Well folks, the day is here! I have been in my new studio for a month and absolutley itching to show you guys what it looks like inside, but I couldn’t. I mean, I wanted to, but I didn’t. This is like that time my parents hired a cowboy to come to my birthday party and told me not to tell anyone so he could ride in as a surprise SO OF COURSE I TOLD EVERYONE and then when he rode in the oomph factor was gone. No oomph whatsoever. Also, “the cowboy” wasn’t a cowboy it was my dad’s friend Bob wearing a white stetson hat, and the “the ride” was a Toyota Celica with a horse poster taped to the side. But I digress. My point is here I didn’t want to build this up and not deliver…but whoa!
You guys. This desk delivers.
THIS DESK.
Yeah. Let’s talk about this desk!
The budget for this room was non-existent. This whole rental thing is new to me and I told myself to prioritize function, only buy what I absolutely need, then ‘shop the house’ for anything else. Well, I needed a desk (actually, a couple of desks…)and as luck would have it, the former tenant left behind an enormous L shaped desk. Super functional, super ugly. Don’t get me wrong – there is nothing wrong with faux wood laminate, but there is nothing right with it either. And it’s just not a good neutral surface for making stuff, you know?
So I called a charitable organization to come and pick it up, but there was a four week wait. I went ahead and decided if I was going to live with it for four weeks, I could jazz it up and live with it for good. So I got my drill out and unbolted the underbelly, split the L shape in two, then thanks to Kathryn’s suggestion on Instagram, I reached out to Chasing Paper to see about covering it up in style. Removable wallpaper FTW!
If you have been following my blog for a while you know I am a long-time fan of Chasing Paper’s removable wallpaper. I used it to cover my fridge the first time and the second time, and this summer I used it to create an accent wall in my bedroom in under and hour. Love this stuff! So when I saw that one my favorite artists, Lisa Congdon, partnered with Chasing Paper to create a line of traffic-stoppingly-cool new patterns, I was smitten. This needed to happen!
Oh man are these cool. I’m tempted to call them 70s Folksy San Francisco-Scandanavian looking but if you know Lisa’s work they are really Lisa looking, which is why I love them. If you are not familiar with her work, check out her shop, or even better – take art lessons from her over on Creative Bug.
Speaking of lessons, let me show you how easy this was…
BAM. Peel and stick, baby. Peel and stick! No glue. No special tools. Just the paper and box cutter.
It took about two hours by myself. I used 8 sheets, but I probably could have done it in less if I had not matched seams or covered the inner side walls. This desk has more angles and edges than my previous projects so I was a little concerned, but it was super easy. Just stick it down and smooth it out. Larger patterns like this are surprisingly forgiving, and even on the underside where I gave up on trying to match seams, it still looks terrific!
This particular pattern screams COLORING BOOK (and you know I love a good coloring book). Think I’m going to start with the inside panels and see if it grows from there. I like the idea of keeping a cool/neutral/black/white background for more colorful painting and craft projects, but I also like the idea of it becoming colored with time. Speaking of which, in case you are curious, the flat surface on top is already stain and water resistant. The paper is almost like a lightweight vinyl. Water beads up on top – it does not soak in on contact. It’s not plastic like oil cloth, but I have gotten some paint smudges on it in the past month and they wipe right off if I get in a timely manner. The paper is not created to be a flat work surface, but by golly it’s doing the job just fine.
This is my view to the front. Not too shabby…
Oh, and did I mention there is a fireplace?
This wallpaper looks real good with a fireplace.
There are still plenty of improvements I’d like to make, starting with that ceiling fan (not a fan) (no pun intended)) and I’d like to get a more substantial work chair for me (I’m trolling Craigslist for a wingback with roller feet) and some more comfortable guest chairs than these red aluminum castoffs from my dining room days of yore. The red chairs are cute, but some very important people are going to sit in here and I’d like them to be comfortable.
Yes, Abraham. You are a very important person and you deserve more comfortable chairs. Patience!
The rest of the room is an undulating work surface or flowers and stripes and glitter and whatever else the day has in store. The Christmas workshop situation is about to explode up in here and I’m excited to see it happen. My hope it that it will be as beautiful as it is functional and this desk is the anchor piece to it all!
– Thank you so much to Elizabeth at Chasing Paper for making another one of my removable wallpaper dreams come true (she is the bestest!)
– Thank you to Lisa for designing this beautiful design which will become the visual soundtrack to many new creative adventures.
– Thank you to Kathryn for giving me the idea in the first place.
– Thank you to the doctor lady who used to rent this space and left behind a massive desk in need of a makeover.
– And thank you to YOU for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.
