$100 Room Challenge, Wk 4: My Workspace- The Reveal
/Can it be?! I feel like I’ve been caught in a school dream with a final’s day that keeps getting pushed back- AHH. Between being sick for a week and a half, being a mom of 2 little ones, a birthday party, and the Jewish New Year, it’s a miracle I’m finally sitting down to write this reveal post for the #100roomchallenge !
First of all, welcome to my home! One of my goals of this challenge was to create a beautiful backdrop with my workspace, because this is the main wall someone sees when they walk in our front door. I feel like I have achieved this, and I hope you agree. This is what you will see if you come visit me:
Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the Before & After Photos!!
BEFORE
Four weeks ago the desk was a catch-all of mail and receipts, and any other paper that happened to land there. Originally I wanted to keep the artwork very uniform and simple, because I knew the desk would get messy, but 3 years later, it was just a bit boring...:
AFTER
My new gallery wall is inspirational and beautiful to look at it. It truly makes me feel pretty when I look at it (Seriously!). Even though there are 8 frames instead of 3, it still feels cohesive and harmonious because of the repetition of white and metallic frames.
BEFORE
The desk and bookcase were two separate entities. An office desk and a so-called china cabinet, which always fell flat. It just seemed a bit awkward to have these two pieces of furniture next to each other.
AFTER
Now that I’ve incorporated this whole wall into my workspace, it not only feels cohesive by using lots of white, but it also makes the wall appear larger. The sightline continues across the whole wall, instead of your brain stopping to say, “why are there delicate and special items on display next to a desk?” (You know what I mean!) The bookcase accessorized in white storage keeps the focal point on the art collection above my desk.
BEFORE
I enjoyed having our special pieces on display, but dedicating the other shelves to picture frames, and a few scrapbook organizers was not allowing the huge bookcase to live up to its full storage potential. And in a 2-bedroom home, every storage space needs to be used efficiently!
AFTER
As difficult as it was to by pass the colorful selection of office organizers available today, I’m so glad I took a “safer” route and selected all glossy white finishes. The bookcase has a variety of storage but looks like a collection in the same glossy finish, which also bounces light around the room (A little design trick to reflect light in a small space). Did you spot my DIY 3-drawer paint job? My incredible hubby spray-painted the inside of the clear drawers white to hide the clutter. Thank you!! And, how could I forget my wallpaper hack?! That was a roll of wrapping paper that I cut to size- Love the Kate Spade vibe.
BEFORE
Ugh, look at this mess… Without a true focal point, it was just a bunch of furniture and stuff. Yes, I hung a few frames, but it didn’t command attention from the similar sized photos on the bookcase. This space was clearly lacking a true identity and purpose.
AFTER
Look at this beautiful view- Lol. I really wanted the bookcase to blend away, and let the gallery wall shine. The white bookcase with gold confetti accents is the supporting actress to my gallery wall. It has style, but is not the star of the show.
I hope you’ve had your fill of Before & After Photos! Now here are some details for you to see the whole design come together.
Enjoy the Tour!!
This used to be my bedside lamp 6 years ago, when my husband and I were newlyweds in Chicago. I found it in our storage closet.
My toddler’s large watercolor artwork was the inspiration for this entire collection. I purchased 2 pieces, my baby colored another, and I created the rest myself. The goal was to showcase a variety of mediums with a color story to unite them altogether.
The Kate spade paper weight was a gift from my mom when i was in design school, and this succulent planter adds a nice does of greenery
This random collection of cups and vases is courtesy of my boutique shopping trip to my pantry cabinet
I also only wanted to accessorize with functional items, like my beautiful rainbows of art supplies in decorative vases. My hubby also helped me diy to declutter and chic-up the desk organizer with some leftover gold and white spray paint.
A variety of storage options to adapt with my business and craft needs
BUDGET
-- Total $98.84 --
Desk: existing, INGATORP Extendable Table, IKEA. $0.00
Metal file cabinet: existing. $0.00
White drawer unit: existing, IKEA. $0.00
3-drawer desk organizer: existing. $0.00
Gold spray paint: existing, Michael’s Craft Store. $0.00
White primer spray paint: existing, Home Depot. $0.00
Succulent planter: Home Goods. $12.99
Paper weight: existing. $0.00
Color pencils, markers, crayons: existing, various retailers. $0.00
Vases for pencils, etc: existing, various retailers. $0.00
Desk lamp: existing, Target. $0.00
Printer: existing, Amazon.com. $0.00
Unicorn printable: @LittleBoomPrints , Etsy. SALE $3.17
Large gold frame: existing, thrift shop. $0.00
Triangle family abstract: my DIY, $0.00
White frame: existing, IKEA. $0.00
11x14 mat: Michael’s Craft Store. SALE $3.35
Paper terazzo collage: my DIY, $0.00
White square shadow box: existing. $0.00
Pink and blue loops painting: my DIY. $0.00
White square shadow box: existing. $0.00
Rain cloud printable: @ILovePrintable, Etsy. SALE $2.80
White frame: existing, IKEA. $0.00
Watercolor painting: my toddler. $0.00
Silver 16x20 frame: Michael’s Craft Store. 40% COUPON $7.19
16X20 mat: Michael’s Craft Store. 40% COUPON $4.43
Paint pots photograph: Pinterest, source not currently available, originally from peppermintbliss.com. $0.00
Silver frame: existing, Target. $0.00
Crayon abstract: My baby. $0.00
Pewter frame: existing. $0.00
Large white boxes: KUGGIS, IKEA, qty 2. $15.98
Small white boxes: KUGGIS, IKEA, qty 4. $23.96
Magazine files: PLUGGIS 2pk, IKEA, qty 2. $19.98
3 drawer organizer: existing, qty 2. $0.00
White primer spray paint: existing. $0.00
Gold confetti wrapping paper: Michael’s Craft store. $4.99
Participating in the #100roomchallenge has been such a wonderful experience. I’ve met new designers on Instagram, which has been really great to keep each other motivated on this quick turn around! I’ve been wanting to redo this space for so long, and joining this community really provided me with the accountability to get it done. It’s not so easy when you’re a SAHM, right? I believe this will give me the inspiration I need to start my new interior design and home staging business. Thanks to @jonesvilleblog for getting the word out, and thanks especially to Erin @lemonslavendarlaundry for creating and organizing this great challenge and community!!
If you’ve enjoyed my home tour, definitely check out the other participants in this link below. If you’re like me, and can’t resist Before & After photos, click on a few of these for your guilty design pleasure!
And stay in touch with me on Instagram @decoranddiapers to see my latest projects :)
