Remember when I said we were going to turn our sunroom into a playroom? Well, as our new norm continues to establish itself, it’s become pretty clear that that’s not what it actually needs to be right now.
What we’re actually going to turn it into is our home office/studio.
In a nutshell, Steevenson is most comfortable playing/watching T.V. in the living room, and now that his toys can all be (neatly) stored in the built-in cabinetry in there, it’s not as big of a deal for that room to act as his hang out space. That, and the fact that *he* doesn’t want to move into the sunroom sealed the deal on not throwing yet another move-related transition his way.
So here’s why it’s going to become our home office/studio:
It keeps me closer to our Sonny when I have to work on our desktop computer during the day (no matter where he is on the first floor. Bungalow Barn included.), and because there’s going to be one big, white wall in there, which will give us the perfect backdrop to record e-classes and how-to videos (something we’re excited to do more of!) and capture photos and videos for my LuLaRoe business.
The round rug has already been removed and we’ve got a rectangular one in it’s place. I’m also looking at desks right now. I wanted to go with something that’s painted white…or has white paint on it…maybe like one of these?
I found those all on the Joss & Main site while searching for inspiration, by the way.
I also like the idea of finding an old farmhouse table and adding corbels to the front side of it:
Attach the corbels where the tabletop meets the front legs and freshen everything up with some crackly white paint milk? That particular table is probably too wide, but you get the idea.
Curious to hear your preference. New desk that looks old (and that already has drawers and keyboard pull out tray) or old farm table (that we could add drawers to) with antique architectural embellishments. It’s fun to think it through! 😀
Layla
PS- Since this will also be a photography studio space, we’d like to be able to roll/lift the desk out of the way with ease. Hence, all the photos of (lightweight) desks that look more like tables. 😉
Those are all pretty, but I really like the third table (with the casters). I immediately thought that it might be good to have it more movable, and then I read your “p.s.”:-)
That table also looks just like my idea for our kitchen table (though, ours would be smaller). We need more storage in our small kitchen apartment.
My second choice would be finding a second-hand table and making it exactly what you need, adding your corbels, drawers, and wheels. Will be fun to see what you come up with!
I’m with the previous comment, use one of the tables with the turned legs (I like table number three). You might be able to use the small disc pad furniture movers instead of casters. Can’t wait to see what you decide.
My desk is an old school desk…one that probably held two people because there are two drawers. I added casters to raise it up a bit and that helped give it more interest. It was wood when I got it (for $25) and I have painted it twice, first black now Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams. I’m usually a bargain hunter so maybe look around on Craigslist for something that would suit you and then give it a coat of paint like Meg Duerksen has been doing. You’ll love having that office space!! My boys always preferred to play in the family room…they still do and they’re 12 and 9!
Just to throw in something from left field–have you seen blogger Victoria Elizabeth Barnes’s conversion of a PIANO into a kitchen island? After stripping interior mechanics, they’ve added drawers. She found that pianos are ‘giveaways’ on Craig’s List. That could be really fun in your space!
I’m a VEB fan, too! 🙂
Here’s a link
http://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/repurposed-antique-piano-kitchen-island-part7/
Best thing we ever did was put our dining room table on rollers! So easy to move it around when we need it to one side for events, or to clean under it. Just be sure the table isn’t so heavy the casters make dents in your floor.
waiting to finish the sunroom certainly worked well, who knew Sonny would prefer to hang out in the living room and that your fireside cabinets could hold all his favorite things!
All those desk choices are charming, I think I’d be tempted to visit a few estate sales or local antique shops to see if anything caught my eye. And you two always manage to discover awesome items! Then if that strikes out, you could shop on line for some old wood, chippy looking piece, love the textures your sample ideas provide!
I like the idea of an old table but I like the idea of most everything old. We have a square piano that was turned into a desk. The piano is not as fancy as the kitchen island piano that another reader linked to. We got ours at an auction many years ago in Alabama. In fact, the desk is being used by my cousin in Alabama. We didn’t move it when we came to the PNW. You always do fabulous things so I know I will love it
Isn’t is crazy how kids change our plans…over and over and over. You have great ideas. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for that room
Yes!!!! At our house, it feels like something is always being reworked with space planning to better suit the kids. Every phase brings new adjustment to the house. What a blessing.