Visit Chasing Paper online, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
I am sooo glad you didn’t donate the desk! Re-making it is totally you and what fun to work with this removable paper! All the paintings and the dog and the light and NOW THE DESK – I love your space, Peaches.
Thanks Michelle! Wish we lived close so you could come over for a crafternoon!
Holy Cow! This desk is amazing!
Love, Love, Love it!
Love the paper – great job on the desk. I do have one question though…. you have a dog?!
Ha! That’s my friend Kiki’s dog Abe. I used to walk him at lunch when I was working from home but now I just take him with me to work everyday. He’s my “studio assistant” and keeps me company 🙂
Love it!!!
Thanks Emily!
Love that wallpaper!
Thanks Ann!
Beautifully done! I remember your wallpaper-ed fridge too 🙂 looking so cute!
My friend decoupaged the blades of her kitchen ceiling fan and it turned out very nice. I imagine you will do something similar
Oooo – I had not thought of that! What a great ice a- thanks!
That is one awesome office!
I have an utt-bugly computer desk at home circa 1988. Wood laminate. Oh my. My head swims with possibilities.
I love the red chairs. To me, they say, “Aunt Peaches”, although I’ll bet sitting in them is akin to sections of concrete. I’m imagining design (wallpaper maybe) on the backs, or glitter. I think IKEA chairs would be boring, although you’d make them fabulous. (Rhinestones? Flamingos? Rhinestone flamingos?) Maybe all these need is padding in the seat area. My daughter was cleaning and gave me a set of those seat cushion thingees (Technical term, I know.) to add to my Goodwill donation bag. You know them. They tie to the back of a chair and provide minimal cushioning to a seat. The design is straight outta 1975. BUT, they are machine washable and I actually like the kitsch. My cats love them, too, which is a double score in my book. You could probably find a couple at Goodwill or a thrift store, like you need a reason to go thrifting.
I love your office space. I can’t wait to see what creations you’ll have for us thanks to being surrounded by art.
Agreed – good seat cushions are a thing of beauty!
WANT… no… NEED ALL of those FABULOUS PAINTINGS!!!! WOWZAS!!!!
A-Dor-A-Ble! I like the neutral desk in the midst of all the color. Now we have to see the other side of the room. Where’s the work bench, the glitter, the craziness?I’m so proud of you for being so successful that you can rent space. Really. What else do you need for the space? how far is it from your house? You have to sell some of those paintings. Your public won’t let you rest until you do. Extremely proud, Ann
Thanks Ann! It feels pretty nifty to have a set place to work on my own. It’s about 15 minutes from the house. I’m still working on the other half of the room…it is a mess right now (and not the pretty kind). One leg at a time! More to follow:)
I love it SO MUCH! I will have to come down and see it very soon! Before it gets too cold (boo)
It looks great! same as the studio!!!
I love your bright and Cheery office! I saw your desk makeover on chasing paper IG and had to see it for myself on your blog, you are talented and have a great style! I especially love the floral artwork with the bold pattern backdrop. Are you the artist? I would love more info about were I could buy something like that! Thanks Brittany
Thanks Brittany! Yes I am the artist. The large square one is pretty old (I used it specifically to cover an air conditioner vent in the wall – it’s not useful this time of year!)….the others are mine as well. I’m hoping to open an online shop soon, so stay tuned! People on my weekly email list will get first notice so sign up if you want first crack. Thanks for the kind words! -A
SOOOO much better than just painting the desk!
Now lets hear about where that beautiful gold gem lamp base is from??
It came from the Land of Nod outlet store. I fear they no longer sell it (which is why I found them at the outlet for $6 – can you believe that? I bought two!). I saw something semi-similar at Target not long ago, though 🙂
lucky you! I am putting it out into the thrifting universe that I too can find a $6 lamp. I think I saw the Target version too. I will have to make the trek back to the far away store. The one close to me doesn’t have any of the good stuff. 🙁
Thank you!
i guess i haven’t been by since all of the changes but i love the website updates and your new studio! i saw your post yesterday about your paintings- they are all so lush and beautiful and have inspired me to get back at it- cracking into my supply stash as soon as i’m done here! lastly, is there a reason you’ve done away with dates on posts and comments? congratulations on all of the exciting happenings!
Thanks for coming by Sheila! I’m actually looking into the next round of site updates, so stay tuned. I got rid of all automated dates for SEO purposes. 30% of my traffic comes from search engines, and my content receives lower ranking when they pick up on dates more than two years old. Most my content is designed to be evergreen, so, the dates had to go.
i LOVE YOUR DESK…. oK, Where did this cute dog come from?? Where is Lola ??? I have been missing out ? … but still love your desk…
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