Last August (before I was blogging), I was featured in the local Birmingham News paper for a room redo that I sent in. There’s a section in our Saturday paper called Spaces that features homeowner’s “before” and “after” projects that they have completed. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from them after I completed my office nook and sent pictures in. They called me, set up a time to have a photographer come out, and then ran the article. I felt like a mini-celebrity at the time and of course, went out and bought extra copies for my friends and family. It was fun to have people from church and other groups that I’m involved with tell me that they had seen me in the paper! I blocked out my last name…just thought that would be best not to share that on here.
So fast forward to now…..this spring I’ve noticed that they are now featuring Garden redos, with the same layout of “before” and “after” photos and a blurb about how the project was completed. I decided to send in my little
garden redo that I just shared with all of you last week and was very surprised to get an immediate call back the next day saying they wanted to feature my little garden in the paper. I was SO excited….again! They came out last Wednesday, took the pics and it will probably run next weekend. So, I thought I’d share my little office redo with you and I will also show the other garden redo when it runs too.
I feel sure that they must not be getting all that many submitted, since they called so fast. 
All the more fun for me!
This is the “before” shot when we first moved in. This is a tiny little area off my laundryroom, really just the end of the small hallway downstairs. It’s 6×9, so big enough to do something with, but not too big. I decided as soon as I saw this space, that it would be mine! So, my little office nook was born.
Here’s the space today. I bought the desk from Target (online). The 2 shelves came from Ballard Designs clearance center in Atlanta. They were white & I painted them black. They have been some of the best things I’ve ever bought from Ballards. They still weren’t cheap in the outlet store, but are great, substantial shelves that I will keep forever.
The lamp was a different color, as were all those baskets you see below. I wanted baskets to store all my things in & couldn’t find any that went with the lime green I was using, so I bought Green Apple spray paint from Lowes & found all the baskets (cheap) at different stores. Taped them off & painted them all green! They hold catalogs, paper, misc. stuff I want hidden.
Here are my bunny/cabbage plates that I collect. Had plenty for this wall. Added the hatboxes found at Ross & Tues. AM, plate on top shelf from yardsale. All the picture frames came from yardsales.
I found this HUGE frame at a yardsale last year for $10. I knew I wanted to make a bulletin board so when I found it, it was perfect for that. I aged the gold with some brown paint, added some foamboard cut to fit the frame, covered it in my leftover kitchen fabric, added the ribbon & tacks & there you go! It’s great to put up reminders, calendar & all those little things that you want at your fingertips.
Bought this black bookcase at World Market. It was on sale at the time, so I knew it would be a perfect fit in here. Filled it up with all my “stuff” and it’s a handy little storage area for all my decorating things. Those bottom baskets were found at a yardsale & I painted them with my nifty Apple Green paint too.
So, this is my little office space, where I spend so much time. It’s a total reflection of my personality & I love every bit of it! It was so exciting to make the paper & I’ll be sure & share the garden redo too. This is fun!
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Last August (before I was blogging), I was featured in the local Birmingham News paper for a room redo that I sent in. There’s a section in our Saturday paper called Spaces that features homeowner’s “before” and “after” projects that they have completed. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from them after I completed my office nook and sent pictures in. They called me, set up a time to have a photographer come out, and then ran the article. I felt like a mini-celebrity at the time and of course, went out and bought extra copies for my friends and family. It was fun to have people from church and other groups that I’m involved with tell me that they had seen me in the paper! I blocked out my last name…just thought that would be best not to share that on here.
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
Well goodness, why wouldn’t they call you? Everything you do is just lovely.
What a wonderful office space!…and your garden is a place anyone would want to be.
Ohhh, I have been to the Ballard Outlet in Atlanta…someday I’m going back loaded with $$$
Congratulations on your DOUBLE feature in the paper! You do have a beautiful way with decorating! =)
Great news Rhoda. I’m looking forward to a post about your latest newspaper article!!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
What an awesome use of space! I just recently found your blog and I am getting so much inspiration from it. Thanks!
Rachel
That is so cool to be in the newspaper. Your space looks really great. Love your bulliten board. I have no black in my house and for the life of me, I can’t seem to fit it in right now with my colors. Maybe in a few years, I’ll redo the living room.
Trudi
Your office space is just beautiful – I love the black and the lime green together! Painting the baskets to match was such a great idea. I desperately need to add some storage for magazines to my office, and baskets would be great, but I’d love to make them really colorful. Can you tell me more about the process of painting them? Did you need to prime them first? Was it difficult to cover the baskets well? Did you paint the insides as well, and was that difficult? I’d appreciate any info you can provide – thanks!
