My plan for my office/craft room is slowly coming together. In the next two weeks, our red playroom will be transformed in a big way. This is what it looks like today (please ignore the paint samples that I just painted on the wall):
I’m really sad to see my baby girl outgrow this little table that I decoupaged with animal print fabric three years ago for her. As you can see, she wore it out with her crafts,tea parties and painting:
So last week, I shared my plan for paint colors using the fabric that I picked out for inspiration:
The sectional sofa has been ordered from Ikea and scheduled for delivery next week:
via Ikea
I have a final plan for floor to ceiling shelving and storage (just saying those words makes me all tingly inside) and a huge wrap around desk with three seating areas on the right side of the room.
Next week, I will be painting this table and it will remain in center of the room with upholstered ottomans tucked underneath (no chairs, so we have more crafting space):
The last thing on my list (before I roll up my sleeves and make this happen) is to make my final decision of the floors. I really want floors grayish in color but most importantly, whatever I choose has to be durable. My daughter and I paint and craft almost daily and I need floors that will hold up to spilled Mod Podge, glitter glue and paint.
So I need your help. I have too many amazing choices and it’s really hard for me to make the final decision and I would love your thoughts and opinions. I do have something that I’m strongly leaning towards but I would love to hear what you think.
So I have narrowed down my floor choices to these four:
I have to tell you and I think you guys are going to be surprised, but I am leaning towards the vinyl plank floors! Stick with me here and let me tell you why..
I have done tons of research in the last few weeks and vinyl flooring has evolved in a seriously huge way! I haven’t picked out floors in 10 years and had absolutely no clue until recently that vinyl plank would ever be even remotely a consideration. The wood grain is just as vibrant and the durability factor is really impressive (ideal for high moisture areas). It’s like these floors were designed for crafty chicas!
Ok, before I tell you which floor I am leaning towards, can you guess which two are the vinyl {** Jeopardy music**}:
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#1 and #2 are vinyl!! Can you believe that?!? {Did you guess it}? Isn’t that amazing!
Ok, so I’m leaning towards #1 and #2, which are Vesdura Century Oak (#1) and Vesdura Aspen Grey (#2). The other two are laminate planks and they are Lamton Antique White (#3) and Toklo Charleston Grey (#4). I focused on vinyl and laminate because durability and budget friendly are the number one priority for me for this space.
I love the wood grain definition more in the Aspen Grey but the Century Oak is more gray and the color that I envisioned. Get this, Aspen Grey is waterproof! Music to my ears!
It’s hard to see in the pictures, but the Century is significantly grayer than the the Aspen. I like the grain definition in the Century but that Aspen is really prominent and would be really unique:
I’m wondering if the Aspen (#2) would be too busy for my space but can you image how amazing it would look? I really like the gray color in #1 the best… So what should I do? Should I go for it and go with that gorgeous grain definition or should I play it safe and go more grey and little more subtle? I know, serious world issues here…
I would love to hear your thoughts.
By the way, all of my final floor choices are from BuildDirect. My Cousin Frank told me about their great prices and that they ship free samples of the flooring (no shipping cost either!). I couldn’t believe it when my samples arrived two days after ordering and they were large sized samples. All of my other samples from Lowe’s and Home Depot were itty bitty little squares that I couldn’t tell anything.
So any way, I can’t wait to see what you guys think and I can’t wait to finally get this project under way.
Have a great weekend friends and I’ll be back on Monday!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Jenny@EvolutionofStyle says
Lovely choices! At first I was leaning towards #2, but now I’m thinking #1. So difficult with so many beautiful options! I know whatever you choose will be gorgeous – it’s all coming together and I can’t wait to see the final room!
Cyndy says
Thanks Jenny! Yes, too many great choices! A good problem to have. #1 has a beautiful gray color that I could not capture in the pictures. That’s where I’m leaning too. Hopefully all of this will come together as I envision it. Have a great weekend Jenny!
Suzette says
I looked at all the photos and swatches before I read anything, and my immediate impulse was #1. That gray goes the best with the ikat print. It is warmer and softer. Your instincts are good. Trust yourself.
Megan says
I was leaning towards 1 and 2 when I saw the first picture! Any of these choices will look so lovely in the space. Your room is going to be amazing, Cyndy!
Cyndy says
Thanks Megan!
Angie says
#2 was my choice even before you explained how completely awesome it is. The waterproof element was what put it over the top for me. What more could you ask for in a craft room – beautiful, durable and waterproof? Love #2.
Binda says
lovely flooring! The greys are rich and will provide with lots of opportunities to freshen you room colour palette in years to come too. I prefer real wood for it ‘s tactile properties and warmth, (carpenter’s daughter) but agree the laminates are coming along and certainly have that waterproof and affordability edge.
