Happy Friday! Hope your week has been a great one! I’ve gotten a tremendous amount accomplished here in the Dollhouse this week, including in my office. I will be adding some more items this weekend, so will share even more updates for Metamorphosis Monday, but I thought it would be fun to share where things are as of right now.
If you’ve been following along the last couple of months, you’ll probably remember that I ordered this desk for the new office that I’m creating in the Dollhouse. The delivery date was pretty far out, but I was able to keep up with where it was via tracking. For some unknown reason, just as it reached my area, it was turned around and sent back to the seller, or at least that’s what the tracking showed. I contacted Amazon to ask why, and they had no idea, just said that it could have been damaged, so the delivery company decided to return it. Frustrating that it got so close, but at the last minute was pulled back.
I have been making do with this very small desk that I mistakenly ordered, thinking it was the same size as the desk I purchased for those times when I was visiting my son and daughter-in-law during trips to their home. I placed a new order, and again, the delivery date was several weeks out. I held my breath and this time it was actually delivered! Thankfully, it was worth the wait!
Before we head into the office, check out the runner here on the landing, that is also a hallway that leads to the office. I fell in love with the 8′ x 10′ version for the office and ended up purchasing the matching runner that is available in the same color/design. It looks quite dark here in the hallway due to the lighting, but it’s actually much more vibrant and colorful, as you’re about to see.
Come on in! Please keep in mind, the office isn’t finished, it’s very much still a work in progress.
You can see the rug a good bit better in this sunny room that has triple windows down both sides. This all-wool rug is very much a chameleon, changing intensity of color throughout the day depending on how much light is coming in through the windows. It feels absolutely wonderful under bare feet!
I took this photo over in a corner, pointing the camera downward, so it’s the most accurate depiction of the true colors found in this rug under normal/lower lighting. This rug comes in 5 different colorways, and they are all beautiful! As you can see, there are a few different shades of blue, and they all work great with the blue of the walls and ceiling in the office. I love how they gave the backdrop of the rug a varied effect with different striations of blue running through the background. Love the sage green in this rug, too! I wonder how my green and white chair at home would look paired with the rug here in the office? (This rug is available in 5 different background-color variations and in many shapes/sizes here: Beautiful, Hand-made, All Wool Rug.) I love the yellow and the green. And the red! I really love them all! And I love that it’s made of 100% wool, which always wears so beautifully!
There will be three monitors on the desk when I next share this space. The 3rd one just arrived today. Hopefully, I will like how it looks once it’s in place this evening. When I first shared how I planned to lay things out in this office, a few BNOTP readers asked how I would handle all the computer cables. There are a bunch including 4 for the two monitors, 5 for the Bose speakers, 1 for a phone charging pad, and one for the cord that charges my keyboard. This desk is designed with two openings in the top through which all the cables run. I also purchased a cord cover to use in case I needed it, but I really don’t think I do.
About the rug, when I ordered it, the ad stated that it’s 8′ x 10′. It’s not. It’s around 10 feet long, but is closer to 7-1/2′ feet in width. I’m disappointed that it’s not actually the size that was advertised. The product info states there’s a 30-day return period, so I have reordered it in the 9′ x 12′ size. The information for the 9′ x 12′ actually states that it’s only 8.9′ x 12′. The width will be perfect, and the 12-foot length will mean that the rug will go a couple of feet up under the desk. I think that will be fine since I can add little pads under the four front feet to raise it a bit to make up for the additional height in back where the back legs will be on the rug. Plus, I’m sure the feet will settle down into the rug some due to the heavy weight of the desk.
Another reason I like the idea of having that extra foot of width is once I place my Pottery Barn file cabinets/units down the sides of this room underneath the windows, the extra width of the 9′ x 12′ rug should make the rug come up closer to the cabinets on both sides of the room, which should look really nice. The larger rug won’t arrive until Wednesday of next week, but I’ll share how it looks once I have a chance to try it in the room.
