Thanks so much for all your great suggestions for outdoor patio/deck furniture brands to consider for my round patio at the Dollhouse! I have a lot of homework to do, checking out all your suggestions. I had no idea there were so many great options!
Since returning home to Georgia, I’ve been thinking about how very different the office in the Dollhouse is from the one here. In this older photo, before I upgraded my office chair and added a small refrigerator in the corner, you can see the layout of the Georgia office.
Here’s a more current photo.
There’s a small seating/reading nook in one corner. I’m still so in love with the little chest I purchased from Pier 1 back in the day. If I had known they would go out of business, I would have been tempted to purchase two. It’s so well made with dovetailed drawers.
In the Georgia office, I have IKEA Billy bookshelves down one wall. I’ve not been too happy with these shelves since they don’t support the thing they were created to support: Books! They sag terribly under the weight of hardback books, even if only partway filling the shelves. I’ve gradually been moving all my books to the living room bookshelves in the Dollhouse in Ohio, with plans to donate the Billy Bookcases. The shelves have somewhat straightened themselves out since the books have been removed. If I’m not imagining this, I think I read that IKEA had beefed up the shelves in the Billy Bookcase due to this sagging issue. I may check that before I donate them to see if that’s true, then I could just purchase new shelves. Although now that I think about it, I’d have to completely unassemble them to install new shelves due to there being a couple of fixed shelves in each unit. Ugh. So yeah, maybe I’ll just donate them.
Let’s check out the office in the Dollhouse! When visiting this home prior to making an offer, as soon as I saw this room, I knew I wanted to use it as my home office. It was and is my favorite room in the house. I loved the two built-in bookshelves, the cute, slanted ceilings at both ends of the room, and the large triple windows running down both sides. The home was built in 1938, but this room wasn’t added above the garage until 1951.
It was obvious from the start that my Pottery Barn Bedford corner desk and the other PB desk units would never work in this room. There wasn’t a single corner where that style of desk could be used. In my search for desks, I came across this one and loved it the minute I saw it. Unfortunately, it was out of stock on Amazon, the place that had the best price. So, I waited a bit, making do with this small desk. Thankfully, the desk I wanted came back in stock fairly quickly. Delivery was stressful since the desk had to be carried around a lot of tight corners, but the delivery guys got it done! I’ve been very happy with this desk, still love it today as much as that first day I spotted it. If you need a good-sized desk, I would recommend this one to anyone. (Desk in cream/off white is currently out of stock here: White Desk. It is in stock in a pretty gray color here: Gray Desk.
Next came window treatments. I placed temporary non-see-through sheers in the windows (until the shutters could be built) since it was impossible to view my computer monitors with so much light pouring in through the windows on either side of the room. Plus, the curtains gave me privacy in the evening. (Non-See-Through Sheer Curtains are available here: Non-See-Through Sheer Curtains.)
I quickly learned that curtains were not a great option for the windows due to the HVAC vents below. The intake vent sucked the curtains inward, blocking the vent, and the other vent blocked the flow of the air coming out. Both sides of the room have these vents. I’ve never been a big fan of short curtains; I prefer them to come down to the floor. Knowing that I ultimately wanted shutters for these windows, that’s what I added next to the room. Here’s how they looked on this side of the room…
…and here’s how they looked on the other side. It was such a relief to now have control over the light in the room, especially since these windows face east and west!
Next, I needed a place for a printer. I purchased this awesome console. (Printer wasn’t in place yet, but ended up on the first shelf.) This console has worked beautifully here. I love having it right behind the desk. (Console Desk is available here: Console Desk. Desk chair is available here: Desk Chair.)
Eventually, I moved the lamp that was on my desk to the console. Currently, I have a smaller lamp in that spot since I absconded with the larger lamp for the basement movie room. It’s been musical lamps around here for a while now! (Lamp is available here: Blue and White Lamp.)
My office was now completely functional, but it felt so empty with just the desk and the console. Not wanting to spend a lot, I checked for affordable occasional chairs online, hoping to find some that would work well for a small seating/reading area. I found this cutie and ordered one to try it.
I liked it so much I ordered a second one, along with a table (that was on sale) to go in between. I think I found the lamp during an earlier shopping trip to HomeGoods.
