Office Makeover

I recently had the opportunity to create an office space for myself.  

I wanted a wall of built-ins, but didn’t want to spend the money to hire someone to build them for me.  I started looking for shelves that could be placed on the wall to make a built-in look, and everything I like would cost me a few thousand dollars and it still wouldn’t have the “built-in” look. 

We started by ripping up the carpet in my husband’s old office, and putting on a fresh coat of paint. Didn’t get a good picture of the whole room with the lighting, but this shows the wall color and new flooring. 

Here are my book cases. It took me a few hours to put them all together.  I got them moved into my space and then it was my husbands turn to help.  

I put together the same shelves in another color last year for shelving in my master closet.

We added trim pieces between each shelf, and then added a few boards that reach the ceiling, with trim and moulding.  This helped to create a more custom, built-in look! I painted it and I’m still thrilled with the look of it each time I walk into the room!

I had a desk downstairs that was a collector of things.  Anything the kids didn’t know where to put, got thrown on or in the drawers.  I moved it to the office and changed it from black to grey very easily with chalk paint.  I then added a wax finish to it.  It was a very quick project and I’m thrilled with the results. 

My almost completed office.  I say “almost” because there are always little things I would like to do.  I have one empty wall that I may add another chair or storage unit to, and a mirror.  

I have plenty of storage on the shelves, and more in the closet, which is where I also keep my printer. 

I got this little chest of drawers at Ikea.  Another great storage option. 

I purchased this map of the United States and little wooden push pins.  I placed a push pin in the spots that my husband and I visit most frequently and are our favorite stops. I am thinking I will have him build a frame around the map to finish it off nicely.

Thanks for checking out my makeover! It’s a space that I enjoy being in ~ each morning I do my Bible Study here with my coffee, and find myself here throughout each day, to blog or study.  Would love to see any other “Ikea Hacks” that you’ve done in your homes!

Blessings from Kim ~ "With Jesus in her heart, and coffee in her cup.” ~ 

"Hi! I'm Kim ~ Blessed wife of Eric, mom of four and Nonnie to a sweet little grand daughter with another expected in January!  I'm a coffee enthusiast, baker, organizer and DIYer. My home style tends to lean 

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Organizing and Cleaning the Garage

Hi all!

How's the Monthly Organization Challenge going for you all? Hopefully it's going well and you're bringing some order to your home.

During the month of June, we are going to be organizing and cleaning the garage.

Photo Sources: (1 - Dixie Delights) (2 - I Heart Organizing) (3 - The Creativity Exchange)

This month I'm challenging you to do the following:

Organize Shoes, Jackets, Etc.

Organize Paint Supplies

Organize Camping Gear

Organize Toys/Sporting Gear

Organize Gardening & Yard Equipment

Organize Tools

Organize Storage Bins

Deep Clean Freezer

Clean Garage Floor

Clean Walls

Okay, ready set, go clean and organize your garage!

This post is part of the Monthly Organization Challenge. You can join the challenge at any time. Go HERE to see all the posts and bring Delightful Order to your home and life this year.

To stay connected, you can sign up to receive emails when new posts are published or follow along on Instagram or Facebook. (Please note that Facebook has made some changes, and you may or may not see all the posts there.)  I also have a Monthly Organization Challenge board set up on Pinterest, so you can follow along there as well. 

May you be a little inspired!

Until next time,
DaNita 
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View more of my Most Recent Projects HERE.
 

How to Antique a Metal Pail

If you have been following along with my monthly contributor posts, you will recall the post on the floating shelves Tyler made for my living room. I briefly mentioned how I made a shiny metal pail look old and dull, and today I want to explain how I achieved that look. 

I love old metal pails and had wanted to use one for an arrangement a few months ago. I wasn't having much luck finding it, so I bought a shiny pail from Hobby Lobby for about $2. I did some research on how to make it look old and found a very simple, easy fix. 

I ended up doing many more and now my house has metal arrangements scattered throughout the rooms. On my last post, I ended up taking the pail I was using for my floating shelves and planted purple flowers in it for my porch. I bought a new pail and decided to use it as a demonstration. 

All you need is Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner, steel wool and a pair of gloves (not pictured.) 

I poured some cleaner on the steel wool, and in circular motions, scrubbed the pail. Make sure you have gloves because it will burn your hands if you come in contact with the toilet cleaner. I let it sit for about 30 minutes and used my hose outside to wash the cleaner off. 

Side note: I have done this in many different weather conditions, and you will get different looks depending on how long you leave the cleaner on the pail and what the temperature is like. When it's very cold outside, I have left the pail for several hours, but today was 80+ so it didn't take long for the metal finish to age. 

Here are a few more metal arrangements that I have used the same technique on:

I have two vases on either side of my mantle, and my favorite florist and very talented sister-in-law put the arrangements together.

This is a sneek peek of my little boy's dresser that I will share the process of refinishing it another time.

As you can see, each pail has it's own look and I really like that they aren't all the same. It's a very simple process and an easy way to add metal to each room. I hope you were inspired and will give it a try. As always, thanks for stopping by!

See you next month, 

Jodi

"Hello! My name is Jodi from The Whispering Pines.  I love to decorate, refurbish old furniture, create small crafts and come up with unique party ideas. I also have a knack for organizing and enjoy experimenting with new recipes. My style is rustic with a touch of farmhouse. If you ask my husband, I could live in antique shops and home decor stores. I love being inspired by others and hope, you too, can gather a little inspiration for your home!"