Office/ Craft Room For *Free*

I am just so excited to be

composing this post

from my new

office/ craft room!

You may remember this post from a few months ago

where I had cleaned up

one of the guest bedrooms.

I had hinted at the time

that I may want to

convert it back into a home office for me.

 Well, that day had come!

My "office/ craft room"

WAS the kitchen table.

I hated working on a project or a blog post

and having to clear everything off of the

table so that we could eat.

  It was not conducive to being creative at all!

Since I am currently not working,
I knew it was not in the budget
for me to go out and purchase everything I needed
for my plan to happen.
 

So, I broached the subject of selling the

daybed and the dresser in the spare bedroom

to Mr. B, and using the funds to 

set up a space for me to be able to work

and create.

He was totally on board!

So, I posted both items and a few other things

on Craigslist and on Mr. B's work bulletin board.

It took a few weeks but, everything sold!

Time to get to planning

and to get the project started! 

I perused Pinterest like a fiend.

Searching for small office space ideas

as the room is only 10x10.

I had a theme in mind and I found some great, 

inexpensive ideas, of course.

It took several trips to Ikea to

bring it all together but,

I am in love with my new space!

It started with a Micke desk.

I had a different desk in mind but once I saw this one,

with it's two huge drawers and narrow footprint,
and less expensive to boot,

I knew it was the one!

My laptop fits perfectly 

plus, there is plenty of room 

for a lamp I already had, a clock

that was a gift from Mr. B's mother,

a sad plant,

(it's a trimming from my summer coleus.

I always cut a piece off

and over winter it and then

use it in a pot in the spring) 
that will get bigger

and a cute little coffee cup from Ikea. 

I love that I all I have to do is to just turn my head slightly 

and be able see outside.

The window faces south so I get sunshine

and great natural lighting.

Next came the 4x4 Ikea Expedit bookshelf.

 I added a two drawer system in one of the cubes

and a cupboard door in another.

I had picked up two new knobs

from Hobby Lobby

and I need to go get one more when

they go back on sale.

I also picked up a paper holder

for my craft paper. 

I love how all of these inserts can be moved around 

as I decide what really works for me.

Some Ikea boxes, magazine holders

and pieces I already had, fill up

some of the other cubes.

I left some empty so that

I can get some other types of boxes 

for storage. 

The original plan was to include

the Expedit desk for me to use for crafting.

But, our Ikea was sold out of them

and didn't expect any in until after the 

first of the year. 

At first I was disappointed but then we found 

this table!

 Much cheaper and I like that it is not 

attached to the bookcase

so that I can move it around 

if needed.

I can just whip my chair around 

and do up a craft!

I added my cutting mat to the top

and purchased a paper roller

so than I can keep it covered 

if I am working with glue and/ or glitter. 

In fact, I've already

done my first craft in my new room!

 I bought a cardboard

letter K from Hobby Lobby (on sale)

and mod podged two different 

scrapbook paper prints on each side

to set on top of the bookcase.

Of course, I had to make sure

Max would have his spot in the room too.

I brought in one of his beds for him

to be able to nap comfortably 

while I work.

As you can see, he hasn't decided yet if he 

likes the changes yet.

Before, the walls were divided into two colors,

Bleguim Waffle from Olympic paint,

and an awful gray white below.

 

We still had some of the Belguim Waffle left

so I painted over the white, giving

the walls a clean, cohesive feel.

{it's really more yellow in real life}

My colors around the room will 

be greens, blues and yellows.

The theme is, Spring, everyday of the year! 

Total cost to redo the room to suit my needs?

Free!  

I used up almost all of the cash

gained from selling off the 

previous furniture! 

I even had some money left over 

to take Mr. B out to his favorite fast food place for dinner

as a thank you for having to 

move everything out and,

for having to put everything together for me.

Future plans, when money allows,

are to take out the carpet and install

cork flooring, a new white desk chair

and new art for the walls.

 I can seriously feel the creative juices

flowing through my veins 

as I sit here typing this post!

Let's see,

"It was a dark and stormy night..."

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.