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Not too long ago, I shared this shelf’s mini makeover. And now I am ready to share the entire room with you.
This space was for a guy that spends hours in his office at a time. So of course, it was important that he wasn’t surrounded by blank walls and a lifeless room! When it was all said and done, Mr. Smith was surrounded by things he loved, family mementos, and items that made his long hours a little more bearable. Let’s take a look shall we?
BEFORE
AFTER
Originally the room was completely white which meant the old barn door (from the family farm) was not going to shine no matter where I put it. By painting the bottom 3/4 of the room a warm green I allowed the barn door to pop off the wall and take center stage. The contrast in colors keeps the door from blending in like it was before I got there. Since the space is only 10X10, keeping the band of white along the top of the room keeps it from feeling too small.
I also changed the orientation of the desk and placed it on a slant. This provided a prime place for the barn door to sit behind the desk. I knew I wanted the door to be a focal point and this arrangement allowed it to shine as the first thing you notice when you walk in room.
The door was then the perfect canvas for hanging deer antlers, photos, notes, and more. (I hung the paper items with old rusty nails to keep the look consistent.)
This gorgeous red rug adds a wonderful warmth and beautiful pattern to the space. And would you believe it- I got it from LOWES!
Josh (the homeowner) loves to travel, so I covered one wall in old maps. These maps add some much needed color and warmth into the room! You might be thinking I had to scour flea markets for months to find enough maps to cover a wall, but you’d be wrong. I went to Border’s and bought a book of maps which means this whole art filled wall cost me about $25! It was so easy and added tons of character!
Besides the shelf and the wall covering, a beautiful antique chest (which the home owner’s ancestors traveled with on THE TRAIL OF TEARS) helps to add even more personality to this side of the room.
Every manly office space needs a snack bar. I created a mini version with a few key items- a tray, some bowls filled with nuts, cocktail napkins (which are actually handkerchiefs), sparkling water, glasses, a cocktail shaker, and a flask. You could even add a one cup coffee maker if you don’t enjoy “adult” beverages. 🙂
In a small nook off to the side, there is a shelving system for storing all those necessary office items as well as some display space. I improved the look by hanging burlap behind the shelves and arranging items in an artistic fashion. Tip- Bookshelves aren’t just for books!!! Add art, decorative boxes, and items with interesting shapes to take up space.
Need another great idea to take up bookshelf space? I placed a nice looking dog bed at the bottom of this unit. It looks so much better than one of those wire cages or a random pillow in the middle of a room!
This is one of my favorite rooms ever and do you know why? Because it is a space FILLED with things from the family’s past and present. It’s a place where a man can be inspired to work hard and remember all the blessings in his life. This office is AWESOME because it reflects the person who works here perfectly (at least I think so- I hope he agrees)!! So remember, when you’re designing your space- fill it with items that you love, things that speak to who you are, and pieces from your past.
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Have a great day!!!
Did you like this post- let me know pressing the like button- or better yet commenting!
Wow Kara! I LOVE the map wall! This whole room is beautiful. 🙂
I just bought a big old world map for our dining room, and I’m thinking a few pages from a Borders book of maps might be just the thing to complement the room!
Thanks for the great idea.
Love this room, Kara! And, love the map wall – such a great idea! Thank you for that! Also, I am loving how you are bolding your tips within the text of the post!
Ah, thanks Tara! You’re super sweet! Glad you can find some inspiration in this little ol’ blog of mine! Hope you are doing well these days!
Glad you like it Meredith! I’d love to see a pic of your dining room when you get that XL map hung up!
SO TALENTED
looks great
YOU are amazing
I wish you’d come do my house!
xooxox,
I just love the maps for the wall! Great room
cathycomm@aol.com
Meredith I will so come to your house! 🙂 And by the way- you are AMAZING!!
Thanks Cathy, it’s so cheap and easy but looks so great! My kind of art!
I love that you used pieces that he had to pull this room together. I like it! It looks masculine but not bachelor-cheesy. Know what I mean? Of course you do, you put it together! Ha!
love your ideas , hope you don’t mind if I use a few!
Love the wall of maps! Would you mind giving the title and publisher of the book you got them from?
Oh my goodness, I did this project so long ago. I think the book was simply called “Maps of the World.”