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Office Makeover

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Finally!  My office makeover is complete and I can relax.  Oh wait, no I can’t because we are still working on the laundry room makeover.  Well, at least I can share it with you and hopefully give you some ideas  😆

If you’ve been following me from the beginning (March 2012), you may remember when I decided to transform our dining room that was rarely used into my office.  If you’re not following, you can subscribe to my free weekly newsletter HERE.

So, here it was BEFORE.  I took this photo at night to add to the drama of DARKNESS  😀 Really though, it is kind of spooky…

Here’s another BEFORE photo but after I transformed it into my office.  This photo was taken in 2016 right before our Detroit Home Magazine photo shoot.  I bought those purple flowers at Meijer to add some color.   Still, it seemed dark to me.

 That magazine shoot was a day I will never ever forget.  Here it is in the magazine (see full spread here):

Getting to the AFTER—->The change was nice, I liked it.  Ultimately though, I’m really leaning towards more color in our home.  I don’t mean on the walls, but in the decor.  You also may have noticed in my latest makeovers, all of our rooms are now WHITE.  That’s not by chance.  I want them white so the wood and other elements shine.  It also makes me feel fresh and makes all the new COLOR pop.  If you’re looking for a pretty white paint to use on your walls, we use Behr Ultra (with primer in the paint) in Swiss Coffee (eggshell sheen).

So, here’s my office now…

Transform an unused dining room space into an amazing OFFICE!

I’ve added a lot of pink, and you’ll also notice all of the different patterns including the x on the windows, the chevron rug, the pink ruffled roses on the chairs, the rustic painted wing back chair, and the capiz light fixture.  It is all intentional and supposed to POP.  The wood tones also stand out beautifully now.

You can read all about how I transformed the credenza by painting it black HERE (it includes a full tutorial and source list).  I also reupholstered my grandfather’s chairs with that beautiful pink rose fabric and you can read all about that process HERE.

Transform an unused dining room space into an amazing OFFICE!

Here’s the view from the other side…

Transform an unused dining room space into an amazing OFFICE!

When I turn around at my desk and look outside, I have a pretty view no matter what the season.

I hope you have enjoyed the office tour.  Tell me what you think below and check out my new source list location at the bottom of my post.

Transform an unused dining room space into an amazing OFFICE!

Here’s a few pins for you if you want to save them for later…

Transform an unused dining room space into an amazing OFFICE!

Wow! I need to try this black paint on our credenza!

I can't believe this chair makeover! Who knew reupholstering was so easy?

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.  Read full disclosure policy here.

Capiz Light Fixture

Black & White Chevron Rug

Black Rotary Phone

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail Tags: , , , Posted by Signature for Julie at Redheadcanedecorate.com

44 Responses

  1. Lori L says:

    I love the white walls. Not so crazy about pink picture. I think you should paint the desk as well and change the wingback chair to s pop of color. With that being said – that is what I would do. This room obviously makes you happy and it works perfectly for you! ?

    • Julie says:

      That “pink picture” is a peony painting that was painted by my Mom’s best friend and it’s so beautiful in person and very special to me. I would NEVER paint the table. The wood tone is gorgeous. We definitely don’t share the same taste!

  2. Barbara Borowy says:

    Uh-oh where’s the dog’s bed! (office is beautiful)

  3. Mom and Dad says:

    Wow, You did it again, very nice, love, Mom and Dad in NY

  4. Kaycee says:

    Beautiful transformation, everything really does pop now!

  5. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says:

    I love it, so bright and cheerful. I love the pink

  6. Mom and Dad says:

    I believe I had Chevrons on my Sleeve when in the US AirForce? Dad in NY

  7. Sally says:

    Beautiful. I love the office.

  8. Linda of No.Cal. says:

    WOW !!.. beautiful transformation !! The rug – the chair coverings –
    the pop of pink – the gorgeous chandelier !!– AND what a view !!
    You are busy busy. take care. -Linda of No.Cal.

  9. Linda of No.Cal. says:

    OHHHHHH… can’t forget the rotary phone !! My hubby would luv that !!

  10. ColleenB.~Texas says:

    Stunning office. The peony painting and the newly covered chairs gives for a nice pop of color.
    About the only other thing I would add is a nice tall, green, artificial plant of some sort in the right hand corner by the window. That corner looks rather bare. Or maybe add a small round table of some sort there with a fern sitting on top.
    All and all the room is gorgeous and what a great view to the great outdoors.
    You done a Wonderful job.

    • Julie says:

      Hi Colleen, great idea! I have to be honest though…there is a few things I removed for the staging. I actually have another chair and table in there and a few unfinished projects that take up the extra space. I wish it really looked this clean every day though!? I do need a big fig leaf in there!

  11. erika wilson says:

    well done….a cheerful room that invites you in. nice!

