Office and School Room Remodel | Fall One Room Challenge | Week 1

Does anyone remember that one time when I participated in 5 weeks worth of the Fall One Room Challenge and then never did a reveal post because I (ah um...) never finished?! No? Ya, I totally don't remember that either. Ok, fine. Yes, that did happen. However, I started a mid-year resolution: Finish what I start! Maybe also adding on to that, don't start a project that is so unrealistically large there is no way it can be completed in the time allotted when one also has to keep two small humans alive. What can I say? I've learned a lot over the past few years. Like the illusion of balance. There is just no such thing as balance between motherhood, marriage, home remodels, home schooling children, and the piles and piles of laundry and dishes that never seem to go away. Balance might be out there somewhere, but for me its only in yoga class.

I decided to finish what I started though! (YAY ME!) This time I am prepared and have most of my little home design ducklings in a row. I am inviting you to join with me while I complete my office/school room remodel for the Fall One Room Challenge. Cheer me on (please!) the next 6 weeks via Instagram @thedottednest and if I have any meltdowns (if...um...when!) I'll be sure to update you and bring you behind the scenes. I'm about as real life as it gets, hot mess and all!

Fall One Room Challenge

My design plans for my office makeover haven't changed much from the original. I still want to keep it light and bright, with a little bit of drama and vintage industrial chic mixed in. Colors will be close to the original plan: grays, whites, gold, and pops of turquoise. Kid friendly is a must (hence the school room part!), but in a tastefully kid friendly kind of way! In other words, no cartoon characters. Sorry Elmo, you have to stay in the playroom. Organization is also a huge must-have for the space. I'll admit that I've never been the most organized, but the older my kids get the more I realize my ways need to grow and evolve too. The room will have a few splurges, but overall I plan to keep it as budget friendly as possible.

You can read more about the One Room Challenge here!

Plans for the space...

- Paint the closet space to flow with the rest of the room

- Install a desk and book shelves in the closet 

- Paint/add hardware to file cabinet

- Build this cart to house printer, Cricut, baskets, etc.

- Paint vintage blanket chest

- Shelves for my desk space

- Rug and pillows for reading nook

- Comfy office chair for me

Before...

Here are a few "before" shots. The room looked a lot different (almost) 2 years ago when we moved in! We knocked out and widened the doorway to the office with the intent to leave it open for now, in the future we may add glass French doors. The paint and flooring were installed when we moved in, so no huge project to tackle there (thank goodness!). The inside of the closet wasn't painted for some reason, so that will be part of the remodel project.

Yikes! It looked SO different when we bought the house! Here is what it more currently looks like.

Isn't it amazing what a little bit of paint, flooring, and hard work can do to a space? (Details of our paint colors and flooring choices here)

Shopping List...

Just a few things that caught my eye!

[Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please see here for more info on affiliate links.]

Office chairs - I'm going for comfort this time around. Obviously I want style too! But my poor back needs something supportive. Something cute like this one or the vintage style below!

Rugs - I'm not 100% convinced that we need a rug yet. I like having the open, clean feeling with the hardwood floor. I do like this farmhouse beachy vibes classic jute rug, and this gray and white stripe rug.  Who knows, if I get a rug maybe I'll switch it up with a fun bold floral print?


Lighting - The room will definitely need some desk and floor lights. We were originally going to try and install can lights inside the closet, but the details for the install got a little too complicated...so plan B it is!



I am excited to get this done! I can't wait to show you the closet desk space that we've been working on next week.

Be sure to visit the One Room Challenge hosted by Calling It Home. There are always quite a few talented designers participating!

Fall One Room Challenge Week 2

Get caught up here:

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6