Guys, I have a confession to make.
I've been living a lie.
I've been calling myself a DIY blogger this whole time, but really I'm a phony. A poser. A hack.
Here's the truth: I've never done shiplap.
I've done crown molding. I've done wainscoting. I've done craftsman trim. I can sew. I can serge.
All these things are nothing.
It's just so wrong.
Hopefully I'll earn back your trust this month, because I'm doing it. For reeeeealz. It's happening!!!!
My husband and I need a functional office space very badly. So this is it...my DIY pièce de résistance.
My mission, should I choose to accept it: turn a dark, drab room into an amazing His and Hers Farmhouse Office.
Here's what I'm thinking:
I love the concept behind the One Room Challenge. If you've never heard of the One Room Challenge (ORC for short), it's a biannual design event hosted by Linda from Calling it Home. I love seeing what other bloggers can accomplish in the span of 6 weeks!
Even though I missed the opportunity to participate in April, I thought it would be fun to create my own 6-week challenge in the style of ORC. The office in our new house needs a serious makeover, so why not set a goal of having it ready in one month's time?
Here's what the room looked like when we moved in:
Here's what it's looked like for the last two weeks:
Definitely lighter and brighter, but not much else has changed.
Here are my plans for the room:
repaint the room a lighter color(did this the day after we moved in)install craftsman-style window trim(last week)- faux ship lap for every wall except the wall opposite from our desk, which will only be a half wall of shiplap.
- new baseboards
- a dual-desk layout since my husband occasionally works from home
- ikea storage (Alex units) underneath a DIY desk surface OR find a French Provincial side table to match the one we already have! These would go under the desk surface to hold it at the correct height (30-31 inches because we're tall).
I know honey. - built-in storage for my sewing machine, serger, fabric scraps, and craft project supplies
- a Mad Men inspired bar cart hack
- homemade curtains with sheers + 2nd curtain rod from electrical conduit
- a small cushioned bench under the window
Since I did the trim last week I'm combining weeks 1 and 2 in this post.
What do you think of my plan? Am I nuts?
I'm aiming for Farmhouse meets European style with a dash of functionality. Here are a few more pictures from my inspiration board:
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I'm doing a little bit each day. Today I ripped off the existing baseboard. Tomorrow I'm marking the studs, getting my dead Ryobi nail gun fixed (hopefully the guys at Home Depot can help!) and getting my faux shiplap boards.
Here's its current state:

I'm treating this office like planning my wedding - chiseling out a little bit every day from the massive to-do list. Ahh!
Deep breaths...
My goal is to try and keep up with these posts. Feel free to join me on instagram @topshelfdiy to get the latest.
Click here to see renovation updates from weeks 3 & 4.
To see the His and Hers Farmhouse Office final reveal, head over here!!!
Wendy Devine says
Wow!!! I want one!!! 😃 It would be the perfect solution! Maaaaaaaybe need a new house first. 😐