2.16.2012

Useful and Beautiful :: Office

Okay, so last week for the William Morris Project, I shared some of the lessons that I learned from our home office and the changes that came about as a direct result of twenty-three rolls of Scotch tape. Sometimes it really is the little things in life. This week, I'd like to welcome you into our office, a space that no longer causes me to feel sick to my stomach or worry that some guest will decide to poke and pry behind closed doors (oh yes,it has happened).

Just in case you forgot (or missed) what the office looked like before, here's a painful reminder:

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And, remember what it looked like about halfway through the process?

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Wait for it...
TA DA!

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Yes, the closet doors can open, but even better - they close!

Once most of the not-so-fun stuff was done, I pulled out the paint and Mod Podge and got to work making my plain-Jane Office Max clipboards into works of inspiring art. Pinterest was both the inspiration, as well as the source for all of the quotes that I used. I re-sized the artwork using Microsoft Publisher, painted the clipboards, and slapped on a coat of Mod Podge before laying down the prints, and two final coats of MP.

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As you can see with the William Morris quote, I even got a little wild with the MP and some tissue paper on the top half of the clip board. Peter set up the hanging board so the clipboards are easy to pull off when I need to use them, and they can be used as art and inspiration when they're on the wall. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out, and considering the fact that I am the farthest thing from Martha Stewart, I'd say that anyone could make a similar project!

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I was thrilled that I finally got a chance to display some of the artwork and memorabilia that we brought back from our travels around the world. I filled a shadow box (that I found while cleaning out) with items that we collected in various African countries, hung our favorite postcards from Lesotho (see photo above), and discovered a perfect way to hang our baskets from Indonesia. Now when I walk into our office, instead of being depressed because we've returned home (long story), I'm inspired by all of the places that we were able to live and the experiences that we had.

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But the best part of the whole project?

After more than a year of hoping that if I ignored the room, it would take care of itself...
I can see the floor.

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For more inspiration, make sure you check out the weekly William Morris Project at Pancakes & French Fries.


I'm also linking up to:
IHeart Organizing

17 comments:

  1. GASP! It looks amazing! And I absolutely love what you did with the clipboards . . .

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  2. I'm. Almost. Speechless.

    Almost. I'm so proud of you! Can I say that if I don't even 'know' you? It's an unbelievable transformation and I know it's lifted a huge weight off your shoulders. The clip boards are brilliant and the travel mementos really add to the room.

    I'm getting really excited thinking of all the spaces in my house that are going to be transformed as well. Go Carrie!

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  3. Really fabulous. I love all the memorabilia you've displayed, and the clipboards are awesome.

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  4. I'm linking over from P&FF and I've been noting the progress you've made. The final result is amazing! Congratulations on all your hard work - it looks like it really paid off. :)

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  5. Wow! I love this. There are so many neat things in this room. I love the clipboard idea. And I think I'm going to borrow your shadowbox idea and your memorabilia on the wall idea. Daniel has a lot of stuff from his high school years in Kenya. It means a lot to him, but I haven't been able to figure out how to display it. Right now, everything is all over his office... on bookshelves, desks, etc. I love what you did with yours. It is getting pinned :)

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  6. Love the parquet floor! The clipboards are so awesome. You must have heaved a huge sigh of relief to have this project tackled.

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  7. Yay! It looks awesome! I bet you feel so glad to have it done, and to actually use the space! The floors are beautiful, the desk is great and clip boards are really fun. Congratulations!

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  8. Amazing, amazing, amazing. LOVE the clipboards and all of your travel memories!

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  9. You have such a beautiful office. I really love the clipboards---great add to the room. = )

    Irish

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  10. It looks fantastic!! You have inspired me with our home office. I'm spending an hour a week on it, just like you said. That makes it doable, and I'm making progress. i haven't blogged about it in a couple of weeks, but I'm getting a post ready for next week. Still a long way from "Ta Da!" but getting there. Great job!!

    P.S. Especially love the clip boards!

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  11. I'm in tears. It looks SO good, and you worked SO hard. I just don't even know what to say.

    Standing ovation!!!

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  12. Wow. What an amazing job you've done. Total transformation from cluttered, to organized and efficient. Love the clipboards, they are great inspiration. Isn't seeing the floor amazing? Great job.

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  13. Like everyone else, just want to say how great your "after" looks! I just love how you've incorporated all your travel art and mementos. It must feel SO GOOD to stand back and take it all in.

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  14. That is so awesome! It makes me believe that I will be able to master our basement during this year of WMP.

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  15. Carrie! This is out of control. Your office is so beautiful.
    I love, love, love the clipboard art. I'm so excited for you! All of your hard work paid off and now you have a whole new room to enjoy. What an accomplishment!

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  16. Thanks, everyone! I'm loving the results!! :-)

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  17. What an INCREDIBLE transformation!!! I am so inspired!! =D

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