My niece, Becky, just purchased her first place – really proud of her!!! Becky’s small condo has a room that’s referred to as a second bedroom, but truth be told, it is beyond tiny and does not have a closet. I suppose a twin bed could be crammed against the wall with a mini table to one side. While the room lacks square footage, it does get an enviable amount of brilliant sunshine. Becky has been stressing out about making this room into a stylish and happy home office with a cozy sitting area, all on a modest budget. I told her: don’t worry, let’s go shopping. Please know that my niece, as much as I love her, is not a tone-on-tone girl – she adores color! Our first and only stop was HomeGoods.
And just to be clear, this is not a sponsored post nor have we been compensated by HomeGoods.
I fell in love with the tailored lines of this small-scaled clubchair, and Becky couldn’t resist its aqua-blue color, so we grabbed it. Just look at those tapered straight legs, front castors and nail head trim – beautiful! It became the starting point for the room.
Then we found the geometric print and, of course, a coordinating pillow. (The framed print was $35 after discount so I had to have one myself.) Starting to look very colorful – Miss Becky was all smiles 🙂
Time to jazz it up a bit and look for something different. Hiding in the artwork section was this dresser with a silver leaf finish. It does have some scratches, so check everything carefully. Again, the size is perfect and it’s young, glam and unexpected.
The Danish Wishbone chair is mine, but I’m thinking Becky should have it for her desk chair. We didn’t find a desk, though. Any suggestions?
Her condo is being painted as well as carpeted, so I’m holding the goodies at my shop…..very tempting, Becky!
Cheers,
Loi
Becky has a perfect uncle, one who can help her pull it all together. It really looks great and even though there is colour, it's calming to its space I am sure. Love the chair and the legs on it have that French empire feel to it, she is going to have a home office space to love. Your wishbone chair adds just the right punch to the pieces, delicate balance to the heavier pieces that will accompany the rooms space.
Loi, I could see a weathered black desk here in this groping. She can accent the surface with a stack of books on the edge of the desk top and a lamp or vase set atop the books maybe a wood box sitting on the desk top and a great colourfull glass paperweight.
Have you thought to check out salvage office furniture shops? We have a couple here and I often find fancier desk then the typical ones for an office. I found one for a friend and we painted hers a shabby chic white due to her business and white being a great fit for her.
An old beat up desk, yet heavy and sturdy would be a great anchor piece for her room of perfectness, a distressed desk would add a bit of instant history to the room. I am sure you will come up with something great, and I hope you share the finished room.
Have a beautiful week.
See you soon.
Tell Becky she chose well on her choices and input from her uncle I am sure helped her fill confident in her choices.
Xx
Dore
Dore – Wonderful tips and suggestion! Thanks so much!! We'd love to find a vintage piece….wish us luck 🙂
Becky sounds darling, and her colors she picked gives us insight into her, I would guess, outgoing and happy personality. How divine to have Loi for an uncle who will go shopping with her, be an adviser and designer extrodinare, and someone who will cheer her on in her new and first home purchase!!! Congratulations to Becky!! I hope you share pictures!
Love the color of the chair and all the details. Becky is fortunate to have you Loi! You two created a good combo of color and neutrals, very lovely space!
Hugs,
Vesna
Hello Loi, So far, so good; an interesting mix of shapes, colors and finishes. For the next piece, your niece might look for something a little different–not necessarily too contrasting, but to avoid the look that all pieces were bought at the same time and place. If she is going to spend a lot of time at the desk with a computer, ergonomics (height, size, solidity, etc.) should be taken into consideration.
–Jim
Becky will be spending quite a bit of time working from home. Appreciate your suggestions, Jim.
I love what you have done! As for a desk, IKEA has some neat glossy top ones that might blend well with the pieces, or an inexpensive antique store piece….or Craig's List? And yes, I say she definitely needs your chair 🙂
Ikea is awesome! I've had great luck there. Thanks so much.
I have a tiny space I use as an office, I use the CB2 small acrylic console table, it just fits my Mac and a little Louis chair fits it perfectly. I also considered a small parsons desk in lacquer. Congratulations to your niece on her new home.
Ooooh, really love the idea of a lacquered Parsons desk!!! Thanks 🙂
I think her desk should be fuchsia! Looks great, and how fun to have your help. congratulations to her!
