We’ve decided to tackle the sunroom first.
The makeover will include primer, paint, light fixtures, plants, wall art, a work station, and window treatments. Lots and lots of window treatments.
There are 1728 square feet in this house right now, and we’d like to make the most of as many of them as possible. Because he has more “stuff”, Kevin’s going to use the spare bedroom upstairs as his office. Because I like being out in the open, we’re going to create a work station for me in one corner of the sunroom. I’m rockin’ a temporary set-up in there right now, but I’ve got a few different things in mind for my soon-to-be office space.
The first involves a comfortable desk chair with felt-bottomed feet (maybe one that could easily roll into the large closet behind it if I feel like hiding it?)
The second involves making a decision between a traditional desk, sort of like this…
…and a desktop sitting on cleats and a corbel. Sort of like this, except I’d only need one corbel and I’d use a different material on the desktop:
(pinned from here)
Since people will pass by my desk to go in to the first floor bathroom, I sort of envision the area looking more like a “entry” (for lack of a better word) than an office. More like the vibe of the Pottery Barn photo above, but a little “vignette-ish” (for lack of a better word) like the corbel photo. It’ll be for blog posts and e-bill payments, but it doesn’t necessarily need to look like I do either of those things there- yaknowwhatImean?
So. That said- which desk style would you go with? Stand alone, or stuck to the wall?
The desk with the corbels is stunning; the Pottery Barn desk is nice and ordinary. I don’t see the corbels as being formal at all. The room is a sunroom; the corbels with a finish like the ones in the photo look sun bleached and weathered as if they had been outside for decades. I would think about other options for the glass top. There will be many, many not noggin friendly things in a home. One of the things I love about your style is that you are different. You and Kevin do the unexpected. Now, if you would just get over that whole Auburn thing and learn to Roll with Tide you both would be perfect. 🙂
I’m going for choice #1. It feels more like your look to me. But, who knows maybe you will mix it up a bit in the new place. I think its the glass top on the second option that I don’t care for. I’m sure that I will love whatever you do! Can’t wait to see.
Yeah, we’d definitely do something different on top of the corbel(s) if we go that route! 😀
Go the Pottery Barn route. Love it!
I really like the second one especially near the piano, but it doesn’t have storage. Could you work with that?
Love them both but if you go with corbels would stick with two or else you’ll be whacking your knees on a single one every time you move. Your site is a huge break in my day, thanks for sharing your life.
Oh, no! We’d mount it on the right side of the desk and then balance the other side on a cleat mounted to the wall. 😉 BUT- we’ve got whole ‘nother idea in the works as of tonight- ha! 😀
intrigued…
Hee hee! 😉
Yay for ideas in the works!
I love the corbel desk more, but my practical side would choose the other, which is still quite handsome. The room is all about the piano and the windows; so I’d want a desk that didn’t make too strong a statement to draw the eye away those strong elements.
I love anything Pottery Barn, but love the corbels and the idea of searching for the perfect ones.
Huge Corbel desk, cause anybody can just go buy a desk, and you are NOT just anybody! Will luv anything you decide though, I ‘m sure!!
I like the Pottery Barn desk, but for the sunroom I think a corbel desk would be awesome. The trick is finding a corbel.
check out Home Decorators also and don’t forget to look in their “outlet”
Gorgeous room. Gorgeous new house. If you built a custom desk with two corbels rather than one, it wouldn’t necessarily have to be fixed to the wall and could therefore be moved if you wanted to. If you made the top something with drawers, you could also stash away the paperwork in a hurry if necessary. I’m sure with your creativity, you could custom make something that was a mixture of both. x
I’m TORN! I like the stand-alone, but the corbel desk has punch and drama, which I always like.
I prefer the overall look of the first photo. I love to be able to move furniture around so free standing would be my choice.
Corbels, of course! {wink}
😉
First of all, I love your new house. I hope you will very happy there and look forward to seeing what you do to make it yours!Regarding the choices – I like the idea of a corbel desk because I believe it can look cottage-y. But I wonder if the PB desk might be better because of all the wires you have as shown in your pictures so I think that alone would ruin the look of the corbel desk. (There are no wires showing in the picture of the corbel desk.) If you use wireless and you use no other equipment with your computer then I say go for the corbel desk. But if you are going to havewired computer and other equiptment in your work station, then I vote for the PB desk. And I think the comfy chair with wheels is a great idea!
Can’t wait to see what you do! I like the stand-alone.
OH GOSH. I was going to read all the comments to make sure I didn’t just repeat what someone else has already said, but 193!! “Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat,” as Sweet Brown would say. SO. I love both looks, but my thought is that if you just have one corbel (isn’t that what you said?), that it would be REALLY uncomfortable for you. It would be right in the center, correct? So you’d either have to sit to one side or the other, or your legs would constantly bump up against it. Just a thought. 🙂 LOVE the new house!
Hi Katherine! The corbel would actually be on the right side of the desk. The left side would be held up by a cleat that’s mounted to the wall. 😉
CORBELS!!!
Can’t wait to see what you do in the sunroom!
I love the traditional look of the Pottery Barn desk 🙂 Plus the drawers to hide mess is an extra bonus!
I think I would prefer free standing.
