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Home » Space Reveals » Functional & Fabulous Office – It’s DONE!

11/09/2016 · 149 Comments

Functional & Fabulous Office – It’s DONE!

DIY & Crafts· Most Popular· Organizing· Space Reveals

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 Post Contains Affiliate Links - You pay the same price, I get a small commission. High Five!

I can’t believe it’s real! My home office is totally unrecognizable compared to 5 weeks ago when I started the One Room Challenge(ORC).

Just like the first 5 times I took on the ORC, our house emerged this period of chaos looking better than I ever dreamed.

Equally important, the office is already functioning exactly the way I envisioned. I’m a big advocate of your home being a retreat, feeling like you, and working for you. This room checks all three boxes in a way it never has before.

PS: If you’re a new reader, welcome to Polished Habitat! You should head back to week #1 to start at the beginning of this 6 post event hosted by Linda from Calling it Home. The short version is that 200+ people are making over one room in their house. Each week, we all shared progress updates until the final reveals today! I’m one of those crazy people who take part in the event each spring and fall, even though it usually makes me cry. 

Let’s do a quick history of the office I tackled for this challenge. A few years ago we painted it gray and added some IKEA bookcases.

Before #1

Home Office Before - Click to see the after photos!

Then last year, we rearranged everything and added an awesome gallery wall of gig posters over my husband’s desk.

Before #2

A variety of concert posters collected over the years turned into a grand gallery wall when paired with matching frames. Click for the full room tour!

The problem was that my husband is rarely in the office, and I work there full-time.

It didn’t feel like my space, and there was no flat surface for me to prepare Etsy orders. I also craved space to brainstorm and keep notes on the walls. We tried to come up with an arrangement that still kept a desk for him in the room, but he was gracious enough to volunteer his exit from my space. 🙂

With only one desk needed, I came up with this plan.

Functional & Fabulous Office

updating-mock-up

And today…drumroll…it looks like this!

Polished Habitat Office

I feel like I live inside Pinterest! And isn’t that the dream? 🙂

I’ll share the full source list at the end of the post and just mention a couple favorites along the way. Like that pink swirly art that was the jumping off point for the whole room design. I’m so thankful Minted was willing to provide it! (Original art no longer available, but this is a great alternative!)

When you come into the office and look right, we’ve got one of the old bookcases. I swapped out the backing to subtle gold dots using wrapping paper. We also swapped out the wimpy pulls using the same pulls and paint we used in the closet and pantry.

Polished Habitat Office

Polished Habitat Office

My husband is known for his ORC art projects and I fit one in this space as well.

I asked him to letter something on one of the gold dry erase boards  and he came up with a quote the really resonates with my philosophy. “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs

Home office an ugly mess? This before and after makeover added feminine style along with tons of organization to make office dreams come true.I think the bookcase backing will change again when I find something I REALLY love that works in the space.

This isn’t bad, but I’m not crazy about how shiny it is in person. Polished Habitat Office

Spinning around from the bookcase, the “function” side of the room turned out prettier than I expected!

Polished Habitat Office

Look at all this glorious work space! It has already come in handy.

Polished Habitat Office

Right behind my desk, I fit in a kitchen cart that holds the Silhouette, vinyl rolls, AND the printer. This is probably the least pretty picture, but has already been so much less frustrating than the old set up. I’m pretty excited about the file storage on the wall right behind me too!

Polished Habitat Office

SO MUCH STORAGE! Eventually, the shelf bins will be labeled, but I’m still debating how to configure things and didn’t want to rush it. (Update: See the labeled bins & labeling tutorial here)

Polished Habitat OfficeAh, sweet, sweet symmetry. The right side files will be for personal paperwork while the left is just business. I keep adding plants to my collection and feel like they are going to be VERY happy on these shelves getting some sun every day.

