It’s here! Today is the big One Room Challenge reveal!! Are you ready?!
To recap, the One Room Challenge is an event hosted by Linda at Calling It Home where 20 designers makeover a space from start to finish in just 6 short weeks. You can catch those designers each Wednesday, and the rest of us link up on Thursdays. I did my first Challenge in the spring and it was so fun!
For the fall challenge, I decided to turn our sad guest bedroom into my new home office, now that I’m self employed. You can read all about it and see before pictures here!
My goal was to create a fun, vibrant space that I would be happy spending 8+ hours a day in. Here’s a quick look at my general plan:
You can see my progress here:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
To be completely honest, I’m a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE this space, and I am beyond excited that I get to spend each day in here. It’s so bright and cheerful, and yet not overcrowded. I love that I have room to spread out in the floor to work on a project or just take a mid day nap (you think I’m kidding?).
But I was rushed for time and couldn’t wait for the lighting to be just right, so the photos didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped. I’m thinking of having a professional photographer come shoot our house, or at least a few rooms. I feel like it would be a good investment. Or maybe I’m just being overly critical. It’s a coin toss at this point. Am I rambling?
Ok, enough chit chat…let’s get to the good stuff! Take a look!
I have soooo much to tell you, especially about my drop dead gorgeous custom drapes from Tonic Living and my little photo project on the mirror, but right now…I’m pooped! It’s 11:45 pm on my birthday, and while it’s been a full and spectacular birthday, I just want to crawl in bed. Real life over here, y’all. So stay tuned, and here are a few more pictures (as if you thought I was finished).
A huge thank you to Linda for hosting, and to Tonic Living and Amy Howard for sponsoring this makeover!
(By the way, a lot of people have asked…the paint color in this room is a pale yellow called Del Mar Shores by Glidden.)
Next week I’ll be sharing sources and my future plans for the office (it’s definitely not finished!), plus what happens when a DIY goes wrong. I hope you’ll come back to see more then!
In the meantime, check out all that these crazy talented people have done in their own spaces! Trust me, you’ll fall down the rabbit hole and won’t come back up for hours. Enjoy!
PS – Got a question? Leave it in the comments below and I’ll try to answer it in my posts next week.
PPS – I’m also over at Sarah Sarna’s blog today talking about one of my favorite fall colors. Hop on over and say hello!
Well done baby… well done!
Thank you! :)
where did you get the pretty pencils on the desk top?
Actually, I cant believe I am asking that question. You see for a while now I have been on the hunt of aqua pencils…..so? I had to ask.
Love the BIG windows and the new drapes !
Thanks, Karen! I actually got the pencils on clearance at TJ Maxx for $1! One pencil was missing, so they were basically giving them away! :)
It looks so good! That fireplace in there is wonderful, and I love the floors! Such a great space to work in. And I think your photos are lovely! I also always struggle with wanting pro photos and never having the time/ money to invest in them. It is frustrating when you put so much into it and then can’t capture it as well as you want. But seriously, your photos are lovely. The shelf styling is gorgeous! You should be so proud!!
Laura Irion // Avery Street Design recently posted…One Room Challenge // Exterior Reveal!
Thanks so much, Lauren!! I love the changes you made to your exterior, and those double doors are stunning!
There is so much to love about what you have done here. I am definitely going to steal the candles on the cake plate idea for Christmas with red candles on my glass cake plate. An office with a fireplace is probably everyone’s dream and your desk chair looks so comfy. Love the art work and on and on. There is nothing not to like. Well done. Incidentally, the walls look gray on my laptop so I flicked it to my big screen TV and then the yellow came through clearly.
Maralyn Woods recently posted…One Room Challenge – Fall 2015 – The Reveal!
