
Home Office Decorating #InkscrblrATWork
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The before picture of my home office space |
I hoped my new home office would be a nice, large space with a view, and I hoped it would be on the main floor of our new home.
We had a check list of things we wanted in a house:
central air
pool
home office
at least 3 bedrooms
nice spacious yard
garage
sidewalks
hardwood
proximity to a good high school where my daughter will be going in about one year
nice kitchen
My home office was a high priority. So we set about looking and spent a few weeks hunting for houses. We spied many that were suitable, but this one with a pool was my favourite. One of the first things I noticed and loved about it was the home office. It was right near the front door. It had a view of the street (which I love when I am writing) It had Berber carpet and French doors.
It took a few weeks of negotiating and then finally the house was ours. We moved in on a cold wintery February day. It was Valentine’s Day weekend. I had my home office. For a time, all the boxes somehow landed in my office space and I had no decent desk or storage. My new office looked cluttered and not settled. I needed to take charge and build a beautiful welcoming space. After all I spend easily eight to ten hours a day there so it needed to be a space I loved.
My office was the room I felt strongest about. I’ve had a Pinterest home office inspiration board for years. I had dozens of ideas for the entire home and some for Home Office Decorating.
I could decorate my kid’s spaces and the living room without a huge amount of stress but the home office was a space I agonized over. I wanted it to look just right. Professional, clean, creative and a bit fun too. I began hunting for office equipment. We hunted in Cambridge and London and on line too. At Work Office Equipment has a showroom in Cambridge as well. There are numerous At Work locations throughout Ontario. Cambridge had some nice pieces, but I was stuck on the price and the service. Meanwhile my office space was still waiting and being used, but it sure wasn’t shaping up fast at all. My husband got frustrated and so did my friend Margarita Ibbott who accompanied me often on my quest to find office furniture. First I had a classical traditional kind of wooden desk with wooden bookshelves envisioned as the final product. But the desks I found in that style were often too small. I didn’t want a tiny desk. The room is large and it needed a desk that fully occupies the space.
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Once I decided on Lovers At Work and 3 H there was a small scheduling issue that meant I had a temporary office set up for awhile. It was nice that Lovers At Work provided the temporary setup while I waited. |
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This is the final product. Lovers At Work delivered and setup fast. I think it reflects my style. It is neat, with clean and contemporary lines. |
I began to envision a more contemporary space. We browsed many places and we eventually found Lovers At Work Office furniture. Margarita Ibbott drew me in thinking that there could be something reclaimed or gently used that would also spare the budget. I didn’t see anything that was quite right in the used section of the showroom. But there were some cute displays of modular units from companies I had never heard of. Many sounded intriguing. I filed that away in my head and thought about it for a time. I considered Ikea also. But here’s the thing. This is my office space and no slight to Ikea, but I didn’t want any potential clients ever coming in to the office and feeling like I had been bargain hunting for my furniture. I wanted the room to feel rich. Also, at every other retail outlet I looked in I found something that made me feel as if the quality was not nearly as good as that at Lovers At Work Office Furniture.
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The final reveal |
On a day when I had a raging migraine I called over to Lovers At Work on Adelaide Street in London and I asked for a consultant to come to my house and measure the space, so we did it right. She showed up the next Monday. She sketched a lovely space for me. A credenza, desk, chair and lots of storage space. She mapped it out so I knew where the door was and how big an angle that needed. She illustrated how big the desk could be inside the floor space of the room. I was reasonably certain the design she came up with would meet my needs. The furniture I liked was made by a company called 3H. It is an Ontario company. The desk would be expansive with plenty of surface space. I requested lots of storage space (and I got it) with a credenza and a cushioned top so people can sit if they need to. I paid the down payment and then I worked on all the small details. What kind of edge should the desk have? Knife edge is what I requested because it seemed unique to me. White or beige desk surface? White is clean in my opinion. What kind of drawer pulls? Silver. What shade of wood grain for the flinging cabinet drawers. I chose a walnut shade that I love (it’s duplicated in my closet upstairs now – a sexy grey brown that is very stylish right now.)
Home Office Decorating:
What do you think? At one point I considered this sexy desk. But even on sale at Kingsmill’s clearance sale it was more than the entire office I purchased from Lovers At Work. If you ever need an organizer or some help with your space I highly recommend my good friend Margarita Ibbott. You can find here at her blog, DownshiftingPRO. For your social media needs, or blogger outreach projects you can always find me in my office. To get a quote on a consulting project you can email inkscrblr@rogers.com
Stay tuned for part two of the office story later this week. Do you have a home office? Are there any challenges you have faced in setting that space up? Are you an expert at Home Office Decorating?


