Wrapping Paper To The Rescue In An Office Space

I mentioned in a recent post that my friend Jean and I went shopping a couple weeks ago and we were out searching for some accent pieces for her new office.  She just took a massive job as an athletic director for 4 different schools in one district...talk about a CRAZY gig.  I can't even imagine the amount of scheduling, organizing, hiring, and firing that she will now be doing.  I also couldn't believe that she was trying to get work done in a space that looked like this.... 

Talk about drab and depressing. NO wonder she couldn't get into a groove and get shit done like she normally does.  When she called me asking me to come help, I could hear it in her voice that she was really frustrated with #1. starting all over again at a new job and #2. having to work in this new environment with no organization and nothing that reminds her of who she is and what she is all about.  We are a lot alike in the sense that we CANNOT function in a place of disorganization so I totally understood where she was coming from.  I was determined to give her a sense of "HOME" in her new office.  Kinda like how I decorated her old office a couple years ago.  

Here are some before and after shots...

 Soooooooooo..... after living in that workplace for the past few years I knew Jean would need a space that would give her the same warm feeling.  I wanted her to walk in, sit down, smile at her surrounds, and GET SHIT DONE!  She knows exactly what I'm talking about too.  She is such a doer like me and we thrive in the world of "To do" lists and checking those bad boys off as soon as we can! And what better place to do that than a beautiful new office.  I had my work cut out for me but I was ready to get this done AS. SOON. AS. POSSIBLE. I started brain storming some ideas which included doing something fun with her shelving unit shown below.

Her new school colors are navy and white so I thought it would be fun to get fabric for the back of her shelves using those two colors. When we went shopping at Tjmaxx for other accessories we came across this blue and white chevron wrapping paper and it was a no brainer to buy 4 rolls of it and somehow adhere it to her shelves.  GENIUS right???  We both just smiled the entire time we stood in line to check out because it was so incredibly meant to be. What were the odds of us finding those exact colors we needed in the most perfect print?  We saved so much money by going the wrapping paper route and it was also going to be so much easier to install.  Saving time and money = my idea of fun!!!  Here are some pics of the shelving unit transforming....

                   

VOILA!

Now it was time to accessorize = My favorite part of the job!  We picked up a bunch of red accents to bring some life to the blue, white, and gray space. I think the red makes the space INCREDIBLY fun and full of life. 

Here are some of my favorite pieces in the space....

1. Red Industrial Chairs- Homegoods $59 each. 

2. Homemade artwork from an amazing girl named Nicole Kiedasch(an ex-student/field hockey player of ours)

3. The perfect blue and white tray- Homegoods 14.99

(side note: I am loving the gold trim with the blue)

4. Vase- Homegoods 29.99

5. Big White Tree Bowl- Homegoods 29.99

6. Recycled Ruler Box- Tjmaxx 12.99

7. Colorful canvas- Tjmaxx 7.99

We had to make the best of her office furniture even though it wasn't something either one of us would have picked for her space. But because we added the red industrial chairs and spruced up the shelving unit, it sort of takes all of the focus off of all of the other ratchet not so pretty pieces in the space.  I love the wall color with the pops of red!  So modern and industrial but still vibrant and fun.

A little before and after action...

This was probably one of my most favorite transformations but not because of how it looks but because of how it made Jean feel.  She was excited to go to work this morning for the first in 2 months and that right there kids is WHY I DO WHAT I DO!  Everyone deserves to live/work in a space that makes them feel good and smile all day long.  It's a shame that some people don't realize the potential of a space and how much happiness it can actually bring them.  Sometimes we need to be able to look around at our surroundings and draw happiness from it because let's face it happiness doesn't always come from within.  Those of you who have allowed me to take the reigns in your own homes'/work spaces' know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. It's a feeling that everyone should experience at some point in their lives.  I get all excited just talking about it. There is just something about design that makes my heart go pitter patter. 

<3 <3 <3<3<3<3<3

GLAMifying a Boring Bulletin Board

This was one of those projects where I thought it would take me forever but I was pleasantly surprised when I finished it in 2 hours. (from shopping to completion). It all started when I was staring at this boring cork board, that I wasn't using, in my PE office after school today. I knew I wanted to bring it to my classroom but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, meaning how I could make it look pretty? So I hopped on the web and searched for some inspiration and I found this awesome idea where you cover the entire board, including the frame, with fabric and then install thumb tacks around the perimeter to give it a finished look.  I was immediately on board(no pun intended) and excited to get started. I decided to get my workout in early so that I could spend all night tackling this project (little did I know I would finish in 2 hours...thumbs up!).  So I headed to the weight room smashed my shoulders and legs with a killer workout and then I headed to JoAnn Fabrics to search for some fabric. I found a few options pretty fast and quickly narrowed it down to this beautiful emerald green geometric print. I won't bore you with all of the step by step instructions because it was pretty simple so instead I will just the let pictures tell the story. So here we go....

Some leftover black paint from another project...

And......it's GLAMified!  Easy right? The best part is it's totally "ME" and I love being able to express myself in my second home classroom. I still can't believe it only took me 2 hours from the minute I got in my car to shop to the minute I took these pics. That means I will have some extra time tonight for a good bath and some glorious pinning. I can't wait to see it in my classroom tomorrow.  I almost don't want to put anything on it because it's so FAB =)

Don't worry I didn't forget about my next post(salsa and rope that I referenced here), I just slid this one in there because I was so pumped about it.

Check ya later dudes!