This little reading corner is one of my favorite spots in this room, and I use it often. (Chair is available here: Chair. Table is available here: Round Side Table.) I may add some type of large ottoman or coffee table in front of the chairs in the future.
Recently, I added one more piece to the room, a sneaky filing cabinet that doesn’t look like a filing cabinet.
It has been so helpful in helping me stay organized, especially while getting quotes for all the updates I’ve been making to the Dollhouse. (Hidden File Cabinet/Console is available here: Hidden File Cabinet.)
Oh, almost forgot, the wool rug was an early purchase, shortly after I purchased the desk. I love it, but I know some BNOTP readers don’t care for it. If I ever find one that I like better, I may change it, but for now, I love the coziness it adds to the room, especially during the wintertime. (Rug is available in several colors and sizes here: Wool Rug.)
For now, I consider this room pretty much complete, except for adding some art or decorative pieces to the walls. (The folding table visible on the right side of my desk is where I place my puzzle board whenever I’m working on a puzzle, so it’s not there full time.) I may one day add some pretty sheers to just the ends of each bank of windows to add a bit of softness to the windows. They would never be closed, just there for decoration, although I don’t like the idea of a long curtain rod running across the top of the windows. I’m not sure how I feel about the short rods that can be used when adding non-operable curtains to the ends of windows. Have you seen those? If not, here are some examples of how those look: Side Curtain Rods. What do you think? Would you add a decorative curtain or sheer at the end of each bank of windows on either side of the room, using the short rods that are designed for that? Honestly, I’m happy with just the shutters, but would love your opinion on those.
Two very different offices in two very different homes. It has been a lot of fun furnishing both! I still need to share a post updating how I plan to frame/hang the blueprints for this office so they don’t end up getting faded or damaged. I have a plan!
See you tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday!
Your “Dollhouse” office is just lovely…what a NICE spot to “Play!” KUDOS! ps. l ❤️ that rug!!! franki
(*) A side note…previous blog you showed a “Lilly Pulitzer” top lookalike…well, I got it & wore today when our daughter visited… “Mom, when did you go to the Lilly Pulitzer store…& without me??!!??” (Even got a compliment at the gift shop we were in!!) GOOD EYE!! LOVE
Thanks so much Franki! Ha! That is too funny about your daughter. You’ll have to share the “secret” with her. Mine arrived and I love it! I am thinking of ordering a second one in another color. It really does look so much like a Lilly!
Susan, if nothing else, you get the endurance award. You have transformed the Dollhouse and saved the economy on Ohio.
Slip the sheers. Looks crowded.
As for as IKEA. I think you should contact them about your disappointment and sagging shelves. Maybe they will send new shelves. Doesn’t hurt to ask. We talked about this when you bought the garage cabinets and replaced the shelves. You can always cut a shelf to make a center support. I don’t know where I am when people donate the good stuff ! A neighbor shared how much they got thru “On The Curb”
lol It feels like an endurance race for sure. I have def contributed! Yeah, I think I will forget that idea, I have bigger fish to fry anyway.
I’m sure they already know. Those shelves would be great for displaying decorative pieces or for paperbacks, just not heavy decor books.
Your windows are PERFECT with the shutters! Clean, neat, classic and no need for curtains. Enjoy your beautiful office.
Thanks, Mary! I think you’re right…just need to focus on other needs, like a new dishwasher. lol
Heavens, NO to those short rods for non-operable curtains!!! Wow. Not sure I’ve ever been so blunt with you, Susan, but there it is. LOL!
Yeah, I don’t care for how they look either. They aren’t as bad when they are in a corner, as opposed to just being on a wall.
Skip the curtains, the windows would look crowded and take away from the overall crisp clean look. It’s perfect as is. Enjoy!
Thanks, Toni! I think you’re right…appreciate that input! ♥
Don’t need curtains like shutters only!
Thanks, Nancy!
Your windows are lovely with the shutters. No need to add the curtains. As for the blueprints being framed, you might want to look into Ultra Violet plexiglass. It has the advantage of filtering out most of the UV Rays so you won’t have fading over time, not to mention if it falls from the wall the plexiglass does not shatter like glass, so it would not ruin your blueprints. The downside is this is not glare free, but I personally value my objects so go for this over the glare free stuff.
