{new office rug + layout}

A few months back I bought these lamps for my office, but they didn't quite fit underneath the shelves in the previous layout.  I loved these lamps so much that rather than return them and find something a few inches shorter, I decided to re-arrange the office to make it work.  You can see the original layout here.  I actually like this layout much better especially since my desk now looks out the window, but the room still didn't feel "finished" yet.

RugsUSA offered to send me any rug of my choice and this completely solved the uncompleted feeling I was experiencing with this room.  It's crazy how much a rug can pull together a room in an instant.  After agonizing over which rug to choose, (see those options in this post) I went with the safe bet on a trellis pattern in creme and deep navy.  This rug is 100% wool so it has a plush feel to it, but it's not too fussy to be inappropriate for the office.  I also figured that if we ever move to another place without a 2nd bedroom then this rug will easily fit it with our decor in other areas of our place (navy has clearly become one of my favorite colors to decorate with after all).

Right now RugsUSA is offering 65% most off their rugs so you can scoop this guy up for less than $200!

{vintage milk glass and frame from Target} 

 {acrylic note cube from The Container Store & Russell + Hazel tape dispenser}

{chicago guest room + GIVEAWAY!}

One of the things I was most excited about decorating in our Chicago place is the 2nd bedroom which we decided to turn into more of an office/closet rather than a traditional guest bedroom.  Our previous loft barely had one real bedroom so the idea of having a whole second room at my disposal to decorate had my head spinning with ideas.  We decided to paint the walls in fresh white and picked up all the white furniture from Ikea to go along with it. There are still quite a few things on my wishlist to complete in this room such as finding the perfect white rug as well as a white desk chair or completing this little project on the white curtains.  Since we have been so busy in the last few months and my wishlist of projects will not be completed anytime soon with all the holidays plans around the corner, I decided I wanted to share photos of where the office is as of now.

And as a special bonus I have a little tassel garland giveaway for you today from The Flair Exchange at the bottom of this post!!

{one of my favorite images from our wedding printed on canvas} 

 {white "Lack" shelves above the desk}

 {brass tray from here and acrylic desk accessories from The Container Store & Russel + Hazel}

 {vintage milk glass and a boxwood topiary}

{another to do item on my project list for this room is to paint that eagle in the top left gold} 

 {artwork I have had since high school & an artificial lemon tree brighten up the shelves}

 {white ceramic finial jars I scored at Bash, Please's garage sale}

{expedit shelving unit, storage boxes & magazine files all from Ikea}

 {collection of vintage milk glass containers we used for the sweets table at our wedding now 

hold an array of washi tape, sharpies & address stamps}

 {you might recognize this big gold frame from our loft- it is now re-purposed as 

somewhat of an inspiration board & place to display photos/invites}

{somehow even these two closets aren't quite enough space for me as I also use half of the closet

 in the master bedroom- they say the first step is admitting you have a problem...}

{attempting to keep my closet more organized by arranging by color} 

 {garland from The Flair Exchange above my closet- scroll down to win one for yourself!}

{new gold edged business cards}

Carmen from The Flair Exchange who I purchased my tassel garland from has generously offered to giveaway a strand of tassel garland to one lucky reader today so you can adorn your own closet or party or whatever you desire with a garland of your choosing!


Simply leave one comment on this post letting me know where you would plan to use your garland! Winner will be selected by random number drawing on Tuesday December 18th at 11:59pm.


Please note: one entry per reader and this giveaway is only open to US residents. 
Garland will not ship until after Jan. 1st 2013.


**no compensation has been offered from The Flair Exchange to host this giveaway. I just fell in love with my tassel garland and The Flair Exchange has generously offered to giveaway a strand to one of  my readers!!!