ic Test Blog: Office/ Craft Room For *Free*

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Office/ Craft Room For *Free*

I am just so excited to be
composing this post
from my new
office/ craft room!

You may remember this post from a few months ago
where I had cleaned up
one of the guest bedrooms.

I had hinted at the time
that I may want to
convert it back into a home office for me.

 Well, that day had come!
My "office/ craft room"
WAS the kitchen table.
I hated working on a project or a blog post
and having to clear everything off of the
table so that we could eat.

  It was not conducive to being creative at all!

Since I am currently not working,
I knew it was not in the budget
for me to go out and purchase everything I needed
for my plan to happen.
 
So, I broached the subject of selling the
daybed and the dresser in the spare bedroom
to Mr. B, and using the funds to 
set up a space for me to be able to work
and create.

He was totally on board!

So, I posted both items and a few other things
on Craigslist and on Mr. B's work bulletin board.

It took a few weeks but, everything sold!

Time to get to planning
and to get the project started! 

I perused Pinterest like a fiend.
Searching for small office space ideas
as the room is only 10x10.

I had a theme in mind and I found some great, 
inexpensive ideas, of course.

It took several trips to Ikea to
bring it all together but,
I am in love with my new space!

It started with a Micke desk.
I had a different desk in mind but once I saw this one,
with it's two huge drawers and narrow footprint,
and less expensive to boot,
I knew it was the one!
My laptop fits perfectly 
plus, there is plenty of room 
for a lamp I already had, a clock
that was a gift from Mr. B's mother,
a sad plant,
(it's a trimming from my summer coleus.
I always cut a piece off
and over winter it and then
use it in a pot in the spring) 
that will get bigger
and a cute little coffee cup from Ikea. 

I love that I all I have to do is to just turn my head slightly 
and be able see outside.
The window faces south so I get sunshine
and great natural lighting.

Next came the 4x4 Ikea Expedit bookshelf.

 I added a two drawer system in one of the cubes
and a cupboard door in another.
I had picked up two new knobs
from Hobby Lobby
and I need to go get one more when
they go back on sale.
I also picked up a paper holder
for my craft paper. 

I love how all of these inserts can be moved around 
as I decide what really works for me.
Some Ikea boxes, magazine holders
and pieces I already had, fill up
some of the other cubes.

I left some empty so that
I can get some other types of boxes 
for storage. 

The original plan was to include
the Expedit desk for me to use for crafting.
EXPEDIT Workstation IKEA Adjustable feet provide stability on uneven floors.
But, our Ikea was sold out of them
and didn't expect any in until after the 
first of the year. 

At first I was disappointed but then we found 
this table!
 Much cheaper and I like that it is not 
attached to the bookcase
so that I can move it around 
if needed.
I can just whip my chair around 
and do up a craft!
I added my cutting mat to the top
and purchased a paper roller
so than I can keep it covered 
if I am working with glue and/ or glitter. 

In fact, I've already
done my first craft in my new room!
 I bought a cardboard
letter K from Hobby Lobby (on sale)
and mod podged two different 
scrapbook paper prints on each side
to set on top of the bookcase.

Of course, I had to make sure
Max would have his spot in the room too.
I brought in one of his beds for him
to be able to nap comfortably 
while I work.
As you can see, he hasn't decided yet if he 
likes the changes yet.

Before, the walls were divided into two colors,
Bleguim Waffle from Olympic paint,
and an awful gray white below.
 
We still had some of the Belguim Waffle left
so I painted over the white, giving
the walls a clean, cohesive feel.
{it's really more yellow in real life}

My colors around the room will 
be greens, blues and yellows.
The theme is, Spring, everyday of the year! 

Total cost to redo the room to suit my needs?
Free!  
I used up almost all of the cash
gained from selling off the 
previous furniture! 

I even had some money left over 
to take Mr. B out to his favorite fast food place for dinner
as a thank you for having to 
move everything out and,
for having to put everything together for me.

Future plans, when money allows,
are to take out the carpet and install
cork flooring, a new white desk chair
and new art for the walls.
 I can seriously feel the creative juices
flowing through my veins 
as I sit here typing this post!

Let's see,
"It was a dark and stormy night..."


Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.



Pin It

No comments:

Post a Comment