When we bought this 1970’s Ranch home there was one large room when you walked in the front door. Part of it was an entry that stepped down to large room that was used for a formal living room and a dining room. I did like how open it was, but we really didn’t need a formal living room. What we did need was a home office. So we decided to build a wall to separate the large open room and create a dining room and an office. We have been using this home office for 3 months now and it is the MOST used room in our home!!!!! We use it as mine and Kevin’s office, along with my sister and mom who both wok with us and the kids do homework, color and often eat breakfast in here!
LIVING SPACE BEFORE-
You can see from this photo the before floor plan, it was an open room. We added the wall to create a home office. And moved the dining room in the space with the rounded window.
You can see more of the floor plan changes above. Moved stairs. Added a wall to create a separate dining room and home office.
HOME OFFICE BEFORE-
HOME OFFICE AFTER-
We had built-in bookcase custom built in the room for loads of storage. And use a dining table instead of a traditional desk. It is very much a high-functioning room. We love it so much. I was actually most excited for this room over any other room in our home. I have never had a home office, and working from home for the past 7 years, this is truly a gift.
Magique Art // Profile Art // Rug Diamond Pattern // Small Lamp // Gold Ruler
Scissors // Dry Erase Calendar // Frame TV // Swan Download // Frame for TV
Glass Cabinet // Large Lamp // Wall Kraft Paper // Square Baskets // Wallpaper Floral
Hardware Brass Knobs
I have been very happy with this dining table we are using as a desk. Happy I went with black to hide the everyday wear and tear.
Instant love when I saw these chairs online. Mustard Yellow is one of my favorite colors, so I knew I had to find a spot for these in our home.
We had these Industrial Pendant Lights installed over the desk. Which was actually easier said than done to plan exactly where they will hang! Tip is to do some type of mock up. Because the size of your pendants will determine how far they are apart, it isn’t a standard one size fits all. So mocking it up helped me!
Also the light is directed down on these lights, which is great for task work, but it left the rest of the room dark. I could have also added can lights. Instead I added lamps to the room on the opposite sideboard. Just wanted to mention that when you are searching for lighting!
I saw a similar pencil holder in a photo of Lindsay Letters and had to do something like it in our office! I found this candle holder (12 hole 38″) and it made for the perfect centerpiece for my office table! I ordered a box of colored pencils to bring in all the fun colors in our wallpaper!
When we hung the black and floral wallpaper it instantly felt cozy! I like how the black pulled in the black table and made the space feel very custom. We also just painted the trim and the pocket door, honestly it was the final touch that unified the space! The trim color was matched from one of the green leaves in the wallpaper at The Home Depot (see the paint can below).
Kevin closed the pocket door, drew a line with a pencil, put tape on the door frame to determine how to separate the two colors. Doesn’t bother me to see two colors!
The hanging roll of Kraft Paper has been fun to write quotes on, kids to color on and even use for wrapping paper!
My essential oil rack not only is a practical way to display the oils I use everyday but it also is so fun to see all the rainbow of colors.
Casually brining the outside in!
Speaking of color….is it obvious I am a fan?? The built-in bookcase color (Sulking Room Pink) was the start of the room, then I designed the room off of that. My inspiration for the bookcase arched style was from @vestigehome.
The bookcase has been awesome for storage. We even added a plug to a few of the bottom cabinets to use as a charging station and for our printer.
Love being able to easily access our printer and store paper etc.
In one cabinet we have wrapping paper storage, gift bags, extra gifts, ribbon etc. Nice to have it all in one place and quickly see if I need to stock up on something.
I am bugged at myself I didn’t have the electrician add strip lighting to the bookcase. We have power in the bookcase so it is something I am going to have him come take a look at. We tried some under cabinet re-charging, but the died way too fast.
Over on this side of the room we added a Glass Sideboard as a way to balance out the room. (I bought it at a local shop The Black Goose Design, from my friend Denise) but sourced it online too.
Plus we got more storage! Books, paper, crafts, makers, supplies and more! Everything has a home.
The sideboard has a Frame TV over it. Which has been really nice for zoom calls, or Finn will sometimes eat breakfast in here and watch a cartoon, and the kids often pull up Art for kids Hub and follow along in an art class!
Makes me heart so happy to see the kids coloring at the table!
We hung a large dry erase wall calendar in here we write on every Sunday the plan for the week! I really liked that it looks like a vintage chalkboard!
I added other framed pieces of art around the frame tv to create a gallery wall.
OFFICE SOURCES-
- Garden Black Wallpaper
- Industrial Pendant Lights
- Table Lamp
- Glass Sideboard
- Table (we are using as desk)
- Caned Chairs
- Hanging Kraft Paper Roll
- Essential Oil Rack
- Pencil Holder
- Colored Pencils
- Wall Dry Erase Calendar
- Frame TV
- Frame for Frame TV
- Hotel Magique Art
- She Found Herself in the Wild Art
- Custom House Portrait
- Diffuser
- Floors- Opus in Acropolis European Oak
What a beautiful, colorful, harmonious, youthful, cozy, functional room!
