#DESIGNWRITE TWITTER CHAT

Good News! I'll be co-hosting my first twitter chat on this Thursday from 10AM-11AM. Writer Pamela Mason has invited me to give decorating advice to people who desire a beautiful and function home office. That's everyone, right? She took the time last week to poll readers of their interest and it looks like this chat will be well attended.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@ERIKAATBLULABEL @WRITERMASON #DESIGNWRITE

Jump into the conversation using the #designwrite hashtag at the end of your comment. I'll be taking your questions, sharing images, and pushing you steps further in getting the well-appointed office space you deserve.

designed by Erika Ward Interiors

Work from home, but don't have a dedicated office space? No problem! Your dining room makes for a great pop-up home office. See...

designed by Amanda L. Reid

Let's get warmed up to the idea of repurposing the dining room by removing the table setting and all but one chair. Now you have the home office you've been wanting. Use a couple of drawers in the adjacent buffet for file storage. Return chairs to table when company arrives. Easy. Done.

"Success comes when preparation meets opportunity?" It's one of my favorite quotes because it is profoundly simple, yet true. If given the opportunity, is your home office ready to handle the success coming your way? If you answer no to this question, I look forward to tweeting with you on Thursday!

Need more personalized assistance in whipping your home office into shape? Contact me. I can help.

THANK YOU AJC!

I was thrilled to be interviewed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a feature entitled "Style for the Workplace." In the article they included my 5 tips for creating a functional and beautiful home office as well as two images of my space!

And as promised, I've included more images of my office. In all honesty, the place was a complete wreck before I got the call...but the request for photos gave me the kick in the pants to get it all done and FAST!! Take a look:

The side table, lamp base, and floor lamp are refurbished pieces from the Goodwill, while the settee was a Craiglist find. The upholstery fabric didn't mesh with my color scheme so I made a slipcover from a painter's canvas dropcloth.

The owl was a cool two bucks from the Goodwill and I gave him a quick makeover with white spray paint. Now he fits right in with my Jonathan Adler pottery and Ikea bud vase!

I also revived this old vanity stool and now use it for seating at my conference table.

It took me a day of working non stop to get it all done and of course it was the weekend before the Room Service Atlanta install. Thank God I didn't turn into DesignZilla!

Hope you enjoyed this quick tour. Thanks again AJC for showing this Sweet Georgia Brown some love! It was truly an honor.

FINISHED!

So after one year of indecisiveness about my home office, I finally finished it in one grueling day. So what banished my indecision you ask? Well, I got a call from an Atlanta press outlet asking for home office tips and they also wanted photos of my space. Yikes!!! I leaped into action and got it done! Here's a peek.

I'll post the rest very soon!

VIDEO: HANDSOME HOME OFFICES

This quote by Richard Mishaan speaks my truth! I literally work EVERYWHERE. Case in point, I've been dealing with a serious bout of writer's block and decided to change my scenery. I spend yesterday afternoon tapping away on my keyboard at Atlanta Bread Company. The only downfall was my inability to resist those damn cookies. You win some, you lose some...

"The office is no longer defined by where your desk is...the office can follow you around by simply having your technology with you. Clearly, the boundaries of home and office are blurred. What we think of as the traditional office is no longer going to ever be the same. The office will appear when you are ready to work." - Richard Mishaan

Check out the video if you have a moment. It's a real treat!

8 STEPS TO AN ECO-FRIENDLY HOME OFFICE

If you are telecommuting, taking online classes, or maintaining household affairs from your home office you should be aware that your daily choices regarding office equipment and supplies have an impact on our environment. Here are a few small changes that yield great results in the preservation of our natural resources and waste reduction.


1.|Repurpose your existing furniture. For example use an old dresser for storage and add new hardware or drawer pulls for a whole new look.

via Little Green Notebook

2.|Refresh your color scheme by recovering pillows or reupholstering chair cushions.

via BluLabel Bungalow

3.|Replenish battery operated equipment with rechargeable batteries.
4.|Redesign your marketing materials (brochures, media kits, and business cards) so that they can be view electronically and printed only when truly necessary.

