It's a "Two-fer" Before and After Met Monday Post!

Welcome to My 2nd Metamorphosis Monday

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Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Please visit her blog to see a full list of all Met Monday participants, as well as, Susan's fantastic blog. You'll be so glad you did!

So why did I name my post "Two-fer" Met Monday? You've all heard of a "two-fer" haven't you? "Two fer the Price of One?" Well, that's what you're getting today. Two Before and Afters's in one post.

I am also breaking away from my home to share with you my second home. My home away from home...the home that allows me to pay for all the pretties in my first home...the home I can't wait to leave at the end of the day to head home...my office.

In July 2009, I made the decision to start my own Real Estate firm. It was a five year goal and I was on tract - and more than ready. I purchased a small office building instead of renting. The purchase price was "as-is," and the Seller was mighty proud of how he had furnished and decorated it. Below is how it looked when it was purchased.

The ink where I signed my name on the deed was not even dry when I started painting and re-decorating. :-) The area you see is the large waiting area when you first enter the office. There are three larger offices and a conference room.

THE BEFORE

I painted a warm, neutral color - sorry but I cannot for the life of me remember the color as I type. I salvaged the desks, but otherwise all the furniture was sold on Craigslist. Other than the two wing back chairs which I purchased on sale for $150 each at JoAnn's, I did some "in-home" shopping, and this is what I was able to pull together in about a weekend - with the help of my sweet Hubby, my Mom and Dad and friends. We have spents numerous hours in our fair share of waiting rooms. Buying a home can be a scary process - so I wanted my clients to feel at ease and " home" while they were waiting.

THE AFTER

I needed something to go on each side of the print above the distressed, white cabinet. This is one of my favorite prints that I own. I love all things botanical. This used to hang in my former office, but when hung alone in the new office - it looked very insignificant. So, I searched in my basement and garage for items I already had. Nothing seemed to do any justice to the print. Then, I remembered two metal grates I had purchased at Michael's at a year end sale, for about $6 bucks each. I bought them simply because they were on sale, but didn't have any clue what I would do with them. (Oh please....don't even pretend you've never done THAT before!) :-)

THE PLAIN GRATE BEFORE

They just looked too plain against the wall.. I wanted something with some "umph."

I like umph. Umph can be your friend.

I also had two metal planters.

THE PLAIN PLANTERS BEFORE...

They were very similar in color tone. hmmmmm.....the gears in my mind started churning....(and there is no telling what will happen when that starts!)

Using some ordinary floral wire....I attached the planters to the fronts of the grates.

It then looked like this...

I am famous for saving wreaths and baskets for recycling the florals. My attic is filled with them, I never throw them away. And this was a time which called for recycling like no other. My decorating budget was....well....$0.00

I tore apart a wreath and a floral arrangement, too...and started filling the containers.

This is what I ended up with....

But, it needed one more thing. You see - here in the South - a floral arrangement or wreath ain't completely finished 'til you've added "the moss." I added a few wisps of Spanish moss for texture and softness. It was the perfect finishing touch.

THE AFTER

And here is how they look now, hanging next to my favorite dragonfly and botanical print.

In case you're wondering...although I am a huge fan of Creedence Clearwater Survival (its an old Southern band in case you didn't know LOL) - that is not what the three letters on the wall stand for. It's my business name - Crossroads Carolina Realty.

(By the way....my logo reads "...where all roads lead to home!"

Here is my business logo....

Here are some more views of the waiting area...

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of my office, and also my floral project. Thank you, Susan, for hosting Met Monday.

Happy Home Away From Home....Barb