Office Reveal
Welcome to the Late Show with Katie Bower. Tonight we are talking about a little room makeover I’ve been working on. Originally it was an office space…and now….it is still an office space. just a much prettier one. Let’s sit down and fill you in on some of the how-we-made-it-happen-details.
This house was a foreclosure. When we moved in, we fully expected to take it slow and steady with room renovations. To be perfectly honest – it’s because a bigger house = bigger spaces = bigger budget needs. And this house needs renovating in every single room. So when Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine approached us to do a room makeover, we were all like take-your-pick. And they were like no-it’s-your-pick and we were all like then-we-pick-the-office. So with a $300 giftcard in hand and a room selected, we came up with a plan…
(you can read all about the plan here)
And then I came to realize, oh-yeah-I’m-not-good-with-plans….so I came up with a new idea. Since this space would be mine-all-mine, I wanted it to be fun and preppy and girly with splashes of color. I wanted it to be like KateSpade.com threw up in my office. Graphic…yes…but you get the point. Oh and then we came up with another idea…since we renovate/makeover/redo so much stuff all the time, why don’t we take a portion of the money and invest it in a tool?! I know. We are practically genius’ over here. We could totally solve the energy crisis…and that silly thing called world hunger. So we budgeted for a paint sprayer. And it was like the Easter bunny & Santa Claus’ lovechild visited the Bower house in April…we were that excited.
After a bunch of prep work, my darling boyfriend took on the task of painting the poo colored trim and ceiling. It was like the heavens opened and God said let there be light….and it was good.
A little blueish green paint rolled onto the top half of the walls, we had ourselves a pretty clean slate to decorate. I was salivating at the thought of the Kate Spade vomit. You know what I mean.
Next came lighting…
and then picking what furniture would be in here (as well as starting the painting process on those)…
Which leads us to the final reveal… (are you firmly gripping your underpants because these before and afters can blow panties off fully sober men and women…consider yourself warned)….before the office was dreary and depressing….
The walls were what I like to call Poo & Eww (a dark brown and a fleshy pink).
Not only did it lack personality – it sucked yours away.
Dirty was it’s middle name.
And the floors and available natural light were overwhelmed with the bad paint job.
and now it is light bright and inspiring for me to work in…
I had big goals for this space. It had to store most of my craft & sewing stuff…it also had to be a place for my photography editing to take place…and the spot where I could put all my blog work.
First the desk. I absolutely love the desk now that it is fresh and white with the new paint job. Apparently you can buy these desks already white at Ikea but five years ago when we purchased this bad boy, it came only in wood tone. Now, it doesn’t pop out as much – which is good with a floating desk because it makes the space look larger.
Since it has a glass top, I don’t have to worry much about protecting it either.
I tend to be a clutter-er when it comes to my desk top, so I decided that in order to corral the chaos, I would simply have two areas….one for my ‘stuff’ that ends up outta my pockets…
And the other a small tray for papers, notebooks, pens & papers.
The real star of the show is the chair makeover. It started out black & gold, and now she shines with a new coat of bright red paint and a fun fabric cushion.
I love how the green in the fabric nods to my nearby bookcase with a ‘hey there- how you doin!?”
The green bookcase was probably my most daring makeover. I bought two sampler cans of Valspar’s Lime Green and it looks so much more youthful now. Stacked over head are two shelves that used to live in Will’s old nursery – and now they hold my boxes (they have lenses and other equipment inside), a few albums, and my books.
The bookcase does so major storage for me. The two banana leaf baskets (both from Lowe’s) hold an amazing amount of fabric. And the box on top is a charging station for my phone, Flip camera, etc.
Gotta love it when you can fold tons of pretties into one space, right?!
I love that picture of Cole too…he used to do this squinty eye thing for photos….it’s very him.
And yes, that is an old photo of Jeremy (he used to do a Katie Appreciation Week when we dated – he’s the cutest)…and I got to place him right next to my stack of House Beautifuls.
I think I am most proud of this bookshelf because it is actually functional and has photos of people…something hard about combining those two.
On top, I moved in my Bowers Mints tin. Gotta love it when your last name is the same as a vintage candy company! And the art is just some crazy blue squares I painted during one of our art sessions.
