Monday 23 June 2014

My French Style Home Office - "The Reveal"


After a week of overcast, wet weather and gradually coming to grips with my camera, I have managed to get take the shots for my home office reveal. You will have to excuse the overexposed shots, my excuse for compensating for lack of light in this south facing room.


Working off a  laptop (literally on my lap), I realised it was time I created a home office. I don't have a lot of free space so had no choice but to use the smallest room in the house. The room had been used for a storage space for a lot of my mums things. I felt it was now an appropriate time to sort through the items and put some into outside storage. I wanted to create a French theme, as seen in my initial mood board.


I began by giving the room a fresh coat of paint with Resene 'Hint of Grey', I placed a simple wide slatted wooden blind in the window. My biggest expense was the gorgeous antique Turkish rug I bought through Kaye at Curtainalia & Bel Cuscino. Kaye was great and helped me source a number of items including my lovely buttoned back chair. I purchased an old Kauri table and re-finished it in a mix of Paris Grey and Pure White Chalk Paint™ (tutorial to follow). I also purchased an original 1950's Louis style French chair which I have also re-finished in Paris Grey. The chair was originally cream with a blue lattice effect on the cane back. I thought this detail a little fussy for the room. I had already bought a coastal style bookcase which is not in keeping, but for now it will have to work.



The room is an odd shape with a slanted corner wall and difficult to furnish so I had to place a reading corner in front of a small cupboard. The kitchen is located on other side of the wall and I plan to steal the cupboard space anyway when I renovate the kitchen. I have been moving the furniture around in the room and still not sure if I should have the desk in the corner, the middle of the room or against the wall, maybe you could tell me what you think?


Overall I am happy, I would have liked a larger window, however it is not worth the added expense. I may possibly have a solar tube put in the roof to allow more light. The latest solar tubes now come with a switch that can close the light off if you need the room for sleeping in.  Any thoughts on creating more light without spending too much money, I am keen to hear about.

The before -  (you can vaguely see the colour swatches I was trying on the wall to the right.

After :



Overall I am happy with the space, I do feel creative in it and am picking up my first canvas on Saturday with plans to start sketching up my first painting next week. I have a reading corner to take breaks in and as you can see, Poppy thinks it's comfortable too.


1. French style button back, linen chair,Turkish rug, linen pin board, small iron and linen shade, lamp - Via Kaye at Curtainalia & Bel Cuscino
2. Kauri Desk,1950's original French Louis reproduction Chair and original blue painted French wall shutter - from Yvonne Sanders Antiques.
3. Bookcase - Freedom Furniture
4. Wooden container with brushes and small iron folding table - French Country Collections 
5. Wide Wooden slatted painted blind - Brightshine
6. Rattan baskets on bookshelf - Wallace Cotton
7. Chandelier - my own



Lee oxo


I will be sharing this post with the following link parties:



10 comments:

  1. Hi Lee - I love your cute little office. You did a great job in the mix of the decor. Especially love your Paris Grey desk and chair set. I think if you did invest in a skylight it would make a really big difference. It would probably feel bigger too!
    P.S. Your dog is so adorable!

    Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

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    1. Thanks Mary, the desk and chair turned out well, I am glad I chose Paris Grey it is such a pretty colour. I most likely will go with a skylight of some sort. Yes Poppy is sweet, although I am biased, she is a very special little dog.

      Lee :)

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  2. Your office looks beautiful. I love all the special touches.

    Kathy

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  3. Looks great! Love the chandelier and the ribbon board. Visiting from Natasha in Oz Linky Party :)

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    1. Thanks Kathy, I am so glad I kept my mums chandelier, at one stage I was going to sell it. Thank you for visiting.

      Lee :)

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  4. Love, love, love! Poppy looks right at home and happy with your cozy designs as well! Glad to hear you are getting out your canvas and brushes again.. eager to see what you paint next! I think you did a lovely job, photos turned out very nice too. We are still in and out of wifi range and I have hardly been online, will keep in touch and looking forward to catching up soon~ xoxo

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    1. Thanks Kelly for your encouragement, its funny, I planned a coastal office and a French style bedroom initially and the reverse is happening. I love the French style but not sure I would want it throughout my whole house.

      I have just completed the gesso on a new canvas, I will be updating on the blog.

      Lee :)

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  5. It's simply beautiful! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at The Round-Up from the Before & After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link if you want to check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/07/the-round-up-from-before-and-after_8.html Hope to see you again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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