A New Workspace For 2014

Once upon a time... we used to have a dining room. Since the girls were too young to be allowed to play in their bedroom alone at the time we turned it into a play room complete with TV, VHS player, a cosy bed repurposed as a lounge sofa, lots of books, toys and mess. Since I've been working from home now since the summer and the girls are now five and three we've decided that we're re-claiming it so I can have a bigger area to work and we can also all sit down to eat at the same table that's not crammed into our decently sized but terribly laid out kitchen.

The first step is to wallpaper over the light pink on the opposing walls with this gorgeous silver and cream songbird paper that will go beautifully with the dove grey we have on the other walls. Instead of curtains we're going to hang white voiles for an airy feel as the window looks out on to our very private garden so we don't have to worry about privacy, as such. The next step is to brave Ikea's delivery (which I'm slightly worried about after my friend Vicki's recent experience to pick up two neck LACK tables and this beautiful large MICKE desk which I feel would go so well with this cream faux leather chair and the iMac I'm saving for.

In the corner there'll be our round pine dining table with four chairs that at some point I do intend on sanding down to paint white but right now it'll be covered with a white lace tablecloth and made beautiful with my favourite flowers, peonies. They may not be quite in season yet but I have a few gorgeous silk bunches that will go perfectly. There's an armchair covered in a duck egg blue throw that I'm going to keep for reading and I'll add a floor lamp to finish it off, possibly a rug and a new light shade.

I want this to be a place for family and work and while I know that it probably won't go my way in the long run I'm looking forward to having a bigger space of my own as right now I feel banished when I'm working in the spare box bedroom (which we are turning into a big walk in wardrobe for mine and the girls' clothes, by the way - exciting). I'm also very excited because this isn't costing too much at all with a few Amazon and Ikea gift cards I received for Christmas and most of the furniture can be repurposed from other areas of our house like our white EXPEDIT bookcase.

I added the Jo Malone Peony & Blush candle because, well - it fits. It'll be the room's fragrance for at least a few weeks until I burn it out or I become filthy rich to afford these monthly luxuries.

What do you think? Would you add anything I've forgotten?