Back in January, I talked about the progress that I was making in redecorating my office. My side of the road chairs had received slipcovers and a repurposed luggage rack and tray made for a grand side table. Makeover Monday Decorating with Vintage Linens.
Makeover Monday Decorating with Vintage Linens
I had a few things left to finish. The first being that my office assistant likes to stay close to me. However, due to dachshund back issues, he needed a wee bit of help climbing onto “his” chair.
I had this small ottoman that once belonged to my great grandmother. This was the “before” photo. (You can also see what the chairs once looked like.)
Once again, thank goodness for slipcovers! Now he can climb up in style. The ticking cloth was sewn inside out for a bit of contrast against the chairs.
Another issue I was struggling with was how to dress the one window in the room. It was an awkward size and on an angle. If that wasn’t enough of a challenge, it also sat between two heavy pieces of furniture. The desk and a large bookshelf.
I had tried white linen panels from Pottery Barn, but they were too visually heavy for the area. Next, came a valance, then a cornice. Both seemed to cut the window off at the wrong height. Roman shade, nope, that didn’t work either. Over the weekend I began sorting through my collection of vintage and antique linen in preparation for this Friday’s auction on Décor To Adore. I came across a piece I just loved, an Edwardian cotton lawn tablecloth. I held it up to the window to once again admire the design. Wait! Rewind! I held it up to the window…
The design really was so pretty and perfect for spring.
The fabric was so sheer that it didn’t block any of my precious sunshine. When pulled to the side, the pretty scalloped edge became a focal point.
So I rummaged through my vintage and antique laces and found the perfect tieback.
The “before” once more.
Putting the “ah” in after.
Lastly, I decided to keep the white linen chair as my office chair and the old bankers chair will be going on Craigslist. There was an issue of one Sweet Boy occasionally sitting down to the computer in unclean jeans and the office assistant begging on a daily basis to get a closer look at the computer monitor via my lap.
“Look at me! I am so cute! Don’t you just want to pick me up?”
“Oh I am so sorry my paws are dirty, but pleeeaaasssse pick me up!”
So enter in the shabby linen ruffled chair seat cover I purchased from French Garden House. When my boys get the slipcover dirty I just pop it in the wash thus keeping my upholstered white linen chair clean.
Now I am off to continue photographing and uploading all the yummy vintage and antique fabrics and linens in preparation for Friday’s auction.
What’s on your Monday “to do” list?
Laura
Well, that worked out, Laura, and you didn't even have to spend money! I love that slip on your desk chair. I will have to check out the site.
Beautiful changes.
I love the window treatment. I am delighted to hear about vintage linens for the auction. I have an especially soft spot in my heart for vintage linens.
ooooooh!!! you did it! the window looks GREAT!
happy, happy, HAPPY!
🙂
good job–sometimes good things DO come to those who wait(and being a pack rat doesn't hurt either, does it?)
happy monday to you!
So pretty I especially love how you reversed the fabric on the footstool. Great Job!!
Hi Laura,
Your office is just beautiful……..and sooooo clean! I hope you don't squeal in disgust at my messy house. I always put creating over cleanliness (really it's just that I can't keep 2,600 sq. ft. clean). I call it creative clutter! I so wish I was going to be at your luncheon…I just know it's going to be lovely and fun. Have a lovely day!
Hugs,
Meri
the chairs look great, love the intials on them. The window turned out so pretty. Thought of you last night, NBC had a special on Diana and Charles wedding!
Poor little guy needs help on the chair! Too, too cute!!!
What a perfect solution for the window in your office. I love that old tablecloth with the basket. I'm curious about the “Edwardian cotton lawn” tablecloth. How in the world did you know this? I “adore” 😉 old linens and it would be fun to learn more about them.
My day? Working on silk florals for my upcoming show!
Donna
Laura your office makeover turned out great! I love the blue ticking on your chairs. I've always had a thing for wing back chairs. The window treatments look terrific with such a beautiful pattern on them…love the lace tie back too! Your office assistant is precious too! Have a great week.
Denise
Absolutely lovely!!! Ahhh, what a cutie! The accommodations we make for our babies!!!
Ohhhhh, I'm anxiously awaiting Friday!!!!
xxoo
Laura, you did an absolutely beautiful job on that office, sweetpea! You are the inspiration on what can be done for small spaces with curbside finds. Love it. Very, very nice, sugar!
xoxo,
Connie
Laura, I am so in love with your chairs that I have been back several times since the original post just to look at them! The curtains are perfect for this room and everything looks beautiful.
