I have wallpapered my heart out, overthought the room layout and furniture choices, and arranged my grocery store flowers just so when the florist I wanted to buy from was unexpectedly closed. Yes my friends, it is One Room Challenge reveal time, and I’m ready!
I work from home on this very blog, and I wanted a beautiful office to call my own. I’m doing more design work these days, for myself and for others, and it seemed silly that we’ve been here as long as we have (four years!) and I had yet to dedicate myself to an office proper when we have plenty of space to do so.
Shall we start with the desk? The exact place I’m sitting at right now as I type this post? Let’s.
The chair! She’s so pretty! I always keep a blanket draped over the arm in case I’m cold. Sometimes I’ll keep the pillow on the chair and sometimes not, depending on what I’m doing and how mindful I’m being of my posture.
The desk is 5′ wide, so I have plenty of space for both my full-sized keyboard (I like having a number pad — probably a holdover from entering ISBNs all day for years) and my Wacom tablet. I started using a tablet years ago for art, but now I use it every day. I have problems with my wrists, and using a tablet instead of a mouse has been tremendously helpful.
The oversized ceramic lamp was a risk with my sloped ceiling. I knew it would fit (thanks, 3D rendering to scale!), but would it look like it fit? Thankfully it looked just as I’d hoped and it balances the large monitor nicely. The vase hits that sweet spot between reverential and whimsical, and then the brass snake is just awesome. I also keep my pink leather pouf under the desk. Sometimes I sit with my feet propped up, sometimes with my legs tucked under me, and sometimes I even sit like a normal person! It’s a little ridiculous to have a Moroccan Pouf hidden away as a footrest, but eh. I already owned it and it’s being put to good use.
I took various photos with doors open and with doors closed, because I wasn’t sure which way everything would photograph best. Are you digging my vintage mannequins in the stairway?
I hung a few prints and paintings on the angled wall to the left of the desk. I love the Beetles print and I chose it specifically for this room, but the the vintage portrait is from the 30s and I wanted her to grace the library. I’m stealing her for here, at least for now, but maybe things will change over time?
The desk has five drawers, which I lined with scraps of wallpaper that match the room’s closet. To my right when I’m seated is a long, low storage unit made of modular craft room furniture that holds my printer, trade catalogs, wallpaper samples, and more.
The shallow drawers in the hutch are handy for corralling both personal and client design work — paint swatches, fabric and wallpaper options, that sort of thing. I suppose it won’t be as neat when I’m juggling more than four projects at a time, but I’ve also got the shelf area above the drawers and the entire surface to spread things out on.
There is additional storage space in the closet, aka The Rainbow Room.
Someone in the comments of a previous ORC update suggested calling it The Aviary. I’m into it, but it was a quick ‘no’ from the kids. The Rainbow Room, it is. I think I’ll pick up a sheepskin or some floor pillows for them. They want to play and hang out in there, and I can’t blame them! I was always a special space, even though it’s really just a closet, and now the wallpaper makes it magical.
I have four walnut shelves, but I photographed the space with only two in so that you could better see the wallpaper pattern. The shelves are lovely and sturdy, and they’re already filling with fabric swatches, paint fan decks, equipment, and a nice stack of press (books, magazines, and newspaper articles I’ve been in over the years).
The light was just a bare bulb in a socket before, so while that little number you see peeking out below is nothing amazing, it’s certainly an improvement over what was there. I bought an inexpensive light with a pull chain, and picked up a white globe to replace the ribbed glass shade that came with the base.
I did a ramshackle decoupage technique (cool/terrible band name alert!) where the two halves of the wallpaper met in the center. The seam would have been pretty noticeable and I had assumed I would be adding a piece of trim, but I ended up trimming around birds and leaves, overlapping the different sides so that the pattern blended together. I shared it on my Instagram Stories last week. I wasn’t sure if it was a brilliant or stupid idea, but I think it worked!
I love the wallpaper peeking out when I have the door open.
I had access to rugs both vintage and new from several sponsors, but I already had several rolled up and awaiting use. I have problems with rugs… namely, that I want them all. So look at me going with what I’ve got! I was going to go with a subtle pink wool ikat, but changed my mind and went with the rug I carried back in my luggage from Morocco. It’s a better fit, size-wise, and there are fond memories attached. The office is a great place for it.
The brass pendant is so lovely in the space. And yes, it is wired in! I point that out, because several pictures appear to show otherwise. It replaced the ceiling fan that I took down, and I wanted the light centered over the table so I added a hook to the ceiling. I’m not one to heavily Photoshop my images, but I have edited out the chandelier chain and cord where I swagged it over from the junction box. Honestly, it was so distracting to my eye, and I plan on relocating the junction so that I no longer have to suspend it from a hook. I’m not trying to fool anyone and maybe you wouldn’t have even noticed had I not said anything (it’s cropped out in most photos), but I felt a little funny resorting to digital trickery because it’s not something I do. So if you happen to notice that the light seems to be suspended from nothing, that’s why.
The center marble dining table is already proving useful (and beautiful). It serves as a desk, a project planning surface, a spot for the kids to hang out, and an alternative to my dining room for tabletop shoots. I knew I didn’t want another wood surface in the office since my desk and the modular storage were already representing that category quite well. I’m not a big fan of glass tops, so that sent me looking at painted or lacquered tops, or stone. The parsons shape of the table I chose is classic, and the combination of marble and brass is perfect. Green chairs in a streamlined mod shape bring a little more fun to the grouping.
Hey there, traditional but cool blue and white planter! And hey there, cool convex mirror that I grabbed from another room! I’m very much disliking that the pendant is just hanging there in the reflection, but whatevs, we’ve discussed this. Moving on!
I bought these vintage slipper chairs for my first go at the One Room Challenge. I only used one, but when you find a pair, you buy (and hoard) the pair. And lo, I finally found the perfect spot for them!
The little side table between them is dainty in form, but sturdy. The window nook is a nice spot to take a quick break and look through a design book or some magazines with a cup of coffee. And how amazing are those sconces?
I wanted sconces that could plug in, which these can be customized to do, and I also had a beautiful brass toggle switch added and chose and pretty French gray fabric cording. They’re a little now, and a little Art Deco, and oh so pretty. They were initially six inches higher, but they looked off so I took them down, patched and painted the holes, and put them back up 5-1/2″ lower. An hour’s worth of work for a small change, but I think it would have bugged me had I not done it.
I took my pale pink linen curtains from another room, and the embroidered sheers arrived in time for photos (even though I know you can barely make out the details!).
I’ve recently created a “Shop Our House” page, and you’ll find sources for everything there, including paint colors and links to the exact items I’ve used. The Home Office section is new and I will continue to populate it today. You can also take a look at the design plan from week 2.
Thank you to all of you for following along! Thank you to Linda of Calling it Home for inviting me back to participate again, and thank you to my ORC sponsors (listed below) for helping me bring this room to life. The other participants are also listed below and they are doing amazing work, so be sure to visit everyone and see how their reveals shaped up! Tomorrow is the big reveal for everyone following along too, and there are some impressive designs out there.
I’m thrilled with my new office, and I hope you enjoyed watching the process as much as I loved bringing the design to life!
Follow along with the One Room Challenge participants!
• Boxwood Avenue • Coco & Jack • Design Manifest • Dwell with Dignity • The House That Lars Built • Little Green Notebook • The Makerista • Making it Lovely • Old Brand New • Old Home Love • The Painted House • Megan Pflug Designs • Pink Pagoda • Erica Reitman • Sacramento Street • Simply Grove • Jill Sorensen • Sugar & Cloth • Vintage Rug Shop • Waiting on Martha • Media Partner House Beautiful • TM by ORC
My One Room Challenge Sponsors
• Arianna Belle • Article • Artfully Walls • Bellacor • Cedar & Moss • Crate & Barrel • Jill Rosenwald • Milton & King • The Mine
My One Room Challenge Posts
Follow along from the beginning!
