Today is reveal day for the Eclectic Playroom Office Refresh. A special thanks to Stephanie at Casa Watkins Living for organizing this refresh and cheering all of us on throughout it. If I’m completely honest, I needed a lot of cheering. Ha. The space I’m working with proved to be harder than I expected to refresh. But, enough of that, let’s look at where we started and then I’ll show you where I ended up at!
Advert your eyes if you were appalled at our “BEFORE” pictures the first time I showed them.
BEFORE:
After:
Before:
Before:
After:
Is it a major difference?
I’d say a bit of yes and no.
There’s a lot of new things, a lot of purging that went on and a lot of just reorganizing.
If I’m completely honest, I didn’t buy a single thing for this refresh. World Market graciously gifted the mid-century desk. It totally fits my style and allowed me to actually have a desk. Before, I was just using an old table. It’s so incredibly awesome to have drawers to hide my crap in.
Lamps Plus contributed the amazing light by the chair. I actually had planned on doing this refresh for the living room and ordered the lamp for that room. But, as more and more things fell into place, I realized that our playroom/office was so lacking that I wanted to focus my efforts in that room.
The rest of the decor was taken from here or there (or found in one of my storage areas – which btw, I need to purge!).
Everything has a purpose, believe it or not. Baskets on the bookshelf hold “spy gear” and dart guns. The manila organizer cabinet holds tons of art supplies and has been such a great thing for us.
Although the conversation area by the fireplace only has one chair (that’s the only extra seating that we had available), it’s been great. Greyson and his friend have made forts out of this area and “spy zones” and just have had fun. The pillows and blankets are constantly on the floor (which is fine). Yet, when not in use, it feels a bit more refined than what we had before.
The swing has been a favorite for sometime. If you have kiddos that are young, this is such an easy thing to add and adds just tons of fun. It ALWAYS gets played on, relaxed on or just sat on.
We made another DIY Mid-century Plant Hanger and that adds a bit of visual interest above the little man’s desk.
The art is just art that we’ve had; as are all the planters, poofs, blankets and pillows.
Overall, if I’m honest, they wouldn’t be my choice. But, they work and – oh my goodness – the space is SO MUCH BETTER than before.
The ladder is a simple DIY that I put together in 3 minutes. I’ll probably share a ladder round-up in a few weeks. There are so many awesome tutorials for ladders out there!
I got such good advice throughout this project. Great advice for how to brighten the space with painting the paneling, the fireplace, replacing the fireplace insert, etc. Some of the ideas, I totally loved and may eventually implement.
So, if you’ve heard it once and tried it then you know that it’s true… PAINT is a miracle worker. I think my biggest takeaway with my current space is that it needs paint and I knew that but I’m still just not quite ready to pull the trigger. I think the space has some evolving to do as we grow as a family (not like grow with numbers – just wanted to clear that up). As Greyson has gotten older, this space has turned from the room that housed all the trains, cars, play tents, etc. It’s become a great place for art, for building pretend things, for getting a few dress-up items out, and chatting with friends. It’s evolved as we’ve evolved and I think it’s just not quite there yet. So, all of that’s to say that it’s not as inspiring as it could be. It’s not as pretty as I’d like it to be. BUT, it’s us and it fits US at this moment. I think that’s always an important thing to remember and repeat to myself (when I really want a super cool, built-in library with deep leather couches – lol).
But, seriously, let’s look again at this before/after because it’s made some major progress:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Affiliate links below. Thanks for supporting this blog. Click to read my disclosure policy.
Make sure to hop around and see all the other amazing transformations.
Casa Watkins Living // A Designer At Home // Bigger Than The Three Of Us // Domicile 37 // Fresh Crush // Iris Nacole // Monica Wants It // Pocketful of Posies // Seeking Lavender Lane // Sharon Joyce Interiors // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors // Vintage Romance Style
And, a special thank you to the sponsors who participated in this challenge.