5.|Reuse misprints or old documents as scrap paper.
6.|Revive your air quality by maintaining a houseplant.

via Design Sponge

7.|Reduce your paper consumption by subscribing to an e-fax service that converts inbound faxes into PDF documents and forwards them to your email inbox.
8.|Reinvest in energy efficient equipment such as computers and multifunctional printers. Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR logo!

Remember that green-living should not be a trend, but a lasting change. Breaking the bank by purchasing expensive eco-friendly products from retailers does not provide the needed change. The real change comes from our daily decisions and conscious efforts to save money and our planet.

HOW TO FRAME A BULLETIN BOARD

Have you ever attempted a DIY project that looked so easy a preschooler could do it? You then got half way through the project and wish you would've just bought the finished product instead? Well I almost had one of those moments when I began this project:

Here's how it all started...
 

I purchased this board from a thrift store for only 7 bucks!   HomeGoods sells the board on the right for $39.99. It's a great price, but not big enough.  So I said to myself, "Self, you can do this. There are tons of instructions on the web, just pick one."  I referred to Camila's post which is excellent especially if you are handy with the power tools. I, on the other hand, am a complete amateur when it comes to this stuff.

I decided to "wing" it.  After spending almost 45 minutes trying to help the associate cut my trim at a 45 degree angle "freehand" I left pretty frustrated with only the trim. Refusing to accept defeat, I consulted a fellow craft queen on the next step. She mentioned something about a mitre box and saw.  The clouds above opened up...an answered prayer!! I headed to the store, this time Lowes (closer to home), for a mitre box and saw and a few other supplies...

I carefully cut each piece using my mitre saw and nailed them to the existing frame with finishing nails. When the frame was in place, the edges looked like this. Not to worry...if this happens to you, then use wood filler to fill the gaps. When it dries sand it smooth.

 
After repairing and sanding, I wiped the frame with a baby wipe and allowed it to dry for about 5 minutes. I painted the frame with two coats of black satin paint allowing about 2 hours between coats. This stuff dried fast!  There was no need to apply primer before painting .  The trim pieces I purchased were already primed!

The next day my new bulletin board was ready to hang.

I'm so glad I stayed the course and did not give up! Plus, I would've hated to disappoint you all!  Only after I finished this project did I find an awesome video for framing a bulletin board on the Canadian House and Home website.  They had the wallpapered magazine files tutorial, too!!  Those guys sure know how to make everything look easy.

Have you been at your wit's end with DIY project? What was/is it? Did you complete it?

BOOKCASE DONE.

I had lots of fun with the last bookcase inspiration post and even more fun carrying out the design.  In case you forgot here's a before shot...

I desperately needed a closed storage solution that would also bring a unified look to my bookcase.  I headed back to Ikea for inexpensive items from the KASSETT, FLYT, and BARNAS series.

And here's the final look...

The decorative items are there for placement until I find something that really tickles my fancy. As you've probably noticed, I gave that dusty stereo set back to my husband and instead enjoy music from my laptop.  I also removed a few of the jackets from my books for a cleaner look.  Other paperbacks are stored in the magazine files and boxes.

The baskets below are a great addition to the bookcase and provides textural interest. The old storage boxes found a new home in my kids' closets.  Again, I used my wallpaper treatment to glam up inexpensive cardboard magazine files. I love the reflective quality of the print and how the leaves shine in the sunlight.

So now all I have to do is label my files and maintain my new organization system!

My goal was to create a lighter look that's clean, well-sorted, and pretty.  Mission accomplished, don't you think? Be sure to meet me back here tomorrow. I can't wait to show you my most recent office DIY project!

