My husband and I live in a rental. And I treat it as such. I don’t paint, I don’t spend a ton of time decorating it, and I don’t “settle in” as I would in a permanent residence.
However, that is no excuse for letting my office/studio look like a disaster struck. But thats how it normally looks. What can I say, I am not a Type A personality. Neat and orderly are not words I would use to describe myself.
When my husband surprised me by moving my stuff into our office, so we could leave our guest room with only 1 purpose (to be a guest room), I swore I would keep it in perfect order.
That lasted about 3 days.
So if you came over unannounced, this is likely what the office would look like:






Inexcusable I know.
And while in my dream world I would love to have an office/studio like these:


I will wait until we own our home before I put a ton of time and money into a studio space.
But for now, I’ve decided to whip things into shape in my current location. It was almost becoming embarrassing.
Side Note: I bought nothing for this office makeover. I just did a walk through around my house and snatched things from other rooms. π
drum roll please. . .


I added a few more vintage bottles and flowers to the bookcase. Also, that vintage window was $5 from an antique store in Wisconsin.
I cleaned the desk area, so I would have room to type. Isn’t that Key Hook awesome? Another great find. That came from an antique store in Illinois and was about $8.

I had a canvas from around the same time I did this project and had that fabric leftover from another project, so I spent 5 minutes stretching it out and stapling it on. I like to call it Insta-Art.


These two boards will be for online stuff. Blog notes, reminders, etc. And that card on top is from my husband. He slipped it under my keyboard and I found it one night. He’s sweet. π

These two cork boards are for Etsy related things. Reminders, jewelry that needs adjusting, etc.

I’ve got my box that I’ll put Etsy orders in when they are ready, and a notepad for notes!
The only problem is that Gravy loves to hang out in the box. I think he might be trying to tell me something.

And then Grits came in a kissed him goodbye.
But shortly after that I removed Gravy from the shipment box, gave him a good hug and told him he’s not going anywhere. He began to scratch his way out of my arms and ran off. Cats don’t understand hugs.

Here is my Etsy stuff! Major check off the 12 by 2012 list!

