A Place To Count Our Pennies That Didn't Cost Very Many

Current home office

Our home office is 8'x6'.  There isn't a lot of room to work with, but this room works hard for our family.  We had to make this compact space functional with lots of storage, display, and counter space. 

 

 

It looked like this when we first moved in:

 

I actually really loved the fun fabric on the original drapes, but years of direct sunlight caused it to fade. 

 

The room slowly got new carpet and paint, but we lived with it like this for awhile until we couldn't take it any longer:

(I'm so embarrassed.)

As you can see, we needed more countertop space.  After scoping out the sheds on our farmyard, I suggested we use an old tabletop covered in chipped paint that I found in one of them.  J agreed, so he cut it to fit wall-to-wall in the office and varnished it.  Cost=$0.

The rustic-looking tabletop is supported by a file cabinet on both ends.  A self-employed farmer and a designer who works part of the time from home need A LOT of file storage!

J assembled the white shelf with plywood and corbels leftover from previous projects.  Cost=$0.  It's coated in Muralo white paint, which wears like an oil-based paint but cleans up with soap and water.  I always keep a gallon on hand, and I would recommend it for any interior shelving, trim and furniture.  Ask your truly for more information. :)

 

 

We replaced the drapes with this:

Just kidding!  This was a custom-made upholstered valance that was doomed for the dumpster at the store where I work.  My heart hurt a little bit when I thought of it being thrown in the trash.  I asked if I could have it, and they were happy to give it away.  Cost=$0.  With $24 worth of new fabric, a staple gun, and a husband-to-hang-it, the new window treatment livens up the room and doesn't make paying bills in there so bad.

The big frame was given to us from the in-laws and the "S" was painted by me.  Cost=$0.

 

Now, spending time in our office doesn't make me mind working from home one bit!

Get 'em while they're hot!



Now available from Jill Sobolik Designs...

Red wooden letters - $5 each plus shipping (6"x8")

Aqua Blue or Spring Green trays - $25 each plus shipping (21"x15"x4")

 Here's a gift idea using a tray:

(Sorry, this orange tray is no longer available, but let me know if you love the color and I can create something for you!)

Wire shelves - $30 each plus shipping 

Sunny Yellow (10"x12"x27" high)

Gloss White (12"x19"x28" high)

Check out this cute starburst detail:

Please feel free to contact me via this blog or email jillsobolik@gmail.com for more information or if you want to snag up any of these items!



This beauty comes with a story

And the story goes like this:

Supposedly, when my parents first toured my brother and sister-in-law's home, everyone commented that I would looove the chandelier that hung in their dining room.  And, supposedly, my brother and sister-in-law said, "She can have it!  It's not our style."

Then, when I got the house tour, sure enough, the chandelier was the first thing I noticed.  And, of course, I said, "I looove this!"  

Here it is hanging in their dining room the day we finished painting their built-in hutch:




About a week later, that very same house filled with flood water up to the lowest hanging crystal on this very same chandelier.  In the aftermath of the flood, return visits were made to the house to assess the damage and gut it down to the studs.  Of course, I didn't give the chandelier a second thought, because we were all heartbroken after the disaster. 

Then, to my surprise, my parents and brother (being the handy electrician that he is) removed it and delivered it to me to be "rehabilitated" and re-used.

Now, thanks to a can of spray paint, new candelabra bulbs and some help from my dad it looks like this...

Here it is with the lights on.  Please forgive the quality of these photos; I am a designer, not a photographer.

T & C, thank you so much.  I do looove it!