Home Office: The Tale of an Ugly, Ugly Room

Once upon a time there was a very ugly, ugly room: the home office (Hubby prefers to call it study, whatever a study is). It was a room loathed by the female resident (That's me by the way!). Until one day this woman (me), "suggested" to the other resident (hubby) that they had to do something with it. She said: "New year, new study office!". He said: "There is a game at 4:00, so I can't help you right now" and putting the perfect little wet dog face she said: "Ok, I'll get started all on my own then". He couldn't resist that face and offered to help.

 Ok, I'm dropping the story style writing here but don't worry. I promise you this tale has a happy ending.

Before the transformation, I used to have my laptop time in our dining-room -I didn't want to go anywhere near that office- but one of my goals for 2013 was sorting out this situation.

So, we started this project back in January. It took us several weeks to complete because of time limitations and because of all the painting, drying and waiting for Ikea to send the parts that didn't come with our Expedit bookcases. This project ended up being a succession of several smaller/ish projects; so rather than making one ridonkulous long post, you'll get a few of them for the same price (£free).

I feel like I'm selling fish here! Speaking of which, the "one pound fish song" just came to my mind and I'm laughing out loud. You don't know what I'm talking about? Go and check it out here and laugh with me! Very, very good and very, very cheap! I love that guy!.

Today I'm just going to show you the before pictures. Next week I'll get back with the ultimate guide to coving and the full reveal after that.

Right, back to the before photos. This place used to be our junk room.You'll now see why I used to hate dislike it so much. Feel free to agree with me and say "uuuggghhhh!". Brace yourself!

This is what I used to see from the landing every time I went upstairs.

You might think it doesn't look that bad but I promise you it was even worse in person. I used to keep that door shut for as long as possible during the day. Out of sight, out of mind!

Let's go in and have a closer look at that wall there (the one at the right of the room). It was full of bookcases, full of other stuff and boxes full of stuff. Well, you get the idea.

Opposite this wall was the CD/DVD towers and I think there used to be a desk somewhere underneath all that rubbish in the corner.

Note: all those cds are property of the guy who lives in this household (a.k.a Mr. Hubby). He calls himself a "traditionalist" regarding this CD subject. He likes to have the real things in their boxes. Alphabetically ordered. I even tried to end the "tradition" by giving him an i-pod as a gift for one of his birthdays a few years ago. Not only didn't he use the i-pod but the cd collection got bigger. In a future post I'll show how we solved the encroaching CD issue.

Ok, first things first: everything out of the room.  This part of the process took us a whole weekend. Sorting out what we were going to keep and what we were going to part with. We got there at the end.

  

I thought it was looking better already! This was the point when I started getting excited but I'm afraid I'll have to leave you here right now. I want to show you step-by-step how to apply coving and I wouldn't be able to fit that in here. I'll be back soon with the next chapter of this story. The end result is making me really happy. Massive transformation! .I'm using the office every day now and I'm even leaving the door open all the time so I can have a peak at it when I'm going around :o).  To be continued...

Gaby x