I am absolutely in love with this desk! I love the design so much, and how it mimics the paneling on the walls.
Ironically, I have been obsessed with painted wood paneling for an office ever since I started putting my office together in Georgia, and came across this picture at the PB website back in the day. Do you remember this ad? I loved those walls and how they looked with the Pottery Barn Bedford furniture that I ultimately bought for that room.
Back then, I tried my best to locate that specific style paneling to see if I could have it added to the walls of my office in Georgia. Everyone I talked with said that it looked vintage, so they didn’t know how or where to find it. It hit me today that I finally have an office with vintage, painted paneling—I’ve been told that this room was added to the home in the 1950s.
Again, I’m completely in love with the desk! It appears to be very well-made, and if I’m remembering correctly, I think it weighs 250 pounds!
I would very much recommend it to anyone who is looking for an “executive” style desk in a pretty soft white color. The color is described as cream, but in my opinion, it’s not a yellow cream at all. It definitely feels like a soft white and I love, love, love the color! (Desk is available here: Executive Style Desk in Soft White.)
I have only one lamp with me here in the Dollhouse and let me tell ya, that’s a struggle for a lamp-crazy woman like me! Ha! I do love the look of soft lamp-lighting in the evening, so I broke down the other night and purchased one full size lamp, just so I’d have some light here in the office. That was before I discovered the rug and ordered it. I was delighted to see that the lamp actually works great with the rug. This lamp is nice and big, measuring 27–28 inches tall, including the finial. The shade is beautiful, and the lamp feels really well-made! It was so reasonably priced, I’m super tempted to buy a second one before they are no longer available.
Here’s a closer view of the design. (Lamp is available here: Blue and White Lamp.)
Warning: Spoiler alert ahead! Stop reading now if you don’t want to know what you may be seeing for Metamorphosis Monday! lol I’ve been mulling over what I want to place behind the desk. I had been thinking of using a low credenza with a couple of lamps, but then I saw these book cases and thought they would make a beautiful backdrop and add even more storage to this room. (These bookcase cabinets are available in various widths/combinations here: Bookcase Cabinets.)
You may remember when Katie lived here, she had a pretty, white dresser tucked into the alcove space. I love how the dresser looked there.
Unfortunately, this set of three bookcases is around 6 inches too wide for the space due to the height and the slant of the ceiling. I could have just purchased the two wider sections, but I don’t like that look near as much. It’s this particular arrangement that I really like.
I found this grouping by the same company, and though I’m still not sure if I like it quite as much as the arrangement of cabinets above, it does appear to be a nice choice for an office space. So, I ordered it and it arrived today. It’s still in boxes, but I hope to put it together this weekend. Oh, and it fits on that alcove wall with around 5–6 inches to spare. (This bookcase cabinet is available here: Bookcase Cabinet.)
What do you think? Do you think it will look good tucked against the wall in the alcove?
A low credenza behind the desk on that wall just seemed redundant. I find that varying the height of pieces as you move around a room usually looks best, however I could possibly have achieved that goal with large lamps on either end of a credenza. Well, I went for the bookcases, and they are here now. So we’ll know the answer to that question very soon! Decorating can be a little scary sometimes, but when it works, it’s such a great feeling!
So what do you think? Do you think the larger 9′ x 12′ rug is a better choice for this room? It almost did me in, hauling this heavy, wool, 8′ x 10′ rug up the seven stairs to the office! I think I’m going to need some help getting the 9′ x 12′ one up here when it arrives! One other reason I think the 9′ x 12′ rug works better is since this 8′ x 10′ rug isn’t really 8′ feet wide, as stated in the ad, when I walk into the room and toward the desk on the left (the shortest route to the desk chair) this rug falls in a somewhat awkward spot in the path to the desk. I think the 9′ x 12′ will work a lot better. We’ll know next week, once it arrives!
I have a different desk chair on order for this room to replace the small gray one that I’ve been using. It’s very similar to my favorite desk chair in Georgia, just a lighter color. I hope I like it as well, will share that once it arrives, too. Happy Weekend!
