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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Inside Our House, Shades of Shay, Shay ·

Fifty Two Shades of Shay: Inside my home office


Today’s Shade of Shay is all about my new home office…oh yeah and it’s the laundry room too :).  
Before I get to the pics, I thought I’d share just a bit about our building process since so many of you have asked.  
 Andrew and I started talking about building a house about four years ago.  Then one day, Andrew came home from work and said he found the perfect lot for us.  It was exactly one mile from where we were currently living, over an acre in size, wooded with a creek running behind it and in a neighborhood we both really liked.  We knew we weren’t ready to build just yet, but we were ready to buy the property.  We bought our land in November 2010…which coincidentally is also the exact same month that I felt the Lord tell me that we should adopt.
So…a few years went by and we started thinking about the kind of house we would want to build and we started interviewing builders.  We selected a builder, showed our architect my chicken scratch drawing of what we wanted, we modified, reworked and reworked our plans some more until we were finally ready to break ground and build.  And on May 23, we finally moved into our new house.  Funny enough, my kids still call it “the land”.  After years of hearing us say, “we’re going to go see the land”, they still call it that.  I’m like dude, it’s not land…it’s our house :).
Anyway…we’re here now.  And today, I’m going to show you where I hang out the most.  When we sat down and started thinking about our house, I was most excited about my kitchen, my pantry, my master closet and my laundry room (that I would use as my office).
In our other two houses, my office has always been at the front of the house right when you walk inside and for this house, I wanted it more tucked away.  So, I told Andrew that we should make me an extra big laundry room off of the kitchen area and I would use that as my personal space.  And let me tell you…I LOVE IT!  My office is so cozy and totally girly!  It’s exactly what I wanted.
Here’s a peak inside from my doorway.  I picked out pink and light grey wallpaper to make it extra girly and fun.
I drink my coffee, listen to my music and work in this cozy space.  I love how I have shelves to display my cookbooks and favorite little things.

There’s an M hanging up next to the door.  This is Mix and Match Mama land :).

When I’m sitting here at 4:30 every morning, I look at my sign…I very much think this is one my life’s mottoes.
Fun stuff on my desk…a really sweet picture of Smith, a picture of my Granddaddy and me taken before he passed away (Smith William’s namesake), my fun business cards, my Bible and quiet time stuff, a picture of my girls, all of my colored pens, and sweet Kensington.
I also love my Erin Condren Functional Family System and I always keep cookbooks on my desk that coincide with the season I’m working on (I’m always half a season ahead of the calendar…in about a month, those summer books will be replaced with fall books).

Kensington and Smith painted those little ceramic animals for me, I bought the windmill in Denmark and the Walmart sign in the back makes me think of Sheaffer :).

Oh how I love cookbooks.  I love them.  I read cookbooks like most people read novels.  I bought my little oil paintings in Belgium (there are three of them within the shelves) and then those are Bibles that I have used since I was 15 along with some of my favorite travel books.

A wedding picture and some more books.

I love my little stuff.

Another wedding picture and more books…at the top are my 13 years worth of gratitude journals.

My little buildings came from two different trips to Amsterdam.

My sweet friend Brooke sent me this Paula Deen cookbook…

…and it’s extra special because Brooke’s entire family signed it for me (yeah, her mother-in-law is Paula Deen!).  This is really special to me :).
More books and a little birdhouse Kensington made for me.

I love having my own space.
Above my washer and dryer is a TV so that I can watch a lot of NESN (that’s the New England Sports Network)…a girl has to know what’s going on up there in Massachusetts during the day :).

And of course, I always have a candle burning.
One of my favorite things are my six prints I have around the room.  I framed six of my favorite Mix and Match Mama recipes.  My Bananas Foster Bundt Cake, Strawberry Buttermilk Cupcakes, Rustic Cobbler, Red Velvet Whoopie Pies, Butterscotch Monkey Bread and Chocolate Caramel Macaroon Bundt Cake…some of my favorite work.
And when I walk out the door and leave my office…these sweet faces greet me.
Next time, I’m going to show you my closet…I’m up next on Sheaffer’s Closet Confessions.
Speaking of all of this Mix and Match Mama stuff…
…my Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad is for lunch today.  You need to go check it out!
And the winners of the Erin Condren planners were announced yesterday.  Click here to see the winners’ names.  Don’t forget, tomorrow is the day you can order your Life Planner!
Happy day you guys!
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Comments

  2. Sabrina says

    What an awesome space!!! I love your fun wallpaper and your awesome shelves that hold some of your special things. What a neat way to display all things Mix and Match Mama!!

