This last fall I was contacted by a girl I went to high school with about helping her decorate her home. I was a bit hesitant, as I’ve only decorated my own house before, but met with Abby and had a lot of fun going through her home: giving suggestions and thoughts on what she had done to this point and where we could take things from there.
It’s really been a wonderful partnership. We take turns texting each other things we find and I love getting updates from her about where things are going. Abby and her husband both work from home, and the room she uses as an office was definitely a priority, but we had yet to really make the space something she would enjoy working in. Between work travel and the holidays, we had gotten out of touch for a while, but her husband contacted me at the beginning of the year wondering if I would be up for finishing off the space as a surprise for her: a completely sweet gesture that I was thrilled to be a part of.
This is what the space looked like when I first met with Abby. She wanted it to feel brighter, but had recently painted the walls, so we thought painting the furniture would help a lot.
Abby bought a great chair and side table, along with a pillow, rug, and a few accessories, but the room had been at a standstill for a while. I knew a handful of pieces, some plants, and styling of the things she already had would do a lot for the space.
Abby is a proud MU alum. She had an MU snow globe on the bookcase when I came to meet with Erik, but I was trying to think of a nod to her alma mater without being so literal. A big, brass tiger seemed appropriate. A quick Etsy search, and I found the handsome guy in this shop (I ordered on a Tuesday afternoon and it arrived that Thursday!).
For work, Abby needs multiple monitors, and they were all you saw when you looked at her desk area. Adding some standout, statement art helps draw your eye away from the screens and the size of the art makes the monitors seem smaller.
I was a little concerned about purchasing the art without Abby’s approval (art is just so personal) but her husband, Erik, was sure she would like whatever I picked out. I was really pleased to hear she loved it.
Replacing the dated light fixture made a big difference. I found this light at Home Depot for $49 and painted it using some gold enamel paint, complimenting the side table. The result is pretty and simple.
I’m always amazed at what just a few changes can do for a space. I like how personal and inviting the room feels now.
And I’m glad Abby doesn’t have to look to the left for a great view anymore (those bay windows are pretty great), but she now has something to enjoy right in front of her.
What is your go-to item for refreshing a space?
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
looks so good, gwen! and we have a couple things in common- love for brass animals and jodi picoult!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Cassie! It's funny, Abby's husband didn't think there was any way I could incorporate her Jodi Picoult books and it still look good. 🙂
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
I love how boxes can hide anything (tennis balls!) And I can tell you look for the same things I do at HomeGoods 🙂 I recognize some of your accessories.
themakerista@gmail.com says
You're right, Beth! They have some great stuff right now!
Kari says
You did such a great job! The room does feel so much brighter.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading and your kind words, Kari!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
Beautiful, Gwen! The light came out great 🙂 And I love your idea to group books by color. I always alphabetize them but this looks infinitely prettier!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jennifer! I've found it makes a huge difference. It can be the worst looking paperback ever, but grouped with similar colors, things seem much more cohesive and intentional.
Autumn Beach says
So pretty, Gwen! What a fun surprise for your friend. Being married to a Mizzou alum, I can totally appreciate that subtle nod to the Tigers. What a great idea! Yes, a brass tiger. Why didn't I think of that? Because I'm not The Makerista. 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha! You're cute. 🙂
angietrue says
it looks so much brighter. You did great. love it!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Angie!
Shavonda@AHomeFullOfColor says
Gwen it looks awesome! Great job. My go to items for refreshing are paint, plants/flowers, art. and candles:)
themakerista@gmail.com says
All good choices! It's amazing what they can do!
theanatomyofdesign.com says
great job! painting the furniture really made it stand out. and i love your art trick…it really does take your eye away from the monitors.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much!
Bethany DeVore says
It looks so good, what a dramatic difference in the bookcase! Your styling is perfect!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Bethany!
Julia Konya says
Oh I have that same brass tiger!!!! Looks awesome what you have done!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I knew I'd seen it somewhere else! 🙂
lindsayheltne says
great work! we are moving to a new place soon and i definitely want to use some of these ideas! if you ever feel like making a trip to chicago, let me know… i would happily let you give me some decorating tips! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
You know I would love that!
House Envy says
this room looks amazing!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
You did a wonderful job Gwen!! What a great treat for her!
sarah m. dorsey says
Love gwen!! That bookcase is styled perfectly! I love that you organized the books by color.
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
So great! I bet she is so in love with it all 🙂 The bookcase is so good! Awesome styling! xo Kristin
Tracy Laverty says
I love that bookcase styling! The room looks so refreshed- great job!
Brandi says
You do such beautiful work. It all looks lovely.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Brandi!
Laura Phillips says
Love the styling. It's amazing how subtle changes can produce such a dramatic effect. And, I love Abby's library; it was fun seeing books that I've read in nearly every picture!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Laura! I know, I think getting a peek into someone's collection of things is so much fun!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Your styling is just amazing!!! and congrats on the blogger with the stars thing! you'll rock it for sure!
themakerista@gmail.com says
You're sweet, and thanks for the support! I'm excited about it!
Sammy says
Really interesting stuff!
Jennifer Ward says
What color/brand is the paint on the walls?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Jennifer, I didn't help with the paint color, so I'll have to ask. I'll post here as soon as I know!
Jennifer Ward says
Thank you! I am painting my office soon and would love to know.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Jennifer, Abby said it is Anonymous by Sherwin Williams. Best of luck with your own office makeover!