I like this desk from Room and Board: http://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/office/desks/slim-desks-in-colors. In fact, I think you directed me to the slim end tables in white!
Thanks, Lori!!! Gotta check that out in person. xo
I wish I'd had an uncle such as you when I had my tiny DC apartment many, many moons ago! It certainly never looked as elegant and gorgeous as what you've created for Ms.Becky – lucky lady! I'm sure you'll discover the perfect small desk out there – perhaps paint it a lovely dark charcoal grey with just a wee bit of distressing to make it appear less heavy close to the silvery piece as the room is small.
I'm really loving that brushed silver chest – it's shape and size make it a piece to use anywhere. I think I'm going to be looking for something to paint in that same finish which is really awesome.
Happy week Loi – hope there's not too much snow falling on Washington today!
Hugs – Mary
She is so lucky to have such a sweet and talented uncle! It is looking great, and that chair has lovely detailing! For the desk you all could get a plain solid wood door from Habitat ( I got one for $35) and mount it on the wall with brackets, possibly even paint it? We did a similar thing for a small boy's room and made a wall length desk; it looks minimal and maintains leg room underneath. Best of luck and have fun! xo Nancy
Love your idea of brackets for support!!! Now why didn't I think of that? 🙂
LOVE this grouping! Pretty, pretty chair and chest. How about a side table (U-shaped) that can sit next to the desk chair, then be turned for using her laptop? The negative space around it would help with the minimal square footage problem.
Another great idea! Thanks, Linda!!!
So pretty and its nice to let the young'uns know that it can be done on a budget. West Elm has several nice Parsons desk choices.
Yes, I'm thinking Parsons style desk will be purrrrrr-fect!
oh, to have you as a family member who comes to the decorating rescue…heaven! loi, you illustrate beautifully how to pair a few homegoods pieces with a finer piece to establish a wonderful, collected look. great post, as always. donna
Fun project, Loi! And what great finds. You and Becky make a great shopping team!
Have a good week!
xo,
Phyllis
oh i love everything so far- looks fabulous and i love her fun use of color and that silver chest! as for a desk, since she is going with the wood wishbone chair, something painted would be great i think- maybe just a neutral white or gray. maybe sweet clover will have what she needs at our feb sale. 😉
You just might see Becky and me there in February!!! Thanks, Cassie.
I love everything about that chair and the silver chest looks perfect…she cant go wrong with you helping her…
Congratulations to Becky, and how lucky she is to have your help pulling together this bright and happy space. You two make a great team. It would be hard not to be happy sitting in that bright blue chair. Good luck with the desk hunt! Have a wonderful week, Loi! XO
A GOOD START with UNCLE I WOULD SAY!I doNOT like the offer of the desk chair………..just does not GO with HER LOOK and is it all that comfortable???I would propose something with a higher back so she can sit back and relax from THAT COMPUTER!Thats my TWO CENTS, but I am NOT a DECORATOR, so YOU doNOT have to LISTEN to ME!
Thank, Contessa. I'm fine with keeping my Wishbone. I think it's not bad (for comfort). Appreciate your thoughts! xo
Hello Loi,
We fear that we are rather too old to become your new adopted nephew and niece but, if you would consider such a proposal, we should happily be the chosen ones. With just a metaphorical flick of the wrist and the wave of a wand you can create your own magic in an instant, transforming even the most unpromising spaces into mini works of art. This grouping is so pretty as well as practical.
As for a desk….well…possibly something Perspex to give a floating effect and to be able to be looked through.? However, just recently we saw this ingenious Italian furniture, specifically designed for tiny spaces where bed becomes desk and vice versa at the touch of a lever. Fabulous…..as long as one is not sleeping at the time!
You are always full of clever ideas, Jane and Lance. And congratulations on your new country home in England. Cheers
Lucky Becky to have you along when shopping for home décor. I wish!!!!
What a lucky girl with an uncle as talented and generous as you, loi!!!!! I am a tone on tone girl too, but a pop of turquoise is always welcomed, and the sunlight it perfect! Great deals, great design, always with you. Much love yo you dear
oi! Anita
Becky is so fortunate to have your help with her decor
Loi! Bravo, great job, it is all beautifully unique and artful!
xoxo
Karena
New Feature Frederique Chemin
Dear Loi,
You are a very FABULOUS UNCLE!!! Your niece is so blessed to have an Uncle Loi!!!!
