One of the changes we made that has probably made the biggest difference in how we live is moving our home office from a desk to an armoire that we could close up when we weren’t using it. (Jenny’s idea!) To all those city dwellers that don’t have a proper room for an office I highly recommend this set-up. I’m genuinely sad we didn’t figure this out five years ago. Because it is a tall corner unit there is SO MUCH storage and underneath it hides my unsightly behemoth printer. We ended up buying this IKEA armoire used off Craigslist for $100. Then Jenny suggested we paint it Benjamin Moore’s Casco Bay and that we change out the hardware to these pretty brass rings. Painting it was a NIGHTMARE just because it is so huge and there was so much to paint. But we are very happy with how it turned out.
Paul and I both spend a lot of time at the computer and it is so nice to be able to close it up when we entertain or when we want to prevent grubby two-year-old hands from getting into all our stuff.
Maria
February 5, 2010
the armoire looks stunning! that color.. a million times better than the original ikea version. I need to be on the lookout for something like this- i hate that the mess in our desk is visible when people stop by.
Susan Petersen
February 5, 2010
i love both these and the toy shelves..perfect.
Joy
February 5, 2010
Fabulous idea! My friend just started working from home and this is an idea she could probably use.
nicole
February 5, 2010
brilliant…plus the color is fab.
Karen P
February 5, 2010
I love the amoire idea. Silly question where do you store your chair when you close up the amoire?
jordan
February 5, 2010
@Karen P we normally just have it sitting next to the left of the armoire against the wall. If we have lots of guests over we pull it in to use as seating.
Kathryn
February 5, 2010
I'm in a tiny NYC apartment & have considered that same desk several times… but does it bother you that you can't put your legs UNDERNEATH it? It's always made me kind of worried. Otherwise, I love the concept (clean + efficient). But where do my legs go? 🙂
Sam and Livi
February 5, 2010
that is such a good idea and it looks so great!
jordan
February 5, 2010
@Kathryn
There is pullout where the keyboard slides out and locks. So you do put your legs under it. I spend a lot of time working on the computer so not having an ergonomic and comfortable working space would've been a dealbreaker for me.
Linz
February 5, 2010
oh WOW, that armoire looks absolutely gorgeous! we've been thinking about streamlining our stuff as well. what great inspiration!
rubi
February 5, 2010
i love this!
i was just talking to my sister about how i need ideas on how to have a desktop computer but also be able to save space with out a huge bulky desk to have it on.
this helps!
Lizzy
February 5, 2010
i think i'm going to have dreams about painting something that color. it's beautiful and very functional.
c
February 5, 2010
functional + beautiful. love it!
Jenny
February 5, 2010
I so want that armoire. I love that it can HIDE everything if you quick had to close it up if someone showed up and you were in the middle of something.
brittany barney
February 5, 2010
ummm so i just came across your blog and I LOVE IT! can we be bloggy friends??youre amazing!
britt
brittnjacob.blogspot.com
Happenstance
February 5, 2010
This is such a great (and cute) idea! Especially the closing it up part so you can decipher between work and home. Great.
Joanna Goddard
February 5, 2010
so beautiful, jordan! jenny has such brilliant ideas, and you did a lovely job with this. so nice to be able to shut the armoire when you just want to relax 🙂
Jane Flanagan
February 5, 2010
So great and practical and I love the colour!
Eva / Sycamore Street Press
February 5, 2010
love how this turned out…and it was a fun little surprise to see my calendar on the door!
Jodi
February 5, 2010
it looks so great!!
...love Maegan
February 6, 2010
that's an amazing cabinet/armoire. The color is sensational!
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February 6, 2010
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February 6, 2010
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Sharon
February 6, 2010
Very Neat! Did you modify the interior, or it came as is?
Sarah
February 6, 2010
I love this idea! Did you drill holes in the back to get power cords through?
Design Darling
February 6, 2010
jordan, this is beautiful! i love your new play area as well. was it hard to paint solely because of the size or did you have to sand it? i love the idea of painting and jazzing up an inexpensive ikea piece but many of their products are wood veneer so i have always held back. i would love your expert advice!
handmadecharlotte
February 6, 2010
that is EXACTLY what iam trying to do! i need to find or build something!! my computer is in my room…i can not sand it!!very cool! great post!
Sweetchic Events
February 6, 2010
That color is absolutely fabulous!! And I love that you can close everything up (and not have to clean, haha), so easy!
Mary!
February 7, 2010
Such a great alternative to a desk. I love the idea of closing everything up for the night, day or company! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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February 8, 2010
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February 8, 2010
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Bryan and Sarah
February 8, 2010
I think that your living room has turned out great!
selena/ howaboutcookie
February 12, 2010
I just saw your blog linked from apartment therapy. gorgeous! this may have already been answered, but how did you paint over ikea (non)wood? did you have to sand or use primer at all?
I also like the toy bookshelf. As a mom of two boys I'm always trying to figure out how to incorporate their stuff into the home so that it belongs, and so they know that their stuff is welcomed to be on display even when guests are over. great work!
Von Duskus
February 13, 2010
Great job. I love the armoire/desk and it's color; brilliant! I just randomly found your site, and glad I did. Hope to maybe take a letterpress class from you.
SecondCitySoireeJen
February 23, 2010
If we decide to enter the offspring business, we'll definitely need a solution like this. Love it!
potenta
February 27, 2010
jajaja…wouldn't have guessed you put a computer in there 😀
christi
March 2, 2010
absolutely genius and the color is stunning.
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March 28, 2010
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eric and monica
May 15, 2010
great idea… we actually have the same armoire that i've used for the past two years while i've worked from home. we recently disassembled it and i've been wondering what to do with it – either giving it a new look or giving it away. i love your idea!
dining room tables
July 21, 2010
I thought that is just an ordinary cabinet. I was surprised when you open it. Imagine there is a computer inside that cabinet. How amazing is that.