  3. MorganizewithMe says

    I LOVE this idea of doing an office in a laundry room, especially with a TV too. 🙂 Your space totally shows YOU. I want to come look at all those beautiful cookbooks.

  4. Amy Heinl says

    Such a beautiful space that SCREAM YOU!~!!! It is such a warm and cozy space and so nice to be surrounded by the memories and things you hold dear.

  7. Brittany says

    This is beautiful! Great job! So fun you got to design that just how you like it! What a perfect space and get away in your house!!!!

  8. Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says

    I couldn't love your little space more if I tried! The wallpaper (THE WALLPAPER!!!!), the framed prints might be one of my favorite things in the house (and that's sayin' somethin'), and surrounded by little things you love. Only one thing is missing. A stool for me. 😉

  9. Shawna Hodges says

    Gorgeous Shay, you do such an amazing job decorating! I can't wait to see the kitchen and other rooms of the house as well. Thanks for sharing. I love looking at homes especially when someone is so great at organizing and decor as you are! Congrats on your new home!

  10. Sarah E @ theteacherswife.com says

    What a genius idea to combine the laundry room with your office! Does Andrew have an office space too at home? Or just you? So neat to see inside where all the "magic" happens with you businesses!! 🙂

  11. LindyNicole says

    Love your special space in your new house! Thanks for sharing. I have a suggestion for Shades of Shay….grocery shopping. Where do you do your weekly grocery shopping?? You're so organized with your cookbooks and menu planning and making recipes, but I would like to know more about your shopping and how you fit it in and where you go. Thanks!

  13. Polka Dot Blossom says

    What a beautiful, inspirational space! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the framed photos of your best Mix & Match work!

  14. jen says

    I love, love, love it!!!! It is beautiful, cozy and girly! So excited for the rest!!!happy for you and your family!

  15. Anonymous says

    Thank you for showing us this glimpse into your office! I love reading your blog each morning- it puts me in a great mood to start my day! God bless you. 🙂

  17. Lauren says

    Such a perfect space for creativity and productivity! Thanks for sharing, it's amazing!

  18. Tracy says

    What a great space! Can't wait to see more of "the land". 🙂

    I share your love of cookbooks! Can't get enough.

  19. Slightly Askew Designs says

    Gorgeous, cozy, and girly – what more could you ask for. I love the smell of clean laundry so that would be a total perk as well 🙂 hahaha So excited that you're starting to share Villa Bundt. 🙂

  20. Anonymous says

    Beautiful.. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Can't wait to see the rest of the house…

    are your bookshelves lined (in the back) with something????

    ~Amy

  21. stacey says

    i love that you framed your favorite foods! i seriously would have never thought of that. and i am super impressed with how your 'space' looks so put together just day after you moved in… i swear i think i would still be living out of a box!

  22. Kristina Rees says

    Hi Shay. That wall paper is so happy! And I love all the family photos. Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration.

  24. Kathy Olson says

    It's a great room! I laughed over that Walmart sign. I think I need one of those:)
    You have lovely taste and I look forward to seeing the rest:)

  25. Lauren Williams says

    Oh my goodness, I am obsessed with your space!! How fun and perfect 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!

  27. Wendy says

    Your new office is really beautiful!! I think my favorite things are the mini oil paintings, the Walmart sign and the S bookmark in your Jesus calling book. I moved around a lot being married to a military man. I am a neat freak, purger of not needed things and extremely organized. So I am in total awe of how your house already looks so soon after moving. I'm trying to console myself that maybe some of the reasons that you got your house put together so quickly is that you were moving so close by, had lots of help so that you were almost able to move the items to their exact spot when they came into the new house, or maybe you wear a secret S underneath your clothes and you are Superman's long lost little sister or maybe Samantha's granddaughter from "Bewitched" and all you did was wiggle your nose. =) Whatever it is, you are awesome. I wish you many years of joy and happiness in your new home.

  28. Steph says

    Love the space – very cozy! So, totally random I know, but where did you find that cute lamp?? I'm looking one for our nursery and it appears to be the perfect size!

  29. Shesabigstar says

    Absolutely gorgeous… what an amazing space!! And I'm impressed that you can get NESN down there… thatta girl!!

  30. Stephanie Jennings says

    One word: AMAZING! When we built our house I was probably most excited to finally have a laundry room again. Mine is just….for laundry. Why didn't I think of something like that?? Seriously, it is beautiful and inspirational. Thanks for sharing!!

