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New Work Space


I live in a tiny, tiny apartment. It's literally a shoebox. I think it's the price to pay for loving your neighborhood. This means I have to be really creative with my space and the way I decorate it. I also can't paint or make any big changes because we rent and on top of that we are only living in Boston temporarily, we move back to California in a year and a few months, give or take...so we don't want to put a ton of money into a place that will only be home for a while longer. I preface you with all of this because I had to make a big no no design choice that was pertinent to my life. Now that I'm back in school, I needed a place where I can study...so I had to get creative. I opted to make my non-working fireplace a work space {I know, yikes!}.

Here is what my fireplace looked like when I first moved in, here I'm still using it for space:



This marble has given me nightmares since we moved in. I hate it. Despise it. I apologize if you are into it, I hope I'm not offending anyone...but I can't stand it.

So a quick tangent, this is what the bench looks like now, I talked about it first here:

Very easy change. Found the fabric on sale at Joanns and quickly put my staple gun to it. Some of the linen pillows were on sale ridiculously cheap at Pottery Barn so that was an easy purchase.

I had to think of something creative to cover up that marble. I didn't want to use a screen, or a large bookshelf, etc. because I needed that alcove of space inside the non-working fireplace for some type of storage and for it to be accessible, so I did this {sorry my camera is HORRIBLE}:



I went to Home Depot and purchased foam board and cut it to fit the size of the marble. I then covered the pieces in burlap. After that I attached the pieces and finished it off with nailhead. It's not perfect, but it is sooo much better than that marble. I am happy to not be looking at it anymore.

Oh yeah, I also moved the amateur painting to above the work space. I think we like it better here because it was a little much for the bedroom. Again, you've heard me say it before, it will probably get moved again...

So do you agree? Do you like the new space? I understand if others can't look past the fireplace issue and I am very aware that a fireplace should not be used in this manner...but it was necessary for me and my grades. Of course there still needs to be a lot of tweaking here! I'm happy with the start though!

Let me know if you have any questions about this project! I am more than happy to answer them!

Hope everyone has a great start to their week!

24 comments:

  1. Great job. So much better than the marble. Also love the painting.

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  2. Wow, it looks great! What a creative way to cover up that horrible marble. Awesome job!

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  3. I am so impressed... bravo! Your work space is so chic! I don't have a work area at all at my apt- I use my laptop on my bed or the couch haha.

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  4. You are SO CREATIVE!! Does your sweet brain ever stop thinking up things like this!! If there is a will, there is a Carlee!!! Why didn't I get those genes?? I too, use my bed for my studying, and eating, etc!! Take a bow!!

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  5. Hey there! I just happened by your blog via Camila's, and just love what you did for your fireplace project. Nailhead and burlap class up any setting and it adds a very casual elegance to a space.

    Good for you!

    I've really ejoyed finding a new blog to visit.

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  6. this looks amazing!! loving your blog!! thanks for stopping by BH. I'll be back!!

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  7. what a great idea!! I HATE my fireplace too, its brick. I know, I know some people love it- but it just is not my favorite right now. I am SO tempted to take a paint brush to it but I really dont want my landlord freaking out. I think I have to try this idea- thanks!!

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  8. It all looks great. Love what you did to the bench.

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  9. I love it, I think that you did an incredible job! I love the nailheads, nice touch!

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  10. oh my gosh that bench is sooo cute!!

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  11. Fantastic job!!!! Incredibly impressed.

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  12. This is such a clever solution!

    Good thinking!

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  13. Wow - you completely changed the space (for the better). I love the new look, and I think it was incredibly creative of you to think to use that space. Great job!

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  14. Here's something for you two!

    http://laviejaime.blogspot.com/2009/09/7-unique-things.html


    Jaime :)

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  15. Your space has to work for you and I love that you acheived that with this DIY project!

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  16. that bench is divine! and the burlap/jute/flax with nail studs is fabulous!I'm doing my home office as well & us, too have a small space but I guess it's the price we pay for being downtown :( Thanks for stopping by at the blog!

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  17. So pretty! I think you did a fab job here!

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  18. So pretty! I think you did a fab job here!

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  19. I love your solution to cover the marble. Very creative. The marble doesn't really coordinate with your style, covering it was a great solution.

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  20. Thank you everyone for your sweet comments! I truly appreciate them!

    -carlee

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  21. LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out!!

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  22. OK, I am just looking at this again and I need you to come and do this at my apartment- love it!!

    So great to finally meet you last night- its so easy talking to people who have the same interest as me and don’t roll their eyes all night when I talk about decorating...oh and talk about sending PowerPoint presentations of rings :)

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  23. Wow, you did a GREAT job! I have a similarly irritating space I want to cover up, so I might try this. The nailheads look really sophisticated.

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