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    Home » Home Decor And Tips

    Office Decorating Thrift Store Style

    Published by Pam Kessler | 639 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. - 38 Comments

    I've wanted to show you my office for a while now, but that means getting out the vacuum cleaner and the dust rag and my office is about the last thing in the house that actually gets cleaned.

    But miracles do happen and I finally got enough time to toss out the 14 Coke Zero cans and get the room picked up enough to show you.

    Vintage style office decor.

    If you look at the original blueprints of the house, this area didn't exist.

    The original owners stole some area from the "attic" of the garage and converted it into a little loft type room which is accessed via a set of stairs in our master bedroom. It measures 7 ft wide by 15 ft long.

    When you come up the steps and look to the left you see this countertop area. The countertop was here when we bought the house and I go back and forth whether I want to rip it out and make it into a reading nook with a big old fluffy lounge chair or just leaving it be. It is a nice place to sit and do a craft though.

    Home office vintage style decor.

    Farmhouse wire basked with a stack of linen in it.

    Office cubbies made from old wooden drawers.

    Was I drunk when I hung that yardstick?

    Back when I worked from my home, this area looked totally different. Lots of books, binders, filing cabinets and the obligatory calculator. But now that I don't need all that serious stuff, I've filled the space with things that just make me happy.

    Notice that I didn't say useful.

    Dried hydrangeas displayed in a burlap vase.
    Vintage serving trays.
    Flea market decor and player piano rolls.

    To the right of the questionable countertop area is my desk. Although it has the look of an arts and crafts desk, it is one of those build your own pieces of furniture. Sauder, I believe.

    The chair is an old library chair I found at an antique store for a few bucks.

    Eclectic home office decor.
    Home office decor from the thrift store.
    Vintage style birthday card.
    Vintage blue Omega 30 typewriter.

    This is one of my favorite things in my office. A humongous cheesebox that I use as a file holder. It's my favorite thing because it was part of my late sister's rather large cheesebox collection. She loved a good cheesebox.

    No idea why there is a long black magic marker line underneath the badger though. I just ignore it, so please feel free to do so yourself.

    Badger brand wooden cheesebox used as a file holder.

    Above the desk is a built-in bookcase area. It's pointy because the ceiling in here is pointy (I probably should have researched the term for that kind if ceiling).

    Vintage style office decor ideas.

    The previous owner of the house was an avid woodworker, so we have quite a bit of built-ins and bookcase type things around here.

    I'm toying with the idea of painting all the built ins white to match the molding in the house, but am a little petrified of making that huge of a change.

    Reproduction vintage style radio.
    Wooden hook used as farmhouse decoration.

    Going on around the room to the right of the desk is my dresser. I use it to hold my craft supplies.

    Vintage style office storage ideas.

    Suitcases are great for storage, BTW.

    Vintage suitcases used as office storage.

    To the right of that and directly behind the desk is this weird area. It is raised up about two feet off the floor, because it sits over top of a small portion of the bathroom area.

    Old barn vent used as a bulletin board.

    About the only thing I do with it is use it to display stuff, like the barn vent I bought at a farm sale and the Versa Fold-n-Roll cart you've also seen in my entranceway.

    Black Versa Fold n Roll cart with hydrangeas setting on it.
    Blue mason jar setting on a shelf.

    If you take two steps to the right you are back where we started at the steps leading up here. I decided not to show you the steps because, well, they are steps. You've all seen steps, people.

    So that completes the tour of the office. Please stay seated until the ride has come to a complete stop and exit the ride safely. Enjoy the rest of your day!

    pin arrow
    Office decor thrift store style.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Polly

      September 26, 2012 at 7:27 am

      great space Pam and so much fun stuff! lots of eye candy! OMG that Limburger cheese box reminds me so much of my Dad! he loved Limburger cheese! the rest of us in the house, yeah not so much....stinky!!!

      Thanks for sharing! I'm inspired to clean my craft room now!!