Definitely the bigger rug will be a better fit for the size of your room. It’s GORGEOUS! Great choice. My only thought was that I hope the white of the bookcase works with the white of the desk and that it doesn’t take away from the beautiful desk. Like you said, you’ll know soon!! The bookcase is beautiful though and will provide great storage. I don’t know what else will be in the room to balance out the large desk and bookcase. You don’t want the room to look too heavy on one end is my only thought. Otherwise things are coming together great. BEAUTIFUL DESK!
Thanks, Toni! I wish I had realized that before I bought the 8 x 10.
I know what you mean, it’s hard to tell in that photo. One of the bookcases by that company looks like a soft white, but the one I ordered looks bright white in the photo online. Hopefully they use the same paint color for all their bookcases and hopefully, it’s the soft white. I haven’t opened the box yet, but the box itself is badly damaged on one end. Maybe I can peek inside that torn/damaged end to see the color before I actually open it. Right now, everything is on that end, just weirdly working out that way. I really should stop until I decide when I plan to move here, just working on the rooms that I need in order to stay here and buying those things that I would need anyway once I do move. There will be a chair on the other end and I plan to put a small table or chest on the wall that’s just to the right of the door when you enter the room. I may have to move the desk a few more inches out into the room, depending on how much space is needed behind me for the cabinets, so everything is kinda in flux right now.
Wow Susan, this desk looks like it was made for this room! It is just beautiful. I think the rug is beautiful too, but I think the larger one is going to make you more happy. I love the idea of the bookcases behind the desk, can’t wait to see them back there. You have been a very busy lady between both homes and all you are doing, but boy it is looking amazing! Hugs, Brenda
Thanks, Brenda! Hopefully, I can slow down later into next week, have gotten a lot done that I really wanted to this past week.
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Absolutely the bigger rug. I was going to suggest that or getting another one so that you would have some of the desk under the rug. The size you have now makes the rug (which is beautiful) look like it is floating in the space. The bigger one with part of the desk (also beautiful) on it will anchor the space more. Love the blue, love the desk and the rug and they are lovely together!
Yeah, I think it will look better partially under the desk. It does look kinda like it’s floating right now as someone else mentioned. There will eventually be a chair on it at the other end of the room. The desk is about the perfect height for me right now, so the rug will raise it a little, but I’m sure the desk will settle down into it after a bit. Thanks so much, Rebecca!
The larger rug is a great idea. So is the bookcase for the back wall. Can’t wait to see it all in place!
You have such great ideas!
Thanks so much, Jan!
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Definitely think the bigger rug will look great. Curious about returning a rug of that size. Do they pick it up? Your Dollhouse is coming along so nicely. Enjoying following along.
Thanks, Michelle! I believe so. I once ordered a desk chair, put it together, and then found that it leaned drastically to one side. I def put it together correctly, but it just would ot set straight. There was no way, I was taking it all back apart. I called for a return and two guys came by and loaded it onto a large truck, so they do have ways for picking up large items like that.
Just a lovely room. Bigger rug for sure. I love all the angles–makes for an interesitng and cozy room.
This house definitely has the angles in all the rooms upstairs. I love ’em, but boy does it make furnishing the upstairs rooms interesting! lol
Love the desk and larger size rug for sure. Love the cabinet you ordered also. Office is looking great.
Thanks, Nancy!
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Susan, that desk is gorgeous! And I love the rug—I had the same one in the soft gold in my guest room & our buyer liked it so much they bought it along with our family room rug!
I can’t wait to see the bookcase in place with the larger rug—it should be perfect there.
Thanks so much, MerriJo! I think it’s the prettiest desk I’ve ever owned. Wow, that says a lot for the universal appeal of that rug, it is beautiful! You were so nice to let her keep it. I love it in all the colors that it’s offered, and I’m amazed but how many shapes it comes in. Great rug! I hope they keep it available a long time.