The pieces you got are PERFECT for a young girl starting out in her own place. The clean lines and styling accommodates all the colors beautifully!
With your help, a desk that compliments the chair will be a fun adventure!!!
Have fun and continue to share….
xo
Patty
Loi, it is so fun to see you do color! We are in sync today because my post is all about Spring color, which I am very much looking forward too. Your niece is one very lucky lady to have you at her side to guide her. You found some great finds there! Happy Monday and hope the rest of your week is full of fun things to do and think about….http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2015/01/craving-some-color-in-my-home-for-spring.html
Love what you have selected. So pretty and fresh! I think a lucite desk with an upholstered chair (comfy) would be great looking. It would take up less space visually…or you could go with a contempory desk with straight lines and a ghost chair. Again, it would take up less space.
She is so blessed to have you help and talent!
Lucite – YES!!!!!!!! So chic and barely there (visually). Thank you, Anonymous. I appreciate your ideas.
Honestly, what DID we do before "Home Goods?!" Great "finds" for this young lady….the perfect "desk" will happen with "both" of your talented vision. franki
Becky is so lucky to have you for an uncle, Loi! What beautiful selections you all made.
Mary Alice
Loi,
I wish I had an uncle like you for my first apartment! Truth is, there are so many more options than there used to be for those starting out. It's truly amazing how Home Goods and others have changed the ability for even first time homeowners to have a stylish and attractive place. I love that chair with the nail heads. Great start on her home study.
xo,
Karen
Loi,
This sitting area is beautiful. I do love the blue and the geometric print is fantastic. The silver leaf dresser has sparked an idea for my art studio (thank you for that). I love it!
Susan
Look at all that color! What a change (if only temporary!) So, is this actually her apartment, or your shop where you are storing the items? It certainly does have lots of wonderful light and sunshine. As others have said, I think a Parsons desk would be perfect… West Elm or CB2 would have the best prices probably. Or keep trying HomeGoods!
Her entire apartment has the same wall color and similar carpeting in that room. It's tiny, so hard to photograph that space.
what a lucky girl Becky is + a parsons desk(white, West Elm) would be good + great images. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
world market has a $99 desk , josephine. perect!
Great tip!! Will check out the website and search for this item. Thanks, Josephine!
So lovely and so serene…I can see settling in with a great book and a cup of coffee (or wine) and just forgetting about everything! The club chair is wonderful…lucky Becky!
It's a great day when you do not have to go beyond the wall of HomeGoods to get a beautiful look….Love that chair and the print is perfect!….I am sure your niece is happy to have a talented uncle who can guide her in making her condo a place of beauty and warmth!…Stay warm up there!!
All great pieces. That silver leaf dresser is very chic! I'm sure this room, as well as her entire place, will look fantastic. Please share more photos with us (if your niece will allow, that is!).
Claudia
What a lovely place to sit and read or work and the pops of color would make anyone happy to spend time there. Have you looked at Ikea for a desk? We love the ones with a lacquer finish. Once you're done with Becky, will you come help us?
xxoo
C + C
Will check out Ikea, for sure!!! Thanks 🙂
Hi, Loi (Mr. Tone On Tone) — I'm glad Becky is injecting color into your life, if only for a day!! :o)
Loi every girl should be so lucky to have an Uncle Loi. Becky's room shines with a sophistication that you helped her achieve. thanks for sharing this post, it shows the sweetness that dwells in your heart. You rocked the glam look for Becky, I am sure she is very proud.
xo,
Vera
How fortunate for Becky to have you helping her!! I love the chair and can't wait to see the rest. No doubt it will be beautiful!!
xo.Leslie
Segreto Finishes
Hi Loi,
This desk could add some femininity, depending on what direction you are taking the room. It's available in 2 sizes and about thirty colors. Click the customize button once you scroll down the page.
http://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/shop-furniture-home-office-desks/emily-desk/139365.html#q=emily&start=1
Thank you, Anonymous. I do like it and will measure Becky's space. Hope we can see / try this piece in a showroom.
uncle loi, you are wonderful in all regards, but i already knew that! a true talent can transfer out of their comfort zone and even make home goods look like a star. fortunate becky, all is lovely
debra
What a fun uncle you are and what a successful day of shopping. Love all of your choices and the turquoise chair adds such a fun pop of color to the room.
