Reader Question: Small Space Home Office

I received a recent reader question that I'd like to answer. "Do you have any suggestions for a studio apartment office? I am trying to create one in my 300 ft space and it always looks messy..." Having lived in a studio apartment myself, I understand that every item of furniture must be functional and provide storage, while looking stylish. I've come across a few great pieces that I'd like to share. Hopefully they help or inspire you. Thanks for the question!

Above: I was really impressed when I saw this piece from Crate and Barrel. If you really don't have a lot of space, this one gives you a lot of bang for your buck. With it's compact design and tons of storage space, you get the home office feel all within a few feet of space. And when you're not working, it reduces into a great looking chest. This piece has a built-in charging station, storage cubbies, a storage drawer, and a file drawer. Convertible Compact Desk, $399.00 Crateandbarrel

Above: Crate and Barrel has this bookcase wall with a small desk in the center. This is a great piece if you have a large wall. The leaning style of the bookcase makes the piece fell less heavy, as it narrows towards the top. Larger items such as a printer or file boxes can be stored on the lower shelves, and smaller items up top. A charging station will keep all of your chargers tidy. Sloane Leaning Desk/Bookcase set, $349.00, Charging station, $44.95 and 3 piece Kendal lidded tote set, $62.95 CrateandBarrel

Above: This is a great desk and bookcase in one. The desk has a good surface area to work on and is not bulky. The bookcase is comprised of cubbies, or squares. There is no back panel to the bookcase, as to let you "float" the piece in a room. If your layout allows this, you could "float" this piece in your room and use it as a divider, perhaps dividing the work/living space from the bed area. Whether or not you float it, the bookcase provides ample storage. IKEA has made companion boxes that fit inside of these cubbies, which look good from both sides. IKEA Expedit Workstation, $119.99 IKEA

Above: The key to keeping a bookcase from looking like a mess, is sorting your items. The best way to do this is to use storage boxes with labels allowing you to easily find your items. These come in all sorts of sizes and colors and can be found at the Container Store. Baskets are great for grouping magazines, books, , binders, or photo albums together neatly.

Working from Home

As I sit on my bed with my laptop blogging, I'm thinking to myself that I really need to set up a home office area. Looking for inspiration, I found these photos of colorful, stylish, and organized work spaces. Work from home in style...

Above: Don't have an extra room to use as an office? Carve a home office into an existing nook in your home. Left: An odd nook in a wall is transformed into an useful work space with shelving and a small desk with a pull-out keyboard tray. A small file cabinet provides storage for paper work and a surface area to place the printer atop. Right: Coordinate your desk with your kitchen appliances. This stainless steel desk and chair blend seamlessly in a kitchen. A magnetic board is a great place to attach notes and miscellaneous objects and keep them out of the way. (real simple)

Above: A nursery does double duty as a home office in this colorful and modern room. A white chest doubles as a changing station and looks great against the turquoise wall color. A dark oak desk is topped off with a white shelving unit to maximize storage. The horizontal striped chair connects the color scheme of turquoise, white, chartreuse green and browns. (real simple)

Above: Wall sconces provide additional lighting for a desk that floats in the middle of this home office. While the desk and file cabinets are dark and heavy looking, a light, shaggy flokati rug adds softness and texture. Wooden blinds allow the sun light to be controlled. (nicole sassaman - designer)

Above: I am in looove with this home office. A white desk with turned legs provides the work station, while white low bookcases offer plenty of storage and surface area for decorative objects. This home office feels like it's in a home. The zebra area rug, striped chair, tailored roman shades and lattice patterned window treatments all add softness to a room with a lot of office furniture. Framed coral prints and painted red legs on the chair add subtle touches of color to a busy room. (designer - erinn valencich)
Above: With bright yellow walls, white furniture helps tone down the room. A white desk-top with chrome legs and Lack shelving (both from Ikea) provide space to spread work out on and storage. A few decorative accessories on the shelving and a table lamp add personality to the space. (homeofficesnapshot.com)

In a New York Minute

My trip this past weekend to NYC flew by, here are some snapshots of the scenery:

NYC inspired me to create a chic room using furniture and decor from websites we all know and love. I found this great NYC apartment pic and designed a plan to fill the space with stylish and accessible items. I went for a soothing soft blue, green, and tan scheme for life in a busy city.

