In early July, just two weeks after I gave birth, I had the opportunity to turn Angelo’s office into my own office as he moved his office downstairs. As a reminder, my old office turned into a nursery, which was always the plan when we bought our house.
“I just had a baby and should keep things simple. Fresh paint, a rug, and a desk will do” is what I told myself and my newfound therapist whom I frantically hunted for on Psychology Today during the early postpartum whirlwind.
But in the spirit of spiraling, I found myself dreaming & scheming during nap times and 3 am feeds. I did not sleep when the baby slept. My “me” time was instead spent pondering rugs and wallpaper and desk configurations. The “what if…” ideas crept in during those isolated moments as a new mom where I longed to feel like myself again.
Now, more than 7 months postpartum and after hemming and hawing over every single detail, this layered, pattern-filled, Grandmillennialial -esque room contains far more than fresh paint, a rug, and a desk; and I’m excited to share it with you today.
With my last office, I put a few thousand miles on my car while traveling around the tri-state area to pick up secondhand furniture and decor from strangers. But since having a baby, the convenience of secondhand items being delivered and shipped to me is more appealing than ever. My goal of sourcing at least half of the pieces secondhand was accomplished, and I’ll share a list of everything I sourced (plus pricing) in addition to all of the wonderful brands I had the pleasure of partnering with at the end of this post.
Let’s dive in, shall we?!
BEFORE
When we bought our home…
While it was Angelo’s office…
and now…
Let’s talk details
THE WALLS
You know that fresh & exciting feeling you get when you’ve just painted a room and you’re swooning over the color? That feeling is significantly amplified with newly installed wallpaper that you’ve dreamt about for years.
The walls are covered in my dream wallpaper, Sister Parish Dolly, and each time I open the door feels more magical than the next.
A quintessential feminine pattern that’s both classic and fresh, Dolly turned the previously black walls into a garden-chic jewel box.
The ceiling color is Farrow and Ball White Tie (one of my favorite creamy whites), which matches the white background in Dolly. The green paint color on the trim and doors is Farrow and Ball Yeabridge Green semi-gloss lightened by 50% (color matched at my local Benjamin Moore).
Angelo installed Metrie crown throughout while my contractor installed new doors and casing.
Can you spot the switch?
While I had the wallpaper professionally installed, I DIY wallpapered the switchplate, outlet covers, and vent, and the way they disappear into the wall makes me giddy.
THE WINDOWS
The old, drafty windows were replaced and new Metrie window casing was installed by my contractor. I’m always blown away by what a difference new windows make (even if they’re builder-grade).
A friend found 11 yards of Sister Parish Dolly Flower fabric at a secondhand discount fabric store and shipped to me, which I had made into drapes.
I was worried the floral on floral would be too loud, but now that everything is installed, I actually think the layered pattern gently moves your eye around the room.
To bring in warmth and add to window layers, I installed a bamboo shade from Blindster in the Hatteras Camel finish. I’m really happy with it and the price! The lucite curtain rod is from Ballard!
THE SEATING
The desk chair, corner chair, and footstool are all Facebook Marketplace finds that were reupholstered.
The desk chair was painted white and recovered in this STUNNING Kravet performance fabric by Christine of Nouvelle Vie. Seriously, I love this shade of green velvet so much that I now want to recover a sofa in it. And did I mention it’s performance?!
Christine also reupholstered a Hickory English roll arm chair in my all-time favorite fabric: Kravet’s Lee Jofa Althea in linen Citron.
It’s no secret that Althea sparks a great amount of joy for me, so I was ecstatic when Christine brought my dream chair to life. There’s something about a roll arm and ruffle that’s so laid back and cozy!
I made over the tiny antique English foot stool myself with some leftover Althea fabric – you can find the process in my “2: OFFICE” IG story highlight.
