Hi everyone. I disappeared l last night because I decided to try to reassemble the desk but it was a massive FAIL. The holes where the large bolts were holding some of it together were completely ripped out. The top is still in one piece, but it is in terrible shape because I had a desk pad on it that has disintegrated and ruined the top of it, plus there's lots of other damage. (Even though it looked OK in the pics I posted.)

Anyway, today I've been focusing on cleaning other parts of the house because my office is such a disaster. I would love to order a new desk, as well as those rolling carts that Flo suggested for my closet... I may at least get the carts! Anyone have a good recommendation for really strong white wall-mounted shelves that can hold a LOT of textbooks?

OK, I'm looking at Ikea desks too, for the future... any recommendations? I'm looking at the Alex right now. I don't want anything that is too shallow.

How often do you need access to text books. I don’t recommend wall mounted shelves for heavy anything. A free standing bookcase that can be secured to wall (so little ones don’t tip over on them). Look at IKEA for this too.

I need access frequently—I’m a college prof. And now I’m teaching online from home! Ok, a free-standing bookcase it is. I have another one in the house that might work fine for now, and will get wall shelves for above desk or table for lighter storage and display purposes. Then I’ll move the one my dad made to the basement.

Have you checked out The Container Store? I’ve had Elfa systems installed for closets, offices and work spaces in my office and closets;, in my son’s loft; and in studios for schools where I consulted. Lots of options, flexibility, incredible durability and strength. No problems ever with any use since 1998. Only change I’ve experienced is improved ease of installing and rearranging the flexible shelving. Worth every penny.

photo from containerstore.com

Where are you keeping the text books now? In the bookcase we convinced you to put in the closet? Might need that bookcase back out in the room, especially if you access them frequently.

Yes, it’s in the closet for now. But I have a swap in mind from elsewhere in the house. Will get H to hwlp me move it tomorrow. :)

dsimber- I love that picture! Is that your craft room?

Noooo. I wish! But I don’t have any of those crafting skills. Take out the sewing machine, though, and you have a good idea of the spaces I planned with the help of the Elfa designers.

I will edit previous post to add the source! Container Store. One of my favorite places.

Thanks! I love the container store too. A system like that might be my long-term plan.

Watch for their twice-a-year Elfa sale. The cool thing is that you can just keep adding onto the system. I started with the storage drawers for my son’s closet. Then I bought the file carts. The shelves are just the best ever!

@melismak, I have ikea Alex desk and I can vouch that they’re a great deal. The drawers slide easily and hold a lot of stuff. The drawer units can be purchased separate and there’s a wider version would be good for a printer stand. that’s my desk area in photo below, room still a work in progress too and it’s messy lol! I can’t use much of the closet in this room, that’s why I have the cabinets and decided to go vertical with storage. The sign I found was too good to pass up.

Oh, I love that!!

ikea delivers for a flat $99 ... tempting. Those desks are so reasonable.

If you want to be practical ..use one of your bookcases on top of desk or wider counter.. nothing better than having books at eye level.. no fun bending down to look for a book in a floor level book case

Since you’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future in these uncertain times, it may be a good time to plan and evaluate how you need your office to function. For example could the table function without another desk if you had better storage.
I’ve also heard if family/neighbours/coworkers splitting the cost if IKEA orders because they have the one flat fee. There could be others you know that are working from home and thinking “boy this office could use a facelift” lol!

I’d love to forego another desk, if the table ends up being adequate.

Alright. Since I was at Lowe’s anyway in search of bleach wipes, I got some impulse paint. Charcoal and blush For the walls, not sure if I will do a two tone look or just paint all theee pink and the fourth charcoal or what. And a darker pink for the closet. If I hate it I’ll change it later.

That sounds nice, and you’re right it’s just paint, easily changed if it’s a DIY.

Thanks! I was inspired by that picture someone posted up thread of the room with charcoal walls and a pink closet, and then another poster who had the pic of their office with half blush walls.

I painted my husbands office navy in top and white below a chair rail and I really love how it

turned out, so I am hoping something similar might happen here!

