The Thinking Spot

I was recently inspired by this recent post by Joy at How Joyful.  Now that our guest room was an actual guest room again (as opposed to the hoarding wedding room that it had been for over a year), I wanted to turn that desk in the corner into a blogging oasis.  Dave has an office, which we lovingly refer to as "The Dave Cave;" maybe I needed my own work space, too.  I wanted something that would inspire me with style, but I also wanted something functional.  Oh, and ergonomically correct.  I'm a physical therapist.  I cannot blog while sitting on a couch.

The only problem with this plan was the centerpiece of the project: the desk itself.  How could I create an adorable brainstorming nook with my $40 hand-me-down Ikea desk? (Yes, hand-me-down Ikea furniture does exist.  Go to grad school and see for yourself!)  Then, I noticed that nearly all of the pictures on Joy's post included crappy furniture!  You don't really notice at first, because your eye goes straight to all of the beautiful surrounding decor.  See for yourself:

{photo by KnitswellaCakes / via How Joyful}

More inspired than before, I decided to get to work.  I pulled together a few leftover wedding pieces, some ribbon, some random pieces of inspiration, and a few office supplies.  Here are the results:

 {left to right: our old cooking utensil crock (recently replaced) filled with wedding leftovers, Alice in Wonderland print (a gift from a friend), chalkboard used in our wedding, birdcage used in our wedding}

 {up to down, left to right: our Save the Date (probably my favorite DIY I've ever done), button from my bachelorette party, Martha Stewart "Busy as a Bee" sticker, Gator alum button, nametag from a Weddingbee meetup, letterpress birthday card from my sister, Chelsea around six months old}

 {notepad and notecards by Liberty of London, calendar by Paper Source, antique bowl used in our wedding and now used as a junk "drawer"}

Best of all, the desk lines up just right with the chair to create another little niche.  Throw down a couple of your older pillows that you've been meaning to get rid of, and you've got a doggie thinking spot, too!

Have you done anything recently to spruce up some of your older furniture?