THE LIGHTING
While I was browsing FB MP in San Francisco, I found this VC Soleil flush mount and knew it’d be perfect for this space – I thought the sun could be the ultimate nod to the floral theme. The seller was willing to ship it and to my surprise, it arrived in one piece *and* turned on after install.
The floor lamp was an open box eBay find and the Fermoie shade is really the cherry on top. A good shade will make any lamp base shine.
And last but certainly not least – the custom Ming lamp from Hwang Bishop in a marbled lilac finish is the piece de resistance.
The experience I had with the Hwang Bishop team was incredible every step of the way. They really created my dream lamp!
THE RUG
The chic Annie Selke hand-woven sand jute rug is a lovely contrast to the curves in Dolly and provides an extra layer of warm texture while also making the room feel cozy. It feels softer underfoot than other jute rugs I’ve owned, too.
THE ART & DECOR
Each piece of mini cursive art in the symmetrical gallery wall was made by Liz of Pretty Your Room and framed by Framebridge. The 16″x16′ Georgetown frames do a great job of breaking up the wallpaper pattern and filling visual space without taking up square footage.
I love how the horizontal cursive lines in the art create tension with the vertical lines in the wallpaper.
The Carver’s Guild mirror was an auction find from Virginia that I had picked up and delivered via uShip.
My Papier Fleurs will be filling desk and chest space once my plants inevitably kick the bucket LOL.
CASE GOODS
When Angelo was like three weeks old, I found my dream Louis XVI desk on FB MP and the thought of driving anywhere farther than 5 minutes away at the time made me so anxious. Luckily, the seller was willing to deliver it to me for an extra fee.
While I tried different layout configurations, floating the desk in the center of the room was definitely the right choice and also good feng shui.
This cheap, simple DIY pinboard tutorial can be found here. The Made Goods burl chest was a FB MP find from a Hamptons Designer Showhouse and I had it delivered to me via uShip!
I replaced the knobs with my favorite Emtek unlacquered brass Providence knobs (also seen in our bathroom). The door knobs are also Emtek.
The view into our bedroom!
- Flush mount: $250 shipping $80 // retail $819
- Desk: $420 + $140 for delivery
- Made Goods Burl chest: $1,400 + $195 uShip delivery // retail $4,000
- Carver’s Guild Bow Top Dressing Mirror: $360 + $150 uShip delivery // retail $2,670
- Antique foot stool: $60 (local pickup)
- Hickory chair: $150 (local pickup)
- Desk chair: $25 (local pickup)
- Lamp Base: $200 open box eBay // retail $400
- Dolly Flower drapery fabric: $35 yd (needed 11 yds needed for drapes // retail $197 yd
- Side table: $40 (has been in every room because it’s perfect wherever it goes) // similar sell at auction for $1,400+
SHOP THIS ROOM
Click an item directly (not all are clickable) or use the links below to shop
DOLLY WALLPAPER // RUG // WICKER URN + PEDESTAL // TABLE LAMP // MADE GOODS BURL CHEST // DOLLY FLOWER FABRIC // LUCITE ROD // END TABLE // DOLLY FLOWER FABRIC // GALLERY WALL FRAMES // SCALLOPED FRAME// LEE JOFA ALTHEA CITRON LINEN // TOPIARY BERGS POT // ROSES BERGS POT // SOLEIL FLUSH MOUNT // DESK (SIMILAR) // MIRROR // MYRTLE TOPIARY // DESK CHAIR FABRIC // FOOT STOOL (SIMILAR) // FLOOR LAMP // FLOOR LAMP SHADE // PAPIER FLEURS // BAMBOO BLINDS
BEFORE
AFTER
I’ve been following you since your first bathroom renovation and want to say that you outdid yourself. I stopped to zoom in on each photo throughout this post. You should be very proud, this room feels sophisticated and magazine worthy. Congratulations!
thank you so much, Margaret!
Gorgeous ????????????
So worth the wait. It’s stunning!!
Really, really lovely. Enjoy!
