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.
RD
June 27, 2011 at 1:03 pmOh, gosh, I love watching other people make over a room–will enjoy following your progress! A Flip camera would be great!
Nicole-Lynn
June 27, 2011 at 1:08 pmLove this! :)
Lisa W
June 27, 2011 at 1:11 pmI can’t wait to see what you do with your office, the rest of your house is incredible.
Alison
June 27, 2011 at 1:12 pmCan’t wait to see the transformation. I love seeing rooms as they come together step-by-step. Gives me inspiration to take back to my own abode :)
The camera looks cool. It’d be awesome to win!
erinsuzanne
June 27, 2011 at 1:13 pmwhat a fun giveaway! thanks!
ELW
June 27, 2011 at 1:15 pmI can’t wait to see your finished office, I need some motivation to finish mine!
Carol
June 27, 2011 at 1:18 pmI anxiously await the finished product! Love the blog!
Courtney
June 27, 2011 at 1:18 pmI love your projects!! I am so inspired yet watching your video I can relate…I have a 2 year old and am now due again in October and all of my plans for the house have now been put on hold. What a great giveaway too! I would love a Flip MinoHD camera! We have an older video camera but love how small and portable the Flip’s are! Good luck with your office!
Kimberly L.C.
June 27, 2011 at 1:20 pmI need the flip camera to film my own office makeover!
GoHausGo
June 27, 2011 at 1:24 pmI need a flip cam so I can make embarrassing “house tour” videos I will be too embarrassed to ever post!
Emily
June 27, 2011 at 1:30 pmSo pumped to see how everything comes together!!
Cathy
June 27, 2011 at 1:31 pmLove everything you do!
Rafedah
June 27, 2011 at 1:32 pmLove the idea that you get to make over your office and kids play space at the same time. I would also love to score the flip camera! Baby number 1 is due September, a flip would certainly come in handy!
Cori
June 27, 2011 at 1:38 pmWould love a flip camera! Jealous of all the fun home remodeling projects you do – i need a basement makeover STAT!
katie
June 27, 2011 at 1:39 pmYay! I can’t wait to see the results! It’s going to look FABULOUS I just know it! And yes– go for the Eames chair so I can work vicariously through you! :)
Beth C
June 27, 2011 at 1:39 pmCan’t wait to see the finished room! I redid my office last year and it’s such a joy to be in here now.
Amy Gorely
June 27, 2011 at 1:43 pmYou are an inspiration!
Ariadna
June 27, 2011 at 1:47 pmI like the ideas for your office, and your kids are super cute!!
brooke
June 27, 2011 at 1:49 pmYou have a lot going at once! I would absolutely love a new camera to document my efforts with.
marlene
June 27, 2011 at 1:50 pmWould love a flip camera! Thank you!
Cori
June 27, 2011 at 1:55 pmGood luck with the office re-do! And thanks for hosting a giveaway!
Correy Camalier
June 27, 2011 at 2:01 pmGood luck. A flip would be fabulous! Thanks.
Luana
June 27, 2011 at 2:03 pmYou are so inspirational. Would love the chance to win.
Katie B.
June 27, 2011 at 2:04 pmLove the rug, that’s what I would keep, too!
Katherine
June 27, 2011 at 2:04 pmWell, perfect! My camera was smashed on my last trip to Florida..here’s hoping! thanks!
Brooke
June 27, 2011 at 2:16 pmAmazing giveaway!
Can’t wait to see how the makeover goes…and get inspired to makeover MY “work” area at home! Thanks :)
Rebecca
June 27, 2011 at 2:20 pmThe flipcam may not help me renovate my office, but it might make documenting it more interesting!
Barbara
June 27, 2011 at 2:22 pmExcited to see the finished product–I already know it’s going to be fabulous! Thanks for the opportunity to win the Flip.
Cynthia
June 27, 2011 at 2:24 pmCan’t wait to see your office!
Adriane
June 27, 2011 at 2:27 pmOooh, I can’t wait to see how this turns out! Makes me want to get started on something…
Jane B
June 27, 2011 at 2:28 pmsounds like your office is going to look even nicer then it already does!!
thanks for offering the flipcam…you rock!
Melissa {The Dominion Project}
June 27, 2011 at 2:35 pmCan’t wait to see your office transformation! And I would love to win the flipcam…my blog could use some videos!
Benzie
June 27, 2011 at 2:36 pmYour voice is so pretty and gentle! Love it!
