We are nearly done with the renovations to the building that will house my new practice. We set up the office last week and I moved in. Hassan Osman’s fabulous blog, The Couch Manager, was highly influential in the design of the new office. His blog introduced me to authors who inspired taking a zen-like approach to work, which ultimately led to my decision to quit my chaotic bi-state academic career and start my own business. Thank you Hassan. 🙂
The building had a lot of potential, but in its original state, it screamed “man-cave.” The previous tenants were heavy smokers with pets, a combination resulting in an odor that defied a wide range of cleaning products and air fresheners. The popcorn ceiling was brown with an amalgamation of nicotine, dust, and pet dander hanging off in stalactite-like spikes. I was worried that one would fall and impale me with the vile concoction. The ceiling fans were an abomination with a layer of gunk atop the blades nearly an inch thick. There were linoleum tiles applied to concrete in three of the rooms and some strange sticky paper-like faux wood flooring in what is now my office. It all had to go.
As you can see in the “before” picture below, a lot needed to be changed.
We set to work cleaning, vacuuming, mopping, sponging the nicotine off the walls, pulling up flooring, etc. Then the Angry Russian, who is a lot less angry these days, set to work pulling down light fixtures, hanging a new ceiling, knocking out a wall for a window, laying tile, painting and hanging fixtures and pictures.
We saved over $100 on the window by shopping at a discount building supply store (Building Materials on Jackson, Inc) that sells overstocked and used supplies instead of ordering it from a glass store or one of those DIY home improvement stores.
The window provides an awesome view of the vegetable garden as you’ll see in a bit.
The paint color is Ferrel Calhoun’s Slate Stone, but the paint was Benjamin Moore. The flooring is ceramic tile from Flooring Solutions. The picture above as well as the two below are by Albert Koetsier and were a gift from a friend.
My desktop was a work of The Devil. He salvaged the top of my former desk, wrapped the top in a groovy fabric, then painted and clear coated it to a glossy finish. It sits atop two filing cabinets that I purchased for 60% off from a Big Lots store that was going out of business.
As you can see, it’s very reflective! Beneath that shine is a pretty lavender and white print.
And then we embellished with little details….
Please take a moment to appreciate those perfectly plumb, mathematically proportionate pictures that were hung by The Angry Russian, who is a perfectionist to the extreme. When I hang a picture, I use a hammer and a nail. I would think that’s the way most normal humans would do it. The Angry Russian requires measurements, pencils, math, and a high-tech floor-to-ceiling laser machine. Watching his process was like watching an episode of Big Bang Theory.
A few more finishing touches…
The picture of me and Nilla Bean was hand drawn by a former student and artist. “Believe” was a gift from another friend.
A new light fixture…
…and to complete the ensemble…
This is the first time I’ve ever displayed my degrees on the wall. They make me feel all official. 🙂
And kitty is just visiting.
So….that completes your virtual tour of the office. Come back in a couple weeks I’ll show you the rest of the place.
14 comments
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October 9, 2012 at 11:35 am
skatturcast
The office looks great. Love the desk top!
October 9, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Lunar Euphoria
They did an awesome job. It has good, happy vibes.
October 9, 2012 at 2:57 pm
wyominglife
Love the desk top idea! I’m going to file that away for someday in the future.
October 9, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Lunar Euphoria
His inspiration was the painted fabric floors at the Carnton House in Franklin, Tennessee. I love how it turned out.
October 11, 2012 at 3:08 am
wyominglife
The hard part will be deciding on which fabric….. so much to choose from.
October 11, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Lunar Euphoria
Wy – I recommend a smooth fabric – the smoother the better – otherwise you may end up with a bit of lumpiness.
October 10, 2012 at 5:35 pm
TheCouchManager
Looks awesome! Congrats on the new office. Great decision on putting a window where one belongs (and smart money-saving tips as well).
October 10, 2012 at 5:41 pm
TheCouchManager
And thanks so much for the mention & the kind words 🙂
October 11, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Lunar Euphoria
Thank you! 🙂 And you’re welcome. Love your blog.
October 23, 2012 at 4:41 am
Debra Parmley
It has a peaceful look, a calming peace.
October 23, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Lunar Euphoria
It feels peaceful. And happy. Thanks for stopping by the blog. 🙂
November 11, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Dana
Amazing! I love everything about this post, from the reference to your new zen approach and home business, to the money-saving tips, to the DIY transformation pics! Marty hangs photos just like the Angry Russian, and (as you know), I share your mortification re: other people’s dirt and grime. Heh. 🙂
November 11, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Lunar Euphoria
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. And I am awed that there are TWO people in the world who hang pictures this way. Maybe I am the weird one. Of course, I just hung a picture this week and the placement is all askew.
January 18, 2013 at 5:57 am
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