Creating a Workspace that Works for You

With many of us working from home or doing some of our work remotely, it’s nice to create a dedicated space that’s not the dining room table or surrounded by piles of laundry! Here are some of our tips for finding and creating a space for work that brings you peace and serenity:

SOURCE: PEXELS.COM

-Assess your needs: Decide how much time you will be spending in your workspace. If it will be your primary workspace, you’ll want a little more space and dedicated area than if you only work at it once a week. If you are tight on space, consider non-traditional spaces like your dining room, master bedroom, or an unused closet. Check your existing furniture to see if there’s anything you can repurpose (like a desk, entry table, or chairs), and make a list of what’s needed.

-Go shopping: If you’re needing a custom size or shape, Ikea is a great idea for customizable sizing and desks. Some of their tabletop surfaces and table legs are interchangeable so you can mix and match them to suit your decor. Although they’re not the highest quality, it can work well for spaces like closets or alcoves where the space is uniquely shaped. If your budget is a bit wider, consider having a custom desk or table built, or search places like West Elm for well-made and beautiful pieces that can you can enjoy for years to come. We love this Mid-century beauty!

-Add in clever storage solutions: Nothing is worse than tons of jumbled cords, but if you’re working remotely or with lots of tech products, you’ll want one of these cool cord hiding boxes. Don’t forget a pen holder, a pretty calendar, and a file holder if you’re dealing with paperwork. We love this gorgeous organizer from Pottery Barn. For a more elevated look, consider raising your computer monitor up with a platform that creates more space and looks a bit more modern.

-Lastly, add aesthetic details: You’ll want your space to reflect your personal style, so don’t forget added details like candles, plants, or pretty photo frames! Hobby Lobby is a great spot for more trendy pieces that you may want to swap out within the next year or so, but if you’re looking for higher quality, Studio McGee’s regular collection is wonderful as well.

If you need help designing the space you’ll love, please reach out to us! We can schedule a design consult at your convenience!

Cozying up in Your Home Office

Whether by choice or not, many of us are working from home these days. Although it comes with its own challenges, one of the small perks is that you can make it a space that you truly love. Making a cozy, livable space where you can work is something important as we head into the colder months, where there is a lot less natural daylight, and where we are in front of our screens even more. Here are my best tips for making a workspace that you may not want to leave!

source: Pexels.com

-Decide on a calming color palette: While bold red might sound fun and bohemian, it may not be something that you can look at for hours and days at a time. Soothing tones like white, beige, grey, blue, and even blush can be more palatable for a place where you’ll need to be sitting for long lengths. Calming colors can create a cozy feeling even in a small space, and can also make a space seem larger.

-Invest in some quality organization: A chaotic, cluttered space will always seem smaller and more frantic. TJ Maxx and Home Goods have tons of plastic organization that is also pretty, and can get all your papers, files, cords, and other necessities in order. If you don’t have an actual office and are sharing it with a bedroom or common area, consider organizing other parts of the room so you can concentrate without distractions like laundry heaps or junk drawers.

-Get blue light glasses: These are not only good if you get migraines or headaches from screen time, but they are also super cute. They can become part of your “at home” wardrobe. While we are on the topic, one thing that helps as you work from home is to get some polished but comfy clothes. Nicer items than just pajamas, and things that can be seen in public (no, not those ratty t-shirts from college!), but nothing too stuffy that would be uncomfortable after a few hours. We love the Barefoot Dreams line from Nordstrom, which are pricier, but they still look put-together.

-Surround yourself with things you love: Your favorite scent, a beautiful candle, pretty books, fresh flowers…these are all touches that will ground you and make your office feel like it represents you and your personality. Anthropologie always has the best candles, and anything with just a touch of spice (like cloves) will also freshen up your desk or table and keep it from smelling musty.

Working from home has it’s perks, and having a sweet little home office is just one of them!

A Beginner's Guide to Indoor Plants

One of Joanna Gaines' best tips is to add greenery throughout your home, to add a bit of whimsy and interest. I love the look that is accomplished by adding plants, they keep things pretty and filled with positive energy. If you aren't a person with a green thumb, so to speak, the thought of adding plants to your home may seem like a ton of work, not to mention a time commitment. We wanted to share some of our ideas for those of us who may be less inclined to have a gardener's heart...Okay, so maybe we have killed a few houseplants on accident! Here is our beginners guide to getting those beauties to stay alive and look gorgeous:

Source: Barely There blog

-Head to your local nursery and find an expert: While some employees at home decor stores may have a few ideas for you, they may not be plant experts. You will want to find a true nursery to locate plant experts, and if you don't have any locally, try your local 4-H or horticulture branch (which you can find using Google). Ask them which plants are easiest to grow for a beginner, and which grow well in your climate. The Philedendron and Spider Plant are two easy ones that may be a good start. 

-Consider the temperature and humidity of where you want to put the plants: Most houseplants like humidity, and you can achieve this even if your home isn't very humid. Try grouping plants together, and misting them with a spray bottle. You can even add an electric humidifier and run it at night or when you're at work. Try to avoid places where the temperature swings wildly from one extreme to another, such as an attic or basement. 

Source: NW Rugs

-How to water: When watering, be sure to place a run-off tray under your plants. Avoid filling decorative planters up with water, and "drowning" the plant in several inches of standing water. Don't water with freezing tap water, instead try to room temperature water to prevent "shock" to the roots and stems. Pay attention to the leaves drooping, or the soil becoming too wet, and you will eventually find a rhythm that works for you! If you forget to water at the frequency your plants need, try setting an alarm in your phone or calendar to remind you.

-Take care of them: Pluck off dead pieces and heads of the plants, and rotate them frequently so they can all get adequate light and air. Keep an eye out for harmful diseases by examining leaves and flower petals for dark spots and anything that looks off (like dark, sticky spots or large holes). Also be sure to choose pet-safe plants if you have furry friends that may chew on them or play near them.

With these tips, you will be on your way to becoming a successful houseplant parent! Want more gardening tips? 15 Best Houseplants For Beginners | Balcony Garden Web. 

Elegant Florals and Brass | Style Inspiration

Florals have always come into design in various forms, through the years, but I am loving the soft elegance of this season’s vintage inspired florals. I dream of these soft floral in a neutral, chic office, playing off simple solids and shimmering brass. You can find some of the prettiest floral accessories at one of my favorites, Rifle Paper Company. We love their recipe cards and vintage recipe boxes (cooking has never looked so good!), and these beautiful notebooks. 

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Office Photo from Target.com

This season has also brought us lots of watercolor inspired florals, and their soft, whimsical styles are beautiful in just about any room in the house where you want to incorporate color and print in a delicate way. We even love them in furniture, like the chair below, which has a neutral front and an unexpected, colorful printed back (similar here). A floral chair is a great way to add fun and youthfulness to a room, and can easily be swapped out later on for a completely different look. 

Watercolor florals also look beautiful when framed, as statement pieces on a wall. Etsy is an awesome place to find prints, and you can find brass toned frames at places like Pottery Barn and Michaels Craft Stores. Try hanging smaller ones in pairs, or go for a statement piece with a large framed art print. 

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Floral Pillow | Society6.com            Watercolor Wallpaper | Project Nursery.com Monica Hibb

It’s also super fun to balance out the florals and prints with other textures in neutral hues. Think woven baskets (above), and interesting wood stains/textures. It will add visual interest without adding another complex print. 

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Floral Chair | Horchow.com