Excellent job, this is spectacular!
thanks so much, Brie!
This is beautiful! I love all of the little details you added in. Such a dreamy office space!
Thank you for the kind words, Emma!
It’s so beautiful Alisa! Your attention to detail, eye for beauty, and designer’s intuition take everything you do to the next level.
Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. I’ve learned so much from you.????
Wow! Thank you so much, Camille. You are so sweet!
This room is incredible, Alisa! You put so much thought into every detail and I love them all! I’m continuously in awe of your expert secondhand shopping skills. Well done!
Thank you so much, Carla!
ALISA! This is so damn good you did an excellent job and I am obsessed with every single detail. Also so impressed you did this with a BABY?! you should be so proud.
Thank you so much Court!
To say this is absolutely stunning would be an understatement. You have an amazing talent!
wow, thank you Melissa! 🙂
Alisa– WOW. I felt a smidge teary seeing that first photo. What a TRANSFORMATION!!! The room is absolutely perfect, such a cozy but sophisticated mix of pattern, color, and texture. You are so talented!
aww thank you so much for the kind words Marie!
I am blown away! This office is a dream! Had to pick my jaw up off the floor after seeing the before/after. Well done!!
haha aww thank you so much Greer!
I love every inch of this room. It captured everything I love. Everything ! Thanks for that high????????????
thank you so much Bonnie!!
So beautiful!
thank you!
A beautiful space and quite the transformation! It is so lovely and looks very functional.
I appreciate the kind words, Elle!
You are seriously so unbelievably talented! This room looks AMAZING! I love following along in your process. It makes the “after” that much more exciting! Beautiful job!!
Thank you SOOO much Cierra!! 🙂
This is what dreams are made of! You captured every detail beautifully with your photographs!
thank you so much, Lindsey!
An office so perfectly you. It really is stunning, and every detail executed within your vision and with such precision. What a happy place to work from!
SO unbelievably stunning! You have impeccable taste- I would want to spend all day in that room!
Thanks so much, Mary!
Beautiful room. My favorite item is your sweater ????
haha! Thank you so much!!
Alisa, I’m actually speechless. OMG. You did SO GOOD. Every detail is stunning.
thanks so much Kristin!!
This room is stunning! Love all your choices and thanks for sharing costs.
thank you so much Maureen!
This is a gorgeous room! I love every bit of it.
Thank you Alice!!
Love everything! There are so many thoughtful, beautiful layers here. I’m looking into reupholstering a similar sized armchair. Can you share how to estimate costs? I saw the fabric link which is helpful but the actual labor costs feels really vague online.
Hi Kim! I felt like it would have been too much to share in this post so I’ll likely do a separate post on costs and details for reupholstering!
It turned out more beautiful than I could have imagined! I’m so happy for you to have created such a happy space. I have a four month old, and it is so nice to create something for yourself during this time.
thank you! I totally agree.
I love every single touch- but that desk is ????????????????. What a beautiful office!!!
thank you!!
YES! I love this. GREAT JOB Alisa!!
thanks Alexandra!
Take a bow! This is on another level, and that’s saying something considering your rooms and projects have been so well thought out and executed. Your talent just keeps growing and evolving. I do hope that you feel such a deep pride for what you accomplished in this space. Truly, job well done
thank you so much, Kirsten! I appreciate the kind words
So gorgeous, Alisa!! Every detail is perfection ????
thanks so much, Joanna!
Are you serious? I mean this is next level. Every single detail is beyond perfect. Saving for serious inspiration
ha! thanks Jennifer!
The before and after is jaw dropping. I know you’ve been working on this for a while and the results are fantastic. I love, love, love that you use a mix of second hand and new. It really gives the room a luxurious feeling. Wonderful job!
thank you so much Mandy!!
Every single detail of this room is beautifully thought out. I’m always amazed at the pieces you find on FM. And, somehow all the pattern on pattern works. It doesn’t appear busy but instead is cohesive. I love it! What a jewel of a room to work in.
thank you so much, Joanna! It’s so wonderful to work in here!
