Next up, before the big reveal, are the details on the shelves, photo wall and added lights.
One of the most difficult parts in this refresh was figuring out how to have a functional AND visually pleasing space. In theory, I like the idea of a clean, uncluttered space but in actuality, I need to have some items out in front of me. I need a calendar, a place to put loose paperwork, a space to have my planner out (both work and personal) and I need to have items that are inspiring and meaningful to me. Once I sat down and really thought about what would work, things really started to come together. I even did a sketch of the wall and shelves. Doing this helped me to visualize what I wanted the space to look like.
LIGHTS
You’ll have to forgive my tight photo cropping as I try to preserve the reveal of my office refresh! It is really impossible to show you the lights in their space without showing you the whole office so that will have to wait until the BIG REVEAL!!
Adding these lights was a last minute decision out of necessity. I have one overhead light in this room and it’s toward the front of the room. It was very dark in the part of my office where my work desk is located. It had not been an issue in the past when I had the armoire because there was light inside. The idea to use pendants came out of wanting to add light but not add anything on top of the desk. Once again, Amazon to the rescue! And I purchased these bulbs to go with them.
The box shows a warm white light but I got a daylight bulb.
PHOTO WALL
As I was cleaning and re-arranging my office, I decided that it was finally time to add photos to the frame that has been on the wall for years! This is one of those tasks that never takes as long as you think it will and then you wonder why it took you so long to do it! Completing this wall helps the room to feel done and personal.
BEFORE
AFTER
Once again, my plan was to just fill the photo frame but when I looked around I realized that there were two more pieces that I wanted to use.
This other frame is filled with photos of animals that I took while on safari in Africa in 2005. I put the photos in the frame several years ago (!) and have never put it up. I get to look at it daily now and it makes me very happy.
While it may no longer be standard practice to print and display photos but I love looking at photos of the people I love, who love me and special events or trips. I don’t want to keep all of these memories just on my phone or even in scrapbooks or photo albums!
The large piece of artwork has been in my office since I’ve lived here and I continue to love it. I knew that I wanted to find a spot for it in this refresh and I’m glad that I was able to.
SHELVES
I knew that I wanted to do something with this wall next to my desk but it took me a while to figure out what that was. I realized that I had some shelves that I’ve had for years (they were supposed to be part of another project in another room) and that they fit perfectly in the space.
Previously, I’d had a bulletin board and other pieces on the wall which I had taken down. You’ll see what I’m talking about in the BIG REVEAL.
After removing the armoire and taking down items from the wall, there were some holes in the wall which required filling.
I did a decent job with the spackle but not so great a job with paint matching and application!
Ultimately, I decided not to stress too much about it and just hope that the shelves and its contents might help to cover it some.
Next, it was time to put the shelves up!
The first shelf is always the easiest in some ways but also the most trying. These shelves were not hard to put up but because they are long it was a bit awkward. Having 3 hands would have been helpful!
Love seeing that bubble sitting right in the middle of the level. Having done this in my master bath I felt pretty confident about getting the shelves up and level as well as equally spaced.
The shelves are Mosslanda from Ikea. I keep calling them shelves when in fact they are considered picture ledges.
This is the last detail installment before the big reveal! I am really happy with how everything has turned out and can’t wait to share it with you!
Any thoughts or ideas? Share in the comments.
