Office Updates

I don't think I ever showed you my new "office" since we redecorated. This room used to be a combination office and library, but now it's just my office. The library has moved across the hall to the former, mostly-unused living room. The office is very Ikea-heavy, and I was afraid it would look too much like a showroom, but I don't think it does---do you?

This is basically what you see when you walk in the front door of the house---Mom's paintings and the new secretary. The secretary was supposed to house the printer, but the printer is huge. The kids' papasan chair is in the corner for some reason. I guess Pip got tired of it in his room! It goes, but I'll be happier when there is a nice armchair in that corner! That awesome lamp is also Ikea.

The rug is jute from Homegoods. It's all turquoise and blue blended together which I don't think comes out clearly in the photo.

My new desk from Ikea. My friend Kathleen and I were scouring Ikea for good options, and we kept seeing this new line all over the store----bookshelves, tables. It was pretty, but expensive, so I didn't even consider buying any of it. When we got to the end, and they didn't have the desk I had chosen, I was ready to go home without it and come back another time. Before you pay, though, you have to go through the Clearance, As Is room! That's where we found this table which had some black gunk on the top and was, consequently, half-price. At Kath's suggestion that a Magic Eraser would do the trick, we got a wrench, took it apart, and I brought it home! The Magic Eraser took care of the problem in the blink of an eye! The tabletop is solid wood and beautiful, and the slightly-pink, whitewashed legs (pink-washed? lol) give it character.

Notice anything missing? Yeah, my chair. I haven't found one I like, but I have it set up as a standing desk, anyway, and I haven't felt the need to buy a chair. I thought I would get tired of standing. Honestly, I do sometimes, but then I get the laptop and relax. Most of the time, though, I work quite happily while standing. I've spent several hours there at a time when necessary! The rolled up yoga mat is to put my toes on and stretch my calves while standing.

I found the crate at HomeGoods to elevate my mouse and keyboard. It's the perfect height. I had Meg sand it for me (she is working off a large debt. ;-) ) because it was a bit too rustic for my delicate skin. I'm not completely thrilled with the color, so I'll probaby paint it white when the weather outside is perfect.

Oh, and did you notice the external hard drive and the router hiding in the 2 metal file/magazine holders?

Just yesterday, before taking these pictures, I wrapped up the cords with this plastic Spiral Wrap that I found at The Home Depot. I was skeptical of the price and the look, but it actually wrapped around the 4 cords pretty easily, and when I had to let one out to go it's own way, that worked easily. I like having the cords tied together, especially if I can't hide them altogether!

I expected this set of shelves to hold mostly decorative items, but that didn't happen. It has overflow from the main library, and, yes, there is yarn in those crates! The too-large printer sits atop the shelf so it is much less visible than it was. 

Aaaaand, the bare windows with trim that needs to be painted so I can rehang the curtains. The sofa-table is useful for piling stuff that I'm in the middle of doing. I really take up a lot of space when I'm working on something, so having the large table surface and the sofa table are really nice. The trick is not letting it get too out of control! I'll let you know how that goes. ;-)

I took the pics early yesterday (too much sun coming in the windows!) and decided I had time to paint, so I spent half the day working on the windows and the door-frame. Now the curtains are back up and I can mark a couple of things off my to-do list!

What do you think? Too Ikea-ish? It looks so much nicer than it used too. It wasn't very well organized with all the bookshelves and much less space for me to work.