Wow! Just wow! Seriously so fantastic. I can totally relate to those rare quiet moments with a little one (I have a 10 month old) where you get in the design zone. In all of the craziness of a newborn they really made me feel like myself again just like you said. Thank you for always being so transparent in everything you do! Such a fab room!
thank you SO much Brittney!! 🙂
This is such a delightful room! All your finds are perfection and they work so beautifully together. Thanks for the inspiration.
thank you Susan!!
A truly gorgeous, cozy, and inspiring space!
Wow oh wow! I thought it would be beautiful from the schematics and sneak peeks, but this is just jaw-droppingly gorgeous!
thanks so much Arli!!
This room is absolute perfection! I love every single inch of this space. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!
thank you Josie!!
This room is incredible! It’s so apparent how much thought went into every decision. It’s really an inspiration for me personally to slowly collect my dream pieces for my own house and to be true to my personal style.
I’m so happy for you!! Enjoy your office!! How will you get work done though without getting distracted by all the prettiness? Haha. The photos are spectacular and worth the wait 🙂
haha thank you so much Amy!!
Honestly, if your office was in my house, I’d never leave the room! It’s just beautiful and so full of light!
Congratulations on a job superbly done!
Nancy
haha!! I have a hard time leaving it every day. thank you so much Nancy!
Outstanding! Floral on floral on floral. I’m in love!
thanks Tracey!!
Soooo good! I love your focus on “one room at a time”. You’ve inspired me to get a swing arm floor lamp and pleated shade for my office.
Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
thank you Stephanie!!
Alisa, you did a fantastic job. Thank you for sharing all your tips and tricks and talent with all of us. I love to read about your design journey, especially your thrifting and second hand tricks. From one Jersey Girl to another….bravo and keep up the great work. You are quite a talent.
thank you so much Kate!!!
What a gorgeous retreat! Like you said, it’s so classic and fresh – and your post sponsors list is TO DIE FOR. Aside from the design and DIYs that always lead me back to your site in researching my own projects, your bravery and transparency with personal struggles always earn my respect and admiration. So glad you have a space you love to call your own again, and I hope you have many nap opportunities ahead to escape to it!
Also technical non sequitir: your IG link in your main nav menu is currently a 404 😉
thank you so much for the sweet comment, Maura! and thank you for calling that out 🙂
This is a beautiful room! It makes you feel so happy, bright, and hopeful like spring itself. Lovely job, Alissa.
Congratulations!
thank you Terry!!
Obsessed. Obfreakingsessed!!!! Alisa, this is stunning!!!!!!! I LOVE the wallpaper, and the reupholstered chair! I mean truly. The details are as the millennials say, *chef’s kiss* !! You should be SO proud! Forever your hype girl, but seriously no hype needed – your work stands alone!!
haha Melodee you are the best hype girl!!! thank you so so much!!!!
Wowza! And you were worried you built up the reveal too much?
You created this office meticulously and slowly with a beautiful balance of color, pattern, texture, light and warmth. I just want to soak it all in. It’s an escape I wouldn’t want to leave.
You are a powerhouse of taste and talent. I am in awe Alisa. I expect House Beautiful to come calling soon. ❤
ahh thank you Karen!!! ugh, I wish LOL!!
This is exquisite. I love it all but my favorite are the curtains.
thank you Nancy!!!
Magnificent renovation! Enjoy
Breathtaking!! I want to sit a spell in that cozy chair! I’m so glad you’re thrilled with the way everything turned out!
I die. I am dead. Totally blown away by every detail! You truly nailed it from all of the individual selections to the photography that shows your new fabulous office off in its best light. Well done, friend! What a wonderful place to work and be creative! Now if I could just pull my Dolly primary bedroom together ….
thank you so much Hollie!! I cannot WAIT to see your Dolly bedroom!!
