Southern Hospitality

Adventures in Decorating, Thrifting, Cooking, Fashion & Gardening

Made the Local Paper….Again!

By 55 Comments

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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Betty says

    Well, I am impressed Miss Rhoda!
    You well deserve to make the paper… I really want to see the garden article….. congratulations……

    Reply

  2. RealEstateGirl says

    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!

    Reply

  4. Lana says

    Congratulations Rhoda! You’re more than welcome anytime to come help me with a re-do!

    Take Care,
    Lana

    Reply

  5. cherry menlove says

    Great work Rhoda, I adore before and after shots. Perhaps they’ll give you a column!!

    Cherry xx

    Reply

  6. justabeachkat says

    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.

    Reply

  8. Betty Jo says

    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

    Reply

  9. Niesz Vintage Home says

    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. 🙂

    Reply

  11. Suzanne says

    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

    Reply

  12. Elizabeth says

    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

    Reply

  13. Diane says

    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

    Reply

  14. FrenchGardenHouse says

    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

    Reply

  15. Sandy McTier says

    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.

    Reply

  17. Daisy Cottage says

    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

    Reply

  18. Christy says

    I love that room. I remember the first time I saw it..I fell in love with it! Congrats on making the paper again.

    Reply

  20. Sadie Olive says

    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

    Reply

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