New Den-Phase One Done

Considering what a busy month it's been, I've gotten a lot more done on the den than I'd planned.  I had surgery this month so most of this was done at the beginning of the month.  I'm just starting to feel my energy come back today so I whipped out the faux roman shades for the den and it makes it look decent enough for a post. 

The disclaimer: This is just the first phase.  It's not done yet and I won't be getting to anything else until summer is over.  What it's still missing is: an upper corner cabinet (my hubby is going to build it for me), shelves connecting the three upper cabinets, crown moulding on the tops of the three cabinets, bundle and hide all the cords and of course, the accessories and decorating fun!

  Let us look at the before:

And here it is now:

It's hard to tell the wall color in the photos, but it's a great gray color, the much-loved "Bedford Gray".  It's almost a perfect "greige"-a gray/beige color.

I found 2 different sets of nightstands on craigslist and changed their hardware to match and be a bit more "office" (one set had crystal knobs- too girly for this job!)

This is a fun picture of my great-grandpa who worked the railroad in upstate NY.  I had it blown up and plan on staining the frame the dark walnut of the desktop.  The frame was actually made years ago by my Grandfather (this man's son!)  This will be worked into the shelves that are to be built, but I had to put something up!!

              

 The upper 2 cabinets were found really cheaply at a kitchen outlet.  I painted them, roughed them up and added new hardware.  I've already found some great crown moulding to add to the tops.

I found two of these old crates for more storage!  It fits perfect in this little, awkward spot.

This room really needed lighting and I found these great retro desk lamps at Menards for only $15! I think I might grab a third for the other end of the desk...

I just finished these faux roman shades.  I've wanted to do some IKAT fabric for a long time and this one had the perfect gray, tan and black combination I needed. I used this tutorial on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxUPUtIuXIk

Here you can see how I cheated to make an inexpensive wood desktop.  I glued together 12' lengths, used a few metal braces and then stained them dark walnut.  A 2x2 was drilled underneath to the studs and then the wood desktop was screwed to that 2x2. 

I still needed something for storage for my decorating and I scoured craigslist daily waiting for just the right piece.  I knew it needed to be tall, have lots of storage, be cheap enough and just be different!  Well, look what I found!!! 

Isn't she great! It was already painted black and the inside red.  I love the lights inside and believe it or not, it acts as another great light source when working in here in the evenings.

 That's it so far.  It's at least workable now and SOOOOO much better than it was before.  I'm excited to finish it, but am content for now.

Our Problem Den

Enough is enough!  Yup, it's time to tackle the eye sore that we call our "den."  Right off our front door is our den.  It has become a collecting area for crafts, kid's homework, and it's UGLY.

 We've squeezed  two computers into our computer armoire, yet it's just not comfortable for the kids to work at. 

 With four teenagers needing the computer almost daily and another coming from Austria as an exchange student, I'm ready to change things up to work better for us. Armoires are supposed to keep it all neat and closed up, right?  Not ours.  The doors never close and you always are greeted with this view from the front door:

Lovely, huh?  While I loved the existing paint color, after 8 years it's got a lot of wear and tear showing. Plus, I'm just ready for a change.  The only thing that I plan on keeping in this room is this gorgeous library table I inherited from my Mom:

I love how two chairs can be used from either side.  It's a great work area.  It could use a little freshening up, but otherwise, it's in great shape and a unique piece.

The bookshelves are nice, but what I really need is closed storage for my fabrics, paints, and all those off-season decor pieces.  It seems to always look like this:

Love the shelves, but they've got to go. A narrow cabinet with DOORS will go in it's place. I'm scouring craigslist for just the right piece to refinish.

 In place of the computer armoire, I'm going to build/piece together an L-shaped desk.  I want the base and counter top to look like this office by Miss MustardSeed:

I want the simple, white cabinetry and the gorgeous wood top.  It'll be a big work area, enough for 3 kids to work on the computers.  Keeping the cabinetry light and airy will help the den not feel crowded.  I was going to build my own, but instead plan on using two nightstands to anchor the two ends of the the "L."  I'll use Ana White's plans to build a corner cabinet to house two CPU's.

I want the top to have more closed storage, but also a nice architectural element since it's seen from the front door.  I don't want it to be too sterile and devoid of style.  I'm using this kitchen as my inspiration for the upper area:

Flea Market Trixie

For the uppers, I have already found some great high-end kitchen cabinets at a local kitchen outlet for unbelievable prices (Seigle's in Elgin, for you locals.)  There will be a cabinet to anchor each end to provide closed storage for all the office junk. I will have to build a corner unit, probably leaving it open for some baskets and decorative office items. Connecting the three cabinets will be the shelves.  The cabinets I've found need a bit of crown moulding to dress them up a bit more, so I'll hit up my favorite Habitat ReStore for their great prices on that! Going for something like this on top:

And this on the bottoms of each cabinet:

Whatever color I paint the walls, I'll keep it light to give a more spacious look.  I'm torn between a creamy greige or a nice gray-blue color.  I'm excited to pull this together once I've found/built all the main pieces.  My goal is to have it done before the start of school.

Here are some inspiring office ideas that I found will hunting the web. Enjoy:

Keep checking back for updates on my perhaps slow progress of transforming our unorganized and unattractive den to a useful and attractive space.

What's caught my eye...

Like most of you, I enjoy perusing all the home decor blogs.  I see so many fabulous ideas and actually get excited over some of the ideas I see.  Check out some of these inspiring ones:

I LOVE the look of carrera marble in kitchens like these:

But in a kitchen that actually gets used and has children, is it really practical? Probably not.  So what to do?  Well, welcome the wonderful world of imposters!  Both Caesarstone and Corian have awesome look-alikes.  They'll still cost as much as marble, but the practical benefits would be worth it!  Even if you just did your island in it, it'd be stunning.

Here's Caesarstone's "Misty Carrera":

And here's Corian's "Rain Cloud":

Not bad, huh?  I'd still like to feel them in person.  I worry I may not like the feel of the corian...hmmm.

How awesome is this memo board above the desk area?  I love the nailhead trim. Perfect.

Courteny Hill Interiors

I just love seeing creative ideas like this. A mirror is hung to separate the room.  It allows the bed to float in the center of the room and create a backdrop for a little sitting area. Love it!

I've seen alot of islands dressed up with beadboard, but I like how different these few were done.  They feel more custom and unexpected, yet you'd be able to do these yourself:

I love the horizontal planks, along with the "x" details

Thrifty Decor Chick

If you do beadboard, I like it framed out in nice wide planks.  It just looks more finished to me.

I also love the wide, horizontal planked look of this island.

Painted ceilings- LOVE them.  It's truly the fifth wall.  Look at how these painted ceilings really make these rooms:

Just kidding.  I just thought this was funny!

I've seen a lot of cute DIY play kitchen from repurposed furniture.  This one is just darling and unique.  I love the European Street Market flair of it:

via apartment therapy

The next picture is of how to do a "Neutral" room right.  Look at the pops of color and the rug detail.

via House of Turquoise

Tell me what is NOT to love about this kitchen?

...the antique base cabinets, the black china shelving, that range hood...ahhh!

I want these corbels...

 I love this shower curtain and am thinking of making it for my boys' bathroom:

Inspired yet?