Polished Habitat Office

Update: Since the post, I upgraded to a larger printer and from Silhouette to the Cricut Maker. Luckily the space was flexible enough that everything still looks great! 
Feminine office with Cricut Maker on White Drawers
When I found white and gold clipboards in the Target Bullseye Playground last week, they became the perfect interchangeable art wall. The pink Chanel print by fellow One Room Challenger Foxy Oxie matches the room so well! 

polished-habtiat-office-108

Tucked in between the dresser and clipboards, I had just enough room to add a rolling gift wrap cart. Isn’t she pretty?Polished Habitat Office

I’m so glad we got the art hung in the entryway. It would have been sad to have a view of a blank wall. Boy, do I want to paint the front door now! Who picked brown!?!

Polished Habitat Office

I LOVE my new three month dry erase calendar system! Polished Habitat Office

Remember the window stress? I am thrilled we went with the Ultimate Header and SelectBlinds. SelectBlinds totally saved the day! I can tilt the blinds for the right amount of light during the day. Then, they get closed when the sun starts blazing in too much.

Polished Habitat Office

I really like that there is a single smooth header running across both blinds. It’s nice not to be on full view of the neighborhood if I’m working in the evening too.

Polished Habitat Office

Here’s one final look coming straight in from the doors. I don’t know if I ever mentioned the ceiling fan swap. I found a mod white fan that works with the room so much better than old one.

Polished Habitat Office

 

Functional & Fabulous Office Product Sources

Furniture
Pink Rug – Wayfair
White Desk
White Desk Chair (or similar on Amazon)
Pink Ottoman
Gray Chairs – I lucked into mine at Tuesday Morning, but found a similar color and shape on Overstock here.
Marble Top Accent Table
Printer/Silhouette Cart – IKEA GRUNDTAL Kitchen cart
White Dresser – IKEA NORDLI
Gift Wrapping Cart – IKEA RÅSKOG with  Custom Labels applied

Windows
Curtains
Blinds (Provided by SelectBlinds.com)
Ultimate Install Header

Lighting
Floor Lamp
Desk Lamp – Target
Dresser Lamp
White Modern Fan

On the Walls
Wall Shelves (Brackets painted gold) – IKEA EKBY JÄRPEN / EKBY BJÄRNUM
Dry Erase Boards – DIY TUTORIAL HERE
Pink Art – Strawberry Crepes (Provided by Minted) (No longer available, great alternative here)
Chanel Art – Foxy Oxie
Stars Hollow Print
Friends Building Print
Wall Mounted Files  – IKEA KVISSLE with Custom Labels applied

Bookcase Wall Accessories
Feather Hurricane Candle Holder
Frame with Pink Eiffel Tower Print
Leather Handle Vase – Cost Plus World Market
Clear Square Storage Containers – Cost Plus World Market
Brass Wine Glass (used as planter)
Magazine Files
Decorative Boxes
White & Gold Bookends – Marshall’s in store
Pink Pillows – At Home in store

Functional Wall Accessories
Pink File Folders
Gray and White Storage Bins – Target
Round White & Gold Box
White & Gold boxes
Gold Scissors

In addition to Minted & SelectBlinds, HomeRight was a great One Room Challenge partner. As you can see by all the gold boards, my spray shelter was in big use the last couple weeks! 

Polished Habitat Office

We’re so thankful Linda from Calling it Home started this event and let’s us join the fun. It’s such great motivation to make fast, bold decisions and get spaces finished.

Home office an ugly mess? This before and after makeover added feminine style along with tons of organization to make office dreams come true.

Ready for more inspiration? Here are the other rooms I’ve completed during the past One Room Challenges! 