ODE TO THE EXPEDIT

Yesterday was a VERY good day. I had my office painted the most beautiful shade of bluish-gray (ICI Dulux- Souvenir color matched by my buddies at Sherwin Williams).  Doing this really made the space open up and feel clean even though right now everything is in shambles.  After clearing the room, I was so reluctant to bring all of my stuff back in here without a well thought out organization plan...but I had to anyway.  See the before here.

This is the Expedit Bookcase by Ikea (as if you didn't know). Coveted internationally because of its price, classic design, and functionality I had to have one.  Some decorators/designers despise anything from Ikea, I suppose its because most of their wood furniture is not made of solid wood, but MDF (medium-density fiberboard).  Whatever the case I think it's okay as long as your home doesn't look like an Ikea catalog.  It's all about styling your bookcase and displaying items that make you feel good. Check out these spaces where the Expedit is used and you be the judge...

 

Which design is your favorite? Do you own an Expedit?

photo credits:

carol reed design, made by girl, kishani perera, making it lovely, lonny magazine

DECORATOR DILEMMA SOLVED.

Early Saturday morning (2:00AM to be exact) I just couldn't sleep. I was up rearranging furniture, pictures, etc. in my office and didn't return to bed until 7:00AM. I spend 5 hours trying to figure out why the space doesn't feel right to me.  My husband (God bless him) has the patience of a Saint. After breakfast I sat him down and explained the madness going on in my head. Our conversation went something like this:

Him: So what exactly is the problem? I thought everything looked great...Wait a minute, did you just remove the fabric from all the chairs.

Me: Yes, I did. I needed a clean slate. I like so many styles, I just can't figure out what I really want.

Him: What did you have in mind when you got started? 

Me: Something like this. (I show him Exhibit A, below)

Him: Hmm, I like this. Well, looks like... (I interrupt him)

Me: And this too! (I show him Exhibit B from a previous post)

Him: I like this one even more. Well looks like you need to paint and get your sofa (my settee) recovered.

Me: (with gritted teeth) I know.

In an interview with House Beautiful Magazine Suzanne Kasler gives this advice regarding redecorating a room, "Be true to what you love. That's really they key to creating a space that feels personal. Buy things that you like and don't worry about whether or not they match...somehow, if these are all things you love, they will just naturally come together and complete a certain feeling. And that will express you and your style."

Note to self:  Get what you want even if it means saving more money first or shopping a bit longer to get the look you desire.  

I knew all along that I needed to paint, but I didn't want to deal with the high ceilings.  I knew the "new" settee needed to be reupholstered, but I didn't want to pay the money to have it done. Well, I'm not spending another sleepless night on this office nor whining about it on this blog.  I'm calling my painter and gathering estimates for the settee in the morning. I'll keep you all posted on the progress.

ART WALL DISPLAY IN PROGRESS...

In case you couldn't tell from Tuesday's post, I have rearranged my office furniture...again. Click here to see how it used to look.  Now I have a great wall space where I can display pictures, art work and my inspiration board. The wall currently looks like this...

The look I'm going for is more of a library feel, something like this...

 
The two items hanging on the wall so far are my business license (required by Georgia law to display) and a picture drawn and framed by my late Grandmother.  The other print I want to display is this one below I (and 50 other people) received as a gift from Eddie Ross.

I've been scouting shops for a preframed bulletin/message board and found two contenders: a $39.99 board from HomeGoods and a $399 board from Ballard Designs. The former option is too small, the latter is too expensive!  While out today I stopped by a Goodwill and found the perfect board at the perfect price, $7.00!!  It wasn't framed, but that's an easy fix.  I'll be sure to post a DIY/How-To.

Last weekend I stopped into Savvy Snoot and found this picture (below) in the discount room. The frame needed a little glam so I bought this paint pen from Michaels to embellish it a bit.

Here's a closer look...

I'm not crazy about the autumn leaf print, but it'll be fine for now.  I've secured two appointments this weekend, (yes!!) but I still hope to get a few personal projects completed and to share with you by next week...Chat soon!

