Thanks to the snowstorm, I finished my home office make-under. Let me explain. When we moved into our current house 3 1/2 years ago, my office was in a great room with lots of natural light. The room is off our front hall and does not have a close-able door. So, when baby spark! came along and we decided to have a part-time nanny, I moved my office upstairs in the corner of our large rectangular master bedroom. Needless to say, I have a much smaller home office than I used to!
So, this “make-under” has been going on since November of 2007! First, I bought a corner desk because my traditional desk looked very misplaced in the corner of the bedroom. Then, I got stuck. (This is why people hire decorators — to get you unstuck and push you along so that an easy project does not take 2 years!) I also like referring to is as a make-under because I didn’t spend much to transform the space.
Here is the before:

And taaaaaaaaaaa-daaaaaaaaah, here is the after:

Here is the run-down:
The lamps are the same, and I purchased them from a Target in Bluffton, South Carolina years ago.
I replaced my cute repainted and recovered (but way uncomfortable ) wooden chair, with the comfy white leather office chair from Overstock.
I painted the two boring baskets on the desk and under the printer using white Rustoleum from Lowes.

I got the silver bordered white frames for $4 each from Target. The new white pen holder is also from Target.
The shelves were quite a find — the West Elm in Richmond is closing (sniffle) and I stumbled upon an amazing sale. The shelves were 50% off, and then I got an additional 15% off of the total (paid $25 for 2 shelves!).

My beloved doggie book ends are Jonathan Adler for Barnes & Noble. The silver Jefferson cups were given in college and law school as honors and gifts (I think it is a Virginia thing?), and I use them to hold my paper clips, rubber bands and push pins.

I covered my reference books in brown paper bags! Remember back in high school and middle school when you were required to cover your books? I like the cleaner look, and it’s kind of mysterious, no? 🙂
And finally, I have always wanted my very own inspiration board. My mom brought me this white bulletin board from her house and I found some fun colorful push pins at, where else?, Target!

I would love to replace my blotter and mousepad, so I will keep looking. Also, I would love to have a white monitor, keyboard, and printer, but work sends them to me (fo’ free!), so I can’t really complain, right?
Here is another look:
