Hello! Jillian here, and it’s time for another One Room Challenge! If you are new to our blog, welcome! Check out our About page to learn more about us, and poke around a bit! It’s my third time around the One Room Challenge rodeo, and I keep coming back for more because it motivates me to finish a room to completion. This round I am giving my office a major refresh. Below are a photos from my past One Room Challenge makeovers of my guest bedroom and my daughter’s room.
Here is a little about how the One Room Challenge (ORC) works. The featured designers are shown first, and then the next day guest participants (like me) are invited to link up their ORC rooms too. There are usually hundreds of guest participants, and their projects are super inspiring, so you will want to spend some time over there. Also, click here to check out some of the great things happening over at Calling It Home. 
This go around I am tackling The Brick Nests HQ (I know, it’s very official sounding!). This room’s function has actually evolved for us in the time we have lived in this house. Before our basement was refinished and when the children were too little to navigate the stairs (wait, there was a time when they couldn’t jump down several stairs at a time???) we used it as a first floor playroom. A computer on a desk was the only sign of it ever being used as an office space. Well, the children went and grew up in the six years we have lived here, learned to walk down the stairs, and accumulated more toys than this room could handle. So we refinished the basement and turned it into a playroom (but I’m not showing you that disaster area anytime soon). Last year Lisa and I started this blog (read our Year in Review post here) and have frequent meetings in this office/playroom, so it’s time to make this room a dedicated blog HQ (no toys allowed).
Since it had been functioning as a playroom, I hadn’t really put much effort into decorating it, and it shows. Really all I did up until this point was add some new curtains, a rug, and lots o’ junk (I mean toys). Here are the before photos when the room was being cleaned out to be painted. Much of said junk is gone, but they are still scary before photos.
Okay, now that’s over, so let’s move on to the plan! Here is a room idea board I created so you can see what my vision for The Brick Nests HQ looks like.
This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.
I am very excited about painting these walls gray, and we will chat more about paint next week! The paint color is a much needed change and a major driving force for this office redo! I plan to use some vibrant art for pops of color, as well as pillows with bold purple and coral in the print. I adore this simple but interesting flush mount light and the warm, textured rug. To complete the room I am planning on reusing and repositioning existing furniture, as well as bringing in some new additions.
That’s all for now, folks! Check back next week and we’ll chat about paint and rugs. Looking ahead, here is the game plan for the next five weeks.
Week 2–Rugs and paint choices (the tricky grays)
Week 3–Art, art, and more art
Week 4–Accessorizing the built-in bookshelves with an unexpected collection
Week 5–Furniture
Week 6–Reveal
Thanks for stopping by today! We would love for you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch! See you next week!
Author Profile
- My nest is not a museum, it is a comfortable, charming, unique, fabulous home with young children. I have high-end custom pieces, vintage tag sale finds, authentic antiques, colorful prints, and basic box store staple furniture. There are many ways to add functional style to your home and I can't wait to share my ideas and inspirations with you!
if you use this space a lot, it needs to inspire you! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Thanks Morgan I agree! I do use the space so a little inspiration is good! I also use my laundry space (a lot) and just left you a comment about your space!
This is going to be such a great space for you when you are finished! Can’t wait to see the progress!
It is a great space and I am excited to have a true office space too. Thanks for reading Michelle!
I love the mood board and look forward to watching this transformation!
Thank you Jeanie for your comment! I am super excited for this room transformation too!
I just painted our basement gray but need to accessorize. I love the bright colors in your inspiration picture!
Thanks Mary! I love the gray wall color trend but need some bright colors in my rooms too!
Having a functional home office is a must, and the biggest plus when it’s just as appealing visually. I know you’ll love it! Can’t wait to follow along with your progress through this challenge. Good luck!
Thank you Iris I totally agree! Thanks for reading and following along!
What a great space! The scallop on the bookcases!!! SWOON. Love your plan. It will be fab!! So happy to journey with you for the Fall ORC. Looking so forward to seeing more and more!!! Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thanks Susie! It is a great room with a lot of character, I can’t wait to update it!
What fun colors! So jealous you have a room dedicated for a home office! That is one thing I wish my house had!
I love your inspiration board especially that light fixture. I can’t wait to see the office makeover! Jess at Just Jess
Thank you Jess! I do adore that light fixture too ( I haven’t bought it yet… TBD)! Thanks for reading today!
Jillian – this is going to be awesome! I love your ideas and can’t wait to see the big reveal in a few weeks!
Thanks Jen! I’m looking forward to the big reveal in just a few weeks also! Be well and thanks for reading!
I love the items that you’ve sourced for your office makeover. Can’t wait to see how everything comes together!
Thank you Tee! I’m excited to put it all together. Thanks for reading!
I love all the color for your inspiration!! It is so great to see so many of us using bright bold colors. I can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Thank you Susanne! I do love color especially for a gal office!
So much potential! I love everything in your plan. I’m terrible with mixing color and patterns. I admire your choices, and I learned something too.
Thank you Stacy! I do love to mix lots of patterns and colors, I’m hoping it all comes out okay!
I love how you’re using colour! This is going to be a beautiful space!
Thanks Lindi! I love color so wanted to office to have some bright fun colors too!