COMMERCIAL OFFICE RENOVATION ROUND #2

As part of a whole church renovation, I was given the awesome opportunity of being asked to design, configure, stage, and install a number of offices at Church for the City-Yuma, which included this shared space for two amazing people.

After chatting about likes, dislikes, needs, and necessities, the design portion of this challenge got underway and the vision board was quickly created and approved. But before I jump too far ahead, here’s where this office space began:

Once the LVT flooring was laid, this spot immediately became the storage area for decor, plants, boxes (lots of ‘em), and yes, chips and Cheetos.

With freshly textured and primed walls, this blank space was about to get all gussied up. Gosh, those Cheetos look good. No, really—it’s past 10:00 o’clock at night and I’m realizing I’m way hungry and in need of one of those tasty bags of orangey goodness.

Focus.

Okay, maybe ignore the Cheetos, and focus on the vision board outlining the overall vision for this office.

Beautiful green built-in cabinetry to line the entire back wall. Two matching desks, leather chairs, and one oversized area rug. This room proposal also included extra seating by means of a built-in ledge with barstools, but that was later scratched. In its place, we added a fun couch with some sweet pillows.

Ready for the reveal (or are you still thinking about Cheetos like I am)?

Here we go…

First things first, those beautiful cabinets were construced by Master Finishes and painted in Sherwin Williams Retreat. It’s such a pretty green and works so well with every element in here.

These desks are not only handsome but also super functional in that they’re able to raise up so one can also use them in a standing position. They have USB capabilities and outlets right on top. Nice!

When it came to decorating the shelves (which is always my favorite part), I visted a ton of stores including none other than the Goodwill.

Old leather bound books, a thrifted mirror, along with a number of other goodies completed the simple styling of these office shelves.

…and I couldn’t resist this sign either.

As part of the design, a place to relax was requested and this convertible couch is seriously swanky but also serves a purpose, too.

And I love that olive tree. In fact, I ended up buying one for my home.

Okay, one last look at the before pic followed by the “after.”

BEFORE

AFTER…the only thing left to do is to change out those vertical window treatments and this space is done.

THE DETAILS

Paint: Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, Sherwin Williams Retreat

Paint Labor: A Fresh Coat-Yuma

Custom Cabinetry: Master Finishes

Area Rug: Wayfair

Desks: Coleman Furniture

Chairs: Dandy Home & Ranch

Decor: Goodwill, Home Goods, Rebel & Rove, Dandy Home & Ranch, Kirkland’s, IKEA, Target, Hobby Lobby

Olive Tree: QVC

Lamps: Target

Wall Clock: Wayfair

Love, J

MODERN COLONIAL OFFICE MAKEOVER

Modern Colonial.

I think it’s my new fave style.

Okay, I’m not even sure if that’s truly a style but I dig it anyways.

For reals.

A few months back, I had the pleasure of working with the “C” family (and their brand new, beautiful home) when we created their daughters’ awesome playroom. Seriously, it’s one of my most favorite transformations. Like, ever. And when they asked me to come back and help create a special space for “Mr. C.” in his office, I couldn’t wait.

But, it gets better.

See, I love the opportunity to create spaces that blend styles. Rooms that are truly custom not because of the furniture, or lighting (I love those elements, too), but because of the items brought to life within that room—-the decor that is super sentimental—whether it be pictures (new and old), artifacts, pieces from one’s childhood, books, and the list goes on and on.

Such was the case with this space—blending old with new and creating a room that was all his.

Here is where we started:

PC: Kayla Comella

This room with its beautiful French doors is right off the home’s entryway. It’s actually one of the first spaces you see upon walking in and we wanted to make it big and bold. The challenge? Mr. C’s safe needed to be included in the design. If you don’t already know, gun safes are big, bulky, and H E A V Y ! Once they are in place, they aren’t moving without a whole lotta effort, that’s for sure. And that’s a good because I loved the idea of keeping it in this room.

It’s always my goal to create a beautiful room that works with the owner’s must-have list. That might include decor they want to implement, furniture they have to include, or even melding my own ideas to the overall vision they have in their minds. It is their home, afterall.

But before we get too far, you know what comes first—the vision board:

The idea was to introduce deep black built-ins from floor to ceiling with a medium-light finish butcher block counter and shelving. The safe would be housed within this main unit to give a super custom, uniform look.

After purchasing a few decor pieces, a huge wall clock, some sweet lighting, and a new area rug, this room came together quickly. Oh, and we can’t forget George. George Washington served up some major inspo for this masculine, modern colonial office.

Here come the “after” pics:

PC: Kayla Comella

PC: Kayla Comella

PC: Kayla Comella

PC: Kayla Comella

PC: Kayla Comella

PC: Kayla Comella

Pretty fun, right? Sky’s the limit with design and blending different styles to create a custom, sentimental yet fun, functional space.

And how about that clock?!!

Yum.

Tell me—what keeps you from venturing out and taking risks with your own home decor?