You are so talented, of course they would want to feature you!!!!
I wish you could just come to my house and redo everything. You’ve got such great taste and are definitely inspiring!
That is awesome, just awesome! I love the color scheme. You just have a way of making things so beautiful…a little classy, a little sassy. I think it looks great! And what a great way to use a little space.
That is so very cool! Congratulations!!! I love everything you do. You always think of everything down to the littlest detail!
That Ballard Outlet isn’t much of an outlet in terms of price is it! Plus lots of times things are broken and they still want alot for it! Have you seen that magazine Do It Yourself? You should send your pictures into there. I like that mag because it’s mainly before and afters that people did themselves. You’re home would be a perfect feature!
You are sooo talented (that’s why I always bug you with my questions LOL)!
Manuela
Thanks, ladies! It is pretty fun to be in the paper. I’ve never been in there before last year, so I have to say, it is a blast.
Kristy, I answered on your blog too, but for anyone else who may want to know the answer to painting the baskets, here’s a recap: As far as painting those baskets, all I did was tape it off with painter’s tape & spray painted with Apple Green paint from Lowes. As long as you tape off where you don’t want the paint to go, you’ll be fine. All my baskets were different colors, so this was an inexpensive way to unify them to one look. So, just look for mismatched ones & spray away. I wanted black accents, so I did find some that already had some black on there & I didn’t have to do anything but tape off & paint green.
I painted some of them inside, but not all. Just depended on what the inside was made of or looked like. Mine are all sort of a wicker basket look & they really take the paint easily.
Thanks again for stopping by my blog & for such sweet comments…ya’ll are great friends!
Rhoda
I am absolutely thrilled for you, my sweet friend!! You *should* be in the paper—you are talented and creative! I can’t wait to see the new article.
My parents redid my mother’s childhood home when I was 3, and it was featured in the paper (eons ago!). If I can find it, I’ll share it with you.
Once again, I’m so excited for you—and I always enjoy seeing pictures of your beautiful home.
Everything is so beautiful. How fun to be in the paper. Our paper did an article, of all things about front doors. My door made the paper, because it was interesting and we did it ourselves.
Loved everything in your post today.
Check out my latest project, when you have time.
Rosemary
oooh I just love it! Rhoda you are so talented! I only wished we lived closer to each other – we’d be yard sale/decorating buddies for sure!
Looks great – and I have a picture that no longer coordinates with my study so I’m going to take out the picture and make a bulletin board just like yours! Thanks for the great idea!
Dawn
Love, love, love the redo. How clever you were to transform such a small space into a beautiful and usable space. Congrats on making the paper and for sharing the redo with the rest of us
Enjoy your pretty “new” room. Diane
Oh Rhoda! Your home is stunning!
And, may I add that YOU are stunning as well. What a beauty!
Your sense of style and color is awe inspiring! I bow to you!!
I have been so awe struck by the homes my new blog friend’s share with us…you, Andrea, Pat, Kim…so many great designers and talents.
You are a wonder. A special lady.
Hugs,
Sue
That is SO wonderful that your gorgeous garden made the local paper’s pages! And yes — of course — they would call you back — your re-do is classic and timeless — and will make a great story! Well done!
I just love your blog!!
Jan (teacats) over at Rosemary Cottage whose garden is water-logged with all of the spring storms here in Texas!
What a cozy space! I LOVE what you did! You just be very proud. Don’t you enjoy taking things and re-purposing them to use another way?
Your little office area is packed with so much fun and great ideas.
How cool that your gardening will be in the paper, too. I’ll be looking forward to seeing the article.
Donna
Congratulations. Your office space is gorgeous.
Your space is so pretty…love your French memo board and the lime green accents!
Well, I am impressed Miss Rhoda!
You well deserve to make the paper… I really want to see the garden article….. congratulations……
Rhoda, I remember the post when you showed off the before/after and I was soooo impressed!
Come “re-do” my house!!!
Sorry we couldn’t get together this past weekend. We made a last minute trip to B-ham. Next time I’ll try to give you a little notice and we’ll have coffee!
By the way, FANTASTIC photo in the paper! So impressed!
Congratulations Rhoda! You’re more than welcome anytime to come help me with a re-do!