Dreamy Organized Master Closet

Modern Glam Master Bedroom

Kitchen Botox

Organized Pantry Makeover

Total Garage Transformation

Girly Glam Office

 

MORE FROM POLISHEDHABITAT

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melissa

Melissa George

In 2013, Melissa founded Polished Habitat to share her passion for intersecting style and function to make everyday life more beautiful and less stressful. She does this by sharing easy home organization tips, home decor tutorials, and creative ideas to help readers think outside the box, no matter their budget. Her work has been featured in print in Better Homes & Gardens and Room to Create Magazine, and online by HGTV, House Beautiful, Buzzfeed, & more. In 2018 & 2019, Melissa was named as a Style Maker by Better Homes & Gardens. In 2019, Polished Habitat was shortlisted for the Amara Blog Awards Best Interior Styling Blog - International. Read more...

« Functional & Fabulous Office: So Much Progress! (ORC Week #5)
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Comments

  1. Audrey Johnson says

    04/20/2018 at 11:18 am

    Very nice. Great job. It looks so refined and comfortable. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  2. BSmith says

    07/19/2018 at 5:32 pm

    What program did you use to design the layout of your office?

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      07/26/2018 at 8:24 am

      Hi Bre, I use the Home Designer Suite by Chief Architect.

      Reply
  3. Nicole says

    03/09/2019 at 9:07 pm

    The dresser/storage you got for your office is from IKEA, but I was unable to find the exact dresser. Is that just one dresser or multiple pieces put together?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      03/09/2019 at 9:19 pm

      Hi Nicole, It’s this configuration: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S69239513/

      Reply
  4. Angie Young says

    03/19/2019 at 2:24 pm

    I see there’s a link for the pink rug but do recall the name or pattern? I’m doing a pink office and love this.

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      03/20/2019 at 10:03 am

      Hi Angie, If you click the link, it will take you right to the exact rug and it looks like it’s on sale! Cadencia is the name.

      Reply
  5. Tracy Goldsmith says

    05/05/2019 at 10:17 pm

    What is the paint color you used on the walls? Room is a beautiful space! Enjoy!

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      05/10/2019 at 9:48 pm

      Hi Tracy – It’s Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, but mixed at 50% so it’s lighter…and we actually used Sherwin-Williams paint, just had them color match it. Most complicated paint answer ever – sorry!

      Reply
      • Ann says

        07/21/2020 at 3:44 pm

        What do you mean “mixed at 50%”? If I tell them that they will know what I mean?

      • Melissa George says

        07/21/2020 at 3:57 pm

        Hi Ann, I always feel weird when I ask, but the paint people always know what to do if I say “mixed at 50% strength”.

  6. Janet says

    09/15/2019 at 12:46 pm

    Where did you get the Steve Jobs quote print in Gold?

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      09/15/2019 at 1:07 pm

      Hi Janet, It’s a DIY dry erase board that we made using this tutorial: https://www.polishedhabitat.com/custom-dry-erase-board/ My husband lettered the quote onto it with a white dry erase marker.

      Reply
  7. Megan says

    11/23/2019 at 7:40 pm

    Beautiful space! Do you remember what the original Ikea bookcases are called? It’s exactly what I’m looking for but I can’t seem to find it on Ikea’s website.

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      11/23/2019 at 8:30 pm

      They sadly discontinued them right after we bought them. 🙁 They were called something like Borgsju. The closest one they have now is the Havsta, which still has the deeper base with doors and then the top can be open or glass. But for some reason, they don’t have them in white, only grey and dark wood.

      Reply
  8. San says

    12/11/2019 at 9:12 pm

    Where do you get white dry erase markers?

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      12/15/2019 at 4:56 pm

      Amazon! Here’s a link: https://amzn.to/2rO7uy5

      Reply
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Welcome!

In 2013, Melissa started Polished Habitat to share her skill of mixing decor & organization to add style & function to everyday life at home.

Her work has been featured in print in Better Homes & Gardens and Room to Create Magazine, and online by HGTV, House Beautiful, Buzzfeed, & more.

In 2018 &  2019, Melissa was named as a Style Maker by Better Homes & Gardens. In 2019, she was also short-listed by the Amara Blog Awards for Interior Styling, International Division.

Need to reach Melissa?
Email: Melissa @ PolishedHabitat.com

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