Before I share these photos with you, I have to tell you something.
WE ARE NOT SLOBS.
It’s just that, when you combine an almost comical lack of storage with a tendency to hoard collect supplies, and add in a dash of chronic health problems that often leave you too tired to finish projects or clean up after yourself, you end up with this:
Or this:
It’s unreal how much CRAP you can inadvertently collect in six years. We’ve reached a level of non-function in our little one-bedroom apartment, and nowhere has that become more apparent than in my “workspace.”
The the too-small wobbly folding cart engulfed in clutter and the too-large desk by the window where the glare makes photo-editing impossible just don’t inspire productivity. Shocking, I know.
Which is why I’m beyond giddy to finally announce that IKEA Stoughton has partnered with me for a Scandinavian workspace makeover. That’s right, IKEA, baby.
!!!
I’ve been sitting on this secret since early March and OHH, is it good to get it out into the world!
This is going to be epic, you guys. It’s my Scandinavian workspace inspiration come to life—bright white shelves, organized storage boxes, plants. I’m excited.
But no makeover is complete without a few painful “before” pictures, so just grit your teeth and allow me to give you a little tour. This is REAL LIFE, folks, crappy iPhone photos and all.
Two years ago we gave our living room a badly-needed paint job, which took us from this lavender insanity…
…to a much more palatable bright white calm.
At that point I still had a giant desk in the bedroom (the bedroom which also got painted two years ago, and is STILL unfinished), and managed to convince myself that the tasteless monstrosity plus another desk in the new living room would be sufficient.
I can’t believe this is a photo I allowed myself to publish on the blog:
Two desks seems like plenty, until you end up knee-deep in scrapbook paper, craft paint, copper wire, and more washi tape than any one person should own. DIY blogging is a supply-heavy venture, my friends.
The bedroom desk has since been removed, as my style is THANKFULLY no longer vintage kitsch, but that left me here:
I’ve finally realized that I don’t like working in the bedroom, due to it being intended for sleeping and all, and am now completing this lengthy game of musical furniture rotation by moving my workspace to the corner of the living room. Which brings us back to this sad state of affairs:
Hey, it could be worse. It could be lavender.
Soon, so soon, I’ll get to show you how this corner has evolved.
But it always has to get worse before it gets better. At least, that’s how I rationalized the IKEA bomb that went off in my kitchen the day I brought back my future workspace:
AAAAAND, that’s about as much embarrassment as I can handle.
Please someone share their stories of decorating/organizing disasters so I know I’m not alone!
Read the whole series:
Scandinavian workspace inspiration for renters
How to hang heavy shelves on horsehair plaster walls
Scandinavian workspace makeover — The Reveal
Woah! You have come a long way, I can already see you rocking it at your new desk. Freaking awesome Marlene 👌🏻
I can’t wait to show you the final reveal!! I sat at the desk today and it was GLORIOUS! Thank you, Marwa!! xoxo
I love seeing process photos! And your living room is beautiful – it’s crazy how much of a difference a little paint can make. And a few months ago I decided to switch up the dining room/living room/kitchen nook situation… the dining room is now a family room and looks great. The kitchen also looks pretty good… but there is a dining room table and a few other random piece of furniture in the living room and it looks so weird haha. I still haven’t figured out quite what to do about it!
I never want to paint again, but it makes SUCH a difference!! Color is everything. Sounds like you have your own game of musical furniture/room rotation, haha! Good luck getting it sorted out! xoxo
Ok so we don’t have chronic health problems and our place can look twice as bad 😉
Your living room though, WOAH GORG!!!!! I love love love the rug. I can’t WAIT to see what you do with your scandinavian workspace!!!! It’s gonna be so good
Thank you Tan!! And I know, there are many reasons to have clutter, including just having more important things to do. 🙂 I’m so glad you like the living room! Even though it’s been two years since the painting I’m still a huge fan. I sadly had to sell my beautiful kilim though, it was just too much upkeep with all the cat hair! 🙁
Girl, this looks like a normal day inside my brain 😉 I LOVE that rug in your living room! Can’t wait to see the full reveal.
Hahaha, I’m not sure the internet could handle a photo of the mess that is the inside of my brain! Thanks so much! I’m so excited to see the full reveal too, still styling, haha! xoxo