(ANOTHER) HOME OFFICE UPDATE

Honestly, I didn't plan to post today but after the response I received from my Facebook friends about my new Craigslist find I realized I couldn't leave you all out!!! Ok, here's the story...

I've been contemplating this sofa by Nate Berkus sold on HSN for $499.  My girl Tamara purchased the same sofa in pewter a few months ago. I emailed her to make sure she still loved it and she responded with a resounding yes (co-signed by Mrs. Duncan).

Before I hit the "purchase" button, I decided to check my local Craiglist ad and found this for only $120!

The seller informed me that I was third in line for the purchase, but I knew in my heart that it was mine!!  When I called back the next day he told me it was still available. I immediately loaded up my kids (yes all three) and prayed the settee would fit in the back of my SUV...and it did! I unloaded this thing by myself... I'm sure Grace and Gabri (my neighbors) were laughing their a$$es off as I struggled to get it out of the cargo and onto my appliance dolly, to the front door, and into my office...

So what do you think? It's not the Nate Berkus sofa, but hey I can deal...

The Evolution of Personal Style...

Do you have trouble pinpointing your personal style? I sure do. When I graduated from college 10 years ago, I preferred very contemporary furnishings. My decor consisted of light colored leather, chrome accent tables, and blond woods.  I bought most of my furniture from this place and would not consider anything that deviated from it.

Now my taste is more on the traditional side of contemporary with a  rustic mix...well at least for now.  Targeting one style is difficult because I have an appreciation for all design styles. But if I had to choose one, I would call it RUSTIC GLAMOUR. The images below accurately point to my current decor preferences.

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The above bedroom is currently being used as inspiration for our master bedroom.  I generally prefer neutral colors in the bedroom and use various textures to add interest.  I love the way the designer, Susan Ferrier, used both contemporary and rustic elements to create a space that is both masculine and feminine.

credit

 

Taking a risk in expressing yourself in your decor is always a good idea. Adding bold colors to an otherwise neutral room breathes energy into a space.  This room is a good example.  The designer used graphic accent pillows to pull vibrant colors from artwork and boosted the glam factor with this ultra reflective chandelier.

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This above keeping room was a part of the 2009 Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine Christmas House.  The designer, Suzanne Kasler, describes it as "chic and modern, at the same time classically comfortable." I fell in love with the silvery blue walls, subtle animal printed rug, and the smooth cognac leather on the mid-century modern chairs and the Greek key benches.

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I feel at home when sitting in a room that opens to the outdoors. Wide open spaces and views of the sand and surf has me California dreaming...The light, billowy curtains, rustic coffee table, and suzani throw pillows leaves me looking for the nearest fainting couch, *swoon.*

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This home office also designed for the AH&L Christmas house (by Bungalow Classic)  makes me want to throw away all my furniture and start over. Getting straight to the point, I NEED that desk chair! I'm afraid to know the cost for it may truly break my heart, but I will settle for an adaptation **currently searching ebay and craigslist!**

What is your personal style? I asked interior designer Palmer Weiss the same question during an exclusive interview with BluLabel Bungalow. Be sure to read her answer in tomorrow's Tastemaker Tuesday post!

Marie's Office Makeover

Marie, with the help of Erika Ward Interiors, learned how to use the furniture and accessories she already had to create a space she now loves. In case you missed the process, in a previous post I discussed 4 Ways to Save Money on Your Design Job. With each step, I demonstrated how I was able to help Marie achieve this transformation:

Here is one project I forgot to mention in the previous post. I purchased 1 yard of this fabric from Lewis and Sheron and used this tutorial to take her dull office chair from drab to fab!

Marie's new curtains look great in her newly transformed space. She can always add decorative trim to the panels if she wants to give them a customized look.

Marie is so satisfied with her new office, we are now moving on to her guest room....

Here are a few take home points when designing your own space.

I hope you enjoyed following me through this process! Is there anything here you would like to try in your space?