It’s all winding down and this is the last week before the reveal…. Yaaaaay!!  I’m really excited about how my office is looking.  Not only is it prettier, it actually feels like it’s more space. (weird), but needless to say, I can’t believe I was letting things pile around me because of not being organized and basically lazy.  I won’t let that happen again because I don’t expect it to ever feel like a closet.  Now… enough of that, let’s get on with the progress I made this week.  The marble contact paper and strip lighting arrived and next came installing them.  The wallpaper was easy peasy to lay and it looks great on the shelves.  However, that cord situation behind the computer was driving me nuts and needed untangling and to be tucked away… Uggghhh…

Although the new computer came with a wireless mouse, I need to use the ergonomic ball because of ongoing carpal tunnel issues.  I couldn’t find a box around the house for the cords, but I did find this block glass vase and used it.  I pushed them down inside and that solved that problem.  As I was looking at the space, I kept wanting something behind the computer instead of looking at a bland white wall.  I toyed with the contact paper but after putting it on the shelf above, I didn’t like it. I searched for wallpaper, but honestly speaking, the ones I found I liked were too expensive (to me) for such a small space (I’m sorry, I was not looking to spend $100.00 on 4ft wallpaper for this area).

So I did the next best thing I could think of …. painted stripes.

I’m pleased with the different pattern blend.  I actually tried using a different color and it looked too busy for me.

I installed the lights on both sides of the room under the shelving and it brightened the space tremendously.  One reader (thanks Ruth) did comment how the black chandelier blends in with the wall pattern and she is correct, but hopefully with the additional lighting it’s a bit more obvious.  (If I come across another good buy – I just may change it out)

(excuse the crappy phone pics).  See how neat and organized my work area is looking thus far.

Remember the before…  (I know… I was slipping terribly..lol).  See the vintage footstool, I still need that and figured it needed a facelift too.

I also decided to give some random cheetah dots a bit of gold highlights.

Since the black is still coming through from the copper paint, I decided to paint the top back to black and pulled a color from the trash can to paint it a new color.  The green was too dull.

Here it is with the trash can.  I like the whimsical vintage charm they both add.

All the work that was needed has been completed and next up is styling for the final look.  You all know how much I love my plants, but unfortunately there won’t be any plants going in here, unless you know of one that’ll grow in the dark.  But while I was outside painting the footstool, I got inspired by the falling pine branches and decided to use them in here for the touch of greenery (and they don’t require any sun or water).

and this is a sneak peak of how I incorporated in the decor and what inspired me how to style them.

I hope you are still following me thus far and are pleased.  Just to say it again.. thank you so much for continuing to follow (if you only knew how much that means to me).. I actually finished the entire tour of all the participants in this challenge and they are truly unbelievably awesome.  Thank God this wasn’t a contest..lol.. But joking aside, I’m glad Linda at CallingItHome and BetterHomesandGarden partnered to create something for everyone to participate in to motivate and inspire others.