Wow this room is incredible! I got chills when I saw the first picture!
thank you so much Kate!!
Wow! Stunning!
I was scrolling to the before and came to after, my physical reaction was a pull back like- OH MY GOSH…whoa!
Your resourcefulness, attention to detail, craftsmanship of your own, eye for color, spatial placement, having an Instagram platform, writing for your blog all while working full-time and managing a household with a new baby, impressive! That is not a big enough word for your interior accomplishments and otherwise.
Your talent is endless! Thank you, for sharing all you do and being an influence to help others achieve renovations that are not outlandishly expensive.
Your impact is going to shine in more ways than you could have imagined!
Blessing ????
What a lovely comment, thank you so much Quan! I appreciate that 🙂
How fun to have a blog post so we can soak in every single detail! I grabbed a cup of coffee and studied every beautiful corner. I especially loved Reading all about the hustle you did to get all those secondhand finds!! I am so impressed it is so beautiful I’ll be bookmarking this and returning to it often!!
thank you so much Suze!!
I am all heart eyes for this room! Following along on insta, I knew it would look great. But it’s the collection of special pieces and the textiles, paint, and wallpaper that make it shine! It’s beautiful and timeless. Kudos!
thank you so much Martha!!!
You are a master at details!!! Love the room!!
thank you Brenda!!
It’s so gorgeous, Alisa! Amazing job as always. I hope you’re enjoying it!! xo
thank you so much, Sarah!! 🙂
Well, it is magical! ✨ Congratulations on such a beautiful office. The ceiling light and desk light really add something special, and I adore the burl chest! Plus, you look so pretty sitting behind your desk! ????
aww thank you so much Lynda!!
Alisa, I don’t even know you but I’m so proud of you! I began following you before you redid your bedroom (the first time) and have always said it’s one of the prettiest bedrooms I’ve ever seen. Your office reno #1 was top on my list too and now this! GORgeous!!! It’s been so fun following along as well as ‘walking through’ the details in this article. Thank you so much for sharing; I feel so inspired! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
ahh you are so kind, thank you so much Jess!!!
Amazing!! SO beautifully done and so inspiring – loved seeing this all come together on IG! Would you be willing to share your source for the secondhand discount fabric or how to go about searching for it – such a great find and deal!! Thank you and enjoy your beautiful room!
thank you!! I appreciate that. I am honestly not sure, she sent me a photo, I said YES and paid her lol. I’m sorry!
Love it! So enjoyed watching your process from the beginning, that’s my favorite part. Your process helps me design my own space although our styles are completely different. Slow and intentional! The light fixture, rug, side table, ceiling color and desk are my favorite pieces. Could definitely see hydrangeas in the urn at some point.
ahh thank you so much! I appreciate your sweet comment 🙂
Absolutely beautiful and useful room. So grateful for your information about sources, shippers and links.
Love it! Every detail is perfection.
You knocked it out of the ball park! How many yards of floral fabric to cover chair and did you have it backed?Enjoy every minute in that pretty room!
Beautiful! i love all your room makeovers and am so impressed. i’d love more inof on your experience with UShip. i was thinking of using them for something I saw from an antique shop across the country that doesn’t provide shipping.
Beautiful! Seeing the before and afters of your Facebook marketplace furniture is so illuminating. I would’ve scrolled past all of those pieces, but the afters are stunning. It’s a great reminder to look past the bad photography and current upholstery when looking for secondhand furniture!
Thanks for sharing this information about your office reveal. I really wanted to explore topics like this
This is a nice and beautiful post thanks for sharing.
If you documented the process of redesigning or renovating your office, consider creating a video or blog series that shows the step-by-step journey. People often enjoy seeing the behind-the-scenes work.
Create a video or photo series showcasing different areas of your office. Highlight specific sections like the desk, seating arrangement, decor, lighting, and any unique features or elements.
Lee Jofa now has Althea wallpaper!!!