Another option would be to find an old door, attach some sort of leg base, and turn it into a table. My friends did this, turning an antique paneled door into their kitchen space. They had a piece of glass cut for the top to give it a smooth surface. It is really a conversation piece!
excited to view the fished room! thanks for sharing the whys and the in progress shots. it is fun to follow along with your decorating adventures!
I love the third table. A little bit old and new look. It has drawers, wheels and just the right size. Not surprised Steveenson wants to play in your living room. That is what our sons wanted to do and most children want. Most want to be in a comfortable space and near their parents, also where the action is.
Great idea for the sunroom! So much great desk inspiration, too – I like all the ideas :)) Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Love your idea for the office! This will work GREAT!! Let him have the living room–who cares right?! It’s what works and like you said –you have great storage for his toys.
Consider height if you’re leaning to a non-traditional desk. I worked from an big, old table with a single drawer that I LOVED but I couldn’t get my chair under it properly. Many hours on the mouse added up after a while. It can be a non-issue if you’re there in short bursts. Can’t wait to see your ideas!
I really like the third desk. But whatever you chose it will be great. You have such a gift for decorating.
BYW I saw your bed on your spring house tour – could you please tell me where you got your headboard. I really love it and would like to get one myself.
Thank you
Hi, hoping you could give some details on the door and windows in your office/studio. I love them, they are exactly what I am looking for. Thanks so much!
I like desk #2. It has three drawers, has a lot of top space ( I always have papers everywhere when I am working) and you could easily put rollers on it. And it looks like there might be enough space for a small filing cabinet under it. Good luck with your search. You are a good momma to be careful of too many changes for Sweet Pea!
I actually prefer the first one. I think the table/desk not fully painted will look nicer in that room which already has a lot of beautiful light coloured elements. You need something earthy. On a side note, you need to add an “S” to your plate wall 😀.
I don’t like the farm table and I wouldn’t want the corbels because they’d be in the way. I’m sure whatever you pick will be beautiful and I’ll enjoy seeing it! I know you are SO busy but I think an “S” needs to be added on the wall with the plates! I so enjoy your posts.
Oh, the corbels wouldn’t be in the way because they’d only be on the front side of the table. (Where the top meets the two front legs) I’m still smitten with the look, but I’m going to do some more hunting before I make a final decision! 🙂
I like the kitchen table turned desk Idea. You’d have loads of surface space to spread everything out and possible add a chair to the opposite side of it in case Steevenson needed to join you and do little ‘work’ also 🙂 Either way it will probably be stunning like all your projects.
It is going to be so nice to have this space as an office and it will stay that way for much longer than it would have a playroom. I like the idea of the farm-table turned desk, although the lack of drawers could be a problem, unless you get a plethora of decorative organizational pieces.
I love your ideas. Do you have any plans to add an “S” to your plate wall?
Hey Layla,
For whatever it’s worth… I like the idea of recycling an old door or old table. I would wonder if I’d be forever hitting my legs and knees on the corbels?
However, if you go the old door or old table route, personally, I like drawers to organize things (paperwork, desk supplies, etc) so I can have minimal lines. I dislike dusting so I don’t want to have allllll my supplies out that I have to dust and that create that office look (I don’t have a separate room for an office, so my office shares with another room). I’m still fine-tuning a desk because I can’t quite settle on what I want or where I want, so by no means am I an expert. But on wheels absolutely! Good thinking.
I giggle at the blank white wall comment – can you leave it blank? 😉 LOL.
I like Ikea’s Hemnes Secretary because I like being able to hide everything I’m working on (although I need to get in store and check it out up close and personal). Curious, innocent, little fingers love to “help”. So Hemnes could be fantastic for keeping lovely and loving little fingers out of mama’s stuff in a loving way?
I admire how you think and re-think your room plans and are able to adapt. Honestly I’d be lost with a space like your sunroom but you’re amazing at working with it. That cabinet must be SO handy. It fits in incredibly. I also still love your plate wall. I find myself constantly spying pretty plates, I think perhaps I can give it to a few in the future and a create a plate wall. 🙂
Good luck darling!
hugs!
Hi Layla, I like them all! I think any one of the choices would be great. I would definitely consider putting casters on the piece you choose to make it movable.
Love the old table!! It has so much more character and easy to add drawers, maybe you can add metal old wheels to the bottom so you can roll it out and away when you need to photograph or film 🙂
xx