This day has been a full year in the making… the reveal of my office makeover!
A whole year… yes, I know. What the heck took me so long, right? When I started this makeover last summer, I really wanted to challenge myself. I didn’t want to just slap a couple pictures on the wall, maybe paint a piece of furniture, and call it a day. I wanted to design a room from top to bottom that was beautiful, functional, organized, and 100% me. The problem was, (as I would soon discover) that I didn’t exactly know what “me” was. Let me explain…
This is how the office looked right before I started the makeover last summer. Boring gray walls, dated wood trim, ugly roller shades on the windows, and a slew of mismatched hand-me-down furniture. This room became the “I don’t know where to put this, so I’ll just shove it in here” room.
Even with two big windows, the office felt dark and dreary with all the wood flooring, trim, and furniture, and I dreamed of a space that was light, bright, and a happy place to work in everyday. To get the makeover started, I painted all the walls, trim, and doors white. A clean slate, lots of brightness, and a perfect backdrop for taking blog photos. Then I got to work creating my “dream office”. I often look at photos from blogs like A Beautiful Mess (love Elsie and Emma!) and swoon over the mix of cheerful color with bold black and white design. I figured that if I like pinning those images on Pinterest, surely that must be “my style”. So I started tackling project after project using a mix of mint, gold, black, and white.
I absolutely loved each of the projects and the pop of color they added to my white office, but as I neared the end of the makeover, I found myself unable to finish the space. It looked like all the pretty inspiration pictures I pinned, but it just didn’t feel like “me”. Around Christmas time, I decided to put a pin in the makeover for a few months and figure out where to go next. That turned out to be the Best. Decision. EVER.
I looked at more photos on Pinterest… I stalked my favorite bloggers… I read more books and magazines and spent way too much time on Instagram.
Here’s what I found: I’m drawn to the clean lines and symmetry you often see in modern design, but I fall head-over-heels for everything rustic, vintage, cottage, cozy, farmhouse. While I can appreciate bright colors, I feel more connected to the neutrals found in nature. And texture is EVERYTHING. I want my home to tell a story and feel collected over time, but it has to be clean, bright, and clutter-free.
The reason I’m taking you through this whole design journey is to show you that you’re not alone. Finding “your style” is not easy. It doesn’t always just come naturally. And guess what… that’s okay! Your style will evolve and change over time, and I hope this blog can provide just a little bit of inspiration for you to make your house feel like a home. YOUR home.
After taking a couple months off, I finally found my inspiration to finish the office makeover in a style that feels perfectly “me”. There are no words for how amazing this accomplishment feels! I’ll share links to all the tutorials and products from our office at the end of the post, but I hope you enjoy taking a tour of this new space:
Now I have a confession… there is one side of the office that isn’t 100% complete yet. My desk used to sit between the two doors seen below, but now that I’ve rearranged the layout, I haven’t come up with a plan for this wall just yet. We’re already elbow-deep in the next room makeover (coming soon!), so you’ll just have to wait and see how this last wall in our office turns out. I’ll keep you guys posted!
And to give you the full effect of this transformation, here’s a little before and after action:
Now it’s your turn! Tell me what YOU think of the makeover! Do you ever struggle with finding your own “signature style”? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below!
Here are the details from Office Makeover Take 1:
Mint Desk – tutorial
Black and White Office Chair – tutorial
Industrial Pipe Stools – tutorial
Geometric Stitched Animal Art – tutorial
Gold Burst – tutorial
White Cabinet and Bookcase – tutorial
Marquee Letters – tutorial
Hanging Macrame Fish Bowl – tutorial
Selfie Sign – tutorial
Office Reading Nook – tutorial
Painted Ikat Art – tutorial
White Tufted Faux Leather Arm Chair – Overstock
Floral Antler Pillow Cover – Society 6
Round Mirror – Kenroy Home
Here are the details from Office Makeover Take 2:
Framed Dry Erase Board – tutorial
Office Storage Hutch – tutorial
Old Door and Office Sign – tutorial
Task Lamp – World Market
Round Braided Rug – Rugs USA
Tufted Desk Chair – Kirkland’s
Farmhouse Table (desk) – antique find
Cream Throw Blanket – Hayneedle
Wood Slice Chalkboard – tutorial
Wire Basket – Walmart
Woven Basket – TJMaxx
Curtains – Walmart (in arctic white)
See how I hid my desk cords! – tutorial
If I’ve forgotten anything or you have any other questions on the makeover, leave me a comment below! Thank you guys for being patient with me and giving me the time to get this room right. I hope it was worth the wait! 🙂
LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!