I envision old board top with iron base … kind of industrial …
Stand alone desk. I realize you already have lots of opinions but I’m not one to pass up a chance to answer. 🙂
I guess for the office the Pottery Barn looking desk, yet I would look for a better built than them… I have redone 3 offices that had used PB and they needed to replace the desk after a year, I stay away from their casegoods…
now that said I would find an entrance wall and use the corbels with thick glass top as an hall/entre/sofa table look… amazing look, I will be filing that picture for future clients…x
Both are so cute if you can find a great desk that’s a good way if not DIY the corbel desk. I have a similar room to this cant wait to see what you do! I have a big problem with blank walls .we have renovated our home room by room but have yet to fill the walls! Good luck!
Hi Layla:
So happy for you. The new house is beautiful! I just helped Rhoda unpack a few boxes on Saturday. Her house is gorgeous too!. When you find out the color of the yellow door, would you let us know. I love the dark green and yellow. I like stand alone desk better.
I would say style 1 also. If you ever decided to move it to another part of the house at some point in time. I thik like others it maybe more practical in the end. Good Luck!!
I vote for whatever has the most storage, so stand alone it is.
Omg…those corbels are awesome!!and super expensive I’m sure!! I’d go that route though… very unique!!
I love the desk with the corbels. I actually use half a dining table with some pretty legs a friend and I found at a secondhand store. It had the two corner legs attached to a leg in the middle. Anyway, the friend and I took off the hardware holding the two pieces together and each took half. I refinished my half and painted the legs – which were the reason I wanted the table – a glossy black. Then I attached the back to the wall. I love it. I do have to mention, though., I have plenty of other storage. I have two book shelves and a chest in the room for paper, printer supplies, books, etc.
I’m very impatient to discover, what you and your husband will make in this new house !
I vote corbels. It’s so you, maybe with a little more cottage-y look to the corbel. You will figure out your storage, you always do! The desk , although gorgeous is too bulky for your space.
Would never have thought of attaching a desk to a wall, but that’s why I visit your blog!!!
I agree with everything, Janet! And they are fearless about dealing with walls and changing things around. Wouldn’t the desk be a lovely spot for fresh flowers or a Layla-wonderful display?
Love your blog. I just purchased 2 HUGE corbels that came from the pier at Daytona Beach. I’ve been trying to explain to hubs how we can make a desk from them and your pic was just what he needed to “share my vision.” Since I have a farmhouse we built in 2000, I can’t wait to see what you do with yours!
I like the first one also, love that desk!
I’d pick a secretary of some type, because realistically, it’d be hard to keep a desktop neat and pretty all of the time. I found a narrow secretary for a tiny space between my breakfast room and living room. I searched and searched until I found one narrow enough at a furniture consignment (score!). I painted it aubusson blue and put on new pulls and it is now a beautiful piece in the room. My kids keep their art supplies in the drawers and I put my bills and notes from school neatly away so that my house is not overrun by papers! Fyi: mine looks almost exactly like this one from ballard:) http://www.ballarddesigns.com/san-marino-secretary-desk-with-hutch/216331?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=0 (mine is almost just like the peacock blue color they offer) I love the display cabinet above because it makes it look less like a desk when it’s all closed up. I know that whatever you pick will be fab-o! I love reading your blog!!!
p.s. i put my chair away too:)
I think a cute corner desk would be perfect. IKEA has a great one. It looks similar to the pottery barn version.
I love the corbel desk … but not if you’re only going to use one corbel. If you can’t use 2 I would get the stand alone.
It is going to be great! I would do a stand alone. That way you can always move it later, if need be.
Penny
You’ve already received lots of comments and opinions, but I also prefer a stand-alone desk style.
I think the ‘portability’ of it would work better…..that way, if you decide you want to move it to a different location, you can~~without much hassle.
I can’t wait to watch the transformation of this already amazingly beautiful home!!!
I love the idea of the second one, but I think you would have more flexibility (and less wall damage) if you decided later to move things around? I’ve always loved that PB desk pic. Good choice!
That stand alone is nice because you could quickly close up a mess if company stops by, but I highly doubt you would have a mess.
I like the desks you have chosen but i reckon the desk you ultimatley end up choosing should be one that you feel comfortable at, one large enough that you dont feel like your desk is cluttered, otherwise yhou wont be able to write and continue with these awesome blog posts ;).
stand alone ….or i would look for some type of corner unit i notice you are working in a small corner (looks small) i am sure what ever you come up with will be fantastic…..
I love the one with the corbels. Knowing you two, you can be so creative with it!
I once saw a couple of desks at a flea market. I’ve wished ever since that I had taken pictures. One was made from an old intricate door and mounted on a wall. Another from a very ornate headboard and painted off-white with a desk attached. They were both very beautiful and expensive. Just an idea.
I like the stand alone desk that way if later you decide you want to move your work area it is not a big project. I personally would also like to have the cabinets and doors to be able to hold stuff that I need at my desk.
Have you thought of putting shelves in the closet for all your paper/storage/organizing needs? Then, whatever desk you choose you can very easily keep it neat since the closet is as close as a filing cabinet would be. Actually love both desks, can’t wait to see what you choose!
The stand alone desk…..all the way! That desk mounted on the wall has just been done…..to death. Plus, if you pull a drawer out, kit kat could join you and help you with blogging. I have an old roll top that I still love, Love, LOVE! I adore the hidden compartments and the nooks and crannies.
since my gut was to say the secretary type desk, i just know you can’t go that route. show me something fabulous and unique, please!
thanks for letting us play along…
Stand alone for sure, it’s more cottage looking- I think…
For the functions you describe — posting and e-bills — I’d go with the corbels. And you’ve never been afraid to rip something off a wall later. Just sayin’!
with all the cords you have you need the desk. It would be nice to get one that closes up and people won’t see your bills etc while on their way to the restroom.