I look forward to your pulling it all together!
Cyndy says
Thanks Binda! I agree and so love wood floors too and normally I would go that route but waterproof in this space is music to my ears! LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Molly Meusburger says
I like the color and grain of # 1 century oak ( abit more muted.)
# 2 aspen gray has what looks like tiny pronounced ridges. Is it even a smooth surface? The only thing I think the aspen gray has going for it is that it is waterproof- so not sure how much of a factor that plays into it.
Good luck making your decision! I am usually great at helping to make other people’s decisions but absolutely horrible at making my own!!!
Molly
HJ says
Molly makes a good point about pronounced ridges. We had a vinyl woodgrain floor put in our kitchen several years ago. From the sample, we had not even realized it had ridges. After installation it was rough on bare feet and food was difficult to remove from the ridges. When we renovated our kitchen a couple of years ago, we had a real wood floor put in that matches our dining room which is adjacent. We like the warmth of the wood but it dents easily if a can accidently falls to the floor and chair legs can scratch it if not padded well. As soon as I saw your options, Cyndy, I loved #1 century oak with your color combination. Any choice will make a stunning room.
Cyndy says
Both vinyl planks have ridges and are not smooth, just like wood. I couldn’t believe it when the samples arrived that they even had the texture. Yes, I love to help others but agonize over my own decisions. Thanks so much Molly for stopping by!
kelly arent says
This is going to be a fabulous transformation….can wait to see it!
Cyndy says
Thank you so much Kelly!
Jane B says
#1!!
Jen says
Your space is amazing! What a great space to change into a craft/office. I can’t wait to see how it comes together. I am really enjoying your posts about how to design a room. We just bought a new house a few months ago and are saving up funds to finish our whole basement so it’s a bit overwhelming to think about but your tips on paint colors and all that have really helped.
Cyndy says
Oh thank you Jen! I’m so glad my paint color posts have been helpful. I sure wish I had a basement! I have seen some amazing basement transformations on Houzz. If you get the chance, take a look through. So much inspiration! Thanks for stopping by Jen!
Darlene says
I think #1 would be my choice. Crafts….waterproof…vinyl. Sounds like a great combination to me. Can’t wait to see the end results.
debbie says
I am still leaning toward #2; however, any will be lovely. I have been looking at flooring about as long as paint and I want to use green products as much as possible. Vinyl is not green; however, linoleum//marmoleum are green. I saw candice olson use linoleum in a room of hers and it was beautiful. The secret is using the whole sheet not tiles and since it is softer, it is much more comfortable for you feet.
Cyndy says
Thanks Debbie for stopping by!
Julie says
No doubt in my mind, number 1 is by far the choice I would make! Good Luck! It looks like it will be a very beautiful space either way!
ann says
I would use #1 love the grain and will hide any scratches or future wear and tear—have used vinyl plank in one of our rental apts in Hobe Sound, FL (sandy area) and it has held up thru 4 tenants and is still good–we are going to return to that product next time reno is needed because t holds up better than the laminate flooring we had tried in other rental units—only problem we have with it (which you will not have) is the intense floor prep of concrete surface so that no bumps or flaws come thru the vinyl (need smooth surface)
Cyndy says
This is so good to hear Ann about the durability of the vinyl planks. From what I am learning, it sounds like its one of the most durable floors available. I’m gonna need it!! Thanks so much for stopping by Ann!
Kirsten says
Oh your space is amazing. Cant wait to see your finished office/craft room either. Someday I’m hoping for a full room separate from everyone, hopefully I wont’ have to wait till one of my kids moves out. lol.
Thank you thank you thank you for suggesting Build Direct. We have been looking into different options for our kitchen and my husband had suggested vinyl but I have to admit I turned my nose up until I saw these. Ordered my samples, can’t wait to see them. My head is whirling with design possibilities, I’m imagining laying them in some sort of pattern, maybe with a border in another color. Ok before I get carried away.
Great Post!!!
Cyndy says
Yes, I have been so impressed with Build Direct and their website is a great resource too. I can’t wait for you to receive the samples, you are going to be even more impressed when you see the texture! Yes, so many possibilities!! Thanks so much Kirsten for stopping by!
Carine says
I actually thought #3 and 4 were vynil, I was shocked to find I was wrong. I like #2 because it is waterproof (my 17 months old is practicing her ‘I am a big girl, don’t need your assistance’ skills, you can just imagine the result, lol. However, I think #1 will go well with your sectional and your color scheme. Will you design your ottomans?
Carolyn of Wellington Square Designs says
I’m all in to #1…durability, color appears a good compliment to your fabrics (#2 blends with sofa color too closely for me). Great choice for beauty and function in a well used room. Anxious to see it put together.