Next to the bookcase is this little topiary. Since the bookcase is actually not as wide as the shelves above it, I faked it being wider by adding this next door…
Just beyond the book shelf is a little area that I deemed ‘the sewing nook’…
Here’s the wide open shot again -
The sewing nook is really great because I was able to squeeze in more craft stuff (stored in the bottom of the bookshelf), sewing stuff (in the baskets and desk drawers), and another desk and chair (which will be great for when I need a quiet moment & Will can color).
The big bolts of fabric in the corner are also great reminders of projects I have planned.
And yes, I didn’t have the rolls for all my fabric, so I just used yardsticks for easy storage.
More magazines, more paint, more glorious storage…
Now if you turn around in the sewing nook – here’s the view…
To the left is the sitting area…
I love how the homemade watercolor art looks like the jellyfish is sniffing the flowers.
I was able to reuse all the furniture and mix n match some pillows and accessories to make the art tie everything together.
Oh and that basket by the chair is filled to the brim with my ‘to-do’ projects…I figured corraling them in one spot and covering them so they aren’t an eyesore will be great for someone like me who often goes looking for something to do and ends up starting something completely new.
Confession – I faked this pillow cover. It’s actually just fabric wrapped around a pillow form. I will get around to sewing it though – now that I have a nook 
And the last bit of the room has the giant $22 white board. I have future plans to trim out around the edge but for now, it looks and works just fine. It’s already halfway full of notes and reminders.
Plus, since you have to enter the room to see it, my messy handwriting won’t be the first thing you see when you come into the space.
Lots more still to do (coughcurtainscough) but for now, I am going to officially call this room done. for now.
More random shots…
Now – and I know this is like the never-ending makeover post…are you ready for the side-by-side before&afters?
Special thanks again to Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine. They were the ones that provided the motivation and some of the moolah for this makeover. And special thanks to you guys too. You all have been so encouraging lately and just to get one little room done is huge for me…so thanks for being patient as we slowly work on this beast of a house. You rock.
****************UPDATE: I forgot to post the budget info – so here goes:
Sprayer $250
BUDGET:
- Hardware for hanging shelves, art & white board $8
- Rollers $13
- Paint pan $3.50
- Spraypaint & Spray Primer $31.50
- Electrical plates, switches and outlets $26.50
- Paper & tape $15
- White Primer $42
- White Paint $56
- Blue Paint $24
- Pot & Soil $17
- Green Paint $6
- 4 woven Baskets $52
- Deadbolt $18
TOTAL : $312.50 (plus tax) – and this doesn’t count the paint sprayer but like I said before, we put some of our own money towards that because it was going to be ours forever and because we like new tools
ADDITIONAL MONEY SPENT IN THIS SPACE (we did spend a small amount of moolah in this space over the course of decorating it – so I want to be upfront about that as well!)
- Homegoods woven wall mail holder $14
- 2 teal vases from Target $12
- Homegoods coral decor $9
- Homegoods white frame $3
- Fabric for chair $2
- Fabric for pilllows $2
- White board $22
TOTAL ADDT: $64 (plus tax)
NEW OFFICE COST: $376.50 (plus tax without sprayer) $626.50 (plus tax with sprayer)
It looks amazing. I especially love the green chair fabric and deer head!
I love this office! Amazing job. I am wondering though, could you do a post about how you painted your desk? I have a laminate desk that I would LOVE to paint white, but I am afraid that I will destroy it in the process! What kind of paint/primer did you use? Paint brush or roller? Did you prime first? Should you put a polyurethane finish on a desk? Does it feel sticky or just nice and smooth? Thanks so much!
I used spray primer – Zinnser’s – and then the paint was just regular ole Valspar eggshell in bright white. I used the sprayer for this desk but a brush and roller could look just as good – just make sure you do thin coats. Also – allow for plenty of dry time – that will prevent the sticky problem. It’s gotta cure. You can use a top coat – Verathane is awesome for white furniture.
xo – kb
Great job – it looks amazing! Love that color – might have to find a place for that color in my house.
Quick question – where did the file storage wall basket to the left of the dry erase board come from? Been to 5 stores today looking for wall mount file storage that is both decorative and functional – no luck. Can’t afford PB’s Daily System – please don’t tell me it’s from ages ago!
Thanks!
