New Office – Design Plan and Progress

Progress is moving quickly on the new office project.  The space is small and B and I really want to get the dining room finished before the holidays so this quick office update is on an expedited schedule.

This project wasn’t really something that I’ve been planning, so the whole process has been quick, including design decisions.  In the end, I really just want a light and airy space that feels calm and soothing, creative and comfortable. Clearly my coastal tastes have a heavy influence on my design choices with every room and I think you’ll see that here too.

The Design for the New Office

After going back and forth on the walls, we decided to do it right and remove all the mis-matched wall coverings and replace it with drywall.  The back wall is still exposed brick (the old exterior of the house) but now everything else will be uniform.

I hadn’t really given a lot of thought to the wall color at first.  I think I just figured I’d carry the same wall color from the main shop area (Sherwin Williams Sea Salt) into the office.  After giving it more thought, I have decided to go with something a little darker but in the same family.

I was immediately drawn to Benjamin Moore – Palladian Blue which is really just a slightly darker, more saturated blue-green compared to “Sea Salt”.  The only thing I’m debating now is going with a shade darker (BM- Wythe Blue) for the brick wall just for a touch more drama and to play up the brick a little bit more.

I’m adding a larger bookshelf that matches the existing cube shelf that’s already back there so the bulk of the furniture is a weathered grey color.  The floor is a dark brown, quality laminate which will also be staying.

The ceiling fan in the office is old and ugly but it really helps move fresh air into the shop area but the plan is to replace the ceiling fan with one of the left over pendants like the ones we used in our dining room.  The one I plan to use is black which I think will pop nicely with all the other colors.

For warmth and comfort, I will be adding a rug under my design / chair area.  After going back and forth on going super light, I have decided on a rug that matches the one in the shop in a different colorway.  The shop’s accents are more pink, the office accents will be more navy blue all with a base of white and light blue-greens. (Unintentionally, but exactly my company’s brand colors.)

I won’t have a lot of wall space to hang art but I do plan on upholstering my old cork board (a simple DIY project that I’ll share with you) to give me a place to pin inspiration for designs, the blog, etc.

I will give all the trim and baseboards a fresh coat of bright white to keep things feeling fresh and bright and I’m considering painting the door to the back deck a dark charcoal grey – black color for some drama. The final decision on the door will be more of a game day decision as i see things come together.

The only thing I’m struggling with are the bamboo blinds.  They are fairly new and in good shape but the color seems off with everything else I’m planning.  My hope is that as things begin to layer in the room, they won’t stick out or look off. Time will tell.

New Office Design Sources:

Pendant Light:  Available in two sizes and colors.  See the brass here.

Rug:  Navy Blue Colorway

Bookshelf:  Large and Small and Weathered Grey

Desk Lamp:  Similar Here.  I’ll be using an old one from Target.

Desk Chair:  I wouldn’t rate this chair super high but it’s pretty and a perfect match for the design of the office.

Progress on the Office:

I still have a lot of organizing to do, but the bulk of the painting and furniture is in place.  Once I get everything organized and in place, it will be time for the finishing touches and accessories.  It’s so exciting!

Shop /Studio Changes

• Clean out back office
• Finish wall to the dining room and under window
• Paint the room
• Paint the trim
• Paint the door (inside and out)
• Redo the ceiling
• Replace fan with pendant light
• Add wall-mount fan
• Add bookshelves to back wall
• Set up small cube shelf on “door” wall
• Add rug
• New Desk
• Accessories / decor
• Move into new office
• Set up new bookshelves with inventory from storage room
• Buy organizers. Bins. dividers, as needed
• Empty back “shop” shelf and organize papers
• Finish painting back bookshelf
• Refill bookshelf
• Accessorize bookshelf
• Organize front bookshelf with bins, dividers, etc. as needed
• Clean out under counter area
• Finish painting built-in counter
• Clean out two side closets and reorganize
• Add curtain or cover to coat-closet top area
• Remove large work-table from upstairs storage room
• Get rid of old computer equipment and anything else that’s no longer needed or that doesn’t work
• Remove old black shelving
• Rearrange room to make room for teacher’s desk
• Add rug
• Set up desk / refinish desk
• Add curtains to windows
• Accessorize room