Get to Work

Time to get to work!  I recently have been helping a friend redesign his office space, and in the process have discovered so many cool designs from catalog sources- at surprisingly affordable prices.  Want to be a working goddess, a la Audrey Hepburn in "Paris When it Sizzles"?  Whether it be for a home office or not, I've broken down my favorite office pieces in to easy steps below- and all pieces featured here are under $1,000.

STEP 1: FIND A CHIC DESK

Needing, Wanting, Loving: A Chic Conference Room

Having worked in the energy realm for a few years, I know from first-hand experience that most corporate conference rooms lack any sort of visual inspiration.  I find this ironic because most modern day meeting rooms are supposed to be the birth place of innovation and creative problem-solving- so why not make a space that encourages such thinking?  Thankfully, not every company has failed to do so.  Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite innovative conference rooms.  Maybe they'll inspire you or your company to rethink your visual surroundings!

{Catherine Kwong}

But who can resist a bit of color in a conference room?  Erin Williamson, of Design Crisis, created a bold, happy space in this Palo Alto office through the Meredith Pardue artwork and classic Knoll chairs upholstered in bright purple.

{Erin Williamson}

Leave it to an interior design office to know how to create an inspiring collaboration space.  Meredith Heron's office features a fabulously over-sized lantern and custom cabinetry for fabric samples.

{Meredith Heron}

I also love the look of a conference table with mismatched chairs.  As long as other elements in the room are cohesive and pull everything together, the space can feel fun and whimsical.

{Muses and Visionaries}

A lacquered lime green floor was a bold move, especially when paired with black and white striped walls.  However, I love the touch of chrome in the office chairs, and think the space would be fun to congregate within.

Gensler's Newport Beach office went with a sleek, paired down palette for their front conference room.  This is a perfect example of minimalism at it's best-  the suspending LED light mirrors the shape of the table, creating a sense of balance.

{Birchwood Lighting}

Nuon's office in Amsterdam was completely redesigned and divided in to "neighborhoods,"  focused on flexibility and diverse working last year. The conference room is another lesson in minimalism:

 {Fresh Home}

 I hope you feel a bit more inspired from these offices to get your day started!  Have a great Tuesday!

 

My Temporary Workspace

Happy Tuesday!!  There's so much to look forward to today, but first I wanted to share my latest little project.  While in the process of working on my home office, I needed a small workspace to blog/design/study from in the meantime.  Nothing special or elaborate, since I'll hopefully be utilizing the office sooner rather than later.  You may have seen my instagram photos from this past weekend when I found an antique upholstered King Louis chair for $395- in a fabric and color I loved!  I had to scoop it up.  For the time being, I paired it with this shagreen desk in my entryway for a convenient space to pay bills, blog, write notes, sort mail, and study:

The instagram version pales in comparison to my DSLR camera, but I thought I'd share it for an additional look:

What would a desk be without a little accessorizing?

I have a serious thing for mercury glass...

Nothing special, but it'll do for now!  

In other news, the fabulous Sally Wheat of Sally Wheat Interiors is hosting a tastemaker tag sale on One Kings Lane today.  You may remember I interviewed her in my "Design Diaries" series a few months ago.  Her sale is full of fab finds that represent her elegant, eclectic aesthetic.  Check it out here!

And lastly, the Valentine's Day issue of to & from magazine has launched!  The brain child of Meg Biram and Modern Eve, this online publication gives you all kinds of gift ideas for the upcoming holiday.  If you make it to the last page, you might even discover my favorite romantic movie! ;)  

It's Time for a Home Office

The time has finally come for me to create a home office.  I've dreamed about having my own workspace for years, and although my first space will most certainly not live up to those lofty expectations, you have to start somewhere, right?

{Melanie Turner Interiors}

{Lonny Mag}

{Lonny Mag}

I currently have an extra bedroom that is the perfect size for my new endeavor, however, there is much work to be done.  Find a desk, chairs, and accessories all while adhering to a rather strict budget.  Find a chic way to store fabrics and supplies (i.e. not all over my dining room table as they are now).  Create a fun and inspiring mood board to hang above my desk...

{Katherine Sheppard via the Glitter Guide}

{Small Shop Studio via La Dolce Vita}

{Amber Interior Design via the Glitter Guide}

Of course it needs to be functional, but it also must be pretty!  I feel that a home workspace is kind of the female equivalent of a man cave.  I continue to see accessorized offices with lots of pretty details like fresh flowers, coffee table books, and candles.

{Gal Meets Glam Tumblr}

{Via Vintage Glamorous}

I'll be sharing the process of turning an empty guest bedroom in to my office with you over the next few months- so please bear with me.  This could get ugly. ;)

Workwear Wednesday

As most of you know, before I recently made the switch to the interior design industry, I worked for a few years in the energy industry.  At my previous job, the environment was much more professional and we were expected to dress "business casual" each day.  Today, my job at the design firm allows me to dress a little more funky, but it's still important to look put together and fresh for business meetings and presentations.

{via}

Since it's June, and there are likely many of you who just graduated college and are entering the workforce, I thought it'd be a good time to talk about fashionable work wear.  The most important thing when putting together an outfit for work is to dress for your environment.  Is it business professional or business casual?  Is it a creative environment where self-expression is welcomed?  

{via}

First, I thought I'd tackle business professional dress.  If you are interviewing for a job, I suggest wearing a blazer and slacks or a skirt, aka "business professional."  This shows you are serious about your career and want to make a good impression.  Even if you know the environment is more casual, it's always smart to dress for the job you want, not the job you have or are interviewing for.  But that doesn't mean your outfit has to be boring!

Black Blazer/Top Shop Bow Tank/Black Trousers/Prada Mint Heels/Top Shop Blazer/Rebecca Taylor dress/Snakeskin Heels

The two things that really distinguish a business professional outfit is a blazer and closed-toe shoes.  For interviews, I'd wear a matching jacket and pant or skirt.

I actually have that Rebecca Taylor dress in a green shade, and it's seriously the most comfortable dress I own.  I highly recommend it for work or everyday wear.

If you are interviewing for a job in a creative field, a great way to be remembered is to wear something that helps define your personality.  When I interviewed for my interior design job, I wore a blue silk dress with a tie at the waist.  I paired it with simple gold earrings, strappy heels and a fun chunky necklace that the principal designer actually complimented me on.  It's good to be remembered for great style!  Here are a few business casual outfits I put together...

J Crew bag/Bow Peplum Blouse/Zara Trousers/Snakeskin Flats/White Bow Blouse/Leather Skirt/Carven Bow Pumps/Kate Spade bag


If you're a freelancer and work for yourself, you have a little more freedom when it comes to work wear.  I loved this leather mini skirt from Rebecca Taylor in a camel color balanced out with a classic white bow blouse.  


What are your favorite pieces to wear to work?  Do you work in a more professional environment, or one where you can dress more casually?

A New Beginning... and a Guest Post!

Hi lovelies!  Happy Tuesday.  Today is a very exciting day for me because I begin my new job working for a residential interior design firm here in Houston! (If you missed it, you can read my background story here). I have a bit of the "first day jitters", but more than anything I am very thrilled to begin a new chapter in my life.  I can't wait to let you all know how it goes!

{via}

I am also sharing my dream home today over at La Dolce Vita.  

Go check it out when it goes live today.  I hope you have a fabulous day and stay inspired!