Over the past month or so, I’ve (well, hubby and I have) been working on creating my new office – a place I can sit and write my books or my blog posts, as well as somewhere I can do my daily yoga. My new office is finally finished (except for a few minor things that I’m still waiting on) and I’m thrilled to show you. Sorry about the quality of the photos. It’s quite a struggle to get good light for photography in there!
Before we started, I knew I wanted a darker colour on the walls. And because we have green everywhere else, I opted for a lovely shade of blue. We kept the ceiling white to really make the room pop, we bought a soft dark blue rug from Ikea to match, and used a dark blue armchair we already had (also from Ikea). Simple white curtains were chosen to break up the dark blue and I must say I’m absolutely delighted with the way my new office looks.
Gold (and a little silver) accents
I really liked the idea of having gold as an accent colour but as yet I haven’t got an awful lot of that in there – apart from a few little things like these wire frames and sparkly gold/white cushion, both from Primark. I also knitted some curtain tie backs using a thick gold thread that I found in my local Chinese shop. Not to mention these fabulous stag heads I spotted in Zara Home – I figured they’d be great to hold the tie backs. And check out these amazing curtain pole finials which are actually Christmas baubles that we adapted! Cool, huh?
I should also mention these super sparkly silver shoes. A friend gave them to me because she no longer wears them. Sadly, they’re too big (even with inner soles sob sob) but they’re too beautiful to get rid of so they’re now ornamental shoes lol! Aren’t they fabulous?
Upcycling
As for my furniture, remember I recently told you about my love for upcycling? Well, we bought this beautiful Welsh dresser from a really lovely couple who just happen to live around the corner from us. We found it via Facebook marketplace and couldn’t believe they lived so close. It was exactly what we had been looking for – all we did was paint it white using chalk paint, and then slightly distressed it. Gorgeous, isn’t it? It’s perfect for displaying all my books (well, some of them).
We did the same with this little desk – which we also found Facebook marketplace. It was smaller than I’d originally wanted but actually, it works really well because it gives me more space to do yoga in the mornings. We painted it, distressed it and added these fabulous handles (from Aki).
The corner unit was from a second-hand furniture shop in Portimao. I tried haggling for the first time ever (I’ve always been too embarrassed to do it, so I’m quite proud of myself lol), and got it for just 25 euros! I painted and distressed it myself and think it’s perfect.
Chairs
We already had the black and white chair (from Gato Preto) which is a little big for the desk but it looks ok. Originally, I was just going to use the stool that came with the desk but we still haven’t finished working on it. We painted its’ legs pink and intend on re-covering the seat with a bright pink, green and purple piece of fabric I bought (actually it was a tea towel I bought from Zara Home lol). The problem we’re struggling with is how to re-upholster the seat. But we’ll get there!
As for the blue chair, we’ve had it a few years and I thought it would be perfect in this room. I’ve thrown a beautiful white fluffy blanket (a gift from another dear friend) on the back. As well as a blue fleece throw from Primark for when I get really cold.
My quirky bits n pieces
I really love my new office now. I’ve added all the little things that I’ve been collecting over the past few years. Initially, I was keeping it all for when we build the new house but I figured it was silly to wait. I might as well enjoy it all now, right? It’s these little things like the beautiful fairy we bought from a man who handmakes them in Lisbon; the goddess shield we bought at the Medieval Festival last year; the strand of Harry Potter lights; Hermione Granger’s wand; the concrete skull I spray painted gold; the witchy/raven paperweight another fabulous friend gave me; the tree book ends (another gift from Sarah); the pink skull cushion my lovely pal Sarah made for me because of my obsession with skulls etc.
As a couple, hubby and I have never really had many photos around our house, and I’d like to change that so I’m starting with the walls in my office! Hence all these pictures which I’ll be adding to over time. Whenever I look at them, they make me smile 🙂
If you’ve been a reader for a few years, you might remember this painting. It was painted and given to me by Sarah who wanted to immortalise me on canvas as a witch lol! The cat is my beautiful Hermione who died last year. My plan is to put a big, gothic-inspired black frame around it but that’ll have to wait until next year.
Still to do
This room has a large built-in wardrobe with huge doors which I’m hoping to cover in wallpaper next year. I’d like something that really stands out but I haven’t decided exactly what I want yet. Plus, they’re really big doors so it’ll be quite expensive to cover. Especially considering I’d like self-adhesive paper that can be removed. I’ll keep you posted on that though.
My new office is a wonderful room to chill out in. I absolutely love it and I can’t wait to add a few more gold touches. Although not sure where I’ll be adding them….
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