The number of decisions you have made without any slip ups is amazing.It’s all so good and inspiring.
Thank you! I feel like somethings I slipped up on…I will have to do a post on that “what I wish I did”
Brooke and Kevin, you knocked it outta the park! Such talent. Bravo, five 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.
It’s stunning, Brooke! I didn’t think I could love any home more than your former cape, but you keep proving me wrong with each room reveal in your new home. I can’t get over how amazing all the colors blend together. It’s refreshing to see your bold use of color in what feels like an overload of muted decor these days. Bravo!!
Oh so kind of you to say! Thank you!
So so good! I am continually inspired by you.
I absolutely love everything about it. SO gorgeous, I’m sure it’s just so much fun working in there with everyone. Thank you for all of the links, great post!
The room looks so beautiful! Really love all the storage solutions you came up with for this room too.
Brooke, such a wonderful space to work in! Just gorgeous! It makes my day when you post a blog post. You have created such an incredible home! Wishing years and years of happiness in this dreamy home.
Thank you so much Karen!
It is all so lovely! I love so much and I am inspired to hang some kraft paper ASAP. It’s my favorite wrapping paper.
It’s so vibrant and has so much pizazz! I love the location of it as well, I’ll bet you love that handy space just off your kitchen! What I find amazing is that it looks like you have lived there for ages and not just a few months. The coziness is hard to achieve so early on in the game. Nice job.
Brooke I think your home is what you make it and it should fit you. We all change and your right that one style for one house or environment can differ a lot from the next. so does a “feeling” a home may have in and of itself. So many glorious colors to surround yourself with. I do feel that playing it safe isn’t always what the color white brings. The color white has it’s own homey feel to people that they love, not just playing it safe but it’s use in calmness that less color can bring. Surrounding yourself with color or with cool whites and beige shades may be what someone loves not a trend to follow per se.
Sometimes life gets so hectic and chaotic that some need a reprieve and simple shades is just what is needed. I love the calmness less color brings to my brain:0)…..it’s not playing it safe as we don’t all follow trends to design our homes, it is just what we find fits our needs and our lives. I’m not a blogger or designer, I just need to have peace and calm at home so I design my home that way. Love your exploration and it’s so much fun to watch and learn. We just aren’t all the same. Maybe next year I’ll feel like some bold colors? Who knows?! Keep up the good work! Your doing a great job with your new home and surroundings. You always give great ideas! A joy!
Yes I have white all over my home. My bedroom has mostly all white.
Do what you love.
I was referring to picking something because I am worried about what others think or to be safe to make sure I like in 10 years.
Hi Brooke
The room is beautiful!Can you link the black table lamps? The ones you have linked are the target table lamps that are different.
Thanks
Oh yes, I forgot I moved those Target lamps to my basement. I have THESE in our office.
I look forward to each one of your room reveals! This space looks like it would get all of the creative juices flowing. I use to have loads of color in my home then toned it down since the neutrals brought more of a cozy vibe in. You’ve proved you can have color and still make it very warm and welcoming and cohesive. Thank you for always inspiring!
Absolutely and fantastically one-of-a-kind. Brilliant! 👊🏽
Oh my Brooke! I love everything!! It’s absolutely beautiful! Love , love your style, and you are giving me some great ideas for my home office. My husband and I purchased are forever home, we built a ranch, that is at the base of the mountains in PA. So starting this spring, we can finally paint and decorate. I want do wallpaper in the foyer and laundry room! But now I want one wall, in the office. 😉 Thank you so much for the information and inspiration!
I love this wallpaper, bookshelf color, and trim colors! Any ideas for using the wallpaper/paint combos for a bedroom? Do you think it would have the same vibe?? I have a bedroom makeover for myself in the future, and I’m loving so many things about this! Now I’m just trying to envision it!
Yes you totally could! Blush accents!
Love this space! You and Kevin did a great job! Would you mind sharing the dimensions of your room? I’m trying to determine if I could make a similar design work in my home. Thank you!
Wowzers!! My favorite room yet!!!
It is sooooo fabulous and functional! I love how you fill a space, think of “all” the things and make it warm and cozy too. You’re my daily favorite!
I am in love with your office not to mention what you have done with your whole house. Your color choices are fabulous!! You couldn’t have done better. I think the colors are so warm and inviting and blend so beautifully together. It will brighten up your day just walking in your house. Wonderfully done!
Beautiful and functional office! Have you considered slide out shelves or drawers for the printer and gift wrap shelves? We have them in the kitchen and LOVE them!
I am just generally wondering where you find all these baskets, which add so much cozy and functionality? Is it in one or two places or a slow, curated build up of random baskets?
Stunning!!!!!😍😍