  32. Ella says

    I LOVE your office, but do you ever run the laundry while you're in there? I think the noise would drive me crazy!

  34. susan says

    I LOVE this room! How nice to have your own space and decorated so cute. I would have never thought about combining an office with laundry. Can't wait to see the rest.

  35. Chic Coastal Living says

    Love this office! It's so nice to have a space all your own that you can enjoy! I can't wait to see the rest of the house!

  36. Anonymous says

    That is such a neat room Shay! I am so happy for you and your family. Thanks for sharing the photos. Congratulations on your new house. Have a great day!!!

  38. Liz/ says

    What a super fun and cozy space, I just LOVE it!!!! That wallpaper is perfection too, so girly and SO fun!!!

  39. {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    I don't think I'd ever come out of there!!!! Love your wallpaper choice…and so clever to add a TV to the laundry room…takes the sting out of folding clothes!

  40. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    I might have squeeled a bit when I saw your wallpaper, i'm from England, and i'm all about it, ( I lived in Kensington a year!)… I love love that you have your own space.. it's perfect.. I can barely wait to see your closet, I feel like I, need to brace myself with a diet coke 😉
    what's the sqft of your new home? do u have basements in Texas?

  41. Tammy says

    Just curious, where do you fold clothes and where are the dirty clothes. Very pretty though!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I have always folded laundry on my master bed. We keep laundry baskets in each closet and as I was and dry the clothes, I fold them on my bed. My bed is a good height and large space to sort and stack everything.

  43. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    oh I might have just squeeled a little bit!!.. I love love the wallpaper, i'm.from England, im all about it!
    I lived in Kensington for a year!!
    oh I love you have your own space, love it. I can barely wait to see your closet, I feel I need to brace myself for the ooing and aahhing that will take place!!!
    what's the sqft of your new home?? and do u have basements in Texas?

  45. The Binder Mom says

    Absolutely gorgeous!! My fav is the wallpaper! Who would've thought?! Did you use wallpaper anywhere else in your new home? We built our house and moved in 4 years ago, and it isn't nearly as put together as yours. I'm going room by room right now to add those extra special touches to get it like I want it. Where did you get those white frames? I'm on the hunt for new picture frames.

  46. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    oh I might have squealed a little!!!! It's GORGEOUS!!! Oh, I am so in love with the wallpaper. I'm from England, and I am all about it 😉 I actually lived in Kensington for a year 🙂

    I can barely wait for the tour of your closet, I feel like I need to brace myself for some ooh and aahh's and sit with a diet coke and swoon for awhile!!

    what is the sqft of your new home? and Does Texas have basements?

    love it!

  48. Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says

    How in the world do you have such a put together space so quickly! That was so well planned and thought out. I'm just in awe! Need to step up my game and stop working from the kitchen table. 🙂

  49. Christy says

    Such a great space. I wouldn't mind doing laundry in a room like that. Thanks for sharing!

  50. Anonymous says

    Beautiful room Shay! Congrats on your new house! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Also, I have a question about the Erin Condren giveaway. What will you do if someone doesn't claim their prize? I noticed someone had commented to Sheaffer that they thought they won and contacted you to claim their prize. It turned out that someone else with the same first name and last initial was the actual winner. I think that would be so disappointing to think you won and find out you didn't. Have you thought about drawing for a winner amongst the people who conatacted you that didn't actually win and thought they did if there are any unclaimed planners (hopefully I am making sense)? I know you didn't ask for my advice, but it is just a thought. I think it would be a nice surprise for someone who had contacted you thinking they won only to find out it wasn't them. I would think there would be someone that won't check your blog and see their name to claim their prize, so was just curuious what you would do with the extras. I could be wrong though and the planners have all been claimed by the winners. Have a GREAT day!!! Hope you don't mind my suggestion sweet lady…love your blog!!!

  51. Annie Cox says

    Your office space looks amazing and cozy. I love the idea of combining it with your laundry room. It looks like you can knock out a few tasks at once without leaving your space. I can't wait to see the rest of the house and how you decorated it.

  52. Courtney says

    I love everything about this room! Is there any way to see a rough sketch or something of your house plans? This room looks amazing and I'm so curious as to how it tucks away! Something I would LOVE in a future home.

  53. Anonymous says

    Love your office/laundry room! We built and moved into our house two years ago. I have the same idea – a desk/office in my laundry room – but TWO years later it still isn't really decorated! You have inspired me to get busy!