35 Comments
Suzanne
The home office journey has been a fun one to tag along on Paula! I love the storage space with the cushions for people to sit. Warm and comfy, but not enough so that they will leave you in peace when you need it, LOL. The green is a pretty shade, my favorite! A home office is on my bucket list for “one day.” (and yes, I am typing this up from my kitchen table sadly 🙁 ) Enjoy your new digs!
Bonnie Way
That’s exciting! In our last house and in our current house, we have a room we call a den or office, although I share it with my husband. 🙂 It has our computer, desk, bookshelves, lazy boy. And I know what the hunt for the perfect furniture is like. My dad and I did that when I was in university and wanted a new desk. We never found it – we built it instead. Glad you found something you liked!
Masshole Mommy
My couch is my home office. I could put my boys in one bedroom so that I could have one, but it’s more important to me for the boys to have their own bedrooms.
Kay Adeola
You home office looks lovely,my office is needing an update I need a new desk and some more storage but not decided what I want yet.
Dee
How fun is that? We completely gutted and remodeled this house – it seems like our checklist is never done. 🙂
Lisa Ladrido
Your office looks amazing! We are in the process of moving into a new home. It has been fun although a lot of work! I love the art work you chose too!
Coolmoms Cooltips
I would love to work in an area like this one! so cozy and driven for inspiration
perfect place
Jocelyn McGaffic
A bit jealous of your office, mine is in the dining room! Looks great, enjoy!
Linda
Your office looks great! I’m in between places at the moment, staying with my sister. I know my next place will be everything I want it to be. I’m tired of settling. Too old for it!
Christine McN
This makes me realize how much I am in need of an office make-over. I have office envy, my friend 🙂
Annemarie Leblanc
That’s an amazing home office you’ve got there, I find it’s easier to work at home when you’ve got your own office.
paula schuck
I agree. That’s very true. Working at the dining room table was not working well for any of us.
Jaredamy
Looks great! I love the flower artwork and think that really dressed the room up!
paula schuck
Thank you! I love that piece and ordered it specially from Structube in Montreal because our store ran out of the picture.
Kori Tomelden
I really enjoy seeing how people decorate their spaces. I don’t have a home office of my own, but hope to someday.
paula schuck
Thanks Kori. Me too. I don;t have a natural flare for that so it helps me to get ideas for my home too.
becca
I would love to start redoing our home it is getting really old.
Liz Mays
There certainly was a lot to consider. I’m glad you took your time and made it just perfect.
Celebrity VIP Lounge
That looks really nice. I really like the artwork. Amber N
Celebrity VIP Lounge
That office space looks great. I particularly like the artwork. Amber N
Lois Alter Mark
So pretty! I have a room upstairs that’s supposed to be my office but it’s where we end up throwing all our junk. So the kitchen table has become my home office!
Sarah-Louise Bailey
My home office is my sofa – I would love for it to be a real room but sadly not. I look forward to seeing part 2!
Casey Palmer
It’s amazing to see that you have a space that you can truly call your own that meshes both your personal and professional sides! That’s on my list of to-dos.
Kudos to you!
Heather @ Girl Gone Mom
My home office is a disaster right now. Key for us is storage furniture – then I’ll be able to walk in without tripping!
Annie
My office is just the couch, lol. I love your new office 🙂
Teresa Moody
I do an office anymore. Liking how it looks
Krystal Butherus
It is so important to have a space that is inviting and MOTIVATING for a home office! I’m working on mine as we speak.
Maria
Wow! Art work definitely makes a huge difference!
Melanie Burbage
My couch is my office. ha I’m working on a space in the bedroom for a desk and the computer . It’s important to have a space
Carly from The Puzzled Palate
Right now, my office is a box of samples in one room and a chair in my living room. I really need to make space for my growing business!
Lisa B
A home office is so important. Having a space you can call your own is very nice when you have children.
mail4rosey
I’m sure it is a wonderful space to work in. That makes the effort, time, consideration, and collaboration worth it all and then some.
Anna L
I’d love an office too. I work from my couch and have a little side table that stores my computer when it’s not in use.
Amanda Her
I have a desk, but it’s so sad that I mostly work with my laptop on my lap. I need to get back to my desk, for sure.
jen
My office is boring, so I rarely ever work in there. I need to take inspiration from you and spruce it up!