Take Care,
Lana
Great work Rhoda, I adore before and after shots. Perhaps they’ll give you a column!!
Cherry xx
Well, well…you go girl! You did a great job and you should be proud. I’m looking forward to seeing the article about your garden.
Yaaaa you! And I agree, everything looks so lovely!
Mari-Nanci
OMGoodness! Our Rhoda is a celebrity! Congratulations. I’ve only made the paper once by winning an international photo contest sponsored by Ritz Camera–it was such fun. Your office space redo is wonderful and truly deserves to be featured. I’m looking forward to seeing your garden feature published too! xoxo
Now that’s a great office space!
And I remember seeing your garden, I can see why they pick you again…its beautiful!
Such talent.
How wonderful. Congratulations!
How fun Rhoda! Congratulations,I look forward to seeing the article on your garden.
…and I love your office space, especially the shelves, and the letter “R” is a cute touch.
Suzanne
Nice area you created – perfect timing for me…I am in the middle of a move and must create an office for both me and my assistant, and with very little room…and I have to make functional….thanks for the ideas. Congrats on making the paper again!
Elizabeth
I am new to your blog (through Country Charm) and have really enjoyed looking through your blog this morning. With all of your great pictures, it’s like visiting an inspirational decorating site!! I noticed you often accent with black…which I have begun to do as well. Congratulations on your feature in the paper… you look well deserving of it! And such great finds and bargans… I am inspired! Blessings, Diane
You ARE a celebrity!! Such a great example of doing fun stuff and not breaking the bank. Can’t wait to see the garden feature, too.
Hope you have a lovely weekend, Rhoda!
Lidy
Frenchgardenhouse
What a beautiful and impressive re-do! Love the color combo and use of space. Thanks for sharing such fabulous ideas. Looking forward to seeing the garden before/after newspaper article.
Wow, Rhoda, what a cute area! You did a great job and all of the items either thrifted or on sale! That’s awesome! Way to go, girl!
Carol
Come visit me!
http://ourreddoor.blogspot.com
I’m so proud of you Rhoda! You DESERVE to not only be IN the paper, but they should hire YOU to do a regular feature for them on decorating and southern hospitality! Way to go girl!
xo,
Kim
I love that room. I remember the first time I saw it..I fell in love with it! Congrats on making the paper again.
One quick question: how in the world can I persuade you to come to Freeman House? WOW!
Brin
http://www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com
How exciting! You should be so proud! I love what you did with the nook. I can’t wait to see the next article.
XO,
Sara
You’ve got the touch, girl!
Wanna come out to Oregon and spend the weekend with me? I’ll put you to work – HA.
Beautiful.
I love it that I met a celebrity today!
Sandy
What a beautiful office! I love the dark and light contrast and the pretty green. Congratulations on being selected to have your garden featured in the newspaper as well. Lovely!
WONDERFUL, AMAZING, JUST WOW. I loved this now I just have to find things like this in sunny South Africa. You are very talented.
love always Deborah
Just checking in… looking for more posts… I enjoy visiting your blog!
Lana
How darling is that! I am totally inspired to tackle my little nook and make something of it… so there you are, talented and inpsiring.
Jenny
Rhoda you are obviously VERY talented and this newspaper needs you on staff LOL!
I love the black and green, would LOVE to go in a Ballard outlet…good grief, no fair!
Congrats Rhoda…such an adorable space. What a nice article you must be very proud !!!
Take care,
Kathy =)
I love your little office space, and you’re famous! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see your next newspaper write-up.
Congratulations; that is awesome!
Thank you for sharing that with us!
Congratulations on bing featured twice!
best
Robin
Congratulations on being featured in the local paper Rhoda…you deserve it as you have such great style! Love what you did with your office area. Can’t wait to see your garden featured!
Rhoda – just catching up with your blog. I knew those folks in B’ham would love you just as much as your Atl friends.
Rhoda, I’m behind in my blog reading. Your office space is fabulous. I especially like your use of the apple green to give some pop at the end of the hallway. I’m not surprised you have been chosen by the paper again or that they called you so fast. I picture them doing high fives around the office…..yes, we get to feature Rhoda again
Big, big congratulations!!!!!
Your blog is wonderful. I absolutely love the office space. I love how the green “pops” the other colors. It has a warm inviting and yet sleek and modern flow! Very well done.
Absolutely gorgeous!!! I can see why they would have picked your beautiful office nook – so lovely! And very inspirational.
allie
http://www.mycozyhome.typepad.com