  54. Morgan says

    When I first started reading this post, I was like "an office? in a laundry room? that's weird." But then I kept reading…and this. is. brilliant.
    What a great space! Now I'm super jealous — I'm the weird girl who kind of likes doing laundry, and if I had a space like this…I would LOVE it.

  56. Jennifer Cannon says

    Oh my goodness! I would never have to leave that room! So girly and fun! Congrats on your new home, I know you have to be loving every second of it!
    Hope it is full of sweet blessings!

    xoxo
    jennifer

  58. Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says

    I love it! That wallpaper is gorgeous! I can imagine you get a lot done here; it looks so cozy.

  59. Michelle Ragsdale says

    wow…what a great space! it's a women cave =)…a little jealous ;)…cant wait to see the rest of your house

  60. Karen Ward says

    I adore this room! And here's a weird thought, there is something comforting (at least to me there is) about hearing the washer/dryer sounds, especially when it's cold outside. So cozy!!

  61. Jaren says

    Oh how I LOVE your room!!! We just built our home a few years ago. I was all set with an extra bedroom (4 bedroom house)that would be all mine. 1 month later I found out I was pregnant with Baby #3. So now my little place is back in the dining room. How I wish I would have thought that one through better as we planned our home. I just love all of your little special touches…and I would display my autographed Paula book proudly too!!

  63. Aubrey says

    Oh shoot! I leave for two weeks and you MOVE INTO YOUR SUPER SECRET NEW HOUSE! I've got to go back and catch up, room by lovely room. Or perhaps this is where you started? If so, I'm THRILLED that to begin your laundry room/office. I feel like it's the perfect place to start because it's 100% YOURS. It is perfect, friend!

  64. Anonymous says

    Fantastic post! Love it! And those Grateful Journals are amazing! What a wonderful idea! I've really got to do that! 🙂

  65. Haley @ Cupcakes and Sunshine says

    I absolutely LOVE your new space!! Way too cute! And so easy to use too. YOU GO GIRL! What a great idea!

  66. Anonymous says

    Had to think about it a bit. Then it grew on me. Now I LOVE it! Very ingenious and functional and personal and pretty!

  67. Kim Taylor says

    Oh my word! I love your sweet space! I don't spend as much time in my laundry room since my 2 daughters are grown and gone….but I love what you have done and how you have made it all your own!

  68. Anonymous says

    I love it. Brilliant idea!!! I never would have thought to combine my office and laundry room. Great use of space. Awesome wallpaper!!! Enjoy your new house! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of it!

  69. kristinwithani says

    So smart. SO SO SO smart! I don't my office being seen by all. What a great space.

    And I must find that "if I die in walmart" sign. Must.

  70. Janene says

    Shay – this is just beautiful! Where did you get the green and white lamp? Love it!

  71. Andrea says

    Such a gorgeous room! I just love how cozy and girly it is! And seriously, isn't that scent of candle the best ever? I have it burning in my kitchen and it ranks right up there with bath and body works fall scents! 🙂

  72. Shelby says

    No words, Shay…it is beyond PERFECT!!! We are buying land this month in our dream location & are planning on 4 years until we move in too!! Is it ok if I totally copy this ahhhhmazing space!!! Seriously obsessed!!! That wallpaper is tdf!! I might just have to use the same in my space when we get there!! 🙂 Congratulations on a beautiful new home!! I can not wait to see the rest!!!!

  73. Elizabeth {Chasin' Mason} says

    LOVE your space! Love that you have your own little hideaway tucked away that's just for you. And that wallpaper….to die for!

  74. Hayley Chandler says

    Thanks for sharing your space! It is absolutely perfect! I also love how everything is collected and has real meaning.

  75. Deena says

    I love it! Nice that you can have your own special (beautiful) place. It's making me want to make our laundry room look pretty and work on my little desk area in our guest room.

  77. Anonymous says

    What a great idea!! Between this great room and your leopard carpeted stairs – I would love to see the rest of the house! Do you plan on doing a full house tour?

  81. Amy DeVito says

    What an awesome space! I love that it's colorful and fun. It's always great to have a place to yourself with all of your favorite things.

  83. Ashlee Haddad says

    Hi Shay! I LOVE the wallpaper in your office and your closet. Any chance you know the name/brand of either one? We are starting to plan out our soon to be sweet baby girls nursery and I'd love to use one of those papers. Thanks!!

  84. Kim says

    How do you like your top load washing machine? I'm considering one and have been hearing conflicting things…

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