July 30, 2014

home office makeover - best laid plans

A trait that is at the top of the list when designing anything is flexibility. Things will always come up that you couldn't have planned for (without a crystal ball) and you've got to be able to bend and revise your plan. And almost always this works out for the best.

Case in point - the lighting for my office.

I had long imagined that I would use a huge black and gold lampshade as my 'chandelier' over my desk. I'd gotten the shade at an estate sale long ago and was waiting for just the right thing to use it for and my office was that thing. I even used it in my design plan.


So once I had the space cleaned out, and the paint was down, I started to play around with my lighting scheme. The space only had one sad little lightbulb hanging and the plan was to center a new light over the desk as well as add some other lights around the space and a few outlets for plugs, lamps (more lighting) etc.


But standing in the space I began to notice two things:
1. I don't have soaring ceilings down here so the light would either have to hang pretty close to the ceiling or it would hang down so low it would obstruct the view and act as one big blocker in the room. Kind of like that girl who's bangs are too long but she still lets them hang in her eyes. Clean it up girl!
2. I was planning enough lighting for a room twice the size of my office. I am all in favor of good mood lighting, but this was getting a bit crazy, even for me.

My perfectly planned lighting scheme was not going to work and I was feeling deflated. Damn it I love that black lamp shade! As I sulked in a G&T I remembered these beauties at a favorite local shop. They (the pair) are old, heavy as hell and beautiful. Very feminine and perfect for my office. They have since come to be known as the 'lady lamps' around this house and I'm madly in love with them.


And even though I said I would work to use only what I already had in this office project, they were my one treat.

And speaking of things I already had, my parents said I could use this old metal desk that sat in the back of my dad's shop for the past 20+ years.


Aside from a good cleaning, the desk was in perfect condition and just the vast workspace I was looking for. I used Amy Howard's Lacquer Spray Paint in Begonia (a full review of my experience coming soon)


and in an afternoon, had one very pink, very lady like desk. Perfect for my lady lamps.


The rug is one I got at a local annual sale. It is the same sale I got this stool, and these chairs (before and after). The rug was an impulse purchase because it was huge and TWO DOLLARS. At the time I had no idea when or where I would ever use it, but come on, TWO DOLLARS. It isn't my first choice but without intending to, the colors work really well with the floor and desk and did I mention it was two dollars? See hubs, eventually all that stuff I keep in our basement pays off.

So plans changed, things got lady like and I made lemonade out of two dollar lemons. That sounds like progress to me. Next up, curtains, fabrics and books, oh my.

Do you shop your own house when starting a new project? Do you buy things without really knowing where they will end up? Did you play a drinking game with my over usage of 'two dollars'? (You should have, I said it a lot)


32 comments:

  1. oooh the desk is so fun and i love the name "lady lamps". it's just fun!

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  2. Oh! I can totally see how awesome this is going to be! I have the same issue in my basement with the ceilings. Eventually, after we water-proof it...yeah...we have had issues...YUCK! I want to move my office down there since it has a separate entrance from the the rest of the house. Everything you have done so far looks fab! xoxo

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  3. Oh my lord, can I even tell you how much I love that painted desk? That color is amazing! I'm sorry that your gold and black light won't work, but I can hardly wait to see the reveal of this space :)

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  4. I love the desk and the second choice lights. I am very curious about the spray lacquer.

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  5. I love where you are going with this! Yes, I "shop" my own stuff. It's amazing how things move around our house!!!

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  6. Squeeeal - the lamps, the desk, the rug....so fabulous! I'm anxious to hear about the paint, I remember seeing it awhile back, the color is gorgeous!

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  7. I've been dying to try Amy Howards Paint now I definitely will!

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  8. I've never heard of the paint, and now I want to know more! I try to "shop" my house, but I also don't like to. If I end up taking something from somewhere else, then I'm left with a hole in that somewhere else that needs filled! But I do have a stash of "this is too good of a deal to pass up" things, but most of them need updates too. Lots of chairs. :)

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  9. You are so funny. Great post! The lady lamps are fab. Can't wait to hear more about the paint. Cheers!

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  10. I see such great potential..the lamps are insane and so is the pink desk. LOVE it!

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  11. I think this is going to be feminine fab. Can't wait to hear your review of the lacquer spray. I have my late MIL's end table this is sadly brown but really wants to be shiny black. Fingers crossed!

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  12. so bright and fun already! and, i love the way the pink desk makes the walls glow. can't wait to see the rest!

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  13. I love finding new homes for things we already have. I did just that with my office (a work in progress). I'll let myself make small purchases but I love giving new life to old buys!

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  14. I swap things around my house All.The.Time!! The desk looks amazing painted that color, and I love the lady lamps. :)

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  15. ALRIGHT that desk is everything. I am obsessed. Also, 'lady lamps' is hilarious. 'My lamps, my lovely lady lamps'

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  16. I'm currently the girl that's bangs a smidge too long hanging in her eyes lol!! Waving hi! When it comes to furniture, I have to mentally have a place for it in my head for it since our home is small...now lamps and vases and dinnerware totally come home with me! lol

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  17. Always changing this around. Makes the home feel and look more interesting! :)

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  18. I am so looking forward to putting my house back together...using what I already have but in different ways and in different places. Now is the perfect time do shop my own inventory. Love the bright desk on that super expensive rug...makes it look like a splurge instead of the bargain of the decade!

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  19. Sorry to hear about the love loss with the black shade, but you know it always works out. I am dying over that desk. I need to hear the deets.

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  20. Loving how it's coming together! And that desk....with those lamps?!..yes, please! And two dollars??! Sold. ;-)

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  21. Loooove Amy Howard lacquer paint. I used it before and im dying to use it again!. This space is gonna be seriously amazing. And ummm can I get a high five for a $2 rug! Yesss honey!

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  22. Love your lady lamps, $2 rug (!!!), painted desk (holy crap spray lacquer??? who knew? sounds like something that could change my life! Can't wait to hear more!) and i think i spy an awesome bamboo mirror!!!! Okay, i'm officially jealous of your basement office...considering i cringe every time i need to enter mine to do laundry! :)

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  23. That desk is amazing and I love it with the rug!! It's all coming together beautifully.

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  24. okay, AMAZING! Love the lacquer desk and those lamps!!!!

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  25. Two dolla?!!! That is insane! As are those lovely lady lamps. My lamps, my lamps, my lovely lady lamps :D

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  26. This is an exciting project! Those lamps are so unique and way more interesting than a black shade anyway! I didn't know about Amy Howard paint, so Im very interested in hearing how it applies..great pink desk! Have a great week. xo Nancy

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  27. Oh I am loving where this is going! I am with you on buying things before you have a home for them. I tend to do this with art. Sometimes it inspires the best design!
    www.designsbykaty.com

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  28. Wait, did you say TWO DOLLARS?? ;) That's crazy! The rug even slightly resembles the one in your mood board! That desk is fab...I love your room makeovers so much and can't wait to see where you end up!

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  29. OH MY GOD THAT DESK!! Honestly, it works so nicely with the TWO DOLLAH rug. Freaking amazing lamps too. I have office envy already. xxx

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  30. The abstract plan looks pretty, but essentially impractical once applied; it can be frustrating when this happens. On the other hand, it’s good that you realized that before you started to actually move and buy things. I hope you’ve found an alternative solution to your lighting scheme dilemma. I think you could still opt for the lady lamp, but have proper lighting with a more appropriate cast for the size of your room.

    Bryan Hubbard @ Douthit Electrical

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