This one is interesting:


~Lyvonne

Kwatts3--I like the desk in terms of going with the wall color and the adjacent hardwood floor. I would pick a credenza to match. I'd be inclined to say that the carpet, if isolated with respect to this area of the house, by 3 walls (can't see the third) seems light and I would say that based on the hardwood color, you could go darker. If you are going to turn this into an office, I would recommend installiing bi-directional shades on the windows, that are light enough to let the light in but dark enough to make it possible to work on a computer when closed. Also, you could create a bit of privacy, but still maintain the open feeling, by installing a sliding/folding shoji screen at the carpet transition. If you were to consult with a Houzz "Find Local Pros" Interior Designer on an hourly basis, I bet you could get some very specific advice on how to make your desired changes, leading to a very satisfactory outcome. Happy Houzzing.

Is your office open to other rooms? If so, you'd need to take the decor in those rooms into consideration. So... it would help us if you posted more pictures of the entire space.
You can attach images if you click on the comment box under here. Good luck.

This is the room directly across from the office - separated only by the formal. Excuse the mess - it's supposed to be a dining room, but is the current "office" !! :) Same dimensions and windows ...

Yes, more info and pics. It does seem very open to other room. How much of a "working" office will this be? Or do you just need a spot for the laptop?

PS: your pic was posted while I was typing!

Ah... right... that is really useful.
So... you want to paint the desk. What about off-white? And having seen the coral colour of your dining room, I would definitely introduce something of that into your office. And have some of the green colour in your dining room. Perhaps you could hang the pictures in your office? I'll see if I can find you some more ideas.

So, are the area rugs in front of your entry door?

Thinking you could turn desk 90 degrees so that when you sit the windows are behind you. Then could move piano on to the long wall. Make it Office/Music room. That would free up your dining area some.

Would look nice to hang great panels on both the home office and dining room entries off the foyer.

I know I said off-white for the desk, but I do like the colour it is now.
Something to start with...

http://www.pier1.com/Embroidered-Medallion-Oblong-Pillow/2706518,default,pd.html?cgid=pillows
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Collins_Wingback_Chair/830/

Do you need storage...place for files...supplies etc? If so you could put a shelving unit/bookcase up between the 2 rooms to provide both some privacy as well as storage options

And perhaps something like this on the dining room wall (hover over it to see the entire picture):

nice pic!

Forgot to mention, it's from homedecorators. Thought it would bring the green into the dining room :-)

Love the suggestions - thanks guys!

I like where all the ideas so far are going! Bringing a little of each color into the other space, yet each keeping its own identity. One way you could do this is to play up the more modern lines of your desk. I would keep it the colour it is because it plays off the green wall so nicely. Plus a white desk might get a bit lost on the white carpet. But the beautiful white chair carolins posted keeps things light, as well as gives a nod to the more traditional furniture in your DR.

I see a lovely chandelier in your space, and it would be more a part of the decor if you centre the desk beneath it. If this was my room, I would orient the desk toward the wi does, not away, but maybe this is too distracting for you? On the wall behind the desk, which can't be seen in pics but I assume is blank, you could place two tall white, modern (think Ikea) bookshelves at the corners and fit a long white credenza or extra small table between. A mirror above the credenza will reflect the beautiful chandelier, as well as the light coming through the windows.

Finally, depending on your privacy and shade needs, your windows could have either roman shades in a print that picks up on the greens and corals (a stripe maybe?) or just simple woven blinds or solar shades in a darker weave that imitates wicker. This would complement the tropical colors you are using in your two spaces. It's a great space for a home office - a blank canvas just waiting for your personality to be expressed!

I'd keep the desk as it is now, you can see who's coming up the drive and keep an eye on what's going on in your home. The wingback chair I meant to go in the corner left window/front door. Angled, facing the desk. Small table next to it, floor lamp behind it?

Do you have lamps, bookcase(s), desk chair? Or would you like suggestions on those?

And I know you didn't ask about it, but I think that a different rug in the entry would 'lift' it. This one doesn't do it for me. Sorry. Perhaps something for you to think about :-)

Oh... I really like karemore's shade suggestions.

I have nothing other than what is shown - and am open to any suggestions for lamps, chair, etc! Not sure what you mean by "lifting" the foyer with different area rugs? I've debated putting a table in the middle since the area is so wide open....???

Found a cute little desk lamp:
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/cordova-bronze-adjustable-ott-lite-desk-lamp__76386.html

and put in some Billy bookcases from Ikea. With doors, nice things on show, files and all that in the lower halfs. Black and white ones, so you can see the difference.

Ah... comments crossed while I was putting the bookcases in your office :-) I'll see if I can find you some examples for the foyer rugs. These just seem so out place with your beautiful green and coral wall colours. They are not the best match.

We can't see the entire foyer of course, but were you thinking of putting the round table where the round rug is? I'm not so sure about that. It is of course a classic look and often very stylish, but since your dining room and office are so open to the foyer, you'd have table, table, desk in one line. Hmm... not sure if that's a good look?

Hopefully the other Houzzers here have a better idea about how that would work?

When I saw your color...I immediately thought of something one of my collectors did with my Black Magic pieces.

I like carolins' rug. The colors from both rooms need to marry!

Maybe reupholster the dining chairs in a fabric with some green in it.


Something like this, but in green and cream.

Love the rug!!!

I'm glad other people like the rug too. I was a bit hesitant to post it because it is quite a hefty piece, but it does bring both rooms together and brings a wow factor to your foyer. That's what I meant with 'lifting' it :-)

Yes, I love the saturated colors in that rug. And showing it will the black bookcases in the office really works. Thinking there needs to be something done to the hutch in the dining room. Needs the inside to be papered and start to play with display....

Dining room needs a touch of black also. Maybe the chairs?


Like the material shown in the drapes also.