OFFICE REVAMP

Hi there! I have to find a way to get back on top of everything and continue to stay motivated. I come up with all these ideas and new projects, and then my beloved blog somehow gets placed on the back burner. Know what I mean?? That will stop in the future, I tell you!

I went back into interior design mode after I finished a very exciting project for a client + dear friend in Japan (cannot wait to show you on Friday!), and of course my stuff piled up all around me as I worked in the office. Over the weekend, my guy and I finally got sick of it all and cleaned it like there was no tomorrow, and I finally want to hammer down a functional and pretty design for it. Well, to be honest, we've been slowly working on it basically since we moved in...and it's been the most neglected room of our home. Like even behind the closets and cupboards. Argh. But hey, guess what?! I'm forcing myself to finish this very important (seeing as I spend 50+ hours a week in it) room. VIR, as I like to call it! I know, I know. That crossed the line of nerdiness. Sorry.

Anyway! We've purchased a few of the items on my mood board that are very similar to what I've listed, but with a much lower price tag, and there are only a few things left to do until we have this baby completely crossed off of our "To Do" list.

Here's what's been cycling through this brain of mine, if you'd like to take a look:

1. ARTWORK: Dressage by Mary Ann Wakeley, white matted frames, Te Amo print 

I'm the proud owner of one of Mary Ann Wakeley's gorgeous original paintings, and let me tell you, it took me a ridiculously long time to find a sufficient frame that does the art justice. I ended up having to refinish an oversized frame and matt it by myself in order to achieve what I wanted, and the frame job ended up resembling the white Ribba frame pictured above, although it wasn't square. LOVE! Once we put up a shelf on the entire length of the west wall in the office, I'd like to plop the Te Amo print on it.

2. PLANTS: image & info found here

Do you know how much plants can actually help you if you're around them? We studied about their effects in environments when I was in school for interior design, and it's amazing how beneficial they can be. Definitely going to grab a little yucca and put him in the new space.

3. SHELVING: floating shelf via Target, DIYs here and here

Okay. If you were reading two paragraphs above this, you'll know that I need a super long shelf...I'm talking at least 10 feet, so obviously this small little shelf from Target won't work. We're planning on making our own floating shelf this weekend, so uh...wish us luck!

4. METALLICS & BLACKS: gold brushed plate, gold-edged bowl, table lamp, Angenam vase, giraffe

I'm completely into the gold trend, and I've been incorporating it into practically everything from my logo design to my interiors. So, of course I want to see some gold and metallics in the office. Doesn't have to be these exact items shown above, but maybe something similar. I already have the gold-rimmed bowl (it'll be used as my paint water bowl--sure beats my ugly plastic cups) as well as the giraffe. I'm insanely in love with them both.

5. SEATING & STORAGE: Herman Miller Aeron office chair, farmhouse modern credenza

I've always loved the Aeron chairs at Herman Miller, but since they're close to $1000 a pop, we went with chairs that are similar in looks and comfort, but a fraction of the price. You can find them here. Also, I'm hoping to do a DIY on an old coffee table to make it into a credenza like the one pictured above, but it'll be white. We'll see how it goes...

6. INSPIRATION: photos via here and here

I love how these spaces are so clean. Minimize clutter and clear the mind? Yes, please! Oh, and rather than a huge chalkboard, I have a giant cork board that I made myself a long time ago. It's functional, indeed. :)

7. ACCESSORIES: dipped glassware, concrete business card holder, laptop bag

I'm planning on using old glassware and painting 'dipped gold" on them to hold my millions of pens, pencils, and paintbrushes. That has to be done very soon, but I would just love to own that card holder and the laptop bag someday. Maybe I'll pinch my pennies for them?

8. LIGHTING: floor lamp

I love the streamlined look of these floor lamps, and I found a similar version at Lowe's for a much lower price. It's made such a difference in our office the few days we've owned it!

9. ALTERNATIVE SEATING & STORAGE: lounge chair, Alseda stool, tree stump side table, Dough Johnston cotton sash basket

I don't really think I'll be able to squeeze a lounge chair into our office that already houses separate desks for myself as well as my husband, but isn't this chair a beauty? BUT, I think I could spare to fit alternative seating in the space, like the woven floor stool and the tree stump that could be used to sit on as well as put things on top of. I also want to find a pretty little basket to put blankets and things into.

10. TEXTILES: San Remo rug, Berry Broad Stripe bath dhurrie

We have tile floors all over our house (except for the wood floor kitchen), and let me tell you, it's cool in the summer....and FREEZING in the winter. That being said, I need a rug under my desk for my icebox feet. I was thinking it would be fun to get inspiration from the beautiful rugs pictured above and use fabric paint to create my own little rug to go beneath my desk. The dog will probably be mad that I'm going to remove her pillows that are currently underneath the desk, but maybe she'll forgive me one day.

So, what do you think? Are you in the middle of making any of your spaces prettier and more functional? I'd love to hear!