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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Thrifty Office Desk Area…Putting Projects Together by Shopping Your Home

Hi everyone! When I put the house back together after all the Christmas decorations were stored away, some things changed a little. It's the perfect time to make changes when you have a clean slate. This desk area is one example. I just flip flopped it from another wall, but all the stuff around it is different.

I change things around my home from time to time. My family would say a lot, but I'm getting better. It's good to mix things up…it gives your home or space a fresh new look. However, you don't have to spend a lot of money for that fresh new look.

I call it…"Shopping your home".

Look around and see what you can use from another room or things you have stored away. Just by moving a few things or adding here and there, can change the look of the whole room.

office desk projects

Let's go shopping around the house…

First, the desk. This was a hand me down from a friend at work. I've had it for years and it's been in lots of places.

office desk projects

One spot was in my sewing room. First it was a work table. Then I covered it with quilt batting and fabric and made it into a large iron board for sewing.

Click HERE if you want to see that project.

Here's the before.

thrifty office desk projects

The after...
thrifty office desk projects

and the after, after. Lol I don't think this is then end for this desk, but I love the black paint, so it's going to stay for a while.

thrifty office desk projects

The chair is a clearance item for Home Depot. I know, Home Depot! It was just this past week, so they might still be available in your area. It was only $18.00!! It came in a small box and I just needed to screw the back to the seat and then the legs. Super easy!

office desk projects

This area has a few ideas…

The framed chalkboard is a project I did last month. Frame was a thrift store find, $3.50 and the chalkboard fabric was only $5.00 a yard at Joann Fabrics. Click HERE for that project.

The lamp is very old from the basement, but I changed out the lamp shade to the updated drum type shade for under $9.00 at Walmart.

office desk projects

Consignment shop clock ($5.00) that was in my bedroom now moved to the desk for a splash of color.

I always add a touch of something I love...and I love Star Wars. Nothing like mixing a vintage looking clock with R2D2. It's all about what you love!!

thrifty office desk projects

My family knows my love of Star Wars. This is a little gift from Kelsie.

thrifty office desk projects

It does fit the desk area though. It's a memory stick for the computer!!

thrifty office desk projects

Here's the other side of the desk.

office desk projects

This message board is a ceiling tile from a hardware store covered in burlap. Click HERE for that project.

office desk projects

Holds notes, pictures, clip boards and of course my Star Wars birthday card. I turned 49 this month. Ahhh…one more year before the big 50!

thrifty office desk projects

The plant vase was a clearance from TJ Maxx. Always add a little greenery.

office desk projects

This gadget is from my dad's workbench. I don't know what the heck it is, I only stole for the color. I think it's some sort of clamp.

Not for me…it's a pen holder. Think outside the box. You may only like the color or the shape of an item, but find a way to use it for something.

office desk projects

This "W" is for our last name. It's one of the unfinished, 24 inch paper mache cardboard letters from the craft store, just painted black. I think they are about $10, but with a 50% coupon!!

thrifty office desk projects

I know every one's space will not be the same, but the concepts is there. Just use what you love and it will become your own.

office desk projects


Shop your home, clearance sections and thrift stores…you'll never know what you can find!!

Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~

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12 comments:

  1. I love the look of your desk area! I know the feeling of changing things around my husband says I always have a new favorite area of the house because whichever area I work on becomes my favorite. HaHa Hope you have a great Wednesday.

    XoXo,
    Nicole

    http://www.nicole-kelly.com

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  2. So nice! Sometimes you just have to clean it up a bit, to better see what you've got. Thank you for the idea for the ironing board.

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  3. So happy to see there are other quilters who like to change things around sometimes or grab a tin of paint to change colours. I do like your black desk!

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  4. I "shop my home" periodically too. It certainly keeps things interesting, but other things must stay the same. My husband hates it when he'll ask me where something like plastic wrap is in the kitchen and I'll tell him it's in the same place it's been for 19 years (true story). Hmmm, maybe I should move the plastic wrap and shake things up a little, that'll keep him guessing!

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  5. I COMPLETELY changed my home office this past weekend, incorporating my own art and different items that my mother had collected along her way, including antique Navajo blankets and an Indian Mola tapestry. I could spend all day in there now!

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  6. Oh, so inspiring. Thanks for all the ideas!

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  7. I'd say your $18 dollar chair is definitely the deal of the day!!

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  8. Love your idea of "shopping around the house". Our home is too small to rearrange things but I change out the colour theme four times a year to refresh the look. Aquas and teals for the winter; hot pink in the spring and summer; oranges and earth tones for the fall and reds for Christmas. I have oversized wall prints in the various colour tones and match them with throw pillows, sofa blankets and various table and wall decor items. I take the seasonal colours into my bathroom and kitchen as well.

    Your attention to detail always amazes me and now your bargain shopping prowess does too ... what a great chair find for $18 ... you go girl!!!

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  9. Love your idea of "Shop your Home"! We tend to always buy new stuffs and ended up cluttering our sweet homes!! Thanks for sharing Karen!

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  10. Hi Karen, how are you? The recycling of the table was great, congratulations on creativity ever.
    I'll go to Miami in February. You know quilting tools, fabric shops, I know only Jo-Ann. Thanks and a great weekend

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  11. any time you're in California,please come to my house and help me shop!

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  12. I like the new look. FYI - your pencil holder is one part of a pipe clamp, somewhere there is another piece to go with it.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!