The breakdown:

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

6. 7.

8. 9.

1. Haeger Mid-Century Mod Celadon Lamp at lampsplus.com =$119.91
2. Crate & Barrel Axis Sofa in Dansen Khaki, =$2598.00
3. Crate & Barrel Wyatt Leather Chair is Tampa Basil =$1999.00
4. Ring-top Panels from Smith & Noble in Harbor Side Stripe, Spa =Custom
5. Safavieh Apica 5x8 Rug at Target.com =$458.99
6. Luster Square ottoman in gold at Target.com =$349.99
7. Elegant Chandelier IV, I, and III at Target.com =$76.49 each
8. Manhattan Side Table at Target.com = $99.99
9. Wall Street Media Center at Target.com =$249.99

I was so excited to visit Z Gallerie in SOHO, and my heart sank when I was standing in front of a store front that was once Z Gallerie and is no more. Apparently, Z Gallerie filed for bankruptcy in February and has closed 25 of it's 77 stores, including it's only NYC location. Guess I'll have to keep stalking the website.

But I did finally make it to Serendipity 3. It's a quaint, quirky little coffee boutique, filled with Tiffany chandeliers and cafe tables. The frozen hot chocolate was delicious, and for $8 it was a large, creamy treat for two.

Weekend in NYC

As I prepare for my weekend trip to NYC, I'm getting excited about visiting Z Gallerie in SOHO. I discovered the shop last year, and was amazed with the amount of products they carry and how beautifully the store was merchandised. I put together a "dream room" with products from the Z Gallerie website.

I always love a white sofa and this one looks big and comfy. I usually like to add a touch of leather, especially on a cocktail ottoman, because it's a soft and durable place to put your feet atop. A room can always use a funky lamp and splashes of color.

I'm also quite excited to visit Serendipity 3 and try my first frozen hot chocolate. Notice how I said "first" as I'm sure I'll go back for more! And if Oprah says they're good, then they're good.

Eco-Friendly Paint:

Green paints are classified as low or free of VOCs. VOCs are volatile organic compounds which are toxic fumes emitted from most synthetic-based paints. VOCs are harmful to the environment and people. It can take years for the VOCs to dissolve from the wall. Mold and mildew are less likely to develop with VOC free paints.

Sherwin Williams - Harmony

Harmony is a water-based latex paint by Sherwin Williams, that is a low odor, zero VOC interior paint. Once on the walls, it is a washable and durable finish. It is also anti-microbial, which is mildew resistant. Available in primer, flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes.

Benjamin Moore - Natura
Benjamin Moore makes an acrylic interior paint that has zero VOCs in the base and colorants, and is virtually odor free. It is a waterborne paint that is washable, fade-resistant, durable, and dries in 30 minutes. Available in primer, flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes.

Farrow & Ball - Eco Friendly

Farrow & Ball also makes a paint that is waterbased, free of VOCs, and virtually odorless. They also use natural products such as clay, lime putty, linseed oil, iron oxides and umbers.

Green paints are a great choice for people who suffer with allergies, respiratory symptoms, sensitivity to chemicals, and women that are pregnant. Green paints tend to be more expensive than standard paints and have a coverage rate of 10% less than standard.

A Little Z Goes a Long Way...

Animal print is always in fashion and it seems like the favorite of the year has been the zebra. Seems like zebra print is here to stay as more people realize how a little z goes a long way. Commonly seen on toss pillows, chairs, ottomans, and rugs, this print blends with any style and looks great on anything. (Beauvoir Occasional Chair, $169.95 and Zebra Frame Toss Pillow, $19.54 available at Target.com)

Above: Ease your way into the zebra craze with some toss pillows. This gray room gets some excitement with a couple of zebra toss pillows on the chaise lounge. These pillows bring the eye down from the huge windows to the seating area. (Elle Decor)

Above: Layering adds visual interest to a room with all white upholstery. A zebra print rug sits atop a sisal rug. The traditional turned legs and English arms on the sofa and chairs are juxtaposed with the modern bright yellow, black and white color combination. (Country Living)

Above: An area rug in zebra print peaks out from under a large, round tufted ottoman in black velour. (decorpad)

Above: Most zebra print rugs could steal the thunder from a beautiful carved headboard such as the one above, except this one. This rug is muted due to the cream background and white cream border. The black does not stand out as much with all of the cream in this particular rug. (Country Living)

Above: An arm chair in a zebra print with white painted wood stands out in a blue room. (Cottage Living)

Above: A square cocktail ottoman in a neutral room catches the eye and becomes the focal point of a contemporary room.

