Office Update - Shelter

Hello, hello!! We have been working away on a number of projects at Shelter but today I squeezed in some time to put together our new office boards. Don't cringe at the before photos of the area - (images below). This is what we are working with for space. I can't rip out the floor tile but I will be covering as much as I can with a rug. We are painting the walls a very pale grey and recovering the windows in simple woven shades. I may even custom order a large seagrass rug to lay under the black and white rug. I want to cover as much of the tile as possible!!

I wanted to create a clean, fresh office. I will be setting up a large inspiration board to tack fabrics and design ideas to. (I love Kelly Wearstler's over sized board - image below). I also own a number of the items that we will be using. (I'm sort of a chair addict so I have collected a number of random chairs). I have linked to the rest of the items. This space will also be created on a budget. Meg (my fabulous design assistant), myself and Matty hope to finish it up by the beginning of May!!
I will be sure to share the after photos with you!

BEFORE: 

Painting the walls a very pale, pale grey. Clark+Kensington's CW-C3

1.  Brass lamps
2. We will use a mix of vintage containers for our pens and pencils. Via Etsy and thrift shops.
3.  Melltorp Ikea table x 2 (using as desks)
4. + 5. I own two Eames chairs and will throw sheep skin rugs over them for comfort.
6. Hustle print
Ikea rug - Stockholm rug
7.  Storage baskets for samples and project fabrics
8.  Cheery artwork
9. Kelly Wearstler's design boards
10. Smaller pin boards for business cards, calendars etc.
11. + 13 I own two chairs similar to these. We will use them around a round glass top table that I already own. This will serve as a meeting and secondary work area.
12. Two pillows to use on the wooden chairs. Loving these!!

Thoughts on home

One of the most important spaces for me to bring to life this year will be Shelter's design office! Since I've moved I have a temporary space set up but I definitely need lots of organization and creation space! My dream is to someday have a small space on a sweet main road in a town such as Hingham, Ma. but until then I'm thinking it'll be housed in an extra room or even better = a large shed or detached garage on the property were I live. Don't mind the pool table, this building would be ideal for an office. Kelly Rutherford's sweet little space featured in Domino years ago comes to mind too. Here are some other ideas I'll include..

A central meeting and work table would also be ideal, as would large wrap around desks that could seat at least 3! Myself, assistant and an intern!

LBD

or Little Black Desk! Well in this case, not all the desks are "little", I decided to go with the title anyways. I'm currently eyeing black desks. You can't really go wrong with a high gloss black finish in almost any piece of furniture or cabinetry. These desks would all steal the show in any room. You can't drop a ton of money? Look out for vintage desks at flea markets and on the side of the road. A few cans of high gloss paint, work wonders for tired furniture!

I've had my eye on this little Regency, bamboo number ever since spying it in Lonny in 2010 (Christina Murphy Designs - image two). Find it here, by Hickory Furniture's Mark Hampton collection.

Exercise your right + Inspiration

It still blows my mind that the 19th Amendment wasn't enacted until 1920! I consider my right to vote a privilege. Whatever your party affiliation, make sure to rock your vote today!! (that goes for the guys too) 

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

I also feel fortunate to be a woman running my own growing design business! Here are a few design icons in their creative spaces who I admire for their strong business sense, forward thinking, creative ideas and individualism!! 

Tory Burch ( I LOVE her office)

Windsor Smith

Aerin Lauder

Frances Elkins

Jenna Lyons

Estee Lauder and an interesting article about her beginnings!

An older shot of Kelly's office

Kelly Wearstler in her current design studio
image via L.A. times

Thoughts on home...

I've decided to include a weekly feature post simply titled "thoughts on home". As you know I'm moving, in one month from today actually. Holy Shiz, that date has crept up on me. I'll take any packing/moving advice you have, and thanks in advance for that...I am going to be staying somewhere temporarily while I search for a house. I have a couple of details to button up but I really hope to find a place this winter!! As a single mama, an unlimited budget is something I don't have (and something I know most of my readers don't have)  I am keeping the faith that I'll find a wonderful spot for my two kiddies and me! 

Onto the post...I've of course set up a Pinterest Board entitled "new home" that will include inspiration shots and deets on my thoughts. Feel free to follow along..

One of the first spaces I'll need to set up is my home office. I eventually want to rent an office space in a quaint town but as long as my children are in childcare/preschool, that's not happening!! I currently love the idea of using a large over sized farm table as a desk. They're ideal because they are often too narrow to dine on but are rustic enough to take a little abuse.  Farm tables can often be found at Flea markets for a reasonable price. A large surface is key for a designer because we need a multifunctional work area to read plans, sketch and look at a slew of finish and fabric samples.

I love the balance of sophisticated feminine details and simplicity in this shot.

image via: Oughton limited (I adore her bags and studio space)

Restoration Hardware has the best selection of tables and this desk could work really well because it's actually a desk, and includes storage.

I will absolutely include pretty organization and gold and white accessories a la Aerin's Lauder style. (obsessed) I love. love, love her entire office space!! A close second idea to the wood table would be a gold leaf X base desk, like the one below but for me right now the wooden desk is just more dare I say, practical.

desk via Shop Ten 25

On My Radar

I love the concept of layering pattern and texture in design right now! Remember don't be afraid to take risks and be sure to vary the scale and direction of the patterns to keep the look from getting chaotic!