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This is absolutely beautiful. I’m rearranging things in my “office” area and this is great inspiration! I really like the changes you’ve made from your first plan.
So, so beautiful! You certainly have a gift!
Looks great! The china cabinet is a great and attractive storage piece and I love the door leaning in the corner.
Love, love your office makeover! Stunning, fresh and beyond stylish. I struggle with trying to find my style and find I’m never quite settled with a decision. I also love neutrals, but don’t mind adding some greens (favorite color!) and grays to the decor. I inhereted a buffet similar to your cabinet and had no idea how to style it until now! Thanks for the inspiration!
It’s absolutely beautiful!! I can totally relate to trying to figure out your style, and although I love the mint, gold, black and white palette too, this one definitely feels much more you and has such a cozy and chic feeling!
Absolutely love how this turned out! It looks like the perfect work space. My favorite thing is the door – and the rug, and the plant, and the hutch . . . . who am I kidding! Everything is perfect. Great job!
Gorgeous – I love it. How did you conceal the computer wires? I would love to turn my desk around but can’t figure out how to hide those.
That seems to be the million dollar question, Gina! I’ll write a post soon with more photos on how I hid the computer cords, but I promise it’s really simple! I love having my desk floating in the room instead of shoved up against a wall. Stay tuned, sweet friend! 🙂
Liz your office looks fantastic! What a beautiful space to work in:)
Wow! Well worth the wait! I agree with the problem of seeing beautiful places that I admire and having to stay true to what I really love living with! I think taking a longer time to get an area done gives it depth and real personality! Wonderful job, thanks for the inspiration!
Oh wow Liz !!!!! I absolutely love it. Love the braided rug too.
Love, LOVE, love it and am working on a similar project using yours as inspiration. But where oh where are your printer, scanner, endless cords? Beautiful I can do. Functional and beautiful….
Haha, that seems to be the popular question! Where are the cords?? I knew from the beginning of this makeover that I didn’t want my printer sitting on top of my desk. There are other places I could store it, and it would be so much more visually appealing without that big machine sitting in the way. I’ve seen some people tuck their printer into a cabinet on a sliding shelf so it is easy to pull out when needed, but I picked up a rolling cart (it was just a cheap one from Walmart) that I keep my printer/scanner and Silhouette machine on. I’m lucky to have a big closet in our office because it actually used to be the master bedroom before our addition, so I just roll the cart in and out of the closet when I need it.
The computer cords on the other hand… I will put up a post on that very soon! A lot of people have the same question, so I’ll show more photos on what I did! Stay tuned… 🙂
The makeover is beautiful Liz and well worth the wait. I have only one suggestion . . . as a professional window treatment expert, I would like to suggest to you that the curtain rods you’re using are much too small for the size of the grommets in the curtain. I would suggest a 1 1 /8″ diameter rod. You may be surprised at the difference it’ll make. Don’t worry about matching the finish of the rod to the grommet. It’s not necessary. It’s more important to have it compliment the room. Great job! It made me feel good just looking at the room. Deena
Deena, you are right on the money! When I first put those curtains up, I was trying to do it quick and cheap, but the rod size has always bugged me. It definitely needs an upgrade! Thank you so much for the feedback, and this is going on my to-do list! 🙂
Ohhhh mmmyyy it looks amazing!!!!!! LOVE IT! I am also in awe of how clean your office/desk is, mine is a mess!
I love the “office” door in the corner, so clever and homey.
Do you ever watch the Beach House Flip show on HGTV? I bet you would love it! Gorgeous!
My little boys have actually seen commercials for that beach flip show and keep telling me I need to watch it! It sounds like something I would love! Thank you so much for coming to see the office reveal, Caren! 🙂
oh yes your boys are sooo right! I think you would LOVE IT! You are most welcome! Love your blog!
What did you do with the computer wires? I’d love to float my office desk but I can’t stand having the wires go across the floor. Would love to know your secret.
That is a great question, Vicki! I hadn’t even thought about including that in my post, but I will definitely do a post soon showing you guys how I “hid” all the cords! Thank you so much for the feedback!
I finally have inspiration for my office! I even have the furniture sitting in my garage because I just couldn’t get rid of it. Thank you times 1,000!!!
