Catalog Inspirations Can Become Reality!

Just before NYE, I was at home flipping through the latest Ballard Designs catalog. I used to think they were over-priced and snooty falooty, but then I really took a second look at price in regards to quality...and I fell in love. Santa brought me the GREATEST cocktail cart/tray table that now sits as extra serving space in my teeny dining room. So trust me when I say that I'm now a Ballard Designs TB...true believer!

As I was flipping through the pages and dreaming that I lived in one of the beautiful rooms on each and every page, I decided to start and inspiration file. Then I decided to really dig down deep and determine what it was about those photos that really stood out to me to see if I could replicate that feeling and not just copy the room piece by piece.

DREAM

The home office in this photo was the first place that I decided to start. It is similar to MY home office...just a wall in a multi-purpose room. Yes, some of us are not living in their castle just quite yet.

I liked that it was functional (see the computer), but still decorative. I think, however, that my favorite part about the desk is that it is devoid of clutter...on top AND underneath.

REALITY

I need to start by confessing that I've had a clutter problem...to the max! In 2009, I began a photography business in my home and with that comes lots of cords, USB drives, and multiple hard drives. PLUS, I had a huge printer/scanner combo all shoved under my desk. Sometimes, I can't even scootch my chair all the way in. YIKES! It's not pretty or elegant or classy or stately...all words that I'd LIKE to use to describe my office area.

IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE...AND A LITTLE DIY!

I began by realizing that I rarely used the printer, so it could be stored away easily and only brought out when needed. Then I thought about how the desk drawer was only holding scraps of paper and could easily hold excess cords, etc. Then I noticed that there was ample room under my desk for a new shelf that could hold my laptop and hard drives. I measured the space, then headed to the Depot, purchased some MDF and L brackets, then headed home. My little project took NO TIME and it provided excellent results. Lastly, I decided to take a little inspiration from the photo and make a literal change by stacking a couple of beautiful hardbound books on the floor next to the desk...and I LOVE my results!