Julianne
June 27, 2011 at 2:41 pmCan’t wait to see how it turns out!
louise
June 27, 2011 at 2:45 pmahhh…. the room makeovers. I have so many that I want to do that I haven’t gotten anywhere on any room! will be watching how yours turns out!
Jacklyn
June 27, 2011 at 2:49 pmWoohoo! Do you know how much you just inspired me to redo my sewing space that I’ve been putting off?! I love the visual post this time around. Fingers crossed for my own camera.
cecily
June 27, 2011 at 2:49 pmlooking forward to seeing what you do with the room!
Maria
June 27, 2011 at 2:50 pmI can’t wait to see your new office- I love all of your design ideas :)
would loooove to win a flip camera!
bianca
June 27, 2011 at 2:56 pmWow-that camera is tiny and awesome. We got our video camera in 2002 and it looks like one of those hugemongous ones from the 80’s next to these new and improved models. Thanks for the giveaway! And can’t wait to see the makeover.
Stephanie
June 27, 2011 at 3:03 pmCan’t wait to see what you do to the room!
Elizabeth
June 27, 2011 at 3:05 pmLove listening and watching the video!
A flip camera would be awesomeeeeee
Scott
June 27, 2011 at 3:05 pmLooks good!
Patty
June 27, 2011 at 3:06 pmLooks good!
Renee Smith
June 27, 2011 at 3:10 pmI love that your little bitties can hang out where you work! I will sorely miss that when I return to work this fall.
Amber
June 27, 2011 at 3:12 pmCan’t wait to see what you come up with! I would love to win the camera since baby number two is set to arrive soon!!
Dana Beth
June 27, 2011 at 3:13 pmi would LOVE to win!
michele s.
June 27, 2011 at 3:18 pmyou are amazing! would LOVE to win the flip :)
Kristi L
June 27, 2011 at 3:27 pmL-O-V-E the rug! either the camara or the paint makeover would be amazing! I have a lot of painting to do too! :)
Candace
June 27, 2011 at 3:28 pmflip flip flip-a-delphia!
Emily
June 27, 2011 at 3:35 pmI’m confused, I thought Eleanor’s new room used to be your office..? Are your office and Studio two different rooms? The flip camera’s are so cool I’d love to win one.
Kristen
June 27, 2011 at 3:36 pmYay! A flip camera! I would so love to win one. :)
Kat Campagna
June 27, 2011 at 3:40 pmI would love a Flip camera. I always stop to play with it every time I pass it in the store!
Carrie
June 27, 2011 at 3:50 pmI want a flip camera! I don’t own a video camera at all. How sad!
jaclyn m
June 27, 2011 at 3:52 pmbeen with out a video camera way to long! please pick me
Shermi
June 27, 2011 at 3:54 pmI really need a video camera it is sad that I don’t have one.
Miss B.
June 27, 2011 at 3:55 pmOh I want to make awesome video’s just like you!
Heather Banks
June 27, 2011 at 3:56 pmWould love this video camera!!
Srednivashtar
June 27, 2011 at 3:57 pmIf this is open to overseas readers (I’m in Australia) I’d definitely be interested in a flip camera!
Margaret
June 27, 2011 at 3:59 pmI need a flip. I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t have one.
Corrie
June 27, 2011 at 4:02 pmI love Sherwin-Williams paint, but haven’t seen the new line. I might need to check it out. (and a flip camera would always come in handy!)
McCaulie
June 27, 2011 at 4:04 pmOh, I’ve been dying for a flip camera… I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
Becky
June 27, 2011 at 4:04 pmI would flip for a Flip!
DeNacho
June 27, 2011 at 4:09 pmwould love the Flip!
Shari
June 27, 2011 at 4:11 pmOoh I love that chair! That would look awesome in my office :)
Lynne
June 27, 2011 at 4:16 pmWould love to win the Flip!
Camille
June 27, 2011 at 4:16 pmCan’t wait to see your office redo.
Melissa
June 27, 2011 at 4:18 pmI love all of your ideas & I love that you have a messy expedit (like mine). I’ve been looking into upholstering a few things of mine (one being tufted with over 60 star tufts) and the guy I talked to quoted me at $150 + the cost of fabric. Not bad for so many tufts. I bet your upholstery job would cost less than that, as it is a fairly simple chair.
katie d.
June 27, 2011 at 4:26 pmi would love to win the flip camera!! i would think you could get that piece reupholstered for about $500, but it depends on the upholsterer and the fabric. good luck!
