Bold Eclectic Office Reveal!

It’s time for the office reveal!  A big thank you to Linda and the One Room Challenge team in partnership with Apartment Therapy for hosting this fall’s event.

Before I show you the after, a reminder from where we started.  This hot mess was how it looked when I moved in here from the dining room.  Clearly it was not a space conducive to promoting creativity. (for more before pics check em out here)

This used to be our classroom back when we homeschooled the kids and then through COVID lockdown, clearly its been neglected since.

I ended up completely changing the original design from ceiling to paint color as I decided to focus on using items I already had along with thrifted pieces to complete the space.  This meant it was finally time to get started!

First we cleared the room and installed box trim paneling, after which we painted a rich plum color.  (peep the tutorial here)  Followed up by a ceiling installation of a wallpaper mural from Rebel Walls.  (tips to install wallpaper on the ceiling here)

And now she be lookin like this!

A tutorial on how I diy’d the fringe on the sofa

Remember how I wanted to use thrifted and already owned items?  Everything you see here except the art piece, light fixture, pillows, and rug was thrifted.  Facebook marketplace for the sofa ($200), coffee table ($100) and zebra print cowhide ($75)

This fabulous Italian ceramic parrot lamp was a flea market find at $28 and the fringed lampshade is from the thrift store ($5).

I decided to use a non-traditional side table and opted for my vintage hand chair.  A consignment shop find years ago. ($125)

This is my bejeweled bust “Edith”.  She was made by a local college professor who creates costume jewelry pieces, an idea born from a collection she inherited from her mother.  All of her creations are in a local flea market of which I have 2 busts.  I wanted Edith to have a glorious moment so I pulled out this old frame I had stashed to highlight her.

I also boosted her up to properly situate her in the frame with some old books I have around the house.

I always pick up fabulous lampshades at the thrift store when I find them.  You can’t beat the prices ($5-$6) and you get amazing shapes like this fringed shade, scalloped edged. large pleated, etc.

The art is from a friend (Wolffia Inc) and was previously living in the entryway.  I paired it with pillows from Home Goods, Rifle Paper Co, and World Market. (all previously owned)

Another peek at the zebra printed cowhide.  I wanted a bold print to break up the tone on tone wall and sofa colors, this find did the trick!

This wall has the entrance on the right and a closet on the left.  It’s a major traffic pattern as the closet has our printer, craft supplies, etc.  With this in mind I opted to keep it minimal with a small console and some accent pieces, letting the focus be the disco painting and the ant sculptures.

The console is vintage and topped with green marble. Its a $60 flea market find, whereas the vases are handmade ceramic pieces from the thrift store at $38.

The ant sculptures and disco ball painting are my 2 big purchases for the room and they are absolutely fabulous!  The ants are from a sculptor in Spain who created them for an installation and the disco painting is from an artist I found online.

A small plant, onyx bowl (Home Goods $45), and vintage glass head, (a flea market find $30) top the console for an unexpected combination.

The glass head was made to model items for display purposes in shops!

This view pretty much sums up the entire vibe of the room, whimsical unexpected elements with a classic base.

How about that funky-ness?!

These light fixtures are the floral burst pendants from West Elm.  I had them in storage (previously used as my kitchen pendants) when I realized they would be the perfect fit for this project.

I found this rug on Etsy last year and have had it in the basement family room.  It was exactly what this room needed.

My desk area consists of a David Marshall mirror (Facebook Marketplace $100) I’ve had awhile along with another big Facebook marketplace find, the vintage burlwood desk. ($300)

When I brought it home, a little over a year ago, I discovered old letters in the drawers dating back to the 60’s.

This vintage brass griffin lamp was a flea market find.  I’m obsessed with the reflection it gives as well as the fabulous lighting it provides on the desk when needed.

The white jeans planter is from a friend and local vintage seller.

The chair is another existing piece from Home Goods while the blue LE Smith glass bookends are another previous flea market find. ($45)

I love the desk in this position as it feels tucked in and cozy while still providing the opportunity to visit with anyone on the sofa and enjoy the art throughout the room.

The fireplace after I added the gold metal trim (peep that here) was adorned simply with one of my favorite thrifted art pieces, this original painting ($25), along with the peacock screen a flea market find ($60).

I snagged the plants from other rooms, they just add some life to a space.

 Having the fireplace close to the desk area is especially nice in the cooler months, I tend to get cold sitting at my desk so I appreciate the warmth it provides.

There is one window that provides some lovely natural sunlight.  I framed it with some gold embroidered sheers and pale blue velvet drapes from Amazon I stole from the dining room.

I had to share this photo, my old boy Charlie is almost 17 years old.  If he approves, its good enough for me.

I would be remiss if I didn’t get a ceiling shot in here.  A huge thank you to Rebel Walls for partnering with me on this project.  The ceiling is the fifth wall and deserves the same thought and consideration as the walls.

My goal with this space was to create a room that felt cozy, elegant and sophisticated yet quirky and whimsical.  A space that holds so many of my favorite things.

I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone with the wall color and the paneling and I’m so glad I did.  It really creates the most fabulous backdrop and vibe that plays beautifully with the other elements.

And she’s finished, my office full of my favorite secondhand pieces and art.  Is it what you expected?  How about those pops of color?!

I always love to hear from you so hit me up in the comments!

Be sure to head on over to the ORC blog to peep the rest of the participants spaces and see how they came together.

And don’t forget to pop in your email to the subscribe box, I’ve got the DIY sofa fringe tutorial coming up next and you’ll be the first to know when it’s up!

XOXOXOXO