Hey y’all! Welcome back to another thrilling chapter of our renovation journey! 🌟 It’s the start of a new year and Chris and I are busting into 2024 with a new DIY project – literally. We’ve got some major excitement in the works – transforming our open office into a closed, fourth bedroom that’s destined to be the ultimate home office sanctuary. But that’s not all; we’ve got big plans for dark moody green paint, floral wallpapered ceilings, and stunning built-ins with desks – and we’re bringing you along every step of the way!
OKAY, here we go!
Mood Board Magic: A Glimpse into the Vision
First things first, let’s dive into the inspiration behind this dreamy project. Picture a mood board filled with rich, dark green paint, samples of captivating floral wallpapers, and built-ins elegantly housing functional desks. This is our vision – a harmonious blend of sophistication and functionality that will define the new space. Check out the mood board for a sneak peek into what’s brewing! Isn’t it dreamy?!
I seriously love this new office vibe so much! I can’t wait to love the space that I work in. With our office the way it is currently, I start out with great intentions – really, I do – with sitting down to work at our current office desk. But within a an hour or two I just can’t take it and relocate to the couch, or kitchen table, or island. Is it just me or is there something stressful and distracting about working in an office without the right aesthetic?
A special shout out to Samantha with Signed, Samantha for her inspirational home office DIY and Megan and John with Arched Manor for their inspirational home office and built-ins! Both of these dreamy spaces played a part in my inspiration and are pictured in my mood board above.
Check out my full mood board inspiration on my Pinterest account here.
What We’re Currently Working With
It’s in a rough state but here she is! This is our current open office and while I’d like to say she’s “messy right now”, the reality is that we’ve never been able to keep this space clean. The main reason for that is due to not utilizing this space well. This office has always been an after thought and it’s clear to see from the video below.
Why Transform the Office into a Bedroom/Home Office Combo?
You might be wondering, why the shift from an open office to a closed bedroom that still serves as an office? Well, here are the answers to the burning questions:
- Noise-Free Oasis: Our current open office has been a hotspot for our lively small zoo of dogs and cats. The constant hustle and bustle made focusing and editing audio content a real challenge. By converting the space into a closed bedroom, we’re aiming for peace and quiet – an essential for productivity.
- Closet Dreams: Let’s talk storage! With only two functioning closets in our home, the need for extra storage space is real. The new bedroom will feature a much-desired third closet, bringing a touch of organization and practicality to our living space.
- Dreamy Built-Ins: Our dream doesn’t stop at just a bedroom. We’re introducing gorgeous built-ins to elevate the functionality and aesthetics of the room. Think elegant desks seamlessly integrated into the design, providing the perfect blend of style and utility.
Week 1 Progress Report: Cutting Tiles, Moving Walls, and Embracing the Unexpected!
The first week of our office renovation has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Here’s a snapshot of the progress so far:
- Tile Cutting and Bottom Plates: We hit the ground running by cutting the floor tiles and installing bottom plates to frame the new enclosed wall space and closet. It’s all about setting the foundation for the magic to come!
We first measured, double measure, triple measure, and quadruple measured the layout of our new closet. Here’s to hoping we got it right!
Then Chris used an angle grinder with a tile blade to but the tile where we will install the footers. It was a total dusty mess! Even our attempts at taping the door off with a sheet of plastic (and lots and lots of tape) didn’t contain all the dust.
Is this not the most satisfying timelapse? I could watch this over and over!
After he removed the tile and left over mortar, we quintuple measure the new closet layout and cut the footers from treated wood. Chris drilled hole in the concrete and installed the footers with masonry nails and pure brut strength with his hammer.
- Headers and Studs: Headers were installed to complete the framework, and the first studs for the enclosed wall and closet started to take shape. It’s amazing how the bones of a room can transform in just a few days!
We removed the sheet rock from the ceiling where we plan to install the header for the closet. Alas, we have a surprise when we found no cross drafters. In the end we decided to add a parallel 2X4 next to our ceiling cut to sure up the sheet rock.
It was a breeze to add studs to the closet wall!
- Electrical Wonders: Tackling electrical rewiring and relocation became a priority. We had to move the light switch closer to the new door as well as relocate an outlet on the wall where the new door will go. We ran new wires in the attic to power the relocated light switch and outlets.
- Busting Through Barriers: That’s right! I literally kicked through the wall where we plan to install our office door. And I’m here to tell you it was just as fun and exciting as it looks. Highly recommend – five stars! After kicking a hole in the wall we removed all the sheet rock to prep for our door installation.
- Ceiling Prep for Wallpaper: The ceiling got some serious love as we prepped it for wallpaper. Hours of taping, cleaning, and two days of applying 45 joint compound for a smooth surface – all in preparation for a striking floral wallpaper.
- The Unexpected Adventure: A water line break in the neighborhood threatened to dampen our spirits (and my joint compound!), but we prevailed, and the water returned just in the nick of time. DIY tip: joint compound is not the ideal bedtime beauty mask!
What’s Next in the Office Reno Wonderland?
As the studs come down to make way for a new door, the upcoming week promises even more excitement. We plan to install the new door, we’ll be hammering in the remaining studs for the closet and the freshly enclosed wall. Up next – sheetrock! Lots of sheetrock and wall texture. This dream is taking shape, one DIY adventure at a time!
Size Matters: Door Dilemmas and Puppy Circus Fun!
We’ve had a few inquiries about the size of the door we plan to install. We’re currently eyeing a traditional 30-inch door, we’re optimistic about its fit. So optimistic, in fact, we’ve already purchased it. However, we might need to make a slight adjustment, possibly opting for a door a tad smaller. Stay tuned for the final decision and more updates on this fascinating journey! Until then, enjoy watching this adorable puppy circus.
Follow the Office Reno Adventure Live!
Want to witness the chaos and creativity unfold in real-time? Head over to Instagram (@the.reno.gal) and TikTok (@the.reno.gal) for daily stories, reels, and sneak peeks into this DIY project and more.
A Peek into the Future
With the first week wrapped up, our open office is on the verge of a stunning metamorphosis. Dark moody green, floral wallpaper, and the promise of a closet – our DIY dreams are turning into reality. Join us for the next chapter as we continue to transform this space into a multifunctional masterpiece!
Get ready for more DIY magic, more surprises, and the grand reveal of our dreamy bedroom/home office combo. Until then, let me know what you think the office reno so far and our final plans! 🛠️🌿✨