I got mine at HomeGoods just about two weeks ago – so maybe your luck will be fruitful there
xo – kb
Katie this looks beautiful!!! I will admit that I was nervous when I saw you mention a green bookcase in yesterday’s post but it all turned out so great. Btw, I’m swooning over the deer head you have on the wall – I’ve been scoping one out at West Elm for months now and requested it for Mother’s Day. Is that weird? Actually, don’t answer that, I’d like to stay in denial about the whole requesting a deer head as a gift thing. Again, fantastic job!
I don’t think that’s weird at all
xo – kb
I wish my vomit came out as pretty as Kate Spades! Love what you did with the room. The color combo is gorgeous!
Katie, you’re office is gorgeous! Great job!
That’s EXACTLY what I imagine Kate Spade vomit to look like. Maybe with a couple of bows thrown in, but otherwise, exactly that.
Wow, wow, wowzer!
Amazing transformation! I absolutely love it! Enjoy!
Katie,
I love it!!! I am inspired to do a bold red chair in my living room–what color red paint did you use?
It’s Valspar’s Bright Red. It comes in a regular ole paint can or you can get it in spraypaint too
xo – kb
Love it!!!!!
Wow, wow, wow! Isn’t it amazing what paint can do?! The office looks incredible. I’d just wander in there constantly and stare with my mouth hanging open. Great job, Katie! The other Kate has nothing on you.
katie- it looks fabulous! i love everything you’ve done with the space. what a happy place to sit and be productive and creative.
if you’re thinking of adding a rug, i own one that would go perfectly in the space.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20659470
the “green” is actually a beautiful rich teal/turquoise color, and it would go so well with your greeen and red accents and would coordinate well with the wall color!
Gorgeous!! You really did such a great job….and it’s amazing what a little paint can do!!
AMAZING! Katespade.com threw up all over that room. I love it.
I LOVE it!!
So bright and pretty. You are so lucky that your husband lets you do what you want with the house. I’m sure some things he’s not too fond of but lets you do them anyway because they make you happy 
My husband on the other hand is the style natzi. I can’t do anything with our house, it’s so annoying! True story: I showed him the before and after pictures of your office because I wanted to show him how amazing things look bright and fresh and he said “Oh, I like the before picture better!” I almost lost it!! ;o
It looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL Katie! I can’t wait to see the curtains in the space. They will add the finishing touch.
The room looks beautiful! I want to come work there! So inspiring, great job!
It looks absolutely beautiful! Airy and inspirational and so very pretty! Quick question: how did you paint the ikea laminate furniture (was it laminate?!)? I have some old ikea dressers I’d love to paint or stain, but I’m not sure what steps to take to make sure the paint sticks to that smooth (ok, cheap!) surface.
Thanks! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
The ikea piece wasn’t laminate – but the bookcase was – and I prep it with a little spray paint prep – then a few thin coats of paint and a coat of spray poly at the end will seal things up
xo – kb
I love how all the colors from your painting are showcased in the room! Beautiful!
I LOVE IT!!!! You are so blessed to have that space for yourself!
Beautiful happy cheerful space for being creative. Gorgeous job on the details, Katie! It’s so pretty!
It looks amazing! I love what you did with the space! Before I read this post I was contemplating painting my dresser green ( I just painted my bedroom walls a light aqua color) but I wasn’t sure if I had the guts to do it. It would make a pretty bold piece of furniture, but after seeing how awesome the bookshelf looks, I think you may have convinced me to go for it
I’m totally planning to use the green ikat-ish fabric you used for a chair I’m reupholsterin, except I’m going with the navy. Nice to see if on a piece, rather than just the swatch I ordered.
This space is soooo inspiring and beautiful!!! Congrats girls!! You are an amazing designer!
Yay! What an amazing space! I’d stay in there and do office things all day long. Your desk chair and bookshelf makeovers are off the chiz-ane!
THIS IS AMAZING! You guys are so inspiring, Thank You!
Love the new office, Katie! I’m amazed at how fast you guys pulled that one off! Makes me want to get off my butt and get something done! Thanks for the inspiration, as always.
I can’t stop looking at your new office! Seriously, its fantastic. You are so talented! Can I be you when I grow up (even though I think I’m actually older than you)!?
Your office came out so well! I’m a little jealous… okay, a lot jealous. You may want to consider adding a coat rack or a wall mounted hook rack so your clients have a place to put coats, purses, etc. Also, if you’re feeling frisky you could add some fun draw pulls to add a punch of color to your fabulous desk. Maybe something from Anthropologie?
