For hubby’s birthday this year I had a brilliant idea; thanks to this amazing girl, and the fact that hubby had a 3 day business trip on his b-day.
The plan: invade his office, and give it an inexpensive, quick, and happy makeover. This is a new office and a new job. He is thrilled to be working at this wonderful company… so I figured his office should reflect that as well. Besides, he spends a lot of time in the place. It should reflect who he is and bring him happiness.
Here you can see the “lovely” before pictures :
……{I just love that his major form of decor is sweet pictures of our family. And the only picture on his desk? his bride! I know. He really is that wonderful.}
This makeover was completed for around $150; $60 of that was for the two lamps. The rest was reusing, thinking-outside-of the box, and free-flea marketing from my own cellar.
After:
Here are some of the things that I did to bring more peace to this space.
- color: first things first, I knew this space needed some color continuity and theme. This office is in a brand new building, and we had picked out the deep brown-purple color together. Now it needed a more decisive color scheme. So I went with greens and browns. I didn’t introduce the brown-purple anywhere else, and that allowed it to become somewhat of a neutral.
- the focal point: I moved that, um, not-so-lovely and rather-large metal desk piece to the other side of the office. It crowded the space, but most of all, it is not a beautiful piece of furniture to look at. You should always consider what your main line-of-sight for a space is, and then place the most stunning pieces on that side. In this case, I aimed for bringing symmetry, light, and order to the back wall of his office. That created a focal point that breathes, and is pleasing to the eye.
- rearrange: Use what you have. Just use it better. I moved the file cabinets to create height and symmetry at the edges of the office. I moved the small accent table in front of his desk to hide electrical cords and break up the vast metal surface of his desk. I moved the accent chair to make it more of a feature in the room. And, as I stated above, I moved the large metal ‘credenza’ to a less visible spot in the room.
- practicality: I also made sure it was useful, hence the baskets everywhere. Two more baskets are to come for the center shelves of the white console.
- personal: I made it personal by adding photos of our family, hubby’s football helmets, a collectible football book that we treasure, and a framed diploma is on its way for the back wall.
6. reduce: One of my goals was to cut back on clutter. Here is that ‘credenza’ thing, once home to some clutter. {Can you see the football helmets on top? I love this; what a fun way to enjoy your sports memorabilia}. This mammoth piece of metal furniture was given some breathing room by minimal decor, repetitive photo frames, organized books.
I just love that it still looks masculine and not overdone. The lamps on that purple wall have a huge impact! Did he love the makeover? I can't imagine my husband being very excited about something like that, but he's just not really into decor.
What a great makeover. You brought personality to such a blah space. The color and balance are perfect.
Donna
You did a great job Darlene – what an awesome birthday gift! You are a precious bride and wife!
Love you!
Looks awesome Darlene!!!! Can you come to my house now????? What a wonderful gift for your sweet hubby!!!
Such a great surprise! I really liked how you used what you already had on hand.
FABULOUS! I'm sure that Matt will appreciate every minute thought behind the placement of every item. It's so tranquil though, will he really want to work?
Such a great make-over and wonderful surprise for your hubby! Looks awesome.
Yea, Darlene!!!! Great transformation! Furniture placement makes such a huge difference. So was he so surprised? I love that chocolatey plum color–I'm having such a purple moment.
Now he needs to take his designer out on a nice dinner date. 😉
i am in the midst of doing the redesign in my hubby's office, he shares with his co-worker, and it isn't a surprise—a gentleman's library/cigar room/steampunk thingy, lol!
here's some of it: http://goodbyehousehellohome.blogspot.com/2011/01/snippets-what-ive-been-up-to.html
i need to finish it, but my wrist injury has set me back a tad.
i love what you did here in your sweetie's office!
especially the accent wall and baskets!!
i hadn't thought of baskets for my hubby's room…thanks for the ideas!
i thought it was so cool that you, too, worked at his office to redesign it, and i've been in my hubby's!
was he surprised or what?
hugs and many blessings,
~me
Wow! It is simply perfect Darlene. I adore the two lamps and the wall color. I'm currently searching for a lamp for our home office. You've inspired me to try two. Thank you!
I highlighted your wonderful blog today! I hope it's okay with you sweet friend.
Blessings, ~Melissa 🙂
visiting from Melissas….so glad to know about your blog…..love what I have read….will add to my list of daily reads
I am over here from Melissa's and I am so glad I dropped by. What a great surprise! The whole thoughtful re-d0 is inspiring. It is beautiful.
🙂
Some great moves you made in the room. The wall color is calming and the lamps are very attractive. Splitting the filing cabinets was a good idea and centering the book shelf unit made the room feel wider!
I'm visiting because I was listed on Melissas blog too!
Liz
what a wonderful gesture! He must have been thrilled.
Beautiful home interior designing and interior furnishing!
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