'F' for Freebies Office Painting

Working on Where I Work

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.

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

You Might Also Like...

  • Katrina
    June 28, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    I would love a video camera. And my girls would love it if I had one. They do love the camera these days.

  • brianne sheppard
    June 28, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    this would b an amazing win! Thanks for the opportunity! Brianne

  • Terri
    June 28, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    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!!!

  • Kim
    June 28, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    Can’t wait to see your finished office!

  • Andrea
    June 28, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    I can definetly relate to post baby laziness, we have soo much painting to do and so little energy to complete it!

  • Rachel B.
    June 28, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win :)

  • Joy
    June 28, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I hope I get picked so I can make some lovely videos too!

  • Liz
    June 28, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    I would love a Flip camera and join the world of video blogging!

  • Jayca @ Cartwheels
    June 28, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    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 . . . :)

  • Heather S.
    June 28, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    Wow, what a great giveaway!
    PS your blog has been very inspiring, keep up the good work!

  • Erin
    June 28, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I can’t wait to see your office when it is finished!

  • Rachael
    June 28, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Aw! That camera is so cute!

  • Sara C
    June 28, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    I would love to win a flip camera!! Thanks for the giveaway!!

  • Emilie
    June 28, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Please pick me! Love your site :)

  • Ashley
    June 28, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    This camera would be a great win. Our first little one is due any day, and we could use a camera!

  • kim
    June 28, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Can’t wait to see your finished office.

  • Rebecca
    June 28, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    Oh, my 11 year old is jonesing for a Flip camera. Praying I win!

  • Erin
    June 28, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Thanks for the great give away and the great ideas!

  • Jill
    June 28, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    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!

  • Becky
    June 28, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    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!

  • Chris
    June 28, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    Love that office chair. I’m in need of inspiration for my home office too.

  • Tamsin
    June 28, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    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

  • corinne
    June 29, 2011 at 1:00 am

    would LOVE to win, these sound amazing!!!
    can’t wait to see what you do to you office :)

  • Janna
    June 29, 2011 at 1:17 am

    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!

  • Iva
    June 29, 2011 at 3:37 am

    I wish I could enter both giveaways but one will have to do :)
    Thanks!

  • jill redding
    June 29, 2011 at 7:40 am

    I just found your site, I love it!

  • Sasha
    June 29, 2011 at 10:19 am

    Yet another awesome giveaway! You’re going to spoil us! Not that I mind, in the least. Thanks again!

  • An Eames Management Chair Straight Out of 1984, By Way of 1969 | Making it Lovely
    June 29, 2011 at 10:48 am

    […] Not long after I declared my search on Twitter, I scored one for a tenth of the new model price without going the knockoff route. YES! It’s the chair that I was considering when I wrote my last office post. […]

  • Courtney M
    June 29, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Oh, this is a fun giveaway! Wishing & hoping…

  • Lindsay
    June 29, 2011 at 11:58 am

    I’ve always wanted a Flip camera! Fun!

  • Monica
    June 29, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    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. =)

  • Ashley @ 7HL
    June 29, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Noticed the Weighted Companion Cube, haha! My husband would geek out ;)

  • Cassie
    June 29, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    The Flip camera would be awesome. I could definitely use it in my interior design/real estate business for capturing virtual tours.

  • Tracie W
    June 29, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    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!

  • Laura J
    June 29, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    I really like your old chair! What did you end up doing with it?

  • Katie Kimsey
    June 29, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    Oh I hope I win a camera!!

  • laurie
    June 29, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Yikes, I can’t believe how many comments this post has! cheers to a room re-do for you!

  • April Johnson
    June 29, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    Can’t wait to see the new updated office. Thanks for the chance to win the camera :)

  • Pallavi
    June 29, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    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.

  • Anna B
    June 29, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Cool! Working on our home office right now as well.

  • Laura Beth
    June 29, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks for a chance to win these great prizes! Love your blog!

  • Cara
    June 29, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    I would love to win either of these great prizes! Thanks!

  • wendy
    June 29, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    Oooh! I could totally use one of those!

  • Yvette
    June 29, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    Would love one of these! Thanks for the opportunity. Btw, painted my youngest daughter’s room Wild Aster. So sweet!

  • colleen
    June 30, 2011 at 1:28 am

    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!

  • Delena
    June 30, 2011 at 2:13 am

    Good luck with the remodel! …I know I’ll need luck here!!

  • Crystal
    June 30, 2011 at 7:01 am

    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.

  • Shelby
    June 30, 2011 at 9:41 am

    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.

  • leslie w
    June 30, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Would love to win the flip cam!

  • anna mae
    June 30, 2011 at 10:11 am

    this would be a great win!

  • Natalie
    June 30, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Oh, I would flip for a flip :)

  • Jill J
    June 30, 2011 at 11:57 am

    I have my 1st baby on the way, and would love a flip camera to record the new babe!

  • Elizabeth
    June 30, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    I would LOVE flip!!

  • Ceci
    June 30, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    It would be just perfect for our roadtrip across Spain and portugal this August!

  • Mary
    June 30, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Thanks for offering the giveaway. I’d love to win that camera to record moments with our little guy. :)

  • Pam
    June 30, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    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

  • Joan
    June 30, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    A Flip would be flipping fabulous!

  • Charlotte
    June 30, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    You should do videos more often! It’s cool to hear your actual real life voice! Aaaaand I would love a flip cam.

  • Janssen
    June 30, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    I didn’t really understand the appeal of video cameras until I had a baby and now. . .I do.

  • Kelly
    June 30, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    Lights! Camera! Wait I don’t have a camcorder…
    I could use that Flip.

  • Megan
    June 30, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    A Flip would be fun!

  • erin godbey
    June 30, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    Oooh, I’d love to have a Flip!

  • Lourdes Sánchez Bull’s-Eye Rug | Making it Lovely
    July 1, 2011 at 10:30 am

    […] is the rug that I was considering for my office. I like it, and the size (8′x8′) is a better fit for the room than the 5′x8′ […]

  • Elena @ Breakfast for Dinner
    July 2, 2011 at 9:02 am

    Oh, shoot, I think I’m too late, but I’d love a Flip!

  • And That’s Why We Had a Curtain for So Long | Making it Lovely
    July 21, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    […] Four and a half years after we moved in, and nearly $400 later, we’re going to have a closet door in my office. […]

  • My Newly Redone Office | Making it Lovely
    August 16, 2011 at 6:18 am

    […] spent the last month working on redecorating my home office. I partnered with Sherwin-Williams, using the new HGTV® HOME by Sherwin-Williams color collections […]

  • Christina
    August 16, 2011 at 7:46 am

    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
      August 16, 2011 at 8:40 am

      They’re ponytail holders! There isn’t anything dangerous in the cabinets (just papers), so the hair ties do the trick just fine.

      • Christina
        August 16, 2011 at 9:09 am

        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.

      • Making it Lovely
        August 16, 2011 at 3:33 pm

        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.

  • Julie
    August 17, 2011 at 10:49 am

    I am doing my own space now and love yours. I’m wanting a streamlined desk. Where is you desk from?

  • 1 3 4 5