Peace out Cubicles!
As I mentioned in my first blog post, I have been at my new job for about three months now. I was thrilled to learn that I would not be in a cubicle and I would have my own office!! WHOOP WHOOP, that makes me a big deal, right?! Of course my first thought was “How am I going to decorate it”. I had previously used a few Crimson/Alabama decorations for my cubes but having my own office opened up so many possibilities! Before I even started the job I started checking the local thrift stores for potential DIY projects to transform this office!
First I found this Desk Organizer for $2 and this frame for $.50. I had been experimenting with crackle paint so I decided to paint them both a white/cream color first and let them dry. Then painted them with a light pink paint and let that dry. Then I painted over that with the crackle paint (I use the Folk Art Crackle Medium from Hobby Lobby). After the crackle magic had happened I took some sand paper and scuffed them both up a bit. They aren’t perfect but they didn’t have to be and they only cost me $2.50!
Then I stumbled upon this brass and glass lamp at a thrift store during a sale day and got it for $4…SCORE! I taped up the everything but the glass and used this DIY mercury glass tutorial as a guide.
These were my steps:
- Sprayed an area with a light coat of the water/vinegar mixture
- Spray a light coat of the looking glass paint on top
- Spray another light coat of the water/vinegar mixture
- Let is sit for about 10 seconds
- Pat dry with a paper towel
I wanted to make sure the lamp had enough texture to not just look gray but by doing this, I had to go over the entire lamp base about 5 times to get the coverage/texture I wanted.
I then used a chrome spray paint to cover the brass on the lamp. I spray painted the lamp shade (that was tan) with white spray paint and Voila…it was ready for the office! The look glass spray paint costs around $8 and the lamp was $4 so this lamp re-do cost me around $12 and these sell for minimum $30 in stores. I can’t wait to find other things to change to mercury glass, I just love that look!
We use Skype a lot at work and I needed something relatively cute to put behind me on the wall that didn’t take a lot of time or money. I found a large canvas that I had started painting years ago in my storage unit and just painted over it to make a quick and easy wall art. It’s nothing special, in fact the first day I hung it my CEO came in and said he could have painted that. It may not take any talent but I think it suits my office and you can’t beat $0 out of pocket!
Just recently I brought a little drawer that wasn’t being used to put in the corner of my office but it needed something decorative. I used a frame left over from my wedding so I designed up a quick little encouraging sign and spray painted a salsa jar to hold my dry erase markers that works fine for now!
So here is a little peak into my thrifty office! I have learned to love this little place and the lamp gives it just the right lighting! 🙂
Note: I received the Inspire decor as a gift years ago and the Mercury Glass Vase was a gift as well. I used frames that I had purchased for my wedding. All I had to purchase was the fake hydgrandeas that were on the 66% off section at Hobby Lobby to tie it all together!