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.
Rosie
June 27, 2011 at 9:15 amI would think in the Chicago area you would be able to find a good vintage one on Craigslist at a good price. I often envy the larger variety of items you can find in the Chicago Are Craigslist listings.
Katie L.
June 27, 2011 at 9:17 amHow exciting to do an office/playroom re-do! I loved Young House Love’s take in their last home with the same combo, with the addition of a guestroom.
Katherine
June 27, 2011 at 9:18 amLove your ideas, you always seem to come up with something that turns out beautiful, yet different than the mainstream. Keep us posted!
Ashley
June 27, 2011 at 9:21 amI can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Lauren
June 27, 2011 at 9:24 ami love that rug too, but i’m sure whatever you come up with will look fabulous!
Maureen
June 27, 2011 at 9:27 amYour office is in much better shape than mine! I love all the fun colors and zigzag rug! As I’m expecting my first baby at the end of September, I’d love the flip camera to document his/her firsts.
Kirsty
June 27, 2011 at 9:28 amEek, I can’t wait to see what you decide to do–your interiors always turn out so (for lack of a better word) lovely! Also, I like your video! It’s so odd to hear a blogger’s voice, but I think it kind of enhances the blogging experience lol!
LisainIllinois
June 27, 2011 at 9:29 amGet the chair you want…you are worth it! Please enter me for the flip camera! Thanks!
Rebecca
June 27, 2011 at 9:31 amCan’t wait to see the final product!
Bonnie
June 27, 2011 at 9:35 amHello!
Ashley @ Pretty Clever
June 27, 2011 at 9:35 amI’ve always loved your zigzag rug. I hope you can find a new chair/paint colors to match it!
Holly
June 27, 2011 at 9:36 amYay!
You may be able to reupholster that chair yourself. Many office chairs have cushions that screw on from the underside. Can you contact the seller to see if that is the case?
Janet
June 27, 2011 at 9:44 amFun! I love redoing workspaces, mostly because I have an intense love of organizing and office supplies. Also, I’d love that camera. ;)
Bee
June 27, 2011 at 9:50 amI *love* this chair. I can see why you wouldn’t want to accept a knockoff! Just reupholster that baby yourself! :)
Jessica R.
June 27, 2011 at 9:52 amI love your rug! If you put it on craigslist let me know so I can come up there and get it:). Great ideas for the office re-do, I’m sure it will look lovely.
Jaye
June 27, 2011 at 9:54 amFun make over! Would love that camera to take stellar videos too!! Excited for the ‘after’!
Tracy
June 27, 2011 at 9:54 amCan’t wait to see what you do with it, you are such a source of inspiration! We are adding on to our house so there is a lot of painting in my future….
Kathy
June 27, 2011 at 9:54 amI find it quite admirable that you’re taking on this project with the two little ones in tow! My husband and I are redoing our shared office and it’s going terribly slowly. Can’t wait to see the results! I love your “granny chic” idea!
Stephanie
June 27, 2011 at 9:56 amI also think you should keep the zig zag rug and find a new chair. I bet whatever you do it will be lovely! :) And I’d love to win the camera.
leslie
June 27, 2011 at 9:59 amLove the video tour! :)
And fingers crossed for the camera!
Kelly
June 27, 2011 at 10:00 amI love the zigzag rug, and I actually really like your current chair, so reupholstering that is a good option to match the rug!
young c
June 27, 2011 at 10:01 amWhat great giveaways – both things I could really use, lol! Have fun revamping the office!
Claudia
June 27, 2011 at 10:03 amI love that the kids have a space in your office as well. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Janelle
June 27, 2011 at 10:08 amI love watching your makeovers unfold. Can’t wait to see it. Would love that cam too.
laura
June 27, 2011 at 10:11 amCan’t wait to see what you do with your office!!!!
Shasta
June 27, 2011 at 10:12 amCan’t wait to see the after!
Marcia
June 27, 2011 at 10:12 amI’m looking forward to seeing how it all goes. You’re keeping me inspired! With love from the Philippines!