. As for the matting, may I suggest acid-free matting material. This will not harm your framed object. All this info I got from an art conservator some 50 years ago, and my art objects are still in perfect condition. It is not cheap, but is still within reach. I do this even for when I want to frame a fabric object. Good luck with this project.
I had planned to use Tru Vue Museum Glass ( https://tru-vue.com/solution/optium-museum-acrylic/ ) which is crazy expensive, but great for special pieces that need light protection. I framed an expensive scarf with Museum Glass a few years back. Unfortunately, the frame shop warned me that even museum glass would likely not be sufficient to protect blueprints. I was told that blueprints are super delicate and are subject to fading even when not in bright rooms or direct light. I emailed the company that makes Museum Glass to verify all that and they agreed, saying they would not recommend framing them. What the frame shop has recommended is having a photographer (they know one to recommend) take photos of the prints and to frame those. I haven’t looked into it further, but I am thinking of doing that.
Is the ultraviolet plexiglas similar to Museum Glass? I wonder if that would offer more protection.
My daughter is a curator in a museum and usually has someone she can call on for specific questions. She is leaving for a two week course in London soon (if she hasn’t already gone) so I will contact her immediately and let you know.
Oh, that would be great! Thanks, Mary!
The following was the reply from my daughter: “Here is what my colleague had to say: ‘Both of those are good options. I think the glass is slightly easier to maintain at home, but it is more expensive. If you go the plexiglass route, just make sure to have a dedicated plexiglass cleaner and just use a microfiber cloth. Blueprints come in a wide range of papers. Many of them are plenty sturdy to have on display. I would just go to a good framer and would trust their input on which hinges to use or how to hang the paper safely. Whatever framing direction you go, I would just hang the blueprint somewhere that doesn’t get direct sunlight.’
I wouldn’t add curtains; they are just dust catchers when they aren’t necessary. You’ve got the shutters and there’s no reason for the curtains. I recently removed the curtains in two of my bedrooms. I like to keep things simple!
I do love how they add a touch of softness to a room, but I agree, I don’t really need them in the office. Too many more things I need to work on, anyway.
We were able to replace our Billy sagging shelves with 1 inch white melamine from a big box store. Unknown if they still carry them, but so much less expensive and easier then assembling new Ikea.
Maybe paint those vent white?
Best of luck
The only problem is that the center shelf is fixed and screwed in, so it can’t be replaced with melamine. Back when I bought these bookcases, I purchased the toppers (forgot what they are called) that are an additional shelf that you can add on top of the Billy Bookcase. I liked how that additional topper piece took the shelves all the way to the ceiling.
That turned the top of the original Billy Bookcase into a shelf and since the three toppers that I added are really tall, I ended up using that “new” top shelf (which is really the top of the original unit) for my largest/tallest books. So now, the top of the unit also bows slightly, and that can’t be replaced with melamine since it’s also a fixed piece that is screwed in.
I would like to get those painted, although they’ve kinda grown on me since they are the original vents from 1938. I almost done mind them being brown for that reason. Once I start the painting process in the house, if I can have them professionally painted where they look nice, I may go ahead and have them painted.
I vote no curtains. The shutters are beautiful. As for the rug, it absolutely makes that room. After seeing yours I bought one for my daughter and she loves it. The whole room looks comfortable and classic.
Thanks so much, Linda! I do love the rug, too. It’s such nice quality for such an amazing price! I’m glad your daughter loves her rug, too!
Susan, what a cozy room! A true haven for you. As an aside, I noticed that I have taken down more curtains as I age and the house ages….I, and the house seem to need more simplicity! Plus, less to wash/clean. 🙂
I’m that way about some things, so I know what you mean. Less washing and cleaning is a good thing! lol
Susan,
You need to take a break..go visit Mrs. Alice if you haven’t happened upon her already..tissues for drool kept handy.
Oh, I’ve seen her on IG before…very fancy!
Love the comparison of the two offices. Though I think you do too much work and need more play time! I agree with Hetty to paint the vents white to make them less noticeable. But you probably already know this and have it on your list of things to do. I love taking this journey along with you.
I will probably have those painted once I start having painting done in the house, but that won’t be for a while. Those dark vents used to really bug me, but lately, I almost like them being that color since they are original to the house, and they look it. If I can find someone who can professionally paint them so that they look nice, I will probably do that in the office. That’s way down the old to-do list though for right now.