So when I first started talking about the design and my plans for the guest bedroom/office, it was 6 months ago. I think when you write about interior design for a living or even if you just absorb a ridiculous amount of content regarding interiors in your every day life, you are constantly influenced and pulled in different directions – one day something looks fresh and new and then a few months later, you see it all over Pinterest and on lots of blogs and suddenly you are tired of it, even if it hasn’t become a big ‘trend’ in the mass-consumer market kind of way. And then something ELSE catches your eye and THAT becomes the next new and fresh idea… AND DEAR GOD NOW I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT. And well, yeah, I think those kinds of influences came into play when I first started to think about the design for this room.
Now, it wasn’t even very long after that first mood board was published here on Swoon Worthy that it started to niggle at me. I don’t know what it was but even though I had all the colour and texture that I normally crave in a room design, it felt like it was missing something. It didn’t quite feel ME enough. I wanted something just a little edgier, a little sexier. A little more swoon worthy, I guess. But because we were nowhere near ready with the room itself, I shelved it for a while, knowing I’d be revisiting it when the time came.
Over these last few months, I’ve done a few things that have changed the course of the room. One of those things was using the rug that had originally been purchased for the office in the dining room. And to be honest, I loved it so much in the dining room, that I knew I’d simply have to purchase another for the office.
My first inclination was to simply buy another that was similar but having the opportunity to totally rethink it, I started considering other options. Well, I decided to go a totally different direction from the graphic ‘preppy’ look of the previous version. When I stumbled upon this one in Joss & Main, I knew I’d found my rug. The great thing was, I had a rather decent credit on the site (£100) – and I was just waiting for the perfect thing to spend it on. Well, because of that credit, I got it for a mere £18! Bargain or what?!
I also ended up with a few things that weren’t in my original design but I knew I wanted to use in the room. For instance, I got an incredible discount (40% off! OHEMGEE) on the Habitat Tessellate wall light – something I’d been eyeing for months – and so that was a really easy decision/purchase to make.
And as it’s no longer on the site (I’m so sorry, Habitat, I have no idea what you’re thinking taking this one off*), I’m pleased I snapped it up when I did. You guys – THIS LIGHT. Dear god, this light. I mean, this is what it looked like when I plugged it in STILL IN THE PACKAGING and it still in no way does it justice. I can’t even.
*Update! I heard from the lovely folks at Habitat and they said it’s offline only because they’ve sold out but more will be back in stock shortly! Whoop!
Speaking of lighting, I also worked with Mia Fleur and receiving that sexy black and gold desk lamp for review was another step in the totally sexy swoon worthy direction.
So slowly, the room started to evolve into something slightly different. And the more it evolves, the happier I become with it. That said, there are a few BIG items I need to purchase – the first and most important one being the desk. The desk you see in my moodboard and below is inspiration only (with a £1250 price tag – ermmm yeah but no). I went on and on about getting a white desk but now I’m thinking black gloss with brass hardware – très sexy, non?
I’m thinking of finding something with similar substantial lines inexpensively on eBay and getting Wayne to lacquer it at work (with car spray paint – that’s what he does for a living if you haven’t been reading here long and yes, I know I’m ridiculously fortunate to have someone like that at my disposal!).
I am also thinking of something mid-century for the sideboard (again, the one in my moodboard is £350, far more than I am considering spending) but I want to get the desk first before considering exactly what particular style will work with this. So bear in mind, that’s still undecided.
Now some of these items are ones that are definites – and others aren’t. Only because I haven’t found them in my price range yet! Here’s where we are with the moodboard right now…
So as a recap, this is what I’ve already purchased/acquired: The ceiling light / parrot & landscape framed prints from Cozamia / South Sea wallpaper / Tessellate Wall light/ the rug / desk lamp / green Chiang Mai Dragon cushion / Caitlin Wilson fabric for the other cushions or whatever else I may need it for.