Caro
June 27, 2011 at 10:14 amIt’s not even finished and it already looks miles better than my home office ever did (or could). I can’t wait to see the final result.
And I’d love the camera, it would help document my upcoming trip to the US.
laura
June 27, 2011 at 10:15 amNicole — I would LOVE to buy the rug if you decide to sell it. If you want, let me know and I will snatch it up so you don’t have to put it on craigslist!
Melissa
June 27, 2011 at 10:15 amExcited to see how it all turns out!
heather f
June 27, 2011 at 10:17 amI love re-decorating. our house is old and when I start getting the strong urge to move I re-do something. It’s cheaper than moving and I feel like I have something new
I’d love to win the camera, I’ve got a new grandbaby due in august!
Laurie
June 27, 2011 at 10:18 amI really love the zig zag rug. I hope you end up keeping it.
Rebecca
June 27, 2011 at 10:19 amLooking forward to seeing the finished office! I would love to win the camera!
Charity
June 27, 2011 at 10:19 amI want to make my space lovely!
Shaun
June 27, 2011 at 10:26 amI would keep looking for that chair, reupholstering it if you can find a decent price on an older one sounds like the way to go because the shape and design of it is so pleasing.
I would also love to be entered to win the Flip!
Laurendy
June 27, 2011 at 10:28 amcan’t wait to see what you do with your office!
Dana
June 27, 2011 at 10:31 amI’m excited to see it all come together!
Sarah
June 27, 2011 at 10:31 amCan’t wait to see the result! Would love to win the flip too :)
Rebecca
June 27, 2011 at 10:31 amI love the current rug and would keep looking for a white office chair. White office chairs seem so modern and lady-chic!
melissa
June 27, 2011 at 10:33 amThat chair is gorgeous!
Didi
June 27, 2011 at 10:37 amCan’t wait to see you work your magic, Nicole. I’m partial to the rug because of it’s color and pattern. A chair in white would definitely be lovely. How about a rugged white denim or canvas fabric? If I won the flip I’d share my recent endeavours!
Jennifer
June 27, 2011 at 10:39 amOh man – what a fun giveaway!
Tracy
June 27, 2011 at 10:40 amNow I’m very confused :) So the office is separate to your studio – In my head the office and studio were the same room, and this room had moved to the basement and it was now Eleanor’s bedroom!
Is August going to move out of the nursery when hes a bit bigger too?
Loren
June 27, 2011 at 10:43 amyay for a flip video. as we don’t have a video camera at all (and we have an 11 month old) this would come in quite handy!
Marisa
June 27, 2011 at 10:45 amOh a FlipVideo! So exciting! Baby on the way and this would be amazing to have!
Sarah Hettervik @ http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
June 27, 2011 at 10:46 amI’m excited to see your progress. It’s actually nice to see the before pictures.
– Sarah
Emily
June 27, 2011 at 10:55 amSo excited to see what you do!
jodi
June 27, 2011 at 10:56 amsuper exciting! looking forward to seeing the finished space.
Judith
June 27, 2011 at 10:59 amI always get excited when you start a new makeover, so of course I can’t wait to see how this one turns out! Just curious, is the flip what you made your video with? I still have the first gen flip, but if the video is that clear now, I may need to upgrade!
Making it Lovely
June 27, 2011 at 11:04 amI used to have a first gen Flip too, and the HD ones are much nicer.
alana degraaf
June 27, 2011 at 11:00 amIt will look fantastic once you’re done – as the rest of your house does. I’m not too familiar with sherwin williams colours so I’m interested to learn more about their colours :) have fun!
carak
June 27, 2011 at 11:02 amwould love to win the flip video camera! we’re expecting a baby in august and we want (need?) a video camera to capture the extra special moments!
love following along with your room makeovers!
andrea p
June 27, 2011 at 11:05 amWow, I would LOVE to win the flip video camera! I am expecting my 1st baby in December…this would be perfect to capture all those “firsts”. :)
Ameya
June 27, 2011 at 11:08 amI look forward to seeing your makeover! And also to possibly winning a camera.. we bought one a few years ago yet it’s quality is like out of 1992, I was SO upset, we couldn’t even return it! :(
Kim
June 27, 2011 at 11:14 amI always enjoy seeing what you do with both your house and your photography…a flip camera would be cool! We take copious movies of our almost 2 year old.