What a beautiful start you have in this room! I am not much of a rug person and generally prefer a bare wood floor but I did look around and ask myself where I could put such a pretty rug. And I absolutely love the lamp – serious lamp envy here! It is fun to see your decorating journey. Thank you for sharing.
You know, I kinda flip back and forth on that myself. I go through stages when I like just a bare floor, so I know what you mean. This room has so much white everywhere, I think the rug will help with that, but still keep it a bright, happy space.
Thanks! I really like it, too…and it’s the perfect size, not too small, but not too big. Usually lamps that size cost a lot more. I hope that company will offer more colors in that size lamp.
The 9×12 rug will look better. It needs to be under the desk. Also, I would consider not using the black hardware on the bookcase; it looks a bit harsh. A metal might look better.
Yeah, I definitely agree. I was worried the larger rug would make my desk my lean or not sit properly, but I think I can fix that with some little pads up under the front 4 feet. This desk has 8 feet!
I thought the same thing—I’m not a black hardware fan, at all. Once I get it together, I’ll measure the pulls and see what I can find online.
I am just curious why you started on the office first. In the other rooms such as dining room,living room are you buying all new furniture for those rooms also? And are you going to wall paper?
I spend a lot of time in my office. I don’t have a TV, well this house came with one in the basement, but I don’t ever watch TV and haven’t in years. So if I want to watch a movie, I normally do it on my computer. The other room I have worked on a bit is my bedroom, mainly just creating a comfy place to sleep.
I would love to put wallpaper in the guest bath downstairs. It’s a tiny bath and it would be fun to do something fun in there.
You know, I’ve always loved seeing attic rooms, especially bedrooms, with wallpaper, even sometimes on the ceiling. Since this house is a Cape Cod and all the upstairs rooms have those whimsical, slanted ceilings, this could be my chance to create a room similar to the ones I’ve so often loved in magazines. I need to take it slow though because wallpaper is a major commitment and a pain to remove. lol Speaking from experience! What do you think Tamara? Would you do some wallpaper in one of the upstairs rooms?
Hi,
I bought the same bookcase / unit. It does take 2 people to assemble at some points. I love the way it looks and functions for me, but the backing is just painted cardboard. I am enjoying the process of decorating your new home.
Thanks, Richilde! Yeah, I think most of these types of cabinets come with the cardboard back. I wish it wasn’t. The storage cabinets that I’ve purchased for my garage and basement in GA, they also have the cardboard backs, but I’ve read comments online where folks mentioned buying thin plywood, painting it, and adding their own real wood backs to the cabinets. I’m sure it adds a lot of weight and stability to the cabinets, especially when it comes time to move them. If they came with real wood backs, I’m sure they would be a good bit more expensive, but it would be so nice.
The desk was the perfect choice and just beautiful. I like the idea of the higher bookcase at the back mainly because my eye was going to the back of the computers after I took in the desk the star of the room. Lovely rug. I once had a Karastan wool rug which lasted forever. Hoping you don’t have to return anything. Guessing you’ll know the color of the bookcase will work before you put it together.
Thanks, Kathleen! I know, backs of monitors are never attractive. I’m kinda sacrificing that part of “the look” to enjoy sitting facing out to enjoy the views from the windows. I do like how desks facing out into a room look, but they do look a bit better when you’re using a cute laptop vs a CPU and multiple monitors.
I think before I put it together, I’ll pull a small piece out from the box to compare to the desk. Thanks for reminding me of that, I def should do that today.
I agree. The larger rug. How many feet are available behind the desk ? Tell me how you got that big desk upstairs. Is your son available to help ? I am a big fan of Chinoiserie and that lamp is pretty awesome. Have you considered a standing floor lamp? I bought this lamp for my office when I moved here. Three adjustable lamps, turn on one or all. Loved it. I threw out this tiny paper in the box. Turns out it keeps the lamp upright in the base.
Most people read the instructions first.
Once you make the big decision on moving, will you have a place for your other desk in GA? Hummm. Sell it furnished? Just kidding. Looking forward to Monday.
