So, last year I finally decided to give our guest room/office a little makeover. Taylor didin’t care what I did with that room so all of my girly, Pinterest fantasies were whirling in my head. The first thing I did was order ikat fabric and then splashed color whenever and whereever I wanted. It felt good and was way more vibrant than the rest of our house. And then some months passed and it didn’t feel so right anymore and was way too vibrant to fit with the rest of our house.
before
I wanted ikat, I wanted pattern, I wanted pink, I wanted black and white, I wanted brass, I wanted wood, I wanted color and personality and apparently a workspace that was so loud I couldn’t concentrate. I do still love the happy vibe of these pictures but the truth of the matter was that everytime I stepped into this room I felt a little claustrophobic. There was just. too. much.
I loved my Waterlogue gallery wall at first and the daybed set up was great for a little while but eventually I wanted a place that felt calmer…for me to work in and also for guests. And as much as I absolutely loved those polka dot curtains I realized that maybe I am not a “black-and-white” kinda girl after all. Basically, everywhere that I added it (this room, the living room, and the dining room) it started to feel off. It’s a great example of loving something in photographs but not in your own house. But, hey that’s what decorating is all about…trying things out and figuring out what you love.
So I took everything off the walls and started over. Here was my workspace before:
Here is the teaser I showed you last week:
And here it is today:
I literally breathe deeper when I come in this room now.
We have both vowed to keep our workspaces this clean from now on.
It should be easy to keep things off of the desk because we have plenty of storage thanks to a little IKEA filing.
Obviously my random gallery wall has been replaced and this is my favorite feature of the room. I ordered this calendar from Rifle Paper Co. and just cut the pages off so I could hang them individually.
I had originally planned to use gold thumbtacks to hang them but after using washi tape to get the spacing right I fell in love. It is the perfect unfussy way to hang these beautiful florals.
I feel like it is so much more me or at least the me of right now and I am so happy with the change. Luckily it wasn’t anything that required more than a little rearranging. I think it’s important to remember that decorating is meant to be fun. I know it doesn’t come natrually to everyone but hanging a frame or choosing curtains doesn’t have to be a life-altering decision. Try it out, see what works, and move on with confidence with what you learn.
I can’t wait to show you more of the other side of this room- I made just a few key changes and I will share it all next week as the final reveal of my guest room/office.
Sources
table top: IKEA
table legs: IKEA
chairs: found on the side of the road
lamp: IKEA
What a Wonderful World print: DIY (post here)
shelves: IKEA
Desk accessories:
pencils: Furbish *no longer available
Dolls container: HomeGoods
mail sorter: vintage
acrylic tape dispenser: The Container Store
letter sorter: Target
(can’t find it online but it is in stores now)
Julia Konya says
Beautiful, I love it!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you Julia!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Ahhhh so tidy and freshened up, I adore your work space!! Since I work from my dining room table I can really appreciate having all that room to call your own….someday I need a space like this to spread out! Enjoy your pretty changes, Beth.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I worked at our dining room table forever but Taylor got so sick of my piles! It is nice to have a space just for my stuff.
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I love the change. The calendar pages look so beautiful with your wall color. Fresh and wonderful.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thanks- it's hard to mess those beauties up!
Vel Criste says
I loved it before but even more so now Beth!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you Vel!
Krystine @ www.KrystineEdwards.com says
LOVE this! SO fun, fresh and organized, bravo!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you Krystine! Let's hope I can keep it this way!
Aimee Reyes says
It's so calm and pretty! Where did you get (or DIY) the burlap pin board? Thanks!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
You're right- it's a DIY. All I did was cover my old bulletin board with burlap and staple gun it down in the back. And my board has a frame and it still works/looks fine.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh my gosh i love the work space!!! your photos look fab, too! and i need those pencils in my life!!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I knew you would love those 🙂
Summer Hogan says
I love the new simple, chic look! Great way to use that beautiful calendar!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I just couldn't wait to look at each page!
designchic says
It looks amazing – love the calendar and the desk is wonderful!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you!!
Improvement List says
I love how there is still color but that it does seem more calm and organized. Looks like a great creative space to focus on work.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Its hard to find the balance between colorful and blah but this is working for me!