  12. ANGIE CLOW says:

    Lori L. it is really rude of you to get on here and tear apart this beautiful room. This is not a blog for what you would do different. lol 🙁 JULIE I LOVE YOUR HOME!!!

  13. Cheryl says:

    The office looks fab Love it. I use a lot of your decorating ideas in my home. My home is a work in progress

  14. Lorri Rauscher says:

    I see where you put the pink chairs and lovely peony picture . Beautiful!!!Just think when peonies come out , you can have a vaseful can them somewhere in your room. Love the crendenza pained black with the picture.Striking. Jealous of yr view outside..doesnt matter what season it is…?

  15. Nancie says:

    Beautiful, Julie! I like the lighter softer color! Wish I was as talented as you to do a makeover!

  16. Belinda says:

    I think the painting is gorgeous. I’m in the middle of redoing my office/craft room. Well, it was never really done in the first place, but I didn’t like the direction I was going. I found a stunning blush pink and gold office chair and went from there. I can’t wait until it’s all done.

  17. I love that you decorate with items that mean so much to you. The flower picture, your lovely chairs, for example. Your taste is very similar to mine. :). I was just wondering, and this isn’t a criticism in any way, why you chose to switch sides of the desk so you are facing the wall as opposed to your beautiful back yard view? I am re-arranging a room in my home myself and I, a fellow Michigander, am kind of stuck because the furniture arrangement works better in my home, unfortunately, facing a wall as opposed to my view of my pine tree filled back yard- I would much rather be gazing outside than my wall.

    • Julie says:

      Great question, Stacy! The main reason is because I wanted to show off the credenza right now, but I will most likely switch it back because the glare from the window on my computer is driving me batty. I do like change though. So who knows what I’ll do, lol Good luck with your re-arranging ?

  18. Bette says:

    I love that you went from grey walls to white. Like you said it makes everything “pop”.
    I have an old Queen Anne style sewing machine cabinet which I am going to paint black. I love the credenza and thanks for the paint colour.
    I also have a lovely pink peony painting my Mum bought for me, it’s in my bedroom.
    Cheers, Bette

  19. Wow, I love the redo. The black, peony pink additions are my favorite. I’m with you on adding a touch of color here and there.

  20. Cheryl says:

    Beautiful and very bright and cheery! Love it and the pink!

  21. penny grieco says:

    i just love that room! great transformation! if i had that view, i wouldn’t get any work done! as usual, you did a great job…your style is my style….did your husband make your desk?

  22. carol says:

    Julie, your changes are all perfect. I thought the ‘old’ dining room looked very elegant, but now seeing it as ‘the office’ I Love Love Love it!!! Very nice with the pink accent items are: sooo you! You take what you like, put it all together and come up with a whole magazine of wonderful photos. Great job girl!!

  23. sara says:

    Hi Julie, your office makeover is wonderful. The personal touches like your peony painting is what makes a space come alive I think. We share a passion for black. I love little black chairs and black kitchen cabinets, too. Enjoyed seeing the magazine pages also. I’m wondering about those wonderful brass handles on your cabinet in the photo shoot. Love them! Do you have a resource for those?
    Years ago I was lucky enough to have my house selected for a magazine shoot, Better Homes and Gardens DIY. It was an amazing experience and one I’ll never forget. Such an interesting process of what stays in and what doesn’t.

    enjoying your newsletter,
    sara

  24. Melissa says:

    Love your office and the pops of pink. ? Question from practical me – where do you keep everyday files, pencil drawer, things you need everyday? I would LOVE to change my desk to a farm table!!

    • Julie says:

      Great question, Melissa! This is a stages photo. I have removed a file that sits under my desk that I use for receipts and taxes. My bills also actually sit on the desk in a little wooden file. I keep some crafts in the credenza and my desk usually looks a bit more full. I had to clean it up for the photo. 😉

  25. becky says:

    Hi Julie! ~ I love your new office! The pops of pink help make it look very feminine & Girly ~ The white paint on the walls ‘open’ up the room, helping it not look so dark; love how the credenza looks, from the tired brown wood to the re-energized black. I too would prefer to look outside onto your beautiful yard view from your desk…. You are so lucky, you have sucha gorgeous outdoor landscape no matter what the season! ~ AAA+ on this makeover!

  26. Bonnie says:

    Love your office, but if I had that view I wouldn’t want to have to turn around in my desk chair to enjoy it, I would be facing it!

    • Julie says:

      Ha ha, I can see why you would say that. I mentioned in a previous comment that I can easily switch it. Just have to move the chair. This is a nice change, especially since I see the view from all my windows, but I probably will switch it. I enjoy changing things up often.

  27. Ivory says:

    You always know how to do it right, and right you did it again. I love your dinner room transformation into a fabulous home office. I am in love!

  28. […] finally got wise and transformed the dining room into my personal office space. It was great for my blog work, but eventually I ended up right back where I was use to writing-at […]

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