Theatre Thursday

Sex and the City, the movie, delivered some great laughs and interiors. As in the HBO series, each space in the movie was crafted to meet the individual characteristics of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda, and Mr. Big. Carrie's space went through a major transformation during the movie, after she is left at the altar. Most women change their hairstyle after a breakup, but Carrie does that and takes it a step further with a complete overhaul of her apartment.

Pre-break up, Carries apartment is a little on the messy side, which reflects her chaotic life. Her living room has some Scandinavian touches, a mid-century console, and a Morris leather chair. Does anyone remember Aidan eating a bucket of chicken on that chair in the series? The room lacks color, aside from the gray-blue area rug and grey wall.

Carrie's Living Room Before

image via:  HBO

Her bedroom was even more lack-luster, with a second-hand feel. Piles of magazines and books are everywhere, a chair is used as a nightstand, a rug that looks like it would be itchy, and large, neutral buffalo check window treatments stand out the most.

Carrie's Bedroom Before

image via: HBO

Her life-changing break-up led to her completely remaking her space and her life. In her living room, she went for a more sleek, bold, and slightly feminine feel. A pair of large floral settees adds seating. The wall unit screams organization. The bright blue on the walls actually makes the space feel larger, as it makes the crown and baseboard molding standout, highlighting the height of the room.

Carrie's Living Room After

Her sleek, white lacquered parson desk sits on the cusp of the bedroom. A modern upholstered chair with an espresso finish contrasts with the white. Across from the desk, sits her new mirrored vanity. Every girl needs a vanity, and this one ouzes style, while still being functional. She has the same chair at the vanity that she has at her desk. An area rug with a large graphic pattern in plum and white catches the eye, drawing you into the bedroom. It's unusual, and I'm not sure I would put it in the room with the floral settees, but it looks cool. The bohemian bedspread brings a little more of the plum in, and contrasts with the bright white headboard.

Carrie's Bedroom After

The New Black is...Black!

The November 2009 issue of Elle Decor featured a home in Washington, D.C. owned by designer Darryl Carter, that just took my breath away. I've heard the adage that every room should have a touch of black in it, whether it's an accessory, fabric, or piece of furniture, and this room is living proof. Carter keeps his home neutral, but still interesting with nothing else but beautiful antiques and the color black. Enjoy!

Above: Dramatic black panel shutters flank an antique desk in the library. A cream wingback chair with ebony legs is a modern touch placed with the desk. The mahogany finish on the desk adds color to the room with its deep red hue. In the living room, a large black mantle catches the eye and grounds the formal, antique furniture. The 18th century Regency table and circa-1920 sofa are delicate against the white cement coffee tables.

Above: Black shuttered doors let the sun shine into the bathroom. A cream herringbone tile floor adds texture and pattern while keeping the color palette simple. An 18th century secretary desk provides storage in an unusual and masculine way. The wood adds a warmth among all of the stone and ceramic surfaces. In the breakfast room, a worn farm table takes center place between sleek, white lacquered chairs with black upholstery. Two curios in a black finish are placed side by side and stand out against the white panel wall.

Above: The master bedroom floor is draped with a chocolate brown & white zebra rug, outlined in black. Atop the rug, is a an exquisite kidney shaped desk in a black finish. A black antique convex mirror is placed above the mantle. Antique bordello doors, with a black aged leather and nail heads, create the illusion of a headboard and flaunt the height of the ceiling.

Above: In the dining room, white leather chairs with an ebony frame surround a concrete pedestal table. An arched golden mirror adds a little curve to a room heavy with straight, hard lines. Underneath, a simple sisal rug keeps the decor simple. The same rug is used in numerous rooms throughout the home. In the kitchen, black granite counter tops contrast nicely with the white cabinetry and floors. The glass front cabinets have interiors painted black adding depth and displaying his glassware collection. Stools in a rustic, weathered finish keep the space from feeling too formal.