Come again? Home Goods!?!?!? Not that there's anything wrong with Home Goods. That's my price point! lol. It's just how do you make Home Goods like it came from Niermann-Weeks? haha! So lovely! What a lucky girl! I wish Uncle Loi would come and decorate my place! xoxo ~ Laurel
Becky has great and stylish taste just like the uncle. She is so lucky to have you as an uncle to help her to go shopping and decorate her place. Love the teal blue char , silver cabinet and print. Perfect combination!
What a fab uncle you are! Love how you changed your watermark for this post. I need photography lessons from you.
LOVE that chair – love it all. I hope you'll post pictures when the apartment is all finished – and maybe tell us which Home Goods you're going to…
Yes, I hope to blog about Becky's condo. As mentioned, she is on a budget and furnishing her new home slowly. I always shop at the HomeGoods in Rockville, MD.
Thanks! We've all been there (starting out) and most of us are still making decorating decisions as the budget allows. I'm sure her condo will look beautiful throughout the process and hope the two of you enjoy doing it together.
Hello Loi
How fortunate Becky is to have you go along as she makes major decisions. I love all the items you have found and I am confident she will have a beautiful apartment. This is a very exciting time for Becky, I remember my first apartment and the joy.
Helenxx
Hi Loi, what lovely finds for Becky's condo. Home Goods has such great finds (or maybe it's your great eye!). Congrats to you and Becky on this lovely room. Admiring that wishbone chair – a lovely flourish, and that artwork is really great with the chair. Well done you two m
Xo Terri
You are such a nice uncle! Her condo is going to be fabulous and so fun with color! Well, done with your finds! Can you come shopping with me?!! :o)
Oh dear LOI! I just read your comment on my blog, and I have tears welling up! You are just a thoughtful man. MY GOODNESS you are kind. I MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH, but I am still visiting all of you dear friends. I tell ya, when I first came to this post, (I hope I remembered to leave a comment!) I was so thrilled to see how you helped your niece find the right accessories on a budget. The combo of this aqua and silver with the soft white is so you, so ME! And your niece is indeed to have a talented AND kind uncle!
Oh my friend, I tell ya, I won't be gone for long. I will be back. But here is my plan: I am compiling my best blog posts, revising and editing them, taking out the photos (copyright issues) and revamping the posts with my own photos (crossing my fingers for good quality) in order to SELF-PUBLISH this into a BOOK! Yep, call me audacious, but dang if I'm leaving this world before I get my ideas down in a book!
So with that said, watch for an announcement from me. But I am always here, loving the creativity, the levels of ability and ideas in a place called Blogland. Be well dear one. Love to you and Tom, Anita
Hi Loi~I would fall for that chair in no time at all. I'm a chair gal…for sure!
How exciting for Becky to buy her first home! And how lucky she is to have you to help her decorate it. You have such a knack for decorating simply, yet still have it feel exciting. I love the pieces you chose!
The Chair look different and it adds beauty to the Room.
Like Becky, I'm a colour girl, as you know, and so I was thrilled to see her uncle's signature touch in this room, which is so alluring in aqua, cream and sand, bringing to mind, sea, sand and fog – all very romantic, don't you think? Lovely, calming, and creatively inviting!
Happy weekend, my friend!
xo
Poppy
Your nieces room looks lovely Loi. Lucky her to have you to help her!!
Have a good weekend!
Madelief x
it's coming together beautifully, loi! not sure if it would fit the bill, but CB2 has those peekaboo acrylic console tables which may be able to double as a writing surface and take up no visual space. peace to you right where you are.
OMG, these pieces are so young and fresh- she's so lucky to have you as a resource!
Hugs,
Sarah
What a sweet uncle you are, Loi! Love that blue chair. Home Goods really has some great things. Regarding a desk, how about the Parsons-style desk from West Elm? As you probably know, it's available in a smaller size too.
Deborah
I saw this on Instagram and was smitten. Love the color of that chair and the detailing of that chair! I also adore how you paired the modern wishbone chair with it; mixing different styles. Beautiful! xx
Love the color combination Loi and of course, you know how much of a fan I am of geometric patterns! Can't wait to see more!