      Reply
    2. A Walk in the Countryside

      September 26, 2012 at 8:30 am

      Great space! I love how you used all your vintage items!

      Reply
    3. Mrs. Miller

      September 26, 2012 at 10:53 am

      I love that little green book shelf in the background. It's really cute!

      Reply
    4. [email protected]

      September 26, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      You have such a great collection. Love cheese boxes, love the typewriter, love the card in the frog , ok, just love your entire office. I'm going back to look some more after I pick the kids up from school.
      Joy

      Reply
    5. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      September 26, 2012 at 6:30 pm

      This is such a great space, Pam, with your personality written all over it! I am loving all of the dog goodies tucked here and there...

      Reply
    6. decorator to the stars

      September 27, 2012 at 12:06 pm

      PAM, THIS IS WAY TOO NEAT..PLEASE COME OVER NOW & REDO MY OFFICE AS IT LOOKS LIKE A TORNADO CAME THROUGH IT....ALL THE TIMNE LOL GIO

      Reply
    7. Kerin

      September 27, 2012 at 12:08 pm

      Great office!
      Full of wonderful details, and charm. Looks like a place to spend the entire day in bliss 🙂

      Reply
    8. {northern cottage}

      September 27, 2012 at 3:47 pm

      what a wonderful mixture of vintage goodies and displays so perfectly - well done! now get to work! xo

      Reply
    9. Eclectically Vintage

      September 28, 2012 at 9:16 pm

      Maybe it pays to be drunk while hanging things in your office - because it certainly paid off! Love all your vintage fabulousness - the chessebox file cabinet, suitcases and toolbox! Cheers!!
      Kelly

      Reply
    10. Joselyn @ The DIY Spot

      September 29, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      What a great space filled with such beautiful vintage treasures! Love it!

      Reply
    11. Snooks

      October 28, 2012 at 10:26 pm

      LOVE your office. What a great space. I love how you have everything displayed so neatly. Everything that makes you happy it looks like is there. This room must make you smile every time you enter it.

      @ 3Beeze Homestead

      Reply
    12. Jenny

      December 02, 2012 at 8:55 pm

      Love the room! The cheese box, suitcases and the music-covered magazine holders. How did you make those? What kind of holders did you use? Metal? Cardboard?

      Reply
    13. Jenny

      December 02, 2012 at 8:56 pm

      Love the cheese box, suitcases and the music themed magazine holders. How did you make them? Metal holders? Cardboard?

      Reply
    14. Lisa

      April 14, 2013 at 12:08 pm

      I found your blog at Hometalk and I love it! You are charming and witty, and I love looking at your eclectic collection. I agree with you, keep your kitchen cabinets the way they are, they are warm looking. I feel like I could walk into your house and sit and chat with you over Cokes for hours! 😉

      Reply
    15. Chris Rothenbach

      June 30, 2013 at 9:52 am

      love how cozy you've made this space. I swear your little green bookshelf looks just like one I have. I thought my dad made it in school (1930's) I'll have to photo

      Reply
    16. TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic

      November 08, 2013 at 4:54 pm

      Oh wow, so glad I found this via today's post and Debbiedoo's! Love your cozy area and getting a look at the fun bits that make you smile. I loved the teeny old family pictures in there too. Great post; now I'm heading back to finish my tour of your home!

      Reply
    17. Denyse @ Glitter, Glue, Paint

      January 18, 2014 at 9:38 pm

      Pam, I love the space. The Vintage looks is so well put together. And, that typewriter is dreamy!!

      xoxo
      Denyse

      Reply
    18. gadawn57

      November 13, 2014 at 10:44 am

      Seriously love your 'vintage' office. And in particular, love the many different cheese boxes you have (and have re'd from your late sister). I have one round white cheese box but I love the ones you have found. I have never seen them out and about and so would love a couple to use around! Again, I love most of the goodies you have found to decorate with. What a nice vintagey office space!

      Reply
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