I’m currently waiting on (shipping soon) that freaking amazing hanging pod chair. I’ll talk more about this one in February when I get it!
Without the desk, I haven’t decided on the sideboard and without the sideboard, I haven’t decided on lamps yet! That amazing leopard print chair is also not 100% decided until I get the desk as well although you know me – a bit of animal print never goes amiss around these parts.
So here’s how the design has evolved:
So I guess the point of this post, aside from sharing what’s going on in my brain in terms of the design for this room is that it’s okay to change your mind. To start a moodboard that’s going in one direction and suddenly find it evolve into something slightly different. It’s all part of the process and it doesn’t mean that you are going to nail it the first time you sit down to make design decisions – especially if it’s something that will take some time. Honing your own individual style making sure the room is one you love and then sourcing all the individual components is time consuming but so very worth the effort.
So… what do you think of the new look? Do you stick rigidly to your original design and don’t waiver? Or like me, do you find your own rooms changing and morphing over time (even if only in your mind/on ‘paper’)? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I’m so excited you’re moving in this direction! It will be so sophisticated!
Thanks Molly! I’m quite excited myself ;) xx
Totally always changing my mind on things. Usually right after I finish it for the first time! Design is always evolving and unless you’re one of those people who can afford to do the whole room from top to bottom in one go then it naturally evolves over time anyway.
I love the new direction, it’s pushing to the edge of your usual look and adding in some new elements with a twist. Once you’ve nailed a look it’s so great to then start experimenting. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Thanks darling and it’s so true! Not one room in my home would I consider ‘done’ – it’s never done! xx
Love love love the rug, and that desk…! Wow.
Really liked the original moodboard, but now I’ve seen this I think it all hangs together much better with the new rug. It’s totally fine to change up things as you go along. Since I buy a lot of things on eBay or in charity shops it often totally depends on the big pieces as to the direction a look will take. At the moment though, not a lot of decor going on in my new place, just focusing on getting unpacked and the worst stuff fixed up a bit! :-)
When I do get to the furniture, can you actually hire Wayne to lacquer stuff? I was planning on using a car spray place for a couple of things and you’re pretty close, and if he knows what he is doing…?! No worries if not of course!
Thanks Anna! I usually have a good idea in terms of style on eBay but like you, it’s a little difficult without actually having the piece itself :)
Alas, Wayne can’t be ‘hired out’! He works at a dealer garage that allows him to do his own stuff but he wouldn’t be able to take on any other work for other people – I’m so sorry about that but definitely check out some of the garages in your area ;)
Good luck with the new place! xxx
Genuinely not just saying it to justify you changing your mind, but your new mood board. Is yes. It’s got SUCH a deeper feeling to it. Big time digging the black and gold accents mixed with all that pink. I think I crept hard when you tweeted about that light fixture, but in case there was any doubt, that light fixture is sensual. Oh god I’m so jealous.
xx A
LOL! I know the light is just all kinds of amazing – I can’t wait to get it on the wall! Thank you my dear! xxx
I LOVE that rug! I can’t believe I just said that – we looked for a rug for our lounge for months and eventually settled on something we’re both ‘meh’ about as we couldn’t find anything that grabbed us. Clearly need to hone my shopping skills so I can get something as sassy as your rug! Your office is gonna look totally beautiful :).
It’s so hard to find a good rug isn’t it?!It’s like I know what I want but FINDING it is a completely different story ;) Thanks so much, can’t wait to actually start getting the design going! xx
The rug is amazing! Good call! Your new mood board is quite eclectic boho glam–with a side of sexy! Love it!
Yay! That’s exactly the kind of look I was hoping for! xxx
Oh yes, I like the evolution. I like it a lot.
Ha! Thanks Sue! :D xx
The first mood board looked great but you really took it to a Swoonworthy-next-level with the second mood board!
