From the moment we moved into the new house, I knew that decorating my office would be pretty low on the priority list. I wanted to get the boys settled into their room. I wanted to make sure that the living room was taken care of and somewhat presentable in case we had company. I wanted to get the kitchen squared away so that it would function well for our family. And though I did want to have a pretty office as well, I knew it would be a big project, and since it would really only benefit me, it was moved to the bottom of the list.
my office on the day we moved in
And it stayed at the bottom of the list for a while.
But then I just couldn't take it anymore. My office was quickly becoming a cluttered mess that was not at all optimal for quality creative work. It was a catch-all space with no real rhyme or reason to it. Because of this, I would avoid working in there, opting to sit on our bed instead. (Hello, sore back, lol!)
But then I had an idea.
Maybe it wasn't realistic to do a complete office overhaul right now, but I could create a pretty little spot for myself in the nook area in the meantime. So that is exactly what I set out to do.
The nook was definitely not looking beautiful at the beginning:
Donnie's old desk... our printer... the box that holds our big computer monitor... and a makeshift "bookshelf" I created with baskets. Not so cute, but it had potential! I love the angles and lines of this space, so I knew it could be awesome with a little TLC!
I cleared it out...
And made a plan...
Planning a Cozy Office Nook
A huge thanks to Joss & Main and SelectBlinds for providing products for this project! My favorable opinion of beautiful decor pieces is 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
rug | upholstered chair | mirror | side table
pillow | lamp | footstool | paint color | Roman shade
desk | desk chair | white frame
chalkboard | wreath | pitcher | shelf
I knew I wanted this space to be my little work nook, so I chose a gorgeous white desk with a small chair and also a cozy upholstered chair + footstool to give myself some options! (The stool and upholstered chair look like they're different colors in the image, but in real life, they are almost identical. 😉 )
The pillow shown above kind of determined the color palette for the space... aquas and greens and browns and grays... and of course lots of white! I was going for a cozy, soothing feel, and I think this color scheme will bring just that.
I wanted to add interest to the walls with a mix of items: frames, of course, but also some shelves (my favorite!), a pretty mirror, and a chalkboard + wreath.
And then there's the paint color. If you've been around the blog for very long, you know that I usually paint the walls one of two shades-- gray or white. For this small space, though, I wanted to add a pop of color! So after trying out a bunch of samples, I decided to go with Sherwin Williams Rainwashed, color matched to Behr Marquee paint. And I'm kind of in love.
Want to see a sneak peek?
Ooh so pretty! You can also spot the cordless Roman shade from SelectBlinds in this shot as well. I went with a light filtering shade in the color "Vanilla Bean," and I think it will be the perfect fit with the rest of the space! (SelectBlinds always offers Just a Girl and Her Blog readers an extra 5% off any sale they're having-- be sure to use the code ABBY at checkout!)
So that's the plan for the space! Since this is just a quick makeover, I'll be back with the finished space this Thursday, so be sure to come back and see how it turned out! (Until then, you can get a small peek on Instagram! 😉 )
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Update: My home office is complete! You can see the rest of the posts in my office series (including the big reveal!) here:
Creating an Organized Office with the IKEA PAX System
IKEA PAX Office Organization: A Tour
Planning a Cozy and Organized Home Office
How to Create Home Office Storage with the IKEA BESTA System
15 Beautiful and Affordable White Writing Desks
A Beautiful and Organized Home Office Reveal
Thank you so much for following along, sweet friends! Have a wonderful week!
A huge thanks to Joss & Main and SelectBlinds for providing products for this project! My favorable opinion of beautiful decor pieces is 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
I am sooooo excited to see your new office nook!!!! I am such a big fan off all of your projects and love your decor style that I've become a regular visitor to your blog!!! keep the projects coming, please?!
Aw, thanks so much, Nadine! You're too sweet! Looking forward to the reveal on Thursday! 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
"Rainwashed" is such a great color! So fresh and peaceful! Looking forward to seeing the completed office!
I agree! I'm loving it! Looking forward to the reveal! 🙂
~Abby =)
Wow, this is going to be amazing! I love the color you picked! Thanks so much for sharing. We are building a cabin and I can not wait to design and decorate my space upstairs. Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration.
Thank you also for Building A Framework, I am lovingthe course!
Blessings, Amy
Yay! So glad Building a Framework has been helpful for you, Amy! Love to hear that! Looking forward to sharing the reveal on Thursday! 🙂
~Abby =)
I love everything you have picked out! Love that paint color too - it's so serene. Can't wait to see the transformation!
Thanks so much, Yami! I think so too! Looking forward to sharing on Thursday!
~Abby =)
So pretty! Love the colors! Can't wait to see when it's all done!
Thank you, Michelle! Looking forward to the reveal on Thursday! 🙂
~Abby =)
Love the color scheme! Can't wait to see the final product! xo
Thanks so much, Adriana! Looking forward to sharing on Thursday! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I love your new office! I also love Joss and Main and the colors you're working with. Great job!!
Thanks so much, Linda! Joss and Main is great! 🙂 Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Love the colors especially the rug. Thank you for the extra discount at Select Blinds as well will check them out as we continue remodeling...have a great week
Yay! So glad it'll be helpful for you, Carrie! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Hi Abby. I missed out on the blog for a while. Great to see you are getting ready to decorate the new office. Looking forward to seeing what it will look like after. Hope you, the hubs and the kiddos are all well.
Love, E..C
http://forevertweed.me
So glad you're "back," E.C! Thank you so much for your sweet words! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Hi Abby!
Plan is looking great. Have you considered painting the ceiling of the nook, though?
Love from Brazil
Thanks, Thais! I'm not planning on painting the ceiling because I really liked the contrast between the color on the walls and the stark white of the ceiling! Hope you're having a great week!
~Abby =)
This is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Pinning it now!
Thank you so much, Sarena! Hope you're having a great week!
~Abby =)
Thank Abby for your Plan. It''s looking great.
Thank you!
~Abby =)
So I am in love with this! I have ordered the chair but when I click on the ottoman it brings me to a teal one? Yikes! Please help me find the one you have in this post! Greatly appreciated!
Hi, April! I know the tan one was out of stock for a while, but it looks like it's back now: https://www.target.com/p/small-tufted-turned-leg-ottoman-threshold-153/-/A-50281452? . I hope this helps!
~Abby =)
I really like the rug you chose from jossandmain but I’m having trouble finding it. Would you please share the name & color?! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks so much, Nancy! I got that rug several years ago now, so I am not seeing it anymore, unfortunately. This one is similar, and I actually have the runner version in our front hallway and really like it: https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Traditional-Distressed-Aqua-Blue-Printed-Rug-76-x-96-76-x-96/20656254/product.html?kwds=aqua%20area%20rug&option=31079814&refccid=IJPRIM2EIQOLQPSIBBODWR4FPQ&rfmt=&searchidx=20
I hope this helps! Have a great week!