THE REVEAL! ...

Hi, everyone.

The news for today is ... drum roll, please ... My writing space is FINISHED!!!! YAY!

As most of you know, I have been under construction for the past month. After eight years in my Chicago condo, I realized I desperately needed a writing space. Since condo living doesn't come with a plot of land to build on, condo owners are pretty much STUCK with the space they have ... but are they?

Yes, we are limited to the square footage, BUT space can be reconfigured. As an interior designer, I am well aware of this. And so, after going back and forth in my mind, I had decided to section off part of my oversized living room. When I bought this condo the main feature for me was to have an enormous living room. At the time I wanted to showcase a Parisian salon-style decor. The expansive size and five windows overlooking Lincoln Park, North Pond, and downtown was the perfect space.

After three months I had created a stunning traditional 1920's room to match my vintage condo. It was perfect. I had booked several jobs from it, but as time went by and my business crashed in 2009, the pomp and majesty of the room wore thin. Who needed such a grand space, especially since I had to live of savings and the seldom job.

As I took up writing, the desire for an office grew more intense. I took up illustration again and needed a space that would function for my art. Paints are messy... who wants to ruin a hand-woven Persian rug... not me! That thing cost me the price of a new car! So, needless to say, my space wasn't working for me anymore. I also got over fluffing the down sofa EVERY TIME someone sat on it. My formal days were coming to a close. It was/is time for a more suitable space for my new lifestyle.

Two years ago, I ditched the overstuffed down sofa and chairs, put the antique camel sofa in storage, and replaced them with two low profile, clean-lined, linen sofas. Very Modern... Took my Biedermeier knockoff drawing table out of storage and reconfigured my living room... I even bit the bullet and put a large screen TV over the fireplace ... something I SWORE I would never do. Had to keep the carpet though ... too huge to store. LOL. But still had to be careful with the paint... LOL.

For the past year, I have been toying with the idea and dreaming of an office. Most people would just sell their place and buy another one...not with the real estate market the way it is. Yes, it is a GREAT buyers market, but try to sell. I lost almost $100,000 because of buying high and all the upgrades I put in. So I am totally stuck. And so are many others. That is why I decided to reconfigure.

I made up my mind and decided to move forward with the project. I did a sketch and called a contractor I had worked within the past. Hoping for a good quote, I was completely floored. "Four thousand dollars! Just to throw up drywall!" That wasn't even including materials OR the crown molding, which needed to be matched perfectly. Vintage living sports gorgeous details, but try matching them without paying a fortune. I have nine-inch plaster molding. "Who does plaster anymore?"

I escorted my FORMER contractor to the door and told him he was insane! It was time for Angie's List. I had never used them before but I had heard only good things about them. I joined and immediately contacted three contractors. Two called right away ...

The estimates were half. Shop around before you sign with a contractor. They many overpriced contractors out there.

I decided on one. With the crown molding and a closet, I decided I had to have too, the bill with materials and two doors, one French, one heavy SOLID wood door, came to around $4000.00. Yes, the same as the other guy, but it included so much more. The crown molding alone was over a thousand. Remember I have two sides, two corners, and a bump-out for the closet. I had pocket doors installed too, plus ALL the thick baseboards and door moldings. Again... think vintage. LOTS of woodwork. Beautiful but costly and lots of work.

Now, this quote did not include painting. That would have been another $1500.00. Painters are way overpriced here in Chicago. Thankfully painting is one of my talents ...  I am more meticulous than any painter than I have ever encountered.

Okay... enough of the backstory... Here are the pics. It is amazing, just by putting up a wall, it can change your whole space. It's a totally different condo now. AND  I finally have my office. Let me know what you think...

Here are the before pictures; I want to give you a good sense of the remodel...

Circa... 2004-2010

 

As you can see... Lots of room and WASTED space.

Circa 2010-2012

Lighter walls, no window treatments, drawing table and TV over the fireplace ... EEK! As nice as the new space was, I still had to keep all my projects stored. Not as functional as I wanted/needed.

As you can see some of the lovely vintage details... The crown and baseboards are at least nine inches.

Okay, I guess you waited long enough. Thank you for bearing with me ... Most people thought I was INSANE to even consider breaking this up but you will see why NOW...

Let's start with the Entry...

Here you get a peek of my gallery and kitchen...The French doors lead to the bedroom.

As you can see the new pocket French door that leads into my new office. The living room sports the two sofas facing each other. I had to pull the other carpet because it was way too big for the new living space. I decided to create simple valances just to finish off the windows. This new space is casual, contemporary, and has a homey feel. To the right is the entry. I hung fashion photos; I was a makeup artist and stylist in a previous life.  So the living area has a more sophisticated vibe.

A close-up view. This carpet used to be in the bedroom but it works great here on a diagonal. The reflection in the mirror is the entry and bedroom.

I still kept the nineteenth-century buffet (a family piece and truly beautiful) I also changed the coffee table. This oval one works great in the new space. I found it at a thrift store for a fraction of a new one.

The nice surprise about this remodel the nine-foot ceilings really show their height and the entry adds to the living room space. So now every inch has a purpose. No wasted space now.

Okay, now for the REVEAL!

Upon sliding the new French door into its pocket, you step into my NEW OFFICE...

First, you see my writing/drawing table... A bookcase filled with my blogger pals' books along with several Harry Potter collectibles. To the left is a comfy leather chair...

Toward the back wall, a cool Louis XV knock-off day bed. With all custom pillows. They took me ALL last week to make along with the window treatments. The coffee table is another nineteenth-century family piece. This space now doubles as an office/guestroom (when needed).

Another view from the drawing table and bookshelf... 

As you can see the fireplace is decorative and it looks amazing in its new space. Great to display books and art.

Have a wonderful week everyone... Thank you for sharing in my joy and through my journey.