When we were looking for a house, one with a large space that we could turn into the Chris Loves Julia office for us and our employees was a must have. This house had a large room off of the entry (bonus!) with a door (double bonus!!) that the previous owners used as their den or main-level TV room. It also had a normal home office space that we deemed the girls' office when we moved in (since we already had an office in the former den). It was one of those nice-to-have spaces at the time, right on the main level of the house, with a wide open doorway, so we could peek in or pop in and help when needed. It was the perfect spot for all of the papers that come with kids and they did their homework in there, too. But it also has become a spot for creating! We keep the cabinets stocked with art supplies and paper and crafty things. But at the end of last school year, when all school went virtual, I realized we hit the lottery with not only this extra space, but also being able to dedicate it to the girls for use.
This school year, our girls are going back to school next week 4 days a week and will have virtual learning on Fridays. But we know that can change at any time so we are taking the opportunity to makeover their office into a space that inspires a little more!
Here's how it looks now:
Very typical of maybe what you'd expect as a home's office--lots of dark woodwork and storage. I know a lot of you are in the same boat; trying to create a space for your kids to learn at home this year. So before I show you our plans, I thought it would be fun to share a few home office (kid or otherwise!) spaces that inspired me!
I love ALL of these for different reasons and I included all of them for different reasons. Not everyone has a dedicated space, and maybe you just need a corner or a wall. Built-ins are great, but a stand alone table or desk is also charming!
In our space, I'm going to be mostly working with what we have but adding a few special things to bring it up to the style we're going for in the rest of our home--modern cottage. So we'll be keeping all the cabinetry and millwork and painting it the same color as the trim in the rest of the house--Accessible Beige. And here's the direction for the rest of the space:
My DREAM wallpaper above the woodwork on the walls with a fun plaid rug for the floor. We're going to move the green couch that is currently in our office into this space (because it just goes so well!) and I want to hang an oversized pin board in between the two sconces above it for all of their many, many pieces of art. I got them each some of those paper drawers to serve as an inbox/outbox of sorts, too. I'm so excited to see it come together! Our goal is to have it done (or mostly done) by September 8th which is when our district will be reassessing schooling in general--so lots to do!
Wallpaper
Pinboard
Pennant
Sconce
Wall Clock
Paint Color: Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams
Sofa
Rug
Table Lamp
Office Chair
Paper Drawers
Wall Hook
Plaid Pillow
Patterned Pillow
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Hi CLJ! I was trying to find which 2 stains that you used for the wood in this room. I know it was posted on stories at one time. We just won a fixer upper at an auction and your ideas have been an inspiration!
Love! Curious the height of the desk and if it is working well for the girls?
Working great!
If your still debating the wallpaper in the kids playroom Look what I saw on Domino. She used tape for the stripes.
https://www.domino.com/content/kids-room-design-striped-walls/
Beautiful as usual! I love everything, except maybe change the lamp? Love the look of it - just seems too casual for the couch, sconces, etc. Can't wait to see it come together!
can't wait to see it! Yes, painting all of that woodwork is priority numero uno. We just redid our 16-year old daughter's "work space" in her room for virtual learning, since that's where we are starting here in California. She actually did all of the shopping/choosing. She wanted a big white board, and she found this great white board "wall paper"! It's great so far! Hopefully, it stays up on our mildly textured walls!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0859NJH9L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oh, I can't wait to see this come together. I love that it has a bit more of an adult vibe than your average kid's space.
I couldn’t love this more! What an inspiring space to learn and grow in! Can’t wait to see the transformation!
It’s going to look great but mainly excited that the sconces are making it somewhere in your home! I was a little sad when they didn’t find their way into the dining room ????
I feel like you design spaces so fast! Is that true? I am
absolutely in awe of your vision.
Some spaces go faster than others. Now that we're into our house a little bit more, I have a clearer vision for it as a whole so it feels more fun.
Hi! Love the space and the plans you have. Great for this unpredictable period of life. Wondering if you considered putting the wallpaper on the ceiling to highlight the coffered ceilings ? Or paint it dark? I learned a lot in the peice you did a few months back about focusing on the ceilings.
As a homeschool parent I've never had so much content relevant and geared towards me! I love it! Also, I am glad you have this set up like a home space. People who don't understand learning at home tend to try to recreate the public school look and that's totally not the point or even helpful with homeschooling. A round table and comfortable chairs are the best friend for my 8 and 4 year olds. Also, we love being outdoors for any days that are nice. No reason to sit inside when you can learn from watching the squirrels or ants work.
