And lo, an office was born

Yesterday we put the final touches on the office makeover, meaning I went out to the trash, dug out the Tiki head Tryant so casually tossed out, and set it back on the shelf in his office:

The Tiki Planter

He just better be happy I didn't take the whole theme to the extreme and set a palm tree in the window next to a plastic figurine of a barely dressed woman doing the hula. Because they would have totally blocked his view of the shirtless Mormon boys who mow our yard every Tuesday.

Going into this project I didn't have any idea how much work it would involve to design the space, and now that I'm on this side and can look back at it, all I have to say is boy, do I ever need a hot dog.

There were just so many logistics and tight ropes and hoping that this or that would be delivered in time. Not big problems, no, just really time consuming and having to be at home between eight and ten or five and nine so that we didn't miss the delivery truck. Which is not normally a big deal when you're working from home, except when you're actively going to marriage counseling, primarily because of the stress of designing and filming an office remodel, your daily calendar starts to eat your face off.

But it's all good news! Because it's done! And Leta tried a bagel at school!

Without further ado, here's our new office:

Next week I'm planning to do an exhaustive post on all the furniture and accessories I chose and where I found them, so if you see anything in particular you want me to address let me know in the comments. Also, you're more than welcome to tell me how awful it looks, that the tile doesn't match, or that WE WILL ALL DIE! And in return I can pop my Peter Pan head in from time to time and tell you to suck it.

09.24.2010 Daily, Video 92 comments


  • RyantheGirl said:

    It looks great! Congrats on finishing. Ha, I was thinking it would have been really funny if your door said "Heather Armstrong: Valedictorian."

     09.24.10 - 07:03 AM / 1

  • TexasKatie said:

    Wow, you know, even though there were bits and pieces that I didn't think I was fond of while you were in the midst of designing it - I think this really came out well. It definitely reflects you and ya'all's personalities - and that is what is important. I think you did a great job. Good work, Blurbodoocery!

     09.24.10 - 07:08 AM / 2

  • The Christine said:

    TexasKatie, I totally agree. I really wasn't sure what to think in the earlier installments and photos and didn't expect to like it. But it looks lovely. I want to note specifically that I would NEVER buy any of these items, give that furniture a second glance, or lay a room out the way you did Heather, and yet ... it looks amazing and perfectly-suited for focused work. So to conclude, this is because I have absolutely zero sense of style. I applaud your foresight and ability to bring that room together so well!

    Do you think you'll ever paint any of the walls?

     09.24.10 - 07:26 AM / 3

  • snicho2 said:

    Wow - this looks really incredible! Congratulations, Blurbodoocery.

    Heather, I was really looking forward to more dancing at the end of this third video. :)

     09.24.10 - 07:28 AM / 4

  • Never a Plain Jane said:

    It's not all for me, but that isn't really the point, is it? I think you did a great job and will be studying all your photos as I set up my own home workspace for the FIRST TIME EVER (it must be said ominously). Please please please let us know where you got that amazing rug in the sitting area and Tyrant's desk. Also, are you sure you can't refer me to a place where I can get my own Tyrant? Yours is so pretty...

     09.24.10 - 07:32 AM / 5

  • Frankie said:

    I LOVE the meeting area. It elicts a calm, peaceful feeling and I just want to come over and read a book.
    Beautiful!
    I would love to know where the lamp in that area came from. The sheers, too!

     09.24.10 - 07:32 AM / 6

  • Mo said:

    LIES!

    There are no shirtless Mormon boys. (Is that how you conned Tyrant into working for you? With lies about shirtless Mormon lawn boys? Shameless.)

    (My favorite part of your remodel is the black and red with cherry blossoms/sticks(?) sofa area. Very sleek.)

     09.24.10 - 07:32 AM / 7

  • Jet62879 said:

    I know this is random, but since you asked, I'd like to know where the sheer curtains are from. And the framed wall art please!

     09.24.10 - 07:39 AM / 9

  • The Dalai Mama said:

    Nothing leads to the need for marriage counseling faster than working on home project together. I think that is why so many of our projects (ahemm--all) are in various states of unfinished.

    Love the space. Can't wait to hear more about where everything came from.

    On a side note--love the hair.

     09.24.10 - 07:41 AM / 11

  • jillian.k said:

    I let out an audible gasp when he was applying the decal to your door. I love details like that. It looks AMAZING. You are so fortunate to find a space that allows you so much room.

    I can't wait to see what kind of ideas comes in the next few years thanks to that space.

