I am planning our new office and I need help. The windows will be covered with white shutters. I am unsure of the paint color at this time, but the f/p wall will have RL suede. I plan to use a neutral color rug in the space. I am going to purchase a remnant(sp?) and have the edges finished. The attached link has a picture of the space and the desk that I would like to use. I am unsure if I can change the extenion to the other side of the desk so that it will be facing the window and fireplace. My other concern is should the extension be on side facing the fireplace as I do not want to distract from the fireplace because it is the focal point of the room? Pleaes help.
http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/Pumpkin30/Office/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pumpkin30,

That room is your "office"???

OMG, I would love to see the family room

That is the family room that will be used an office. I do not need a family room and a den therefore, this is the chosen space. Any suggestions on how to dress it up? Also, I forgot to mention that I need to add at least three bookcases as well. Thanks for any and all input.

I see. That makes sense now.

There are so many interior decor-savvy people on this site, I am sure they will be along soon.

Your hard wood floors are BEAUTIFUL and I love the fireplace. I love that you will get a lot of natural light in that room.

What other things (pieces of furniture) will you be putting in the room (other than the desk and bookshelves)? Anything else or are you just keeping it simple?

I will have a chair, ottoman and lamp to the right of the fireplace for reading. I will probably have one other regular chair in the space, but I have not found any "must have" items other than the desk. I will not be adding the hutch to the desk as that might cause the desk to compete with the fireplace. The desk will possibly be the basic "L" shape. If I can't move the extension to the other side, I will consider the basic desk against the wall and figure out something else from there.

I'd like to see the hutch portion of the desk unit on the wall opposite the fireplace so that the desk extension is on the right-hand side, facing the entry.

I believe in the principles of feng shui where you are seated facing the entry. It is the "power" position for a desk, so that you don't have to sit with your back to the entry.

Also, why not paint all the walls in the same RL suede color as the fireplace wall? I hope it's a rich, deep color you have in mind. Your office space is large and airy, so it can handle dramatic color. And, rich, deep color will make the room more cozy.

You've got lots of space which can accommodate upholstered seating, handsome book case units and small tables. Make the office decorative as well as functional.

Since your rug is neutral, add pattern and textures to your accessories, lighting and wall art to ramp up the drama.

Good luck with this exciting project.

Are you going for a contemporary look, traditional, etc?

Thanks for the great advice. The only problem is that the outlet for the computer, printer etc is on the wall with the two windows on either side. I love your idea though. As for the suede on all of the walls, I will have to talk my husband into that one as this will be his first time working with the product and he does not know what he is in for.
If I can get him to do one wall, that will be a major accomplishment. LoL Yes, I plan to use upholstered pieces in the space, but I have not figured out the exact pieces yet. The search continues. Thanks again for the great advice. Also, I am going for a contemporary look. Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pumpkin30,

If the extension can be changed to the other side and you have it facing the window I don't think you will take away from the fireplace. As for color, I would pick a warm color - go with your favorite.

adding to my earlier comment, pick out the fabrics for the chairs before the color of the room. Much easier to pick paint then and get a pattern.

I am thinking about a color similar to peanut butter. As for the fabrics, it will be something in the neutral family (with texture) and I will use pillows to add punches of color as well as the art work.

Ideally I'd like to see the hutch on the wall opposite the fireplace as boricua said. That will balance the room with the fireplace. I agree that the extension then should stay where it is so that you face the entry from your desk. I would add another chair to the other chair and ottoman you mentioned having. I'd get a nice accent table to place between the two chairs and ottoman. Place these on the window wall and work it around the 2 windows as a reading/seating area. I think a nice rich color such as a peanut butter would be nice. Artwork over the fireplace to bring in your accent colors would be nice. As well as using other balanced artwork around the room. You mentioned gettting a nice size area rug and that would be good. You have a lovely room to work with. I hope that the outlet for the computer can be moved or accessed and the hutch/desk can be on the wall opposite the fireplace. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. If I decide to go with the hutch only, do you think it will be okay to put it against the wall as I originally planned and add some low profile (2 or 3) bookcases on the wall across from the fireplace? I can then have two chairs, accent table and ottoman float in the middle of the space. Please let me know your thoughts.

I'd put the desk where that chair currently is, I'd have the desk face the fireplace, so the chair would remain in the position it is in. That way you don't have your back to the room while at the desk, that's how I currently have my desk w/my back to the rest of the room and I can't stand it I put a mirror up above my monitor so I can see what is behind me if someone walks in etc. If you have the time and money and are handy (or hire someone if you aren't) I'd have them build a built-in bookcase on the whole wall where those two windows are thus creating two window seats. I'd have the bottom portion of the built in all cabinets to hide things and the rest open shelving maybe with glass doors and paint it all white.

A built in like one of these
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v379/rykersmom/house/...lt_in_desk_hutch.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v379/rykersmom/house/...=builtinbookcase.jpg

but obviously you would have two window seats and not a solid built-in and you wouldn't need the fold down desk like in the first link in the middle between the two windows. We were originally going to build the same thing as the first link in our office on the back wall but have since changed my mind now I want a big Palladian window on the back wall and I plan on using a secretary on another wall as my "desk". This is the window we are planning on having put in (exactly like this including the moldings etc) http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v379/rykersmom/house/...current=mer133-1.jpg

The second link above (second built-in) we are going to do in our living room.

Thanks Beantown. I love the second bookcase. Unfortunately, I will have to do the look for less and purchase two or three bookcases in order to get the built-in look. I think I saw something similar at Ethan Allen. Decisions, decisions.

quote:

If I decide to go with the hutch only, do you think it will be okay to put it against the wall as I originally planned and add some low profile (2 or 3) bookcases on the wall across from the fireplace? I can then have two chairs, accent table and ottoman float in the middle of the space. Please let me know your thoughts.

Yes, I think that would balance the room nicely. I'm sorry I had missed the fact that you were considering extra bookcases. Are you not getting the desk extension...just the credenza? That would work well! I can't wait to see it all finished.