Thank you, thank you! I kept looking for a cute and comfy desk chair, and then thought, why don’t I just use an extra accent chair I have? It’s so comfy! :)
beautiful, sarah! that chair with the follow your heart pillow is my favorite!
cassie @ primitive & proper recently posted…Thrift Score Thursday: Shiny Disco Birds
Thanks, Cassie! I’m not usually into really wordy things, but it just seemed perfect for what this space represents! :)
Your photos are so pretty! I can 100% empathize with your frustration over lighting though. I was THERE yesterday. Actually, I was literally crying on the floor of the closet, and I’m not generally a crier. It’s tough when you want perfection :)
Melissa @ Polished Habitat recently posted…Glam Organized Master Closet – It’s DONE! {One Room Challenge Week #6}
I feel your pain, Melissa! :)
Pretty!! Love the striped drapes and the styling of the bookshelf! Such a pretty room.
Thanks, Kate!
Awesome space! I especially love that rattan chair and the storage/bookcase. Beautiful.
Mary@ I Like it Lovely recently posted…One Room Challenge Guest Participant BIG Reveal
Thanks so much, Mary! Styling that bookcase took forever! ;)
Beautiful! Love it, Sarah! A little inspo for my future office, since I work from home, as well. :)
Thanks a bunch! I hope the house is coming along. Can’t wait to see it!
Great update! It looks so much more inviting now. I’m pretty impressed with your pics. If I hadn’t hired a photographer for my space it would be VERY obvious – yours could have fooled me :)
Lindsey @ The O’Donnell Collective recently posted…One Room Challenge – Week 6: The Reveal!
Thanks, Lindsey! That makes me feel better. I will definitely be hiring a pro next time…it’s totally worth it for me to not have to feel iffy about the photos! :)
So gorgeous! That would be an incredibly inspiring place to work. Great job!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus recently posted…Eat-In Kitchen Reveal
Thanks, Ashley! I loved your eat in kitchen makeover!!
what an awesome and charming workspace….. so much better than a cubicle LOL great colors!!
mollie’s mom recently posted…#motherdaughterorc Final Reveal!!!!
Thank you! It’s SO much better than a cubicle!! :)
I love it all! You rocked it so good! I have home office (and self employment) envy over here!
Corinna – A Designer At Home recently posted…Spanish Craftsman Bohemian Bathroom NOT Reveal
Thank you, Corinna! I can’t wait to see how your bathroom turns out! :)
Job well done – the room looks amazing! I love all the unique items you have on your shelves to bring in some color and interest. What a fabulous room to be able to work in everyday!
Jenny @ Refresh Living recently posted…Vintage Rustic Industrial Bathroom Reveal
Thank you, Jenny! :)
Sarah, waht a beautiful room! Love everything about it! And your bookshelf styling skills are superb…also really love the desk area. How comfortable and bright.
Thanks so much, Albertina! What a huge compliment coming from you! :)
I think you captured this room beautifully! What an amazing transition! I love how bright it is. Great job!
Erin @ The Organized Life recently posted…$100 “One Room Challenge”: The Laundry Room Reveal
Thanks, Erin! :)
Sarah, what a beautiful office you have! I love the curtains and that mirror! I’ve been there with photos and rushing to get everything finished at the last min. Actually my first ORC on my master I had to get up early to retake photos and was late posting due to that very reason. I decided to invest in a photographer and due it a week before the reveal, which is stressful because you have less time to work on the space, but great photos. Bravo on a job well done! XOXO, Sarah
Sarah recently posted…Boho Chic Friendsgiving
Thanks a bunch, Sarah! I think I’ll be taking your advice to get it done early and hire a pro photographer. It would totally be worth it!
Beautiful. …love the storage area and the way it looks! Can i ask what the letter M stands for? It all looks so good…..
Thanks, Sharon! The M is for Milly Media! :)
Those drapes make such a difference! Love the makeover!
Thanks Marcia!
Well done and so lovely
Thank you!! :)
Sarah, this looks beautiful. I love the drapes, and the desk area. It feels so organized and lovely at the same time. Great job.
I have been toying with the same thing…..turning my guest room into my office! I am sure you will be happy to work every day in that space. Great job!
Your room is Amazing!! I totally understand about it not photographing like you imagine. Sometimes the real thing is so much better than you can capture! I love it from these photos.. so I can only imagine how beautiful it is in real life! Thanks so much for linking up to You’re Gonna Love it . I’ll be sharing this on Pinterest!