• Week 1: Hello, Office • Week 2: Design and Layout • Week 3: It’s Curtains • Week 4: Putting it Together• Week 5: What Trim Color?
And check out my previous One Room Challenges!
• Spring ’16: Our Bedroom and Den • Fall ’16: Front and Back Entry, Stairs, and Hallways
69 comments
Jay Vee
It turned out great! The Rainbow Room is incredible- the bird wallpaper makes me very happy :)
Lisa
Lovely, just lovely. :) Have to ask — how tall is the peak in the Rainbow Room? I could see myself on a stool, head back, trying to piece together the incredible wallpaper and getting vertigo and falling over and over and over again….
sandyc
What a wonderful room! I don’t know you yet, but the greatest compliment anyone ever gave me on my new home came from two groups who knew very little to nothing about my style: Sandy, we love your home. It’s so “you”. I’m making that comment to you, Nicole, and I will be getting to know you now. What a treat to savor over my morning cup of coffee.
Linda | Calling it Home
I would love to work in this office. It feels fresh, happy and functional. I love the wallpaper with your gorgeous window. I do think it should be called “the Birds” :). Great job.
Kim Burdett
Holy crap, this is so beautiful. Does it just motivate you so much more to get work done? Our office has a LONG way to go to get here, and you are mad inspiring me right now. You are so talented – thank you for inspiring us!
sherry hart
These ORC’s keep getting better and better! Love this eclectic space…..with a mix of new and old….my fav! I sure know the stress of these challenges and your attention to detail is perfection!
houseography
This might be my favorite room in your house!! That wallpaper is totally to die for. I would have loved to lounge in there with a book as a kid… or now!
Robbie Zeller
The mix of colors is just perfect. I imagine that you will have such fun working in your newly designed space! You did such an excellent job.
Amanda
Wow. Looks amazing!
thechelseaprojectblog
Fabulous job creating a chic, but highly functional work space. Love the walipaper, too! Great job making it work at the seam. ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
A
Beautiful!!
Isadora Guidoni
So gorgeous!! I love those walls with the birds, so beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration and photos!
Susan G.
In the rainbow room…where did you obtain those magazine holders that look like vintage fairytale books?
Jordana @WhiteCabana
Such a pretty space to think and work.
goosefairy
Gah! Yours is my favorite of all the ORC reveals. Please don’t ever change your style just to fit in with everyone else. I love your use of color and pattern. You rock.
Laurie
This is just stunning! I think we must be design kindred spirits…except I don’t have your creativity or expertise! Everything is perfect and those green chairs are so unexpected, but so right!
Tiffanie
Your office is so beautiful and well thought out. Where is your coffee maker? I hope you don’t have to trek your java up two flights of stairs.
Making it Lovely
I do! Oh, the hardship. ;) Actually, I want to add one on the third floor! There’s already a kitchen area, and I think I’ll be working on it in the new year.
Alyssa
I just love this space! the wallpaper looks amazing!
Ariel
oh man! that wallpapered nook is perfection. This is such a great home office, and I would love to call it home for myself! Pinning the heck out of this.
Ally
Good job Nicole, very cozy! : )
Whitney
Beautiful room! The wallpaper is stunning!
tim@designmaze
oh it’s beautiful and I am so jealous of that little jewel box right next to the office for the perfect closet! The white trim looks amazing (great choice) and pops of the pale green and light coral look amazing in the overall neutral space. Love that you have incorporated treasured pieces here as well … that’s what inspired your creativity and exactly what you need in the home office!
Bravo to wrapping up the rooms in 2 weeks and I can’t wait to see your next transformation!
Haley Hepburn
That pink vase! I need that, what’s the source??