Right now we don’t have any clients visit (it’s tough being a blogger/photographer to draw that line in the sand – but for safety sake, we just went the more cautious route)…but I do think that KATIE needs a purse hook
And is it weird to admit that I am not cool enough to go into an Anthropologie alone? In fact, I’ve been in one…one time…clinging to Sherry…because she makes me cooler than I actually am.
xo – kb
Katie- I love that you said that! I am the exact same way… But I don’t have sherry to go with me. So, I just shop online; but totally feel I miss some of the experience.
Wowza. That is an awesome job you did there Katie!
IN LOVE WITH THE BLUE!!! Such a great color- not too bright! Looks amazing- great job!! And a clean white has the amazing ability to brighten a space. Love love love!
Katie of Athomewhenimwithyou.blogspot.com
This is amazing! I love the green and red chair and the jellyfish art. Great job. It looks like a completely different house!
Cara
Holy breath of fresh air that is AMAZING! You should really be proud of yourself (and your helper(s)). I have total room envy and am so happy for you to have such a beautiful space to work in and appreciate…and I totally bow down to your ability to pull this off a) period, b) with a toddler at home, and c) while pregnant. Well done!
Great work, Katie! You’ve inspired me. Not that I’ll act on it soon, but it’s in my head now.
Katie I am so impressed with our office! it TOTALLY looks like Kate Spade threw up in there…mission accomplished!
For the white deer head….how about a chunky frame around it, painted a bright funky color? Could be cool.
Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for Baby #2′s room!!
~Laura
Ooh – that sounds cool.
xo – kb
Katie, way to go! Looks awesome. Makes me actually want to work in a home office as opposed to sitting on the couch.
This room make-over should go down in hostory as one of THE GREATEST MAKE-OVERS OF ALL TIME. Including all the former contestants on The Swan.
So inspiring. So bright. So bold. I love your mix of colors and patterns. And the floating desk. It’s so easy just to shove everything against the walls, and this has such a better impact. It’s so inviting!
I’m exhausted just reading this! I just want to hang on that chair with the green blanket and banana-leaf pillow, and soak up all that light flooding into the room!
…history. I of course meant “go down in history”. Not ho-story.
The green bookshelf and the wall color have me drooling!!! Love love love
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the way your jellyfish artwork looks in the office. Really wonderful!
I love it!
It’s clean, fresh, organized and inspirational and I’m sure you’re going to love working and playing and loving in there…
You always inspire! Fabulous!
Ummm, yeah. You and that boyfriend of yours do some AMAZING work! A-MAZING!
I love how the room turned out! My hubby works for Lowe’s so I am always emailing him your posts when you do something with Lowe’s Creative Ideas mag. Are you thinking of adding a rug? I think a rug would look great under the deak and anchor the room a bit more.
We definitely want a rug one day – gotta save those pennies!
xo – kb
so so awesome and I’m so jealous! great job- envious girlified office space complete with sewing corner
I’M AMAZED !!!
It’s looking stunning, full of beautiful details and splashes of colors are just right! It feels warm and cozy there…
Very well done, The desk is my favorite, I love the old/serious/fresh style.
I’m very inspired to change my little office too.
Thank you for sharing
xoxo
I think my favorite thing about the room is that you have given every seat a lovely view, so you will be inspired no matter where you are hanging out. I’m also thrilled that your jellyfish now has the perfect showcase. That’s one of MY favorite projects you have ever done. I am in awe of your many talents.
Last night I dreamed that I made a detour on our next flight to fly to ATL and come see the office in person. Yep, I just showed up on your doorstep and asked to see it. DreamKatie was understandably surprised to see me but still very gracious. The room looks just as good in realdream life. For realism’s sake, my dreamhusband was not happy with my decision to make a solo detour. of course, he didn’t realize how cool the office is.
haha…did you read right before bed? Because sometimes I have dreams about the weirdest stuff and it was always something I was looking at right before I go to sleep…which kinda explains why I was an UFC fighter last night in my dreams
xo – kb
You got it… I read it right before bed! It’s so funny how my dreams are always *mostly* realistic – real people, real places – but I am sure that Atlanta isn’t in the flight path between Belgium and Croatia! (Which is good, because dreamJeremy was kinda freaked out by the whole creepy stalker thing… but still gracious, as well.)
sooooo nice!
I am so jealous!!!!