Office Re-do Reveal...Finally

So...all the way back in January I let you in on my dark secret of the awful home office. Well, it's finally done! Mostly. There are still a few projects left to tackle, but most of the work has been completed. For a reminder, here was my original plan:

And here are the before and after shots! Click on any of them to enlarge.

Looking into the room from the doorway

Scott's work area...still much messier than mine :)

My work area and solid corner of curtains

Here are a few more shots as well:

Still working on my gallery wall.

That pillow from Target was one of my original color sources for inspiration

So proud of my chair re-do. I like it a lot better than the oak wood and green pleather cushion that was there before.

I still have a few projects to complete. That cabinet in the last shot needs sanded, painted and new hardware, but I'm having trouble deciding on a color. I'd like to get some wood blinds for the windows, and there's nothing on the wall opposite the gallery wall. I was also thinking of Modge Podging the trunk under the side table. I got it at Wal-Mart over 20 years ago, so it's a piece I feel ok messing up. Furniture/Paint sources are:

1. Wall Color: Mountain Ridge by Behr, Home Depot, $35/gallon
2. Curtains are burlap, Amazon.com, $49 for a set of 2 (we ended up with 2 sets to go across the corner)
3. Faux Mercury Ball Curtain Rods are from Target - $30 each
4. I spray painted the chair with Hammered Rust-Oleum white paint - 4 cans
5. Fabric for the chair is duck cloth from Hobby Lobby
6. Rug is from Target, $80 (5x7)
7. Mirrored crackle glass lamp from World Market, $49 + $20 burlap shade
8. Art is from etsy, and the tiny watercolor is from our trip to Paris

I can honestly say I'm pretty happy with how this project turned out! Anyone have any suggestions for hiding that vacuum in the corner? We have zero storage space.

On The Menu: Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Mango Black Bean Salsa

In the summer I'm always looking for simple recipes with fresh flavors that DON'T heat up my kitchen. Our kitchen is very warm in the summer at the back of the house and it's almost unbearable to stay back there and have to turn the oven on to make dinner. Which is why I was so happy to find this recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. I followed her recipe to the letter, so I'll let you click the link and read her instructions. The only thing I DID change was to add a half of one avocado - cubed - to the salsa. I also used minute rice so my cooking time for the rice was a little shorter than what she has listed. Hopefully you enjoy this summer meal as much as I did!