Friday, October 15, 2010

A Useful Closet in my Office

I spend a good part of my time in this room of late.  It's our office, off of the kitchen.  I prepare for school in here, making copies, and our computer is here.  But living in an old house means there are few closets.

  Every woman knows how much of a necessity they are!

  So I begged my Farmer to build me a pantry closet in this corner.  I hated this wall, always trying to block it with furniture.  It had been made incorrectly and was impossible to fix without it being a major headache.



 My husband was tearing out part of the tractor shed, so he asked about using some of the tongue and groove from it for a closet.  I loved the idea.  So he began to build.
 It turned out great! But having little kids, we were worried about all this flaking lead paint, so I sealed it and then decided to paint it.






 It's amazing what a little paint will do,
 (oh, and a Farmer who has some left-over barn wood).
I love the shelf he put in for me over the bathroom door.
It hides the weirdness that was going on up there as well.





 We made the dining room into our extended living room,
since half the living room is used for school now,
so the china cupboard that I painted came in here.
We eat on the porch or in the kitchen when we have company.




This is the view from the kitchen.
Can you see my yogurt maker?  Not enough room in the kitchen or pantry closet for all the gadgets.
Whatever did I DO before we had that pantry closet? 




And here is where the computer is with more kitchen accessories stored where they are convenient.  The door to our living room/school room is right behind the chair, so I can see/help Violet while I get things done on the computer, or around the corner in the kitchen.


This picture hangs on the door into the kitchen.  The old frame was painted gold; when that dried, I painted it black and then rubbed spots so the gold would show through.  I cut a silhouette of my oldest daughter when she was a toddler and used archival tape to affix it to some archival heavy decorative paper.  I hope to do one of each of my kids,
someday.

It's turned into a useful pantry/office and one of my favorite rooms.




Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing! I enjoy seeing the inside of your home and I love how you write :-) It's like reading a story book - I always want one more page!

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  2. Hi there!
    Just stopping over from Kellys Korner and found your office. Love all your decorations. Sweet.

    Viola of
    www.alongandwidowedroad.blogspot.com

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  3. I love how you write too! I keep thinking of starting a blog, but can't decide on a name for it. I love how you make it almost like a scrapbook and tell stories to go with it. I hope to start one someday...

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  4. Ooh, did I hear free give away? I love your office/pantry! It turned out so great! Love the silhouette. That would be neat to have all three. and you and Shawn--a whole family portrait wall

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  5. That is just the coolest closet! Great use for old wood!

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  6. Your husband is UBER-handy...WOW...

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  7. I love the old wood. What a great, creative way to get an office! Great use of space...and cute too! :)

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  8. Thanks a bunch Jackie! What a nice thing to say! I love visiting your blog as well!
    And thank you, too, Viola. Nice to meet you!
    (I'm sorry I'm writing to everyone here; not sure how to comment under a person's comment. Is there a way I am missing?)
    Sharon, I thought about making a blog for about a year, but didn't feel I'd have time for it. Then I heard of someone who prints up what they write to have as a type of diary. I am going to print up some to keep for my kids. Plus, it actually keeps me motivated to get more done! :)
    Thanks, Tammy! Not too sure about Shawn and mine as well. :) I have a funny nose profile; Shawn teases me about it all the time. :) I'll be happy to just see the kids.
    Yes, it is a great closet and I was really impressed at how well he did since he's not a builder, or so he says. :)
    Thanks also, Caroline. I love our office space, and nice to meet you!
    Thanks to you all for stopping by.

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  9. This is ADORABLE!!! I LOVE IT!! :-)

    Miranda
    http://hanginloosewiththetuccis.blogspot.com

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  10. Great cabinet. Isn't it wonderful having a handy husband.

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  11. Love what you did with that closet! I am your newest follower. Stop by and visit me sometime when you have a chance.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  12. Better hang on to that hubby of yours! He's very handy! :) Love your new closet! Very creative!

    xoox laurie

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  13. Looks Awesome!


    Megan
    mommyminded.blogspot.com

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  14. gorgeous - I love the planks and the pre-painted version was lovely and the painted final product is so farmhouse fresh!

    www.northerncottage.blogspot.com

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  15. Great transformation! Looks so pretty.

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  16. I would almost kill for that closet! Awesome! I love the whole room! I want a shelf like that over the windows in my banquette niche... very inspirational!

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  17. I love this! I'm looking at two corners in my kitchen with new eyes now. Wonderful home, you clever lady.

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  18. Just saw you linked up to Roomspiration! Beautiful closet/pantry area your farmer made you. Way to use what you had and turn that corner wall area into a work of art! Thanks for linking up!

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  19. oh my WOW, what a transfomation!! I approve 110%! awesome!!

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