Blog office blunder - with sound desk building tips. :)

Between Christmas and New Years, I had abit of kiddo downtime with my son going to his other parent's place for a few days. Being hit with a creative explosion, I shared on Facebook my big pie in the sky plans to morph 6 rooms. SIX.

This wasn't my intent. :) It just started with one room and snowballed from there because I'm borrowing from some rooms to make others work.

I've been showing some progress with my son's room on Facebook lately. Over the weekend we ripped down a wall!

However, the FIRST room I worked on that I didn't blog about yet was the blog office.

Revamping the office with a farm table and armoire

I had a swell plan. I was going to dismantle the shelving unit and palette table and bring it downstairs with me. Then bring in a farm table and armoire I have to replace what was here.

So, big brave me took down Christmas AND slid the wall unit into the hallway and dismantled the palette desk. Here we go! Big great changes ahead!

Next came the farm table which was abit too tall, so I cut the legs shorter.

Desk measurements matter

- arms parallel to floor when typing

- eyes level with top of your monitor

I desired the table to max out at 27.25"from the floor. The net says a desk ought to be 29" but I say it depends on your chair, your keyboard, your monitor size and your own body for that matter. I personally like to type down onto the keyboard rather than have my arms float too high up.

If you aren't sure what's right for you, prop a bunch of stuff up like I did in this picture last summer to figure out what feels right before making permanent modifications to furniture.

Consider lowering a big monitor

And if you think you can't have your monitor low enough because it's of the monster variety, I beg to differ. There is always a way if you're crafty enough.  How I sunk my own monitor seamlessly into my own palette desk top is HERE.

 Cutting down table legs to fit

My weapon of choice was the sawzall. The blades are pretty long, making free hand style deep cuts relatively easy.

 Protect equipment and floors prior to working

I proceed to cut the legs. I'm sorry the sawdust all over some of the equipment makes you itchy. When all else fails, laugh, proceed and don't do it again.  (translation... crap!!)

Protect your nice floors too. This looks sloppy but I was pretty careful with the tools on the floor. It was just... quicker. :)

 When building, use SCREWS

But simply cutting the legs wasn't so quick like. The craftsman that made the table used nails for some strange little extensions... which made my saw stop pretty quick. I didn't know the nails were there until I hit one. I thought my blade was just dull...

Anywhoo, the nail stopped my blade in just the right place, then I pounded on the cut area with a hammer until I could chunk off some wood to get a crowbar in there to yank off the rest.

I got REALLY good at this on the 4th. But not a moment before.

And guess what! The table was still too tall, so I did it all over again. But with no nails, it was a breeze in comparison.

 Then I staged my armoire with storage in mind. Cute!

And then I pushed the table in place, piled it with my stuff and stood back.


And hated it. Then went to bed.

Don't get me wrong. It was cute. But it was too small for two computers and I created a dark wooden cave that required flicking on lights. And with the doors closed? No. I can't face closed in areas or walls. It feels like my nose is being pushed in... so, no.

Sleep on it when undecided

I really did go to bed but it wasn't to give up. I like to sleep on big decisions if somewhat unsure. And moving my palette desk and wall unit was a big change, so I wanted to be sure.

So.. did I hate it the next day too? Yup. But I was going to do it anyway and eventually make it work because I needed that other stuff downstairs!

Until I received an email from a blog reader moments later. She was in LOVE with the blog office and wanted to know how to build the wall unit. Urp...

If that wasn't the writing on the wall, I don't know what was. I giggled with relief and pushed the palette table and wall unit back into place again and hugged the works! And made it better and stronger. More screws, just lots of touch ups I didn't do the first time.

And then I lightened up the accessories, with storage in mind.

 

Welcome home, palette table and funky wall unit! I missed you so! Honestly. I felt sick for the two days it was gone. :)  But at least it didn't cost me anything to try something new.

What's next? Let's just take each day as it comes. :)

Giving friends make my place look cool! Thanks!

Groovy rusty license plates and vintage clothespins from Anything Goes Here Etsy

Funky  cultivator blade from Iris at Treasuring the Journey

Coke crate -  Dan 

antique propeller and old window picture frame -  Vic

Ever made a decorating decision you went back on again?

Original posts:

building the palette table - 6 part series

wall unit build

wall unit staging

I'll be sharing this post on SNS' next themed linkup, creative storage ideas. 

Hope to see yours there this upcoming weekend!

My 'mom cave' blog office

~ My 'mom cave' ~

Where else could it possibly be?