Jill Sorensen
Beautiful! Love the wallpaper in the closet!
Erica Reitman
Love, love, love the color palette and all of the details. Also, that wallpaper!! Man! It all looks so good!
laurie at laurie jones home
I think this is your best ORC yet. This is probably my favorite room you’ve designed. I feel like it’s totally your style! You did an amazing job! It’s personal and so well thought out!
Jen
What a great workspace- it’s so lovely, but super packed with function too. I have to ask- what happens in the rooms where something gets “stolen”? Do you start thinking right away what you’ll replace something with (like the slipper chair), or does it take some time to get things replaced?
Whitney
Wow! This is my favorite room in your house! I️ work from home (at a tiny desk in my bedroom), and I️ would LOVE to have this space. Good job taking care of yourself.
Vel
You always blow my mind with your unexpected touches and that nook is just perfection! I can’t believe you were able to fit in so much loveliness in such a small space! Now I know you’ll be even more inspired!!!!
Gwen, The Makerista
Love all of the color and bits of quirk that you do so amazingly! The snake, the mannequins, the art…I love it all! That wallpaper takes the cake…so good!
Kristin
Your whole office is lovely, but that wallpaper! To die for! I love it so much in that space.
Emily @ Go Haus Go
Wow, wow, wow! This is stunning Nicole! Congrats! Now go have a drink! (If that’s your thing…) :)
Sarah
I love this so much! I always think every room you show is my favorite but this really might be. How do you always get the proportions right in regards to the size of lamps. I buy lamps all the time and they never look right for the space I’m trying to use them in.
Stacy Campbell
So beautiful I can’t stand it!
Jessica | Petal + Ply
So lovely and cozy! Beautiful job! That closet…the wallpaper peeking out…swoon!!!
Rebecca
Beyond beautiful, Nicole! This has inspired me so much. Thank you for sharing your design progress so thoughtfully and thoroughly! Enjoy this space, your hard work has payed off!
April
I adore this space-well done! (The Aviary/Rainbow closet is magic!)
Bobbi
Oh man, I am blown away! This is really, really amazing.
Tee
What a makeover! Gorgeous with full of interest. Congrats on a beautiful ORC makeover. Every detail is so well thought through.
Laura @ Sweet Maple
Looking through all the reveals and I’m definitely drawn to yours! I love all the details, the room is very welcoming and looks as though you have been in this room for a few years now. Beautiful wallpaper! Congratulations!
LConnell
You’re a genius! I love every single thing and want to transpose it wholesale to my house. So many gorgeous details and your style is bonkers. Good on you. One day, I’m going to hire you! :D
Akriti
This is so beautiful!! I love all your choices in here it looks like a cozy and wonderful room to be in!
Danielle
What a beautiful transformation! I think the rainbow room with that stunning wallpaper (you did an amazing job!) really takes it over the top!
Lauralou
You’ve made it lovely. I want to work there, then take a break to sit and read through a magazine…or hang out in the aviary/rainbow room…
Phoebe
Did I miss where the rug is from? I love the space so much!
Liz
That table is beautiful, and I think your decoupage idea worked well. I was staring at the peak looking for the seam and wondering how you did it before I scrolled down to see your explanation. I dig your style!
Lizzie Ravn
It’s gorgeous! Love the Moroccan rug in there especially. Heck, love all of it. Nailed it, yet again!
Sara Croop
Looks beautiful, I’d love to work here!
Jane Miller
The rainbow room is amazing, I’d hang out there too!
gigi
Gorgeous.
Kristin
This room is absolutely inviting, and so beautiful. I would love to have something just like it. I think I’d want to work all day if I were you!!
Michael Wurm Jr.
I’m still looking through them all, but your ORC is quickly standing out as my favorite. Bravo to you. So well done!
xo Michael
Vanessa@DecorHappy
What a beautiful home office! Love the Rainbow Room and your amazing wallpapering skills. Congrats on another beautiful ORC!
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