Dream Office

We recently met with a client who is looking to upgrade and move several rooms in her home.  One of those rooms moving to another area in her house is her office.  The possibilities started swarming in my head.  I love designing work spaces.  Love it.  

It got my thinking about my own home office as well.  For designers our "offices" are where our creativity takes shape so it's important for the space itself to be worthy of housing such a job.  Sadly, my current office does not do that.  Once things call down a bit around here, I want to really tackle our home office...a space that's received the least amount of attention since we moved into our home two years ago.  Between new work projects and squeezing in time to plan my daughter's first birthday (coming up next month) my personal design time has been lacking.  However, I've decided that decorating our office will be my Christmas present (I need to fill my husband in on this too).  :)

We currently have a desk, rug, bookcase, sofa and ottoman already in the space.  The sofa and ottoman are going to go and the current desk is where my husband's computer resides.  This means my work space will be completely new and completely my own.  With the sofa and ottoman gone there will be plenty of space on the other side of the room for my desk.  I really like the idea of using a dining table for my work area.  I've seen this CB2 desk used in an office space before and loved it.  

cb2 silverado

Dining room tables can often be less expensive and more versatile as well so naturally I took to Craigslist to see if there were any good deals in town.  I found this one for only $60!

I absolutely love the base and think it would look great refinished.  I also thought I'd glance at the desks for sale and found this adorable one for $125.  Look at that woodgrain.  Beautiful.  If I needed a desk for a small space, this would be the winner.  I can see if paired with some more contemporary pieces (maybe a desk chair and modern lamp)...

Of course I also want a large memo board.  I talked about a few favorite ideas here.  I definitely want it to be the focus of the room.  If I had another wall to spare, I'd love something like this.

As seen in the office of Esla Events featured in Rue.

As seen in the office of Esla Events featured in Rue.

Organization is key as well.  I think this acrylic pencil cup and business card holder from Design Darling would look amazing on my new desk.  

I really like this wire magazine holder from Target (only $9).  Every office needs a little gold.

gold threshold magazine storage

If you want something with more coverage, these Nate Berkus ones are a great option.

These Kate Space nesting boxes would be a great for storage too.  I love the vibrant colors and gold trim detail on the lids.  

kate spade nesting boxes

This gold stapler by Swingline would make a great desk accessory worthy of residing on the desk and not tucked away in a drawer. 

gold stapler

I can't decide if I want a stationary chair or one that swivels.  If I go with the swivel option, this one has good modern lines and great reviews.  I love a good mix of old (desk) and new (chair).

white leather desk chair

I've already got a rug in the room that will be staying so all that's left is some lighting.  I really like the one from West Elm that I mentioned last Friday.  Although this faceted one could be really great too.  

ripley gold sculptural lamp

Normally, I stick to neutrals in my home and add interest through pattern and texture, but in a creative space, I think color would be so inspiring.  I can't wait to have it all finished!

Memo Boards

I've been in "Operation: Purge the Magazines" mode for quite a few months around here.  I seem to weed a few out here and there but then more just show up.  I have an obscene amount of magazines sitting on my couch and coffee table ottoman at the moment. I typically like to have a few laying around for inspiration and for guests to browse but there comes a time when enough is enough.  

I typically dog-ear the pages in magazines that I want to reference later so I can tear them out, pin the information or add the recipe to my recipe binder.  When the stacks get too high, I start to get anxiety about the amount of sorting those bookmarked pages will require.  That's why I love memo boards--good, ol' fashioned memo boards.  

Pinterest is a wonderful thing, but when you have something tangible you want to save (and don't want to clutter your surfaces) a memo board is the way to go.  Once you have the board on the wall, adding images, quotes and fabrics is the easy and beautiful part.  Here are a few different boards you can buy or better yet, make!

Use tacks and string to create your own board.

Use tacks and string to create your own board.

Or you can use a whole wall to tape up your favorites.

Or you can use a whole wall to tape up your favorites.

Or turn an ordinary cord board into something beautiful with linen fabric and decorative nail heads.

Or turn an ordinary cord board into something beautiful with linen fabric and decorative nail heads.

You can even create your own design.

You can even create your own design.

Magnetic chalk paint is a great option as well!

Magnetic chalk paint is a great option as well!

An empty frame and some chicken wire can be another solution.

An empty frame and some chicken wire can be another solution.

Who is inspired now?  I know I am.  Now to just decide which one I can add to my office...  Then I can finally rid my home of some clutter and make my walls a beautiful backdrop full of inspiration! 

 

*Click images for sources