Yay!! Have fun decorating your office, Charisse!! 🙂
I think I’ve changed my style a million times with each move, I’ve always done what I loved than talked of to follow trends or decorated with other people’s taste in mind these past two years I’ve finally started doing what I love…… and I think it shows, and bonus it’s the most cozy, welcoming home I’ve ever had. I love what you finally came up with! I found you on IG Beautiful feed @corislittlehouse
I love it and I can appreciate the challenge of finding your own style when you enjoy and love so many things. I think the thing that I like best is how the curtains extend beyond the window making the room seem so much lighter/brighter. I must say, the one item that doesn’t feel right is the door (with the office sign). I love the door–the texture and style, but the leaning angle makes me very nervous that it’s going to slide down and it just doesn’t “rest” right with my eyes. Maybe mount it on the wall? I don’t know…..just my $.02. Adorable, though. I do enjoy seeing what you’ve created!
Thank you so much, Marsha! I totally agree with you on the curtains… it instantly made the window feel so much bigger and added a ton of softness to that wall. When we brought that old door in the office, I tested it quite a bit to make sure it wasn’t going to slide… what a nightmare that would be! Mounting it to the wall probably wouldn’t be a bad idea though… thank you for the feedback, sweet friend!
Just beautiful makeover! I’m so impressed that you were able to chip away at this over the course of a year. Well worth the time and effort – it’s such a serene, stylish place to work!
What a transformation! You must be proud of yourself. My favourite element is the glass office sign, but overall everything is so clean, pretty and feminine. Very calming, indeed. I want an office like this. Thank you for sharing and have a good day!
This office is the perfect example of why I’m drawn to your blog! I adore your clean, farmhouse style and the whisper white additions all over your space. Well done! It was worth the wait.
You are too sweet, Kirsten… thank you so much!! 🙂
I absolutely love this blog post, not just because the space is beautiful ( beacuse I just love it! ) but because I’ve been dealing with the same “sticking to my style” issues. I love so many different looks but I always go back to the farmhouse style like you! Just really got alot out of this post girl!!! The room looks great!!!
This makes me so happy to hear… I love that I can help others on this “journey”! Thanks for coming to see the big reveal, Ashley! 🙂
I love the fern in the large crock! I’m putting together something similar for our master bedroom. Is it a live fern or faux?
Thank you, Jenna! This fern is live and keeps growing bigger and bigger… soon I won’t have a crock big enough to hold it! Lol!
I’m so glad you shared your journey! I get it; I too have struggled to define my style and have gotten it wrong(for me) more times than I can count. I am finally discovering my style. Like you, I love a more neutral palette (but still like my pops of color). 🙂
Your office is amazing! I love how calm and serene it feels.
I think this is so lovely. Good things come to those who wait. I am inspired Liz and I totally don’t judge that you took a year to decide…heck I am still painting my kitchen cabinets and it is well over a year…the first time didn’t go so well. Eek. The second time is a charm though and I am really liking how it is turning out. I too have golden oak trim…ugh. Transforming spaces is such a journey. Sometimes I wish I could just wave the wand and poof it would all be completed, but what fun would that be? Your office definitely has your stamp on it. I love it.
Thank you!! Let me know when you find that magic wand, girl! 🙂
Your office looks like home, very cozy!
It’s absolutely stunning!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this Liz! This is MY style and thank you so much for sharing your journey… yes I know how hard it is to define your own style and how to incorporate it into your home in your own way… I’m still doing this, and s l o w l y too I might add. But you’ve shown me what a good long break can do. Thanks so much!!!!
Gorgeous. I love the neutral palette. I want to do my whole house in a neutral palette like this.
Your office is so beautiful! I’ve been searching for some farmhouse office inspiration and just love what you have done! I am probably going to have to copy that DIY office sign. Great job!
Knocked it out of the park girl! LOVE!
This is absolutely stunning! I love the rustic elements. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful! Where did you get the big glass jars?
Hey Kim! I picked up the glass jars at Hobby Lobby where they have all their glass items. Just wait until a week where they are on sale! 😉
Followed your blog over from IHeart Organizing! I have the same question that I see a lot of other folks have posted….about the electronic cords (lamp, computer, etc.) when you float your desk in the middle of the room. 🙂 Looking forward to reading your post about that!
Hey Jen! I’m so happy you found me from IHeart Organizing! I ended up writing a post on how I hid my computer cords because that was the #1 question people wanted to know. You can read all about it here: https://lovegrowswild.com/2015/08/how-to-hide-desk-cords/
Thanks for visiting Love Grows Wild, and I hope to see you again soon!
Where did you find the little shelf your mac is on?
