Before and After: A Once-Dated Office Now Has Modern Farmhouse Vibes for Days

Everyone seems to have at least one of those spaces that has taken the style backseat for months (or years) while the rest of the home gets attention. It could be that basement bedroom, a guest bathroom, or perhaps your office. These spaces might not be top priority, but here’s some inspiration for giving those neglected areas some love. Allie, who blogs at Mrs. DIY and the Renaissance Guy, had an office space that started out as a dated pale teal green room—not exactly a motivational place for getting work done. But with a little work, Allie was able to turn it into a gorgeous office that’s easy and actually pleasant to spend whole days in.

Allie began with a wood-paneled accent wall, which she made using plywood cut into uniform strips. For a unique take, she stained it deep green (Minwax’s Austin Field). Her advice: “You will want to stain your wood BEFORE putting it on the wall—this will make the process of removing excess stain a lot easier.”

To start, Allie sanded down each piece of shiplap and applied a coat of Minwax’s Wood Conditioner to help get the best color payoff. Then, she followed with the green-colored stain.

Once this was finished, she installed the wood panels on the back wall of her office, and painted the other walls creamy white (Sherwin-Williams’ Crushed Ice).

Allie filled the area with a pair of minimalist desks (peep those drawer pulls!), plus floating shelves on the green paneled wall that are filled with farmhouse-style art and decor.

A couple lamps—one tall minimalist one in the corner, with a fun pompom-accented shade, and one more traditional black desk lamp—help bring light to the space so it’s extra functional. Patterned curtains help add some whimsy and color.

“I absolutely love the color and the fact that the texture of the wood is still there but with a pop of color,” Allie says of her accent wall. “The green, the texture, the florals, the soft wood stain, the bright whites. I just can’t! It’s everything I had visioned and more!”

Inspired? Submit your own project here.