Sarah
June 27, 2011 at 11:18 amOoo, I would love that camera! Can’t wait to see your updated office!!
Megan
June 27, 2011 at 11:19 amI’ve wanted a flip forevah! I can never justify it, but my kids are getting so big and I’m missing so many things. It would be so much more fun and easier then using my camera to take a few short videos. Thanks for the giveaway. I can’t wait to see what you do with it. However, I’m confused. I thought that your office/studio was the one that you moved to the basement for Elanor’s room?
Cortney
June 27, 2011 at 11:23 amI would love to have a flip! Unfortunately, my budget doesn’t allow for the purchase of one right now, but I would be SO excited to try this. Thanks for the chance to win!
Shannon R
June 27, 2011 at 11:32 amI’d love a camera!
Nicole
June 27, 2011 at 11:34 amMy MIL has been begging for more info on how our ‘kids’ (pugs) are doing, so a video camera would be perfect! :)
I’m excited to see how the office comes together – always love what you do!
Amanda
June 27, 2011 at 11:38 amI love the rug. Keep it, oh yes keep it! Toss that chair. Oh redo the fabric.
Also this video was so cute Nicole. A few more is in order! Hehe.
katie
June 27, 2011 at 11:40 amCan’t wait to see the new office. Thanks for the opportunity to win a video camera:)
Shannon
June 27, 2011 at 11:42 amThanks for the giveaway. Your home is very similar to mine and love all the ideas you give.
Erin
June 27, 2011 at 11:45 amI can’t wait to see what you do with your home office! Mine needs an update, too!
Rachel
June 27, 2011 at 11:48 amI would love to win the flip! I’ve been taking videos with my phone forever, and they don’t look so great. Thanks!
Bre
June 27, 2011 at 11:48 amLove that run!
I just got a quote to reupholster the chair and a half we have from Ethan Allan, it was going to be $200 + fabric. I buy all my own fabric since I’m so close to the fabric district. I’m guessing for that size chair it can’t cost more then $150.
Casey
June 27, 2011 at 11:49 amI would love this camera as I just had a baby in March. I can’t wait to see what you do with your home!
sara kelly
June 27, 2011 at 11:49 amWe have a baby due in a few weeks and a terribly outdated camera with no video capability. I would love a Flip to record our little one for family far away!
Sara
Juanita Z
June 27, 2011 at 11:52 amThis camera would allow for showing grown ups that they are just as silly as the “kids”.
Carly
June 27, 2011 at 11:54 amI would love a Flip camera! Last time I used a video camera, it used Beta tapes, so…it’s time!
Beewow
June 27, 2011 at 11:54 amI think re-upholstery is the way forward – you could end up with something really unique.
And thanks for the opportunity to win a camera!
Elizabeth
June 27, 2011 at 11:56 amThanks for this giveaway! I love taking video.
Kate @ Savour Fare
June 27, 2011 at 12:00 pmI’m having rug issues generally. I can’t afford what I really want, and the ones I can afford are either too cheap looking or don’t go with my decor.
vanessa
June 27, 2011 at 12:01 pmi am curious what the different functions are of the home office and the studio? i had the impression that they were the same and you would be moving your home office to the basement. clearly i was wrong.
Aryn
June 27, 2011 at 12:01 pmWould love a Flip! Good luck on the office…it’s especially important for us work-from-home folks.
Amanda
June 27, 2011 at 12:04 pmI would love a Flip camera!
