Office Upgrades + Easy Rod Pocket Panels
June 18, 2012
Hello and happy Monday everyone! I’m on the east coast this week hanging out with my in-laws in Savannah while Coco gets some love from the house sitter back home. We’re out here eating a lot of southern food and seeing all the sights, Tybee Island, downtown Savannah, Hilton Head, and then spending our evenings sipping cold drinks on the screened porch, I’m havin’ a great vacay!
Before I left home, I cleaned off my desk because I prefer to come home to a clean surface. I made a few upgrades to the home office in the last six months, including a new rug, a smaller desk, a white leather chair, and some new curtains too. The space still has the same blue gray grasscloth wallpaper I installed a few years ago, so I was glad to finally find a great rug in the same palette to complement.
I settled on a more petite desk in the hopes of avoiding the piles of papers that used to stack up. I found it at local interiors shop and love its “x” base. I also switched from working on a laptop to a desktop after I finally found a white monitor I liked (so hard to find for a PC!).
Those are the new rod pocket panels in a fresh feminine pattern by P. Kaufmann – here are the simple steps for making lined rod pocket panels for the home!
1) Cut the length of fabric you need plus an extra 6 inches for the rod pocket on top and an extra inch for the hem on the bottom. 2) Add a layer of basic fabric liner to the underside, pin together, then attach the liner to the length of both sides of the panel (image 1) by rolling under the raw edge and stitching them together. 3) Measure the height of the pocket with the rod inside (image 2) allowing plenty of room for the panels to slide back and forth and pin the pocket. 4) Sew the top rod pocket (image 3) wrapping the raw side of the fabric underneath for a clean edge. 5) Double check the proper height of the panel (image 4) mark the measurement and sew the bottom hem.
That fabric just brightens my day and makes this space such a happy place to work. How true is it that we should surround ourselves with the colors and patterns we love most!
Sources: Rug, Monitor, Chair, Fabric
*** Announcement! The ‘Fair Weather’ Link party scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) is postponed, I’ll announce the next round soon!
***..
Love the office makeover! I’m also obsessed with the bird throw pillow that’s seen off to the side. Can you share where you found it? So cute!
Would love to know where you found a white keyboard too. Maybe they’re more available now but last year when I found my white monitor (love) to match my white desk I haven’t been able to find a white keyboard. Thanks.
Sorry. Guess they’re more available now; just found several. Thanks for showing. Love the room.
Love the rug! Where did u get it?
Did anyone find out the information about the rug? Its beautiful!
Hi Jen, the link to the rug is at the bottom!
Kate
I’d have to see the space Amy but I think soft gray is perfect in a master bedroom!
kate
Hi Jessica, this will take you to the source of the desk!
http://pinterest.com/pin/194288171395054646/
Love the entire space. Where did you find the white chair? I’m having chair envy : )
What is the name of the fabric that the pillow is made out of? I love it!
Love this room! Could you please tell me where u found your bookcases?? I have a similar big window in my extra room and would love to flank it with narrow bookcases but all the ones I find seem to be too wide. Thanks so much!!
Hi Kiki, those bookcases were found at a store closing sale years ago, sadly they’re not available at any retailer.
Where did you find that desk?
Hi Kathy, there’s a link to the desk at the bottom of the post!
Fabric source link at the bottom Tiff!
Kate
Do you think Ana White homemaker could create plans based on your photos of the bookcases in your office that sits on the side of your desk and holds your computer? I would love to build these.
She might Elaine, Ana is wonderful like that – send her an email!
Kate
Looks great! Can you tell me where you found the monitor?
Oops, never mind, just saw it in your post :)
I didn’t see the link to the desk, but I’m pretty sure I found it on Sears’ website. Just wondering if you felt it was worth the money? It looks like exactly the desk I want, but I usually don’t like buying furniture without seeing it. Would you recommend it? Thanks!
whoops, found the link! but still would like to know your opinion! thanks!
Hi Andrea, not sure if it’s the same desk you see on Sears but I do love mine – it’s definitely a petite desk but I love the style!
Kate
i love the gray walls! what brand and color is it?
I too would love to know the brand and color of walls. Cheers
Hi Allie, all my paint colors are here:
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/09/the-paint-on-my-walls/
It’s Valspar’s Seafoam Storm.
I can’t seem to find the link to the desk either; can someone help me out?
the desk is available here Tiffany!
http://www.wayfair.com/Wildon-Home-%AE-Bicknell-Writing-Desk-911023-CST7260.html?piid=7128123
Hi, can you tell me the curtain fabric name or post the link? I read it’s by P.Kauffman but I can’t find that pattern anywhere online.
The link at the bottom of the post will take you to it Jessica!
I feel silly now….after spending so much time on this post I just now found the “source” links ;) thank you! Loving your blog!!
I had a new desk made recently however I was forced to stain it because we used pine with ALOT of character, so white paint was out of the question. The stain color I chose was a mahogany. Since I’m in love with the color palette you chose, I plan to order the same fabric to make my curtain panels. In your opinion do you think the mahogany desk will look okay up against this fabric?
Please tell me the name of the fabric used for the curtains. I love them! They would be perfect for my daughters new room!!
Hi Traci, there’s a link to the fabric at the bottom of the post!
Kate
I love the white leather chair! Can you tell me where you purchased it or post the link?
Hi Jackie, the chair is in the Staples store but I don’t see it online.
Kate
Aww okay thanks for checking. Do you by chance remember the name of the chair or who it’s by maybe they sell it somewhere else?
Awww okay thanks for checking! Do you by chance know who makes the chair or the name of it? Maybe I can find it somewhere else?
I looked back through the comments to see if you sourced the bookshelves. Can’t find it anywhere. Would you share? I love that they are lighted.
Hi CB, I picked up those bookshelves at a store that went out of business a few years ago….
Kate
I am about to re-do one of our guest bedrooms & I’d love to paint the closet as you did in your office. Can you please tell us how you figured out the color combos & how you did it? I’m assuming you just taped it off, but did you use the wall color on some of the doors & then a diluted wall color on the other parts? I would really appreciate an explanation of how to get the correct color coordination on the doors like you have so they blend in more & don’t stick out. Thanks!
HI CMM I used a combination of the wall color and white paint and taped off the doors with paint just like you said!
Kate
How much fabric did you order for the curtains? Love the room!
3 yards per panel Kristine.
I think I saw a desk like that or similar design on Pottery Barn website(I think!) Love it, would I be asking too much to give us the measurement of the table? I also love your curtains. They add class to your room. I love your color scheme; elegant yet soft to the eye. I know with a laptop, you wouldn’t have all the cables,etc.showing but you choose to have a monitor? I’m computer challenged, so bear with me about computer questions. Where do you have your desktop hooked up so the cables don’t show?