The Perfect Home Office/Study 'Nook'

I am finally back after a long Christmas/New Year break from the blog and I've have had a pretty lazy holiday, apart from Christmas day where I had 11 for lunch but it was all fun. I have however, been working on re-landscaping my tiny back garden and thinking about re-locating my old office into my new studio, in saying that I don't want it to become an entire office, I was thinking more a small built in area or a floating desk. Office nooks are becoming popular and with the smaller home builds architects and interior designers are becoming very clever at creating these perfectly formed and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

Trending - Garden Studios/She Sheds/Man Caves

The geometric tiles on the floor in this studio are perfect for indoor/outdoor living and the pattern adds interest to the otherwise white interior.

"Garden studio's, man caves, she sheds, tiny houses", call them what you like,  these small spaces detached from the main house are on trend and with some careful planning and a little design flair you can turn these rooms into creative outlets. Imagine your own little world where you can pursue a hobby, work from home, or simply relax, away from the hub and noise of the main house.

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.

Creating A French Style Study/Home Office

Last week I shared an update on my French style home office and my latest purchase, today I was to post the reveal, however with an extremely overcast day and a few more shots to take, unfortunately I am going to have to postpone it a few more days. I know it has been a long time coming and a couple of readers have emailed me to see if they missed it. As a self confessed perfectionist, I have to have all my furniture in place, the right accessories, and the light to be just right. However, not wanting to disappoint readers, I am sharing some French style home offices today, to show how you can determine this style.

Home Office Update, A New Chair - Full Reveal Next Week

If you follow my blog you will remember I created my office moodboard some time ago, first it was coastal, which then changed to a French theme, and although I have adhered to this style, not everything has gone to plan, especially when the chair for my desk was delivered the other week. When I went in search of a suitable desk chair, I was so busy trying them for comfort, that I completely forgot to compare the width of the chair in relation to the length of my small desk. When the chair arrived, I felt that it was just too large for the desk. However, it is such a gorgeous chair, I have decided to place it in the corner of my office.

Home Office Update 2 - New Photos

A few updated shots of my office progress, all that remains is two chairs, wall art and a few accessories. I have decided to keep the French Louis chair for my bedroom project.  I am now looking for a comfortable, high back chair for my desk and a cosy reading chair. I still haven't found my elusive olive jar, so meanwhile I have created a temporary vignette to fill the gap.

Home Office Progress - My New Vintage Rug, French Chair & My Paint Dilemma

For nearly three weeks I have been sitting in my unfinished office, deliberating over the right shade of grey for my walls. Ideally I envisaged a soft grey with a hint of blue, a simple decision I thought. However, it has turned into a mammoth task of running back and forth buying test pots and brush outs and driving the paint shop assistants, not to mention my friends, crazy! Choosing a light grey for a very small, south facing (southern hemisphere) room is not as easy as I had envisaged and I have determined that grey (spelt gray by my USA readers), is far more difficult than any neutral colour I have used in the past.

Home Office Inspiration

My office is currently set up in a small room in my house, the room was previously a bedroom until I converted my larger office/studio into a guest bedroom. I am sitting at my desk, surrounded by masses of clutter and disarray, piles of books, boxes, two rolled up Persian rugs, a cabinet filled with 100's of redundant music CD's and a huge earthenware pot. When I look around I feel quite sad and it's no wonder I haven't the inspiration to paint. I need to re-decorate and create a peaceful office/studio. A cluttered atmosphere to me means a cluttered mind and it will be a huge release when I am able to give this crowded space a new life and purpose. A while ago I was looking at putting a studio in my garden but realising that it would not have been the right solution I have decided to make the best I can of this small room. 

Any renovation or makeover has to begin with some inspiration and searching Pinterest I have found a number of home office images that speak to me. I don't really have anything I want to keep from the existing room, if I can afford it I will replace my current white metal desk as I feel it is a little too clinical in appearance. I have an idea of the look I want for my office and drawing elements of inspiration from the following images...

 The chair, the desk, the wall colour, I love it all!

Powder blue with touches of grey - See the before and after of this lovely home office at Pink Little Notebook

Wooden trestle table

A light filled room is so important, I also appreciate the 'pops' of colour. I may use a pop of yellow with the blue in my office

Baskets on shelves

Maybe a statement rug

Framed whiteboard

Images Above: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7

The room itself is South facing which in the Southern hemisphere gets the least light, I am still tossing up whether to install a skylight, the only problem being if I do sell the house later it may only be classed as an office and for resale, a third bedroom is important. My theme is 'Hamptons' style. On the walls I want to paint a soft, pastel, barely there, blue. 

My Mood board...

All items except file boxes, are from Freedom Furniture

I will be re-decorating my office in stages as I have many projects on the go and not enough budget to finish the office at once. This weekend I am off to purchase my bookshelves which will at least help me get some of the books off the floor and onto the shelves. I will also purchase some storage boxes to keep things tidy. For this project I plan to take progress shots as I go along. I don't want to scare you away with the before, until I can at least show some of my progress.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Lee oxo

I will be sharing this post with the following blogs:
Monday

I should be Mopping the Floor
The Dedicated House
Alderberry Hill
DIY Showoff

Wednesday
The Blissful Bee
Show & share at Southern Lovely

Savvy Southern Style
Not Just A Housewife

No Minimalist Here
The Real Housewives of Riverton

Thursday
The Shabby Creek Cottage

Friday

My Romantic Home

Home Office Inspiration

Just a quick post this morning as I am rushing to an appointment but wanted to share some inspiring home office ideas. 

I have small bedroom I plan to convert into an office. Currently I am working in this room surrounded by easels, books, printers, rolled up rugs (that don't fit this house), boxes of mums things and a myriad of other items that have nothing to do with an office and I realise I am in desperate need of a garage sale. Trying to visualise this room as an organised space, is a little bit tricky right now. Originally I had planned to have a garden studio but the very small back yard made me concerned it would end up an 'eye sore', so drawing on some inspiration from Houzz, I put together a few ideas. I am planning light coloured paintwork, practical shelving, room for my easel and a cosy chair...An office, but not too office like, more a relaxed space to blog and paint (my oil paintings). I will be revealing the makeover after Christmas, just as I did my guest bedroom.  

Meanwhile here is my inspiration...

Hope you have a lovely day