Amy Kelly
June 27, 2011 at 12:05 pmOh, please keep that darling rug! I’ve been so enamored with that rug + mirror + lamp (granny chic) look since you put it together! I think swapping out the desk chair is the way to go. I really adore that pale green paint color you have in the swatches. I really look forward to seeing what you do with the space, but I honestly will be heart broken if you decide to get rid of the rug.
Melissa
June 27, 2011 at 12:06 pmI would Love and very much appreciate to win the HD flip camera….I’ve never owned a video camera before….there have been TONNES of moments where I wished I had one. Camping season is upon us…what better way to save memories.
My fingers and toes are crossed : )
AJ
June 27, 2011 at 12:07 pmYour voice is so endearing and warm. I bet you are a great mom. Also, it’s nice to see you have things like half hung curtain rods and old computers around. You are human after all!
Erin
June 27, 2011 at 12:18 pmLove the redesigns and new spaces you have planned. Cant wait for more details and pictures of the basement!
Alisa
June 27, 2011 at 12:20 pmthis couldn’t have come at a better time. with my new at home adventure I am going to try this year, I am planning on cleaning out and redoing the home office/guest bedroom and replacing the bed with a pullout.
PS: For those of you wanting a flip, buy one now, while they are still available! They are awesome! My FIL works for Cisco and I got one for xmas. So easy to use, I immediately sold our camcorder.
justine @ you're so martha
June 27, 2011 at 12:24 pmcan’t wait to see what you do!
and, i’ve been wanting to buy a video camera – hoping i finally win something!
Melissa
June 27, 2011 at 12:24 pmWould love the flip! We just had a second baby and would love to document it all!
Stephanie
June 27, 2011 at 12:25 pmI would love a Flip. We are putting the finishing details on our nursery now and our new addition is scheduled to arrive in Mid-August. The Flip would be great to document milestones (and of course DIY projects)!
mirabelle
June 27, 2011 at 12:33 pmbaby is just about to walk so would love that flip camera!
Chloe
June 27, 2011 at 12:33 pmCan’t wait to see how your office turns out! And thanks for offering the flip camera giveaway – I’ve always loved those video cameras.
Mel Bean
June 27, 2011 at 12:34 pmWould LOVE to win a flip. Can’t wait to see how the office turns out!
Melissa
June 27, 2011 at 12:37 pmI can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Leanna
June 27, 2011 at 12:38 pmvideo camera! yes Please!!!! it will help me do little vids for my blog! Thanks for the opportunity!
kendra
June 27, 2011 at 12:38 pmwow can’t wait to see what you do! would lvoe to win the camera:)
ElaineMicheline
June 27, 2011 at 12:41 pmI would love to win the Flip cam …it would be a great camera to have for our trip to Aruba :-)
Lisa
June 27, 2011 at 12:43 pmLooking forward to seeing the new office and please bring us more home shots like in the past. Also, what happened to Murray? Is he ok? I noticed we don’t see anything written about him anymore.
Janette Farias
June 27, 2011 at 12:45 pmWould love that camera. Looking forward to seeing the new office :)
Trish T.
June 27, 2011 at 12:47 pmGreat giveaway, I’ve been wanting a Flip camera for a while now!…Also, good job w/ the video! It was fun to get a better perspective of the room.
Erin
June 27, 2011 at 12:49 pmI love that rug and mirror can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
Victoria
June 27, 2011 at 12:51 pmLooking forward to seeing the updated office!
Kate
June 27, 2011 at 12:53 pmI don’t know anything about the upholstery, but I would love the camera. :)
Jennifer
June 27, 2011 at 12:54 pmOoh..ooh…I want the camera!!! *fingers crossed* :)
Nikki
June 27, 2011 at 12:56 pmSuper giveaway! I’d flip to have a flip camera.
Angela N
June 27, 2011 at 12:58 pmI would die for a Flip!! It would be fantastic to catch some videos of my 2 girls as they grow up together.
Iram
June 27, 2011 at 1:00 pmI would love to win a flip! So handy for kids home videos.