Hey Sarah! It’s actually the side of a wood crate! I had some crates that I bought at Joann’s and wasn’t using, so I used my circular saw to cut one of the sides off. The wood slats that were on the side of the crate are now the top of the computer shelf and I left about 2-3 inches on bottom to create a space for my keyboard and notebooks to slide underneath! I hope that makes sense… 🙂
You’re a genius! haha thanks 🙂
You’re office looks so serene! Where did you get the quote art on your bookshelf–“Do what you love. Love what you do”! I’m decorating my office at work and would like something like that.
Isn’t that print perfect for an office? It came from Minted!
Beautiful office – I love it! Where did you put your computer CPU and your printer? After living in it for a while, what would you say is working great and what’s not?
Hey Melanie! Thank you so much! I wrote a blog post on how I hid my computer cords… it seemed to be a popular topic! You can see that post here: https://lovegrowswild.com/2015/08/how-to-hide-desk-cords/
I wanted to hide my printer somewhere since we don’t use it all that often, so I tucked it into a closet on a rolling cart. That way I can just wheel it out when I need to use it. I hope this helps! 🙂
I’ve just done the same thing (midst of round 1 office space).
Thanks for the inspiration & confirmation “it’s ok” to redo, again!
Absolutely, girl! That’s how we learn… try, try, and try again! You got this! 🙂
Love it all, what will you do with the china cabinet. I am doing the same make over in my dining room and have the old oak curved cabinet and don’t know what to do with it.
Hi Sue! The china cabinet stores my craft supplies in the office for now. It’s great for extra storage in just about any room!
I love everything about your office; the colors, textures, and style. Kathi
Hi, Where did you get the crate that the iMac is sitting on?
Hey Annette! It was actually an unfinished crate from Joann’s, and I chopped one end off and painted it charcoal gray. Kind of a weird idea, but I had an extra crate laying around and it worked!
I was wondering what the color of the braided office rug is, I found it from your link but cant tell what color to order? Thanks! I love the whole office!
Hey Kathie! It’s mostly neutral with some olive green running through the rug. I hope this helps!!
Hi Liz,
I absolutely love the office space you re did I am currently trying to decorate my home office so it is a space I can really enjoy working in I am in real estate so I spend a lot of time in the office! But I have had a hard time designing this space! I keep going back to your picture because I love it and really want to mimic a very similar room. I love the tufted chair but can’t find anything that is just like it, and I love the rug too! Could you maybe give me the style number of the chair so I can search for it and the size of the rug? Id love any help or suggestion you have- I really admire your style this office space is EXACTLY what I am wanting to create for my home office!
Hi Stevie! I know exactly what you mean about working from home. It helps to have a pretty space to work in! The tufted chair I found at Kirkland’s, but I don’t think it’s available any longer. Here is a similar one that I like from Target: http://www.target.com/p/threshold-tufted-back-slipper-chair/-/A-16508060
And here is the rug I purchased from Rugs USA: http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-outdoor-braided/rust/200HJOBD01-P.html
Hi Liz
What specific size did you order in the rug and color? The link has 3 different sizes and 4 different colors to choose from?
Thank you for your help!
I ordered the rug in green, and I believe it was the 3′ x 5′ oval. It looks like they might be sold out of it right now, but there are some other really cute options there!
Very beautifully put together! I especially love the plant in the giant crock!
Absolutely beautiful! I love your style, and they way you repurpose what you already have.
Hello!! Love this makeover! I love what you did on your shelving! I am using this as my inspiration for my family room built ins I am redoing!! Can you tell me where you got the white framed saying “do what you love love what you do”? And the frame next to it?!! Thanks!!! Rachel Lindsey
Hey Rachel! The black and white framed saying is from Minted.com and the wood frame came from Hobby Lobby!
Where is the greenery from on the bookshelves? This is stunning!!
Hi Jessica! The faux greenery came from Hobby Lobby, and the little fern came from the home improvement store. 🙂
Hi Liz! I love this room! I’m using your bookshelves as inspiration for built ins my husband just built. I know you got the greenery at Hobby Lobby, did you get the planters there as well?
I believe I did! 🙂
Hi; Where did you hide the rest of your office paraphernalia ? Internet box, Router, printer etc. ?
Great question, Molly! All the computer parts are contained within the iMac monitor, which was really weird after using an old school computer for so long! But it definitely saves desk space. 🙂 My wireless internet is plugged into the wall across the room and the printer now sits on the bottom shelf of my bookcase. I used to have it on a cart (see here), but it got to be a bit of a pain. I had to be a bit crafty to make everything work, but modern wireless electronics make things much easier!
Love this! Totally my style too! Where did you get the plants that you put on the shelf?
Hi Love the office makeover. Where did you get the lamp from? Thanks so much!