This is my funky eclectic blog area. A sacred place I consider all mine. My own personal little mom cave.

While the desk area houses two chairs and two computers, this area is generally used just by myself.

 And my cats. :)

Those that know my style and habits won't find it very surprising that this would be deemed my special place to hang.

Antiques speak to me.

They take me back to a time where life appeared laid back and easy going.  

 They also create memories of loved ones now gone.

 I've been asked why I don't have much art in my home. These items are 3D art to me.

And let's talk a little about some natural weathered goodness... ahhhh  :)

No two boards are alike which is what makes them extra special. We're all diverse in our own way, aren't we?

What's not to love, when you surround yourself with all the things you love?

Pride has alot to do with this area. I built it. From the ground up.

My mom cave. Where passion takes over and time stands still. :)

Join Kate's Mom Cave HomeGoods contest!

The pallet desk project - Part 6, the BIG reveal!

~ The Pallet Desk Project ~

(all parts to date here)

Part 1 - defining the need 

Part 2 - gathering materials 

Part 3 - preparing the materials and design

Part 4 - sink that monitor!

Part 5 - finishing details

Part 6 - the big reveal! 

Today

 Part 6 - the big reaveal

Did you see part 5? It was also posted today, so don't miss out on how I did all the things you're about to see here.

So are ya ready?!?

~ This is where I blog ~

I was thrilled when I read about Kate's "Where do you blog?" party. It was the perfect motivation to concentrate on getting this series to a close. And guess what. I did it! :) Thanks Kate!

My blog office is located in our dining room. I LOVE blogging in this room because it's central to everything else that transpires in the household. There is no need to hide away in an office or bedroom and miss out on what the others are doing. I'm right here.

What makes this office extra special though, are all the elements I've surrounded myself with. I love everything on that floor to ceiling storage system. Every object inspires me!

 But what makes this post really special today is the fact that this long awaited funky table is now complete!

I desired a bigger table than what I had, as well as the top secret feature this desk hides. The 27" monitor is sunken into the desktop! This enables me to have my eyes level with the top of the screen, no longer looking up, which was really hard on my neck. ( see part 4 above )

And the build couldn't have been easier, especially for a non builder such as myself. Two sawhorses are the legs...

... and the old palette boards for the top were simply screwed onto the ladder framework below. I made no effort to hide the fact that a ladder was used because I thought it added an additional whimsical detail.  AND a place for the meat grinder pencil holder to sit of course. :)

Old palette boards were sanded and attached in a slightly random style to encapsulate the feel of someone gathering different boards over time, saving them up to create something special.  All the wood was left in it's natural state. The top of the desk will receive a matte finish in due time so it's extra cleanable.

No two boards are alike which is what makes them extra special. The odd white one was even thrown in for good eclectic measure.

Plenty of random screws, big bolts and stenciling just add to the gathered over time scrap look I was after. I felt the boards resembled railway ties in a way, hence the chosen words used for the stencil.

What's not to love, when you surround yourself with all the things you love?

I especially love the desk for the fact that it isn't fussy. The more wear the boards will no doubt receive, the better they'll look over time. If you start with something old, you get the look far faster than if you start with brand new.

Just so I don't miss out on any action, the desk was designed so my son could sit with his laptop right beside me. He wants to start a Lego/photography blog, so stay tuned for that one! I'd like to entice that artistic ability he has any way I can. And what better way to encourage/monitor his doings than having him right beside me? :)

And for those that know me well, it comes as no surprise that I'd incorporate my rusty gears and cogs into the mix on my side. :)

And this little bit of numerical fun changes every 5 minutes. I'll eventually figure it out. :)

Another thing I LOVE about blogging here are the double french doors I generally have wide open in the back. I can glance over and see the entire back yard and mountain view at any given moment, feel the wind and hear the giggle of happy kids doing their thing.

Blogging is a wonderful hobby, but this location makes it all the more special. :)

 When I moved in:

It turned out exactly the way I imagined it. And if I wish to freshen up the top, nothing a coat of white paint, distressed wouldn't cure. :)

Since this is part of a series on telling it like it is, it's safe to say I somewhat hesitate to hit that PUBLISH POST button.  Gaaa...  here we go again. Whoever said breaking new ground was easy?!?

Holding breath, taking the dive head first...

*click*

Part 5 on how I added the details was just posted today as well. Click HERE to get there.

Related posts:

The wall unit build is HERE.

The wall unit staging reveal is HERE.