Hugs,
Sherry
You are very brave to use white with our “two” boys, LOL!
Hi Laura,
Your office is so beautiful. I love all the changes that you have made to it. Great job! Best of luck on your auction.
Have a wonderful week,
Kathy M.
Very pretty Laura!!
I am so glad that that tablecloth got clean ( I never doubt your talents!) and now you can enjoy it! It all looks lovely. I had so much fun with you on Friday, and Saturday will be wonderful!!! Have a lovely week… xoxo
Jenny
The new (well old I guess)window covering looks perfect, fresh and lovely. I'm still working on details in my new office/studio as well. When oh when does it ever feel “finished”. I had some plans that were going to have me outside today but this blustery weather has arrived so I'm rearranging 🙂
I loveeeeeeeeeee the window turned out and your puppy is adorable! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Love the slipcovers, they are fantastic. Everything is so pretty. Love it all. Hugs, Marty
Lovely ideas!
God bless,
d
Love the chairs and stool…so pretty!
So pretty and love the monograms!
xo Cathy
LOVE the window and the ottoman; if I were there I would scoop up little M. Rudi! I am feeling human again after 15 hours of sleep last night!
I LOVE the drape, and the ottoman! That was me, erroneously a minute ago; sending M. Rudi a hug too~ A
I look wonderful, and the chairs are very inviting too!
Laura,
I love your blue and white slipcovers. They are perfect. I have a few piece that I would love to do the same. I am so happy that you are using your grand's little stool. So sweet.
And speaking of sweet, your little pup is preicous! I can see who is the boss of your house!
xo Yvone
I just love how everything turned out. Those slip covers are so cute and washable.
Your Grommit comment was funny. Thanks for looking. Boy, I just love what you did with those chairs. I too, have a cute vintage tablecloth on a window in my kitchen. It covers the back door window. Lets in just enough light and hides the back porch when I need it to. I , to, love rummaging through my old linens to find uses for them. Have a great week!
Leslie
I love the table cloth curtains and tell your office assistant I would love to pick him up!!!
Carol
Laura, I am tickled as can be that I forgot to post my “other” four legged fella. He is there now if you would like him along with my favorite collection of cards for men. Silly, but I just love them. Lots of fishing and pipes and ties, LOL. It has been such a pleasure knowing you through you blog. Let me know if you would like this larger version of the Auto Dog! Elizabeth
I remember that window..love your idea. clean and fresh…poor boy won't you pick me up lol..take care
Simply sweet,
from beginning
to end….!
Bet you are getting
excited for France : )
xx Suzanne
Darling! Love the little stool slip cover and the window dressing is just right. 🙂 The little white chair is the kicker though! LOVE IT!
I'm currently working on a little bed for my kitty… She loves to sit under my craft table while I work…
What we do for our loved ones… 🙂
~Liz
P.S. YAY! It's almost tea time!
Laura, what an amazing makeover . The slipcovers completely transformed the chair and ottoman!!
I adore the lawn vintage tablecloth turned window treatment!! Love it all!
Come and enter my giveaway for bath & body!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Love how your office turned out! I too love finds…and have a basement full. I need to create some slip covers for my dining room chairs. Love your little office assistant! I grew up with a dachshund. So cute! It would be hard not to pick him up! I had a Shih-Tzu…same thing…always had to lay on what ever I was working on.
Hugs!
Love the sheer/table cloth, now curtain and of course your little furbaby!!I'll take him!
Warmly,
deb
Everything looks beyond wonderful!! Your office is so ready for you to take the business world by storm. AND…you win for the most adorable office helper ever. xoxo Lidy
I love your obsession with ticking. It identifies you in my mind….makes me love you more! The ottoman and chairs, curtains…everything is wonderful! And so “Laura”! Lisa~
I think your office assistant is just as adorable as any one of mine. I hate to see that bank's chair go, but I know you will do quite well on craigslist with it.
I love Rudi's recovered stool and I just don't believe he get's dirty – no!
Window treatment turned out perfectly. Ann
Fantastic job, Laura! I love antique linens so much and have to avoid antique markets to harness my addiction to collecting them! So pretty, pretty!