So we are coming up on nearly a year since I blogged about having the tile floors in my office painted. I was so pleased with the results but nervous about how they would hold up over time. Well, I had nothing to worry about the only sign of wear is a few dust bunnies, other than those, they look just as good as the day the painters left. I used Benjamin Moores, Advance paint in Black Jack, then sealed it with 2 coats of Old Masters, water-based Masters Armor. They are a little slick so I’ve used plenty of area rugs and have not had any problems myself. Originally, I was going to have matching hallway and office rugs from Pottery Barn, but I liked the way the black set off the white rug that I went with a black rug from Sisal Rugs Direct. After seeing how well the floors were doing I decided to add some paint to my office bath. The counter and shower walls had been done in an equally ugly tile so I painted those in Simply White and the maple cabinet in high gloss Chrome Green, both by Benjamin Moore. Some new hardware, light, fixture,s and area rug, now I have a whole new look for under $200.

Typically I am a Nay when it comes to accent walls, it always looks odd to me to have this one wall jumping out at you. The contrast is too much for me. If you’re going to do it, then do it damn it! However, I am intrigued by all these new murals we are seeing on the internet and in wallpaper books. I recently did a re-design for a woman’s office that sells Mary Kay. She asked for something girly but comfortable for clients to visit and be able to try products, she also wanted a small POP of Mary Kay pink. Not being too familiar with Mary Kay, I immediately thought of the blush pink cars I’ve periodically seen around town. This is not entirely true any more, Mary Kay has moved right along with the times and they have added a new, BOLD, beautiful pink to their marketing. Here is the plan I came up with…

The budget was tight on this one, $1000. but she already had a desk, bookshelf and table that she wanted to use. Target seemed to be the perfect match, budget friendly and local. Oh, did I mention she was also on a very tight time schedule so the internet was pretty much out. We painted the entire office the pale blush color and her inventory closet the new MK bold pink. This incredible mural is going up on the wall opposite of the doorway and will make for a dramatic entrance. From Target I found these stools as well as the chairs and lamps to add some color and punched it all up with some black/white and teal desk accessories from Staples. Topped it off with a new antique brass light fixture and a sofa table in marble and brass. We pulled it all off and came in just a hair under budget!