That wallpaper is absolutely gorgeous. I also love the inspiration pic with the ceiling wallpaper. Fun, unexpected way to add some whimsy.
In the first inspiration picture, there is a small round table with some chairs. I see the table you have in the corner is similar in shape and looks to be the same height as the desks. Will you still have this table in the room and then use it for your youngest as a third workstation? I can't remember if she has started kindergarten, but is she interested in being with her sisters as they study?
Once you get your chairs for the living room, those brown leather seats would look great here as footstools for the sofa.
I am SO excited about this! We are currently trying to remodel our office spaces since it looks like we'll be working from home for the foreseeable future. One of our rooms is all 1960s solid wood paneling and built-ins (including a built-in desk in the same dark wood!), and I am dying to paint it all. Please share a lot about your process with the built-ins! I've been scared to do this since I don't know all the steps and want to ensure the paint sticks!
Ok I am sold on that green sofa
This is going to be so cute.
I’m using the dark blue version of this wallpaper in my laundry room! I saw it in an IKEA in Spain, and had to hunt down what it was so I could use it (only Europe would have really fancy multiple hundreds of dollars worth of wallpaper in an IKEA. ????)
I find a lot of home office inspriation pictures do not actually have computer monitors so it's not very realistic. I have two monitors, plus my laptop for work and also a personal mac computer. I wish more showed how to incorporate the monitors/tech in the design.
I’m interested in this, too. I’d also love to see examples that incorporate eal office chairs. They’re not the cutest but if you’re working or studying at home a supportive chair is imperative.
I'm obsessed with that wallpaper! So happy you're using it! Can't wait to see the room!!!!
Is that the same wallpaper that Yellow brick Home has in their Tree House? It is so cute!
OMG it’s perfect! You are the master at mixing patterns. We bought our house at about the same time you did and are updating/decorating ours too. Do you have any tips on how to make the house look cohesive? Struggling a bit with this. Thanks!
Looks beautiful! Will they be changing the window in this room too?
We already did!
How fun! I'm turning my guest room into my home office/kitten foster room. The kittens are hanging out in my bathroom now, but I really want a dedicated home office so why not combine them? Pre COVID I only used my guest room twice in one year so I felt like it was becoming a wasted space. All of your inspiration pics gave me some ideas too! Like the built in look of a couch/bed/bench. A guest could still sleep there if needed.
This is a little unrelated but just curious what would you have done with the room y’all are using as an office if you didn’t have your CLJ business?
It's hard to say because it was a big reason we bought this house
Just curious.. will the girls office be getting a new window as well? And what are you guys planning for the wood work on the ceiling? Will you paint that to match the cabinets? Love watching your house transformation!
I can't wait to see this come together. I was in love with the playroom, too! Oh the whimsy on that one. It would have made me feel like I was Anne of Green Gables had I had that playroom as a little girl. Is the white sofa that is currently in there the Charly?
Love all your inspiration photos, can’t wait to see this room evolve! Do you have plans for the current cream colored sofa in this room?
I am not sure where it will end up yet!
I'm considering the black on black version of the office chairs for my dining room. Are they comfortable? Are they easy enough to pull in and out from your desk/a dining table? Love the look, but have been hesitant to pull the trigger...Any insight would be awesome from someone as trusted at CLJ!
Your girls are so lucky to have a dedicated space! Even luckier that you’re their parents and will make it even more functional and gorgeous. Will the window change as part of your exterior reno?
You just never fail to inspire! Thank you thank you!!
Have these windows changed (or will they) with the exterior work? I’m also interested to see how many of the wood details are kept...it’s definitely heavy right now and has much more of a masculine-adult-home-office vibe, but keeping some of the wood elements would bring in so much warmth. You all do such great work, I know you will find the right balance. Also- can we talk about how many different projects you’re swinging all at once right now?!? I’ve lived through many a remodel, but my brain hurts just thinking about it!
This window has been replaced. As far as projects go... a lot!
Lucky girls to have such a great design for their space!
I was wondering if you're planning to paint the wood moulding on the ceiling as well? I think it's kind of charming - agree that it's a bit heavy at the moment with all that wood, but once the rest of the heavy wood is painted beige, maybe the wood on the ceiling will actually be a nice feature. Would love to hear your thinking on it.
Love it! What if you kept the wood top on the desk but restained it?
We are sanding it down to a lighter wood but the desk top WILL be wood yes