Michelle
June 27, 2011 at 4:33 pmHow exciting! Can’t wait to see what you do with the office!
Janet
June 27, 2011 at 4:34 pmA flip would make me flip!
Emily
June 27, 2011 at 4:46 pmNicole,
I love your blog! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your office!
Leila
June 27, 2011 at 4:48 pmLucky you! Can’t wait to see how the office turns out! And I would loooove a Flip camera, pick me!
Katie S.
June 27, 2011 at 4:59 pmI love the new paint color collections! I would also love to be able to get some videos of painting if I win! Thanks for the chance!
iris
June 27, 2011 at 5:02 pmOh man, I’d love a little video camera!
Bernadette E Joyce
June 27, 2011 at 5:02 pmeager to share our renovations with the 4GB Flip MinoHD!
Shana
June 27, 2011 at 5:13 pmI would love the video camera. We’re expecting our first child and everyone says I “need” a video camera since we don’t have one.
Sarah
June 27, 2011 at 5:22 pmi love that the cat materialized in your chair while you were touring around the room :)
i grew up in my family’s quintessential “homeplace,” which is a 1897-built farmhouse where nothing is standard, as you mention with your wonky closet. ceilings different heights as you go from room to room, windows and doors on every wall…unexpected things that add so much effortless charm (and sometimes frustrations) to a house.
i really love your current rug, and if you change it out for the 8×8 i hope this one will still have a great space to occupy. i’m most interested to see your solution for the ceiling fan / light fixture – i love ceiling fans, and i’m interested to see what lovely thing you come up with, and if it still includes a fan. :)
Lindsy W
June 27, 2011 at 5:25 pmI would LOVE to win that Flip Camera!!
I love your blog and your ideas! Can’t wait to see the finished office! ;-)
Mrs. Moore
June 27, 2011 at 5:27 pmI have been wanting a video camera and a Flip one would be great!!
stephanie lynn
June 27, 2011 at 5:59 pma video camera would be fun!
nicole
June 27, 2011 at 6:15 pmI would love the camera to video my one year old…definitely something I regret not having this past year
Katie G.
June 27, 2011 at 6:23 pmI want a flip!
Amanda-Faye
June 27, 2011 at 6:25 pmI’m so excited about this contest! I would love itttttt.
Payal
June 27, 2011 at 6:26 pmWould love to win the flip. Love the wall paper and how organized everything is in the room!
Shannon
June 27, 2011 at 6:35 pmI can’t wait to see what you do with the office! You always know just what to do with a space.
Bailey Elise
June 27, 2011 at 6:41 pmI can’t wait to see the office when you finish!
Shannon F
June 27, 2011 at 6:58 pmI would love to win and capture my sweet little one year on camera!
Kim
June 27, 2011 at 6:58 pmA flip would be nice! Also, it’s so weird to hear someone’s voice when you are only familiar with them via text. I imagined that you would sound different, not sure why!
Chris
June 27, 2011 at 7:01 pmThis would a great camera to record our house projects!
Nuit
June 27, 2011 at 7:11 pmoh boy! what an awesome giveaway!! totally need that camera! xo
Julia
June 27, 2011 at 7:16 pmMy friend got a flip video camera and it looks so easy to use, I hope I win!
Tara
June 27, 2011 at 7:18 pmI would love to win the flip video camera to shot videos of my 7 month old sweet baby boy!! He is hilarious!
Ashley M.
June 27, 2011 at 7:22 pmI’m in the process of buying a home and would love a video camera to record the progress on our home renovation! :)
Christen
June 27, 2011 at 7:32 pmI would love to win a flip video camera!
Laura R
June 27, 2011 at 7:32 pmi could SO use a camera for a) blog usage and b) we are going to be trying for a family soon and a video camera is reeeally important for me to have for baby!
Lauren
June 27, 2011 at 7:44 pmLOVE the office chair – it’ll be worth the wait. And fingers are crossed for the flip cam!
Anna
June 27, 2011 at 7:47 pmI know that this might not help much, but I came across the eames chair (albeit in black, not white) on craigslist here in toronto. It looks like it’s in great shape. Wonder how much it’d cost to ship … http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/fuo/2441713777.html
Olivia W
June 27, 2011 at 7:51 pmSo much fun, I need this:)!
Jill McIntosh
June 27, 2011 at 7:52 pmGreetings from New Zealand (in middle of winter!)
I would so love a flip camera. Love your blog!
Shannah
June 27, 2011 at 8:01 pmEnter me too, please! :-) (Thanks!)