The cabinet itself is 15.7 deep. I have a bamboo floor mat on the floor under my chair and currently it’s 19 inches out from the wall, and I never roll off the back of it. So I may be okay with where my desk is now, although I may find I need to move it a couple more inches out. I want to be close enough to the cabinets to access them, but not overly close, either. These are all great questions, Myrna! I love floor lamps, but have a hard time finding ones I like. I wonder how the mercury glass one I purchased a while back would look in this room, I may try it.
I will have room for all the various file cabinets/units, but I will most likely not keep the corner desk, although I could probably stash it away in the basement.
Gorgeous! Love all your choices. I wholeheartedly agree with staggering heights of furniture placement. My gf just moved, and prior to it, I helped her sort out her placement of existing furniture she had. Once moved, it turned out very differently, due to space restrictions and her not being in two places at one time while the movers shuffled things in. I hope she’ll let me help her fix what now looks like a furniture warehouse of wall-to-wall pieces.
I love how you have the luxury of being able to go at your own pace to furnish the dollhouse. And even though you’re doing a lot in short time, having a deadline of an already sold existing home really limits just how much one can get accomplished in the new place. My gf’s new home looks like a bomb exploded right now!
Have a great weekend playing house!
I know, that really does make it more stressful. I wish these two houses were closer together, that’s the toughest part for me because I want to go between them more often, but they are just too far apart. Rita, you are such a great friend to help her with that, I know she must really, really appreciate it! What a blessing to have someone she can lean on during this transition.
Maybe she can take just one room in her new place and get it all sorted out, so she’ll at least have one room that doesn’t feel chaotic. I think that would make me feel a lot better if I had to move all at once. Moving is exhausting, though—no doubt about it!
I have a kitchen table with MDF top and it isn’t practical as it scratches and can’t take the heat! It was beautiful before using it. I put cooling racks on the table top and it shows. The table was described as wood, and it does have solid pine everything but the top. For furniture, I would want real solid wood. MDF looks and feels fake.
Thanks for that warning, Mary Ellen. I know what you mean, MDF is sometimes terrible about scratching. I do love real wood furniture, too. This desk claims to be real wood. So far, everything on the desk is padded underneath, like the monitors, speakers, lamp, etc… I also work with an extra large “gaming style” mouse pad underneath my keyboard and mouse. Hopefully, I can avoid too many scratches, but it will be okay if it gets a few. Even stained wood furniture gets scratches over the years, almost impossible to avoid. I do have glass on my Pottery Barn desk because the reviews showed it scratched easily, but I won’t be adding it to this one.
I.love reading about all you are doing to the Dollhouse. The new desk is beautiful. I am in awe of all you are accomplishing. I can’t imagine how you hauled that rug up by yourself and now you have to package it up and get it ready to return. What are you going to do with the other desk and chair? Are you going to use it in another part of the house? Your mind must be going a mile a minute with all that you have going on and all the decorating decisions. I look forward to every post.
I’ve already rolled it back up and taken it back down stairs. It was really easy to get down the stairs. I will need help (for sure) bringing up the larger one when it arrives…not to mention, getting it underneath my desk.
I offered to my daughter-in-law for my grandsons, but they already have one desk, so not sure if they will want/need it.
It is! I’m always thinking, what do I need to do next?! lol
Thanks, Lin! I was standing in the kitchen the other day, looking at the boxes of the bar stools that had just arrived AND the new cabinets, wishing I could wiggle my nose like Samantha and everything would be all put together. 😉 The bar stools are def going back though, very disappointed in how the seat looks on those.
WINNER, WINNER CHICKEN DINNER (so I’m told)…everything, EVERYTHING just looks, well, perfect!! Definitely, IMO, the larger rug…and, I LOVE IT!!! Your “Dollhouse” is a fairytale coming true!!! franki
Thanks, Franki! I always value your opinion! ♥
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Love the rug. The room is going to be beautiful. I wonder however about the bookcases on the wall behind the desk. Hope it isn’t too furniture heavy on that wall and hope you have enough room to work with both pieces of furniture there. Your new house is adorable. It suits you.