Love love love!!!! Keeping the paneling was a great choice because this room exudes a beautiful boho vibe with midcentury modern twists. I love how approacahable the room is. It welcomes you to play and work. Beautiful room
Thanks Stephanie! It is approachable! Glad you picked up on this.
I love it! I like all the color and so happy you kept the panelling!!!
Thanks jessica! The panelling had to stay for right now… so I’m glad it worked well with it.
You’ve captured the calm in the room! I love a simple refresh. It’s organized and serene — and I love the new furniture touches!
Thank seen! Organizing helped so much.
i just love it! i love that you kept the wood walls, and the pops of green. oh and those new chairs are awesome.
Thanks Cassie! General decluttering helped so much.
It looks great! Simple changes and organizing made such a huge difference! I especially love the desk and those chairs!
Thanks Carrie! Yes, I think the new furniture (mid-century desk and rolling chair) totally helped but organizing was key!
This turned out really nice. I was surprised when you said you weren’t painting the paneling, but now that’s it’s all styled I actually think it works well. There is something very calming about the space. Is the metal organizer a thrift find because that thing is awesome. I’m such a sucker for lots and lots of drawers. LOL
I think you did a fantastic job working with what you have!
Thanks Charlotte! Eventually, I definitely want to change the paneling but I just haven’t firmly developed a plan yet. The metal organizer – my dad renovated his office and had a few of them. I have an extra if you want to make a trip down to get it!
OH snap! I might be taking you up on that! Would love to make it down soon! Margaritas included too?
Anytime girl! Seriously! =)
Well done! The transformation is very impressive and proves that a few well-chosen pieces can transform a space. I love the new desk and the chairs are beautiful. The room looks so welcoming and much brighter than before!
Thanks Sharon! I agree that a few well-chosen items can be key changers.
Beautiful and fresh! I love those new desk chairs…they have to be my favorite thing in this room. I love that you kept the paneling and your style just is spectacular in this space.
I adore the rolling chairs as well. We have had them all over but I think they work so well in here.
Oh my goodness I do love the changes you’ve made! Honestly, you don’t need paint. I couldn’t imagine how well the space would look without paint but I’m so wrong. I think eliminating the textured ceiling would go a long way in brightening the space. And some art with white space over the paneling. But.. really… it looks amazing as is!
Thanks Corinna! I’d love to get rid of the textured ceiling and the yellow spots but it has asbestos… so we have to save to have it abated if we want to room it.
I love how you’ve transformed this space into a lighter, brighter and more functional space that you can all use! Our upstairs guestroom doubles as an office, so I totally get needing somewhere to shove and store your crap! That hanging chair is the coolest and purging and de-cluttering a space goes a loooong way! Thanks for the reminder that you can use what you have and still create a whole new look and feel. Love it, Ashley!
Thanks Rachel! We love the hanging chair!
Oh my goodness! I love this! And I love how you kept the paneling. It’s so cozy and warm! I need to get me one of those hanging chairs in our office.
Seriously, the hanging chair was one of our best purchases ever! You should totally get one.
I think it’s amazing! And a HUGE difference from before. It’s styled and stylish – so modern now! It really proves the point that you can work some magic with the right eye. And I get what you mean about your evolution of the space as your son grows and changes. I made renovating/decorating decisions when my kids were little without understanding what a really short window of time that would be. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have committed to some of our big house decisions. Anyway, you’re being smarter than I was!!
Thanks Kim! I wanted to just be aware of how our lives evolve and make sure this room is evolving with us.
Rooms are constantly evolving, and this room did just that! We underestimate the power of purging/organizing… it’s not just paint! The room feels so fresh. Turned out great!!!
For sure! Now, I need to purge and organize the basement for sure!
Wow, what a transformation! I seriously wish I had a space like this in my home. It’s so retro cool, and I cant’ get enough of it!
Thanks Iris! Retro cool is the perfect term!
I just love how this space feels warm and inviting but still has a fresh and airy look! Working with wood paneling cannot be easy but you updated this room beautifully. What a great space to work and play in!
Thanks Kathryn. Its a fun space for sure.
It looks so freaking amazing!
Thanks Julia!