THE DETAILS:

Custom Cabinets: Master Finishes—Yuma, AZ

Drum Pendant: Wayfair

Library Light: Target (spray painted gold)

Wall Clock: Dandy Home & Ranch

Decor: Goodwill, Hobby Lobby, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, Target, IKEA, Owner’s collection

Rug: Wayfair

Pillow: Amazon

Desk: Wayfair

Mud Globe: Teresa Kerley

Cabinet Hardware: Amazon

Love, J

Home Office & Teen Room Redo

I’m having a moment for sure…maybe a number of them at this point.

Prior to moving into our home almost three years ago, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this space. Built as a dining room for the original owners, my goal was to revamp it into something bigger and better. Since I couldn’t enlarge the space (the dimensions are too small for a true dining room), and we were in need of an office/gathering spot for ourselves AND our kids, I decided to make this a multi-purpose room of sorts—an office and teen room combined.

Check out the before pic here.

PC: Andrew Knizley

You guys! This room was in desprate need of some serious updating. I mean, for reals. From the red accent wall, to the draperies, the oversized oak furniture, and the orange tile floor—let’s just say this baby was stuck in a serious rut…and then some.

Once we moved in, I got to work and immediately removed those draperies for my own sanity. And even though this particular space was (a little) less dated without the previous owners furniture in it, it still needed a lot of love.

Paint was the first thing on the list. After tackling the ceiling with a bright white, the walls came second with a cool grey (Behr Tanglewood -25%). I then replaced the fan and added recessed lights to create more evenly distributed lighting throughout the room.

Next up? Covering the window!

Yep, you read that right. I had the window closed off and up. The main reason being that any desk I put in there would sit too high and actually block a portion of the window. This wasn’t going to work long term, so away it went.

But(!) totally removing it would have cost a lot and made the outside aesthetic wonky and weird. So, we just closed it off inside and left the outside just as it was.

Next step? The tile floor. If you follow my Instagram stories, you know I have this orange tile ALL over my home. Removing it in steps has been a process…a messy but super satisfying one.

P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S !

Out with the old and in with the new.

Once the flooring was finished, it was time for the brick accent wall. Since I wanted to keep costs down to make room for the next phase (built-in cabinetry), I decided to use brick paneling as opposed to brick veneers. Plus, if there were ever any issues with that window being closed off, I wanted something semi-permanent so we had access to it.

Nate Koogle rocked it again!

It was just starting to come together…

The next phase was construction of the built-in units. I contracted Master Finishes in Yuma, AZ, provided them my drawings, explained my vision, and they got to work while I began treatment on the brick wall. I knew I wanted black cabinetry with a medium stained butcher block counter in order finish this room off right. They completely exceeded my expectations and then some…

The final step before the built-ins were installed was adding a treatment to the brick accent wall. I wanted a more vintage-y/urban vibe and got a hold of a big bucket o’ joint compound in order to produce the final result I originally envisioned.

Slapping this stuff on using a straight edge was the easiest thing ever. Easy but a little messy. Once dry (and using a wet rag), I removed any excess. The end result? A super fun faux brick wall.

Getting closer…

While waiting for the built-ins, I also wanted to tackle a couple of projects I’d been meaning to get to. The main one involved my husband’s (and mine) letterman jackets. After years of just sitting in our closets, I dusted them off and got to work disassembling them.

I think I enjoy demo work a little too much.

Anyways, once all of my numbers and patches were removed, I sent hubby’s letter off to make a super fun and crazy special throw pillow—a throw pillow he would actually like!

Just look at what Letterman Supply Company—based out of Utah—did. Wow!

PC: Letterman Supply Company

Okay, here we go. After curating items for over two years, planning, saving, and working hard towards the refinishing of this room, here it is.

I am so, so proud of every element and every detail of this room…especially the decor. From the pug bust, the oil can, the collection of books and Bibles, to the unique planters and other items, this room’s unique decor is a mixture of old and new. Numerous trips to the Goodwill, Dandy, Hobby Lobby, Junk in the Trunk, and Rebel and Rove made everything you see here come together. I even have my daughter’s ceramics projects (back when she attended school), along with framed photos she entered in last year’s fair, and knick knack’s special to me.

I love it. I really, really love it.

One more before and after comparison. I’m still amazed it’s finished—it’s a reality.

PC: Andrew Knizley

THE DETAILS:

Paint: Tanglewood (Behr), Valspar Ceiling Paint

Paint Labor: A Fresh Coat-Yuma

Window Closure: Kyle Hardin

Flooring: Julio Martinez

Built-ins: Master Finishes

Custom Stained Butcher Block: Master Finishes

Chairs: Wayfair

Throw Pillows: Pottery Barn Teen, Ashley Home Store, Hobby Lobby

Letterman Pillow: Letterman Sullpy Compant

Furniture: American Furniture Wharehouse

Cowhide: Dandy Home and Ranch

Decor: Junk in the Trunk, Dandy, Hobby Lobby, Rebl and Rove, Pier 1, Goodwill, Kirkland’s, Annie Sulpizio

Love, J