I hope not, too. There will eventually be furniture around the walls and on the other end/center of the room, so hopefully, that will balance things out in the end.
Thanks, Linda!
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If it were my space I would put a fabulous painting behind the desk. An arresting focal point the raised the eyes upward. Having more painted wood even with glass doors to show case other stuff would be a little bland and too busy for me. But that’s MY taste. It certainly wouldn’t be a “mistake” simply a different direction.
That would be beautiful, too. It would have to hang pretty high to get above the paneling, but that would be really pretty. I’ve been thinking about what I’ll place on the wider shelves in that bookcase, thinking some family photos, but will have to play around with that. Hopefully, I won’t regret the cabinets.
So enjoying your journey toward making your Dollhouse into a home. Changing the rug size will really make a difference in the space; it seems like a long gallery now. Love the desk. Bookcases behind you will add interest and more dimension and be an anchor in defining the room. Will you be added some comfy chairs too?
Yes, definitely want to do that and maybe even add curtains framing the ends of the triple windows instead of just having sheers on the ends. I think that will help soften all the hard edges of having a lot of wood furniture in the room. I have a single comfy reading chair in my office in GA, but I was thinking today that maybe I need a matching set for this room. I don’t really want to place them in the center of the room facing the desk, I think that would make it feel to “officey.” Maybe I could create a seating group over in the corner. I need to play around with that idea a bit, not sure if there’s enough space for that. Where would you place two comfy, occasional chairs, Linda?
How pretty! I like the desk, the rug, and the lamp very much. I’ve been looking for a rug, and this might be it. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a pretty one! I’m obsessed and can’t believe the price for an all-wool rug!
In that 4th photo up from the Potter Barn office, the lamp light just fills the alcove with such a warm glow. How extra cozy that will feel on the first chilly autumn day.
Oh, I hadn’t noticed that. Love that! Lamps are just the best accessory for any room, love them so much!
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I love all your decisions…larger rug, bookcase/storage. I love the color of the rug! Love the desk and the lamp. Can’t wait until you have completed the room!
Thanks so much, Elaine! ♥
I really love the desk and rug. If it were me I wouldn’t put anything behind the desk. Seems it would look too crowded. Maybe some framed prints on the back wall.
Thanks, Donna! That would be really pretty! Love that idea, too!
Hi Susan, I’m truly amazed at everything you have accomplished so far! Everything looks great. As far as putting a tall bookcase behind your desk, I love books and I think it will look nice, but you might consider screwing it onto the wall. In my living room, I have a bookcase that measures 6 feet wide by 7 feet tall and when I moved in, I had a contractor screw it onto the wall so it wouldn’t tip over. Keep up the good work!
Susan, I love the lamp you purchased for your desk. I have been looking for one like that. Is it a three way lamp? No where in the description on Amazon does it tell if it is.
Thanks!
No, I don’t think so. I have a regular LED bulb in it, and it turns on/off with one click. I actually prefer that. Three way is when it can use a 50/100/150 bulb, right? I’m not sure what would happen if you put that type bulb in, I wonder if it could become 3-way then.
I just did a search in the reviews for “3-way bulb” and two previous buyers said that it doesn’t work with 3-way bulbs. You can read those here: https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B015UFMPWA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_kywd?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=five_star&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=1&filterByKeyword=3+way#reviews-filter-bar
Thanks for letting me know! I guess I’m old school. I still love 3 way bulbs although they are getting very hard to find. I guess they are phasing them out. The last lamps I purchased were not 3 way and came with led bulbs. I really do love the lamp and will try it.
GREAT choices, Susan. Honestly, I think in the short period of time since your Dollhouse purchase you’ve done twice as much as I have in the last ten years. WTG, lady. You truly are an inspiration to get going with some changes around here.