Denise says
I think I’d go with the aspen. I love it’s uniqueness and that it’s slightly darker. It will probably be more forgiving for cleaning since the lines will hide stuff. Plus I think the unique character gives the room a more artsy, creative feel. But I love the oak too…… Sigh.
Susan N. says
I like #1 for its lighter color, but # 2 has character. I think you will have more flexibility when it comes to clean up and future uses.
Lori says
Warning: I am going to be a dissenting voice! I think #1 and #2 will fill the room with too much gray, and #4 (warm wood tone) will be a good contrast with all the gray tones. It will warm the room up and give it some character that is lacking in the gray tones. Woodtones always go with grays very nicely. Just my two cents … I know whatever you choose will be beautiful!
Also, as to the waterproof component: we’ve had laminate in our kitchen and bathroom for 10 years, and it’s held up wonderfully with no issues. The industry has come a long way since then, and I don’t think you need to worry about water resistance in the laminates.
Gwen says
Well, yes I guessed right for #1 and #2 being vinyls. That is to say, it is hard on a computer screen to really see what it looks like in real so I will trust your taste and keep them as contenders. My choice, and before knowing which were what, is #3. #4, love it but too dark for maintenance, you’ll see every spills on that one. You say #1 is very grey so out it goes. I am a very grey type of taste, love love love grey but I worry that it is a trend for now and you will get tired of it. So #1 is out. I think #3 has a beachy mixed with old world look. It looks like furniture from Restoration Hardware that I have for few years and still love it. It goes with different style and color.
Linda says
Thinking about resale value (and of course you may never move), I’d go with laminate #4.
Sidney says
Love number one! I have a vinyl wood look floor in a powder room and it looks like the real deal. Vinyl in the craft room is perfect! Love all your good ideas and can’t wait to see the finished room.
Cyndy says
Thank you Sidney and I’m so glad to hear that you have the vinyl and that it looks awesome. I can’t wait to get it! Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by!
Linda says
I think the #2 brings out the best in the colors you’ve picked for your paint and fabric. I have a grey/tan laminate flooring and love love love it, and I’m so happy to see I’m not alone. #3 is my overall favorite of the three. I love that it gives you both the tan and grey options making it so versatile. It’s gonna be spectacular!
Cyndy says
Thank you Linda and I’m so glad to hear that you love your gray/tan floors. It makes me a little nervous but I think that both have warm tones that I can pull out that can help keep the balance. At least that’s what I hope! LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Regina Leitz says
I love #2 before you even said a thing. The color samples along with the other samples in the room just pop with #2. I’ve done a lot of color matching, painting and think you won’t go wrong with it. Your room is going to be beautiful! I am excited for you!
Lisa Broussard Januska says
Go for #1!!
Amanda Eck says
cant wait to see more!! i love the direction you going with this!
Cyndy says
Thanks girl!
Patty Virginia says
#1 for me
Cyndy says
Thanks sweet Patty V.
Jessica says
I´d go for option number 3…..it´s versatile and will go with any color changes you might make in the future…Ü
Erica says
Sorry but I have to represent the Earth here: Vinyl is BAD! It’s one of the worst man-made materials ever and needs to be phased out! If you’re looking for something inexpensive go toward linoleum instead. According to TheDailyGreen, “A combination of linseed oil, rosins, wood and cork flour, linoleum is constructed from all-natural ingredients that require relatively little energy to harvest. Best of all, linoleum is void of toxins and largely biodegradable…” I think we can create beautiful spaces with materials we won’t feel guilty about.
Christy@ plantedandbloominggirl.blogspot.com says
I agree that the gray is beautiful, but these colors are trendy right now, maybe something a little more neutral for when the reds come back!!
Where are those pillows from? I must know I love them!!
Lee says
I definitely love the first one and I think it would be my selection. I would never have believed it was vinyl but trust all your research, I don’t think we have vinyl floorboards in NZ as this is the first time I have heard of them. I like to keep colours fairly light. No. 1 works perfectly with all the tones in the fabric and your paint swatches. I love the Benjamin Moore silver satin, it would lighten up the room and make it appear more spacious.
Whatever you choose I am sure it will look amazing and can’t wait to see your shelving idea.
Lee
Cyndy says
Thanks Lee! I agree, the walls need to be much lighter to make that room appear bigger. It’s not a terribly large space, so every little thing I can do to make it appear larger will help! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Roger Fisher says
Go with your first instinct! It’ll look great! Just wondering, who is going to build the bookshelves?
Melina Buxton says
If the colors are true I say #2.
Jessica says
love it! Can I ask where the pillows are from? Love the indigo!
Gwen says
Could I get information on the fabric please
Susie says
Can you please tell me what the fabric name and design is? Thank you