Aww cheers Anne! Yep, I knew it needed work but I’m pretty happy with the evolution myself :D xxx
Ohhh this is even better than before! So much better! The only thing that doesn’t 100 % delight me is the leopard print chair(on the inspiration board, on its own it is glorious!). And I like how this posts fits my worry the other day about me taking forever with decorating and my taste changing all the time :)
The rug is seriously great, and I am so happy the blue rug gets to stay in the dining room, because I love how it looks there and was a bit worried about whether the office would love the rug as much as your dining room does.
Funny coincidence: There are two companies here that do spray painting (for cars), and I’ve often wondered if they would take furniture to paint, too.
Aww thanks Alex! Well the chair still has a question mark over it so it may end up in there, it may not! We’ll have to see whether I change my mind 45 more times by the time I get in there ;) I’m happy about the blue rug too – I think you are right, it couldn’t be happier than in the dining room!
Ahh you should ask them about spraying furniture! I will warn you, it’s not cheap but the finish is incredible! xx
Love the new direction!! Can you provide any more information on the rug? The link takes me to the general Joss and Main site and I don’t believe the UK site ships stateside. Thanks!
Amazingly, I found it in the US – the make is ‘Kaleidoscope’: http://www.arvestrugs.com/store/p191/Kaleidoscope.html
Hope that helps! xx
Thanks so much for the link! Now I just have to talk my husband into it. :)
That rug is completely GORGEOUS with a side of hot damn! I am loving the way this has evolved and it has more of a rich feel now! Totally on board with the black and brass :)
Yay! Thanks so much Kristin – I think so too :D xx
Absolutely love everything about the new look!!
Aww thank you! xx
I love the new moodboard! It´s much more like you (can I say this if I don´t even know you? heh anyway :-D )
I´d love to know how you decide on a wall paint colour based on this moddboard. Or is it still too early for choosing paint? Or are you planning to paint the room white?
And I´d also find it cool if you had one of your paintings standing on an easel in the room. Given you have enough place for it. Just an idea…
good luck!
Ha! Of course you can say that and I fully agree – it is much more ‘me’ ;)
The room will be predominantly white (aside from the wallpaper on the chimney breast) so it’s pretty simple to choose a colour! ;)
I like the idea of a painting on an easel! Will have to think if I have room for it – thanks for the suggestion! xxx
Kimberly… love the new mood board! The leopard chair, black desk with its touches of gold, lighting, the rug!….all very classy and sexy! I want it all! :-)
So pleased you like it! Thank you!! xxx
Wow Kimberley love the direction the moodboard is taking! I have a wedding blog but am also planning my own wedding so I know EXACTLY what you mean about getting overexcited with being exposed to sooo much pretty all of the time.
The new rug makes it look like a proper office. Love it!
Oh I could just imagine planning a wedding when you have a wedding blog – I think my head would burst from too much inspiration!
Thanks so much and congratulations! ;) xxx
oh I love what I’m seeing and that rug is phenomenal!
Love the plan. It feels much more you. And I believe it to be fabulous.
LOVE this. I loved the first mood board and still loving it with the new direction! I can’t wait to see where it all ends up- I’m sure it will be fabulous in execution!!
Absolutely swooning over here! This is going to be a to-die-for space!!! I have to say – I see desks in that shape/style all the time on the Dallas Craigslist! If only I could scoop one up for you and then make a little trip over to deliver it ;) I can’t wait to see how your room turns out!
I love the new mood board! Looking sleek!! x
Love the Kaleidescope rug! The colors are just yummy. Also really love that light. So gorgeous. This room is gonna be one for the books!
Looooooooove! Bit late to the party here, but I love the new mood board! I particularly love that rug and I can tell you, if they did it in a larger size I would totally copy you and buy one for my living room, which is crying out for a new rug (and whole new look, but that’s another story!).
Beautiful room, love your style! Can I just ask what you use to put your mood boards together? I’m currently re-doing my first house and mood boards would definitely help!
Thank you! I just use Photoshop Linda! Cut out and place the images on a white background – that’s it ;)
xxx