Stay tuned!! I’m moving a bookcase up from elsewhere in the house. I mean, this is major excitement after a week indoors!!

Any luck with the bookcase? Anything to share?

Of course, no painting yet. I have to wait until the mood strikes. I really don’t enjoy the mess of painting, but I SO enjoy it when it’s finished!

Again, I got two colors of pink, one light and one slightly darker. I thought I’d maybe paint three walls pink and one charcoal. The closet will be the darker pink.

I will start by painting the ceiling which is always the worst part, IMO.

can someone tell me, do I need to prime the small portion of the wall that’s bare drywall even if my paint includes primer? I feel like the answer is yes, i still need to prime.

Oh, and I ordered the Iris seven-drawer storage units that Flo recommended! Unfortunately Target only shipped one so I called them and the other is on its way.

My office is messy still... slowly ramping up to paint and getting rid of stuff. Overall it’s much better already thanks to all of the helpful folks in this thread!

The bookcase looks good, much more space and therefore more negative space, making it less busy looking. As far as drywall, I’m not a pro but I believe you need a specified primer that’s for new drywall.

I hate the messy middle of painting!

Coming along. Do you like color?

I'm honestly not sure yet. I think I will once everything is put back together. I *always* get cold feet at this point because the room looks horrible no matter what when everything is so disheveled. It's a very pretty shade; I think my main concern is how my MCM furniture looks with it.

I can't decide whether I should paint the fourth wall dark grey, or not.

I really need to finish this so I can get my office back. I know it's hard with colors not to be in the room and feel what the color is like in person. But do you think it would be better to paint the fourth wall grey or paint it pink too?

For a small room, with lots going on, paint all four walls the same color.

Yeah the wall has ATV or anything Gray on it you could always painted Gray otherwise pain at all one color your ceiling can be a color

From the beginning the charcoal did sound wrong to me...this is uplifting...warm....makes the space feel roomy....

Yes, I really like it now that I’ve cleaned up and put everything back together!!

I am concerned this color is too strong but if you love it. I would do the window wall in much lighter pink. Add 50% white. Test that. Use gray in art or other accents.

Thanks! It may be, but I’ll live with it for now since I can’t spend any more time painting.

I understand that. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Just a few art ideas. Can order on line pretty easy. 😉

I kinda like it too, maybe the room as a whole looks a bit incomplete. I’m not sure of adding charcoal though. I found this photo and pink seems very similar to yours and I love the little touch of purple with it.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/writing-desk-in-master-bedroom-transitional-home-office-st-louis-phvw-vp~138060206

Oh, I love that picture Marlene! Yes, it does look somewhat incomplete. I usually hang art with command strips because I hate filling in the holes later if I want to move things around. I have to wait awhile before I can use command strips on fresh paint. I have another painting to hang, as well as my bulletin board.

Thanks Flo! I really do like that art. For now I am going to focus on buying storage pieces -- I did get the Iris drawers you mentioned above but Target for some reason only shipped one instead of two. The other should be here tomorrow. If those fit well and I like them, I'll order two more.

Sure. I was just giving you ideas for future. I love the Target units. I have had them for years and with wheels, I think you can put 4 in your closet then as you load them, put items you use least in back units and frequently used in front units. I have moved 4 times and they stay fine and I simply reuse them in different ways.

Yes, they’re great! I love the one I have so far.

I love command hooks too, use them a lot. It makes sense to focus on the organization right now, and the rest can be taken care of later.
BTW, love your original art from your MIL.
And I just wanted to mention since you liked the last photo I sent, that lamp based can be spray painted. I did a pair last year and they turned out good and still no issues. They were $10 garage sale find so I wasn’t particularly worried if I messed them up though.

I love the art you have up. that, and the midcentury furniture help make the pink feel more "mature". you're doing a great job, it looks terrific!

I will just add that I’ve moved many times, and a room never feels right until I hang the art. I followed your link and saw the color of shelves was similar to some of your furniture. The black desk, however, is what drew my eye. Do you have any black in the room? Or is there anything you would be willing to paint black? (I recall that you just love to paint. Haha.)