Etsy packaging all ready for orders!
So there you have it. My new organized office. I’m going to shoot for 4 days of order in here. 4 days of no piles. No random notes thrown about. No collection of half full coffee cups.
We’ll see how I do. I’m not confident. π
comments
Love this! My husband and I are renters too and we share our office space. Your “before” picture is our office AFTER I’ve picked up a little bit. Yikes, haha! I should shop the house to reorganize and decorate a little. Thanks for the inspiration!
Also, I LOVE your blog! I told my husband the next time we are in the Raleigh area, I’m stopping by for a hair cut! π
You make me feel soooooooo normal! Love your blog and outlook on life!
It really looks great Kate! I understand…my office is in a constant state of disaster too. I truly don’t know how it gets that way either (ha!). – Quick question: seeing all of your shipping envelopes, I’ve been looking for a good source to get them in bulk…do you have any suggestions? They are so expensive to buy one-5 at a time! Hope your day is a good one…
Super cute! I love the top shelf of the bookcase, very nice. And I’m pretty sure you have the world’s smallest keyboard!! LOL. I live in Illinois and we have lots of antique stores in my town too. Love them!
Oh, and I am ‘dropper’ too! LOL, I bring something in to a room, end up sitting on the desk/floor/table to do something with it, and…there it sits!! Forever! So, I now have a new strategy to avoid becoming on the verge of ending up on the show “Hoarders”…my rule is: Every time I leave one room to go to another, I must take one thing with me. So I look around the room for something that doesn’t belong there, and take it with me to it’s proper home. If there happens to not be anything…I must ‘straighten’ one thing in the room before I leave. ‘A place for everything, and everything in it’s place’ It’s working pretty well so far!!
I am loving the ‘after’ pictures! Want to come re-do my office?! I actually live right in Raleigh as well. While I don’t work (in an office or at home) we still have an office for my husband who occasionally works from home. While it is not a complete disaster I would still love for it to be more organized. I love having things organized but sadly he makes it hard because he, too, is not a Type A personality!
I typically let me house get a little messy during the day but before bed I do a quick sweep and get things back in order. I’m too type A to let anything stay out of place….a blessingand a curse!
Hi! Found your Blog through Pinterest, I Have to comment of the 334th tail fin on the wall from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base! My Husband flew with the 334th back about 10 years ago. Brings back memories π
I can totally relate with the renting thing we are never anywhere longer than 2 1/2 or 3 years so I never really get settled and I am so not type A, not completely organized. Try to be but the Office space is not ever organized LOL
Well after 22 years in the Military we are retiring and finally bought a house. I get to Paint the walls and hopefully stay for more than 3 years so wish me luck!
Your office turned out great. Love your Hair tips too.
aw this room is so cute! great use of things you already have. i LOVE the “insta art” haha. great print!
“Cats don’t understand hugs.” It’s so true!
Your office looks great!
I love the office space! I understand how things can get major out of order though.. However, I cannot relate! I am the biggest type A personality ever. I live for organization! LOL!!
Don’t worry, your before looks better than our office does! My husband is soooo messy with his desk. I now have to open his mail for him because if I don’t it’ll be lost in the abyss of his desk (he always throws it there- “to be dealt with later”) He’s very much an “I’ll do it later” kind of person, while I’m very much a “do it now & get it over with so I don’t have to worry about it anymore” kind of person π
You are one busy girl–give yourself some time! One day your office will look like one of those pictures. π I have several rooms in my house that need some help, but time is not on my side. I am lucky to get by with the day to day things.
But one day… π
I think your “After” looks even better than the stock photos of offices that you posted. I also wanted to say, I absolutely LOVE your blog. You remind me of my best friend. Y’all look just alike and have the exact same mannerisms. Keep up the great work on the tutorials!
The good news is…you’re not a candidate for “Clean House” or “Hoarders”, so don’t stress over it too much.
Also, I love your cat Gravy. I always had gray cats when I was a child. I have a biased affection for them.
It looks so good!
Gravy looks just like one of our cats, Twilight. Long lost twins?
your new organized office looks great!!! we’re moving next week and i have dreams/plans of having a lovely, organized office like this! love the kitties… so funny. mine gets in boxes all the time.
I am a renter also, and did not feel “homey” in my place until I gave it a face lift. Shopping other rooms, and my Mom’s house has helped a lot.
Looks great! Doesn’t it just feel SO much better walking into a neat office space? I can’t stand when my office gets out of control with clutter! If only I had time to clean…
I think this looks great! I love walking into a clean room! Love that window!
Looks great; I’ve got the ‘pile’ sickness too. And where did you get the fabulous owl mug, love!!
I love the name of your cats! I think the space looks great! Keep up the good work!
You are so cute Kate! I am SO not Type A when it comes to housey things and people who are drive me bonkers. You just gotta live! I love your outlook and your kitties. I have a white kitty and a gray kitty and some of your pics look like my girls!
To spruce up your plastic 3 drawer storage (CHEAP AND EASY!). http://www.kidsbynicole.com/2011/10/beautify-step-1.html
It adds a little whimsy and fun π
XO!
great job!
haha, my cat looks pretty identical to gravy. She doesn’t understand hugs, either. Those crazy little creatures. I love the frabric you used to cover that canvas, so pretty and neutral.
My office space at home always gets piled up, too. And I’m a type A! My desk at work tho is spic & span!
I’m in graduate school and I can’t stand renting…I have all of these ideas bursting out of my brain form Pinterest and easy, etc. that I need a house of my own for. So frustrating.
A random side note, I stumble on this gem today, you’ve probably heard of it, but thought I’d share (UmbaBox…like BirchBox but DIY gifts)
http://www.umbabox.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=umba
So seeing your before pictures, has now made me feel RRREEAAALLLYYY bad about just how out of control my office is!
Nice job! The office looks great! I love a clean space, don’t you?!
New to your blog and I l.o.v.e it! I’ve watched nearly all of your hair how to’s. I’m wondering if Aquage is a salon only product?
I am so jealous of your $5 window…the space looks awesome!
LOOOOVE the owl coffee cup!!!! where did you get it?! I HAVE to know!
– jen
walls.jennifer1 at gmail (dot) com
Glad i’m not the only one in this boat LOL! Love your blog Kate, and love all your hairstyles & tips!
@alexa: it’s from TJMaxx!
I had to tell you…my friend and I just went antiquing in Northern Iowa and bought blue mason jars and the old lids with wax seals. Our plan is to put buttons and spools in them. When I saw your post today, I ran with my phone to show her your bookcase. Love it! Great minds think alike. Now I just might have to go back for a milk bottle that I passed up…but now have a great use for. ;). Thanks for the posts…keep them coming!
Oh, I also wish for a cute, clean, neat office area. And I do own my own home! But the baby got the guest bedroom so now the office does double duty when people come to stay. And 99% of the time it’s a mess. Guess that means I need to own a BIGGER home!
Looks great! Nice job π
Grits & gravy…best cat names everrrr!
Oh-and you’re office looks great, too! π
I totally understand your non-permenant feelings towards renting. My boyfriend and I have lived together for a long time and have had to move from place to place every 1-3 years (ugh!). I can’t wait until I can put a bunch of pictures up on the walls, upgrade my OWN place and not have a basement full of tattered old moving boxes. I want to not have to wait around for a landlord to get to things that need fixed. And in our current situation- the house we live in is for sale by our landlord. We have to get ready for showings, and if someone buys it we might have to move (against our will…) Yeah, you’d better bet I don’t worry about the breakfast dishes on the counter- I figure the nicer it looks the better chance they might actually buy the place π
I love your cats names!!! Adorable!! I’m working on a cooking/baking blog myself, your are an inspiration!! π
KATE!! <3
YOU HAVE SUCH A FUN AND CUTE PERSONALITY!! AND I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN!!! SO AM I!!! 80)
I JUST CAME ACROSS YOUR BLOG ABOUT 15 MINUTES AGO AND NOW I’M HOOKED!! I HAVE BEEN SHARING EVERYTHING WITH MY FB FRIENDS!!!
YOU HAVE TOTALLY INSPIRED ME WITH “TRYING” TO GET MY LIFE ORGANIZED!! YOU SEE, I AM SOOOO FAR FROM A TYPE A PERSONALITY IT’S NOT EEEEVEN FUNNY!!! :@{
OH YES, I LOVE YOUR CATS NAMES!!! TOO FUNNY!!!
I L@@K FORWARD TO KEEPING UP WITH All OF YOUR FUNNY, YET VERY HELPFUL BLOGS!!!!
MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!!!!
~ JUNE
Great Post!I love your cats!!soooo cute!! But you might just want to try having the bed and breakfast in Cork , it would be really fun!
Thanks for sharing the ‘real’ pictures!!
Thanks for sharing the ‘real’ pictures!!