I’m in need of inspiration for my home office too.
Becky
Thanks for the opportunity! What a great contest, and I can’t wait to see how the office turns out. The rest of the house is looking great!
Jill
Love your site, although too, too inspiring! My list of to-dos for my home grows ever longer… Thanks for the giveaway. Would love a Flip for recording videos of my 14 month old!
Erin
Thanks for the great give away and the great ideas!
Rebecca
Oh, my 11 year old is jonesing for a Flip camera. Praying I win!
kim
Can’t wait to see your finished office.
Ashley
This camera would be a great win. Our first little one is due any day, and we could use a camera!
Emilie
Please pick me! Love your site :)
Sara C
I would love to win a flip camera!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Rachael
Aw! That camera is so cute!
Erin
I can’t wait to see your office when it is finished!
Heather S.
Wow, what a great giveaway!
PS your blog has been very inspiring, keep up the good work!
Jayca @ Cartwheels
My oh my – I just got a new camera, am I pushing my luck in entering to win a this one, too? How about if I note that mine doesn’t record video . . . :)
Liz
I would love a Flip camera and join the world of video blogging!
Joy
I hope I get picked so I can make some lovely videos too!
Rachel B.
Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win :)
Andrea
I can definetly relate to post baby laziness, we have soo much painting to do and so little energy to complete it!
Kim
Can’t wait to see your finished office!
Terri
Really have enjoyed your blog. I follow you on reader and aspire to take some of your ideas some day in my own house! thanks!!!
brianne sheppard
this would b an amazing win! Thanks for the opportunity! Brianne
Katrina
I would love a video camera. And my girls would love it if I had one. They do love the camera these days.
Ali
Oooolala a flip….pretty please with a cherry on top pick our little family of 5! My husband and I have three kids: 7, 4, 2 and we don’t have a video camera to document these big personalities and all these moments you know the crazy, sweet, exhausting, and fun days with our kiddos! This would be the ultimate gift for our family! I’ve always wanted a flip and as the family documentor this would be a dream come true!
~ Ali
Sarah
Oohh I’d love a flip camera
Shelly P.
Yay for the flip!! Can’t wait to see what your re-design looks like:)
Hilla
amazing giveaway…supercool camera…especially for unforgetable summer holiday moments
Melissa
A flip would make videos of my little Elanor and her brother so much easier to share with family!
Kelly in DC
Unless Hermann Miller offers to give you a new chair, I’d definitely go for re-upholstering one, That way you can make it a fun accent piece (and I know you’ll find a great material) I love that you’re giving away a flip! I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
kate so
Yes, please. As always – amazing contests.
LaniB
I’d love to get a new flip to record my new baby…he is already getting so big!
Lauren
I love the little desk for Eleanor! I’m hoping to eventually work from home and will definitely steal that idea! What did you do with her between the happy on a playmat and happy at a table stage? (ie: the beginning to crawl and eat everything in sight, especially computer cables stage)
I’d flip for a flip!
JENNIFER O'CONNOR
I would love to have a video camera! I am due in January and would love to capture every moment!
In regards to the re-upholstery question– I am a contract designer for a large univeristy and we re-upholster whenever possible (its green and cheaper for the client). On a chair like that you would definitely want a professional to re-upholster it since it has so much stitching, and parts of it may require speical glue to adhere the fabric properly. I would say expect to spend around $3-400 on labor plus your fabric. Good luck with your search!
Amanda Juetten
Flip camera!!!
Your p.s. question was about the reupholstering of a chair, well, I wouldn’t think it’d cost much, just the cost of the fabric, plus a little hardware. It would be worth it for 1/4 the cost of a new chair, even half the cost if it was a style you loved.
Stephanie
You’re style is so pretty and carefree! Would love the camera!
taralee
so excited to see what your office will look like [and your studio, too]!
Christy
Love your blog!!! Would love to win the camera to document our own remodel!
Stephanie
Would love to win a camera! Good luck with the office remodel!
Frances Robson
I would love to have a video camera to get some footage of my four children! Thank you,
Frances Robson
Charisma
we don’t have a video camera and would love one to capture our precious baby growing up. Thanks for the giveaway!
Alison
Fun! Can’t wait to see what you come up with. I may be in need of a home office setup soon, and I’d love some inspiration. I’m dying to do a big office supply order from Poppin :)
And I would definitely make good use of a Flip cam — I hope to have some fun adventures coming up very soon, and I’d love to be able to record them!
Amber
I’ve been longing for a flip since our daughter, Eloise, was born. This would be great to start documenting her second year. She turns one on Friday! Thanks for the giveaway. I so enjoy your blog.
kim coleman
I have never had my own camera, always wanted one I just haven’t been able to prioritize getting one. My husband has an old, outdated, huge camera that only he seems to be able to figure out how to use. All of our photos are of me since he is always the one taking the picture. I would love to be able to photograph his sweet face for once! thanks for your blog, I always look forward to reading your posts. You are an inspiration.
Emily W
First time commenter, but I have been reading for a while! I am due to have my first baby any day now, and that camera would come in handy!
Christina W.
leaving a comment to enter! i have a fantastic link to a DIY under-the-desk wire fix that gets all your wires out of the way, but i just got a new computer so it’s not in my bookmark folder atm. i’ll hunt it down and post it later!
carol
A Flip would be soooo cool!
Marthalynn
What an inspiring post! I’m so excited to watch you make this room into a wonderful work/play space. (And I’m planning to steal some of your ideas too!) Great giveaway :)
Lori B.
Wow! I’d love to video my kids with this!
marlena
i like adventurous travel and my friends & family are always curious, so a flip would definitely add a lot to my travel memories/documenting!
Ana
I’m working on my own home office to be able to do more freelancing and to accommodate guests. It’s slow going. But a Flip might be motivating!
Andi
I love that people bust your balls when you have a sponsored post but when there is something in it for them look at all the responses!!!
Brandi
I’m a blogger and to be able to have the use of a video camera would be amazing! I have an almost two year old, lots of fun friends and plenty of things that are video worthy!
Jessi
Let us know when/if you post that zig zag rug on craigslist. I’d like to get my hands on it! :)
Rachel
Reupholstery is a really good idea if the chair you found is super affordable. Go for it!
Christa M
I don’t think I’ve ever heard your voice before….I enjoyed this post. I also enjoy the fact that you’re giving away a camera! Best wishes on the room redo!
Carol
Would love the flip camera, to tape my crazy kids!
Kaitlin
I love that shape of the chair…I say get it upholstered to match the rug, then you can have your cake and eat it too!!
Kara
Do you have an upholsterer that you’ve worked with? It wouldn’t hurt to get an estimate, but I think it would be worth it. It doesn’t look like it would require that much fabric.
Hope I win the Flip cam!
Tabea
Keep the rug – it’s really nice. Love the camera, too!
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