     09.24.10 - 07:53 AM / 14

  • Ranger said:

    When I look in the mirror, I notice a faint green cast to my skin. It must be the jealousy coming to the surface as my own office space is a corner of our dining room.

    Grasshopper, who is your guru? Or are you the guru, yourself? Well and truly done: hair, office, life.

     09.24.10 - 08:12 AM / 15

  • Linka72 said:

    Wow, I love how it is both modern AND comfy. If I could offer some advice, (which I know you are dying to hear)it would be for you to LOOSEN UP LADY!! (smile) It seemed, at times that you were reading..even your jokes. I'm all for being professional, but this is YOUR office and I think that when you tell people about it, it should be more "conversational".
    Don't be scurred, most of us love you....except for those hatin' ass heffas..

     09.24.10 - 08:25 AM / 17

  • Feeling Very Cr... said:

    I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT AND WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE.

    (It's actually fabulous, and the internet has made you immortal. Showed that douchecanoe, yeah?)

     09.24.10 - 08:42 AM / 19

  • mhsqrd said:

    Love the meeting space. LOVE. That long pillow? Where from? And I like how the cord-hiding-boards came together with the space. have to admit I was a little nervous how they'd fit in. P.S. - love the pixie cut.

     09.24.10 - 08:43 AM / 20

  • Marissa13 said:

    Awesome!!! I really love the meeting space and the wall decals; I'm looking forward to finding out where you got everything. I think your vintage globe collection is fantastic and want to start my own. Did you pee yourself just a little when the guy put Blurbodoocery Inc. on the glass? 'Cause I got very, very excited and it's not even my company.

     09.24.10 - 08:45 AM / 21

  • BillyZoom said:

    I am really jealous. This looks like an ideal working space. Having said that - I can see why you guys need counselling. You take yourself WAY too seriously. This blog stuff is a persona - it's not you. You don't need to be "cool" and give things names all the time. Just be yourself for a change.

     09.24.10 - 08:51 AM / 22

  • christine1127 said:

    Hey! I have the EXACT same Elvis card in MY office!

    Just had to say that...now need to go watch the rest of the video. So far, so good!

     09.24.10 - 08:54 AM / 23

  • BillyZoom said:

    By the way - grow your hair out and let the color go back to natural. Guys HATE when you cut your hair short and smart. And your eyebrows REALLY stick out. I'm not trying to be mean - it's just the truth. Pretend you care what your husband thinks and you might not need counselling.

     09.24.10 - 08:55 AM / 24

  • adamsrice said:

    I cannot get over how bright that space is. I want to grab a cup of coffee and a good magazine and just lounge there in the morning. It would be my excuse to go upstairs...every hour. What? The toilet doesn't work? It's ok, let me just go upstairs...

     09.24.10 - 09:07 AM / 25

  • Amy J. said:

    Well, I guess I feel a couple of things about the office redo. It's ok. I can't lie and say it's fabulous and I love it, because I don't really feel that...it's a bit boring to be honest Heather. I'm not trying to be mean...but that space has so much going for it...you could have really done so much with it. I think the Verizon sponsorship made you rush and just get it done and it's lacking personality. I liked your old office way more to be truthful. It doesn't look like "you"...this just sort of feels cold. Maybe as time goes by you'll bring more of you into the space and it will feel warmer. I mean, Tyrant is a "bit" of a minimalist? It looks like no one works in that office...like you're waiting to hire someone.

    Or maybe it's the video that made it feel that way. Do photos of the different spaces...maybe that would show it off a bit differently. That panning thing was just not great...hard to see the overall space. And no mention of the modesty panels??

    But this is coming from someone whose gone through her minimalist phase back a few years ago...and is now about cozy and more is more, lol...well, not MORE...but I like having a house full of things I love. My office is jammed packed with stuff, seriously. It feels perfect for me...you wouldn't like it at all (though would like some of the things in it). That's how I feel about your office. The space would be much different if it were mine, but I like some of the things you have in it.

    Minimal is great...but sometimes less feels a bit sterile. You and Jon have way too much personality for that!

    Love the globes though!!

     09.24.10 - 09:16 AM / 28

  • Kristi said:

    LOVE it!

    But ... is Marlo ever going to be in this room? 'Cause I can totally see that cute little owl biting the dust.

    I want more butt dance! This was just too formal.

     09.24.10 - 09:20 AM / 29

  • MaLo said:

    I think the white drawer unit would be great for my boyfriend and his vast collection of papers that I'd rather burn than save. :) I kid. Those old issues of The New Yorker and newspapers when Obama was elected might be useful when we can't even remember our names.

    Love the office!!

     09.24.10 - 09:25 AM / 30

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