!!!!! Yay! This is the moment I’ve been waiting to share for a year. For Mother’s Day, I we went out to breakfast, then did a little shopping. Not the fun kind, though I did get a new Leatherman Squirt in bright blue. That’s fun, right? Ben bought me a bouquet of Kermit mums. Love how fun they are. When we returned home, I requested asked Ben to install the drawer fronts in my office as my Mother’s Day gift. (Three years ago, I requested a new end table, which is now in the guest bedroom). Being the fantastic hubby he is, he did. I wasn’t able to get any during shots, so I’ll make sure to take some when we install the laundry room drawers.
Ben had already installed the drawers, but the drawer fronts couldn’t be built until the drawers were installed. Which means waiting, which I’m not good at. But, Ben built the fronts and it was my turn to prime and paint. A few afternoon naps and three coats of paint later, the fronts were ready. We went from this:
Which was already a huge improvement over this, both in looks and function:
Now, I can officially say my office is finished. Well, the building, I’m sure it will continue to change and evolve over time and use.
We continued with the Shaker style panel, but had to make a few minor adjustments. Can you see the difference? It’s like a drawer version of Where’s Waldo?
If you haven’t noticed it, good! That was the goal. If you’re wondering, pay close attention to the horizontal pieces. The top drawer front is only 5 inches tall, the second is 5 1/2 inches tall, the third is 8 inches and the bottom is 12 inches. All of the verticals are 2 1/2 inches wide, but the horizontals are not. Why, you ask? Because, the top drawer would be completely flat if the horizontal was still 2 1/2 inches. 2 1/2 + 2 1/2 = 5 The second drawer would have only 1/2 inch between the horizontals, which isn’t enough room for the drawer pull. So, drawer number 1 has 2 inch horizontals, leaving 1 inch for a pull, while the second drawer has 2 1/4 inch horizontals, with an inch for a pull. Pretty fun, right?
After some convincing of Ben, he agreed it wouldn’t look completely stupid. I hate the back-handed compliments. And if it did, it was my idea and not his office.
I love the finished, seamless look, especially paired with the connected squares trim pattern. I think the doors and drawers finish off the space perfectly, concealing every ugly, strictly utilitarian office essential. Well, almost every one. We still need to build, paint and install a pull out shelf to set my printer on. It is ugly and needs to be hidden.
Ben admitted when he finished installing the doors that he was jealous of my office and has plans of a hostile takeover.
The clean white drawers and cabinets are the icing on the cake.
Have you finished any lingering projects? What took so long? Weather? Supplies? Lack of motivation? Just know you’re not the only one with outstanding projects.
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
What a talented husband you have. Your office looks so ‘finished’ and beautiful.
– Joy
Unfortunately, I still have a lingering project. I started striping my laundry room 2 summers ago but ran out of tape to tape the lines off when I got to the last part of the room so I still have about 3 feet of bare white wall. At the time my car was in the shop so I couldn’t just go out and get more tape and by the time I got it back I had lost my momentum. It has been hanging over me for 2 years so I think I will finish it off this summer.
Your office looks great!!!!
you are so lucky to have such a cool office (and a handy husband!) my own office is “in progress” right now–we’re still thinking of installing some trim, inspired by your handiwork!
LOVE the drawers!! We are in the process of installing our on windows… and things keep getting in the way… I feel like I am living in chaos!
You two are amazing! Another beautiful area in your home.
looks fantastic Amanda! You and your husband did an amazing job! Totally jealous of those amazing cabinets and doors!
It looks awesome! As for unfinished projects…um the entire house.
The drawers look awesome! I think the way you had Ben finish them, just makes the entire room look more custom. Great job and yes, I’m jealous!!! I have way to many unfinished jobs just waiting for me to tackle in my garage, not to mention the curtains and fireplace.
The drawers look awesome! I like the way you had Ben finish them, just makes the entire room look more custom. Great job and yes, I’m jealous!!! I have way to many unfinished jobs just waiting for me to tackle in my garage, not to mention the curtains and fireplace.
Thank you so much, everyone! You’re all so fantastic!!
Thanks, Diana! It’s nice to have the finished product. 🙂
Joanna, we’ll have to fight if you do decide to take over. 😉
Criminy, I have plans for a hostile takeover and I don’t live anywhere near you! Nice drawers you’ve got there. I wish that our unfinished built-ins could be finished as painlessly as yours seem to have been (she said, heaving a sigh).
This is an incredible space! Great blog!
Thank you so much, Kendall!!
Wow! It looks great! What a fabulous gift!
Everything looks fantastic, but I have to tell you, the drawer fronts are amazing! You may think they were an adjustment, but to me the graduated spacing makes this looks like an expensive, custom job. (Which, the custom part is correct, by a talented craftsman, BTW!) It looks very high-end, and gives me some ideas for a built in that I have been planning for about 3 years. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much! I agree that the size looks custom and expensive. I’m so glad that you’ve found inspiration for your built in! Built ins can be tricky, but the usable space you get is unbeatable. Happy building. 🙂
Amanda
Oh my goodness those drawer fronts and cabinet doors are dreamy. They make the whole space look so polished, I adore immensely!
xoxo,
Jen
Thank you so much, Jen!! I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
Amanda
Just discovered your blog and LOVE it! These built-ins are fabulous! We did some built-in shelving units in our bedroom but nothing like the work you did in the office. Congrats on a job well done sister!
Hi Jamie,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! So glad to hear you love our blog! Aren’t built ins fantastic? It’s an addiction, though, so look out. Haha.
Thanks!
Amanda
Beautiful office! So nice with the built-ins too. I linked this to my offices post today as well, for inspiration!
Awesome office. Great solution for the problem with the top two drawers too! 🙂
I’m curious, what kind of flooring do you have in your office? I can’t quite tell from the pics, but I like it!
Hi Esther,
Thank you so much for your compliments! The office was a labor of love, but totally worth it! The floors in the basement are ceramic tiles laid in a pinwheel pattern. You can read more about it here:
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/a-productive-weekend/ We really love the durability of it and it is perfect for a below grade space where water could be an issue.
Thanks again!
Amanda