Home Office: Slowly Making Progress

My office project is coming along slowly. The basic carpentry for the fireplace build outs is done. Next week the walls get skim coated to provide a smooth texture for the wallpaper. The electrical will also go in for a new cable outlet and several recessed lights in the ceiling.

Before



After - Ready for paint



My wallpaper - Thibaut, pattern: Owen



I think I'm liking it!

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Burma - Myanmar

After watching the coverage on TV of the devastation in Burma I wanted to know more about the country. The political unrest in the country has striped it's people of much of their dignity but their rich history is a testament to a vibrant and artistic culture. Fantastical architecture and embellishment are a staple through ought the country.


The much coveted Burmese Ruby is the standard for jewelers. Now called blood rubies due to their association with funding activities of the Junta. They have been banned in the US but are still sold in other countries across the globe.


Burmese jade is another precious commodity banned by the US.



Politics aside, the human suffering that is now apparently being made worse by the current governments refusal to accept global relief is so very tragic. I hope that they will open up the country soon to relief agencies for the sake of their people.

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If Furniture Could Talk

I was browsing through 1st Dibbs today and ran across this fantastic Billy Baldwin upholstered bed still wearing its original kelly green velvet upholstery. I would love to know the back story behind this bed. Who was it made for? - where did it live? - what did it see???- what did it's bedroom look like?

I was really struck by how current the design remains as is evident by the many new chair-back beds available on the market today.


This is my favorite from Hickory White. I like the furniture legs at the base of the platform and the nail heads.


This bed has a small arm on each side as well as a wing back. It is really taking the chair design to the fullest.



Jay Jeffers seems to be a big fan of this style bed and he uses them to great effect in many of his rooms.



Henredon's version



Oly Studio has a sleek modern version.



Transitional Charles P Rogers in leather.



Love the top of the wing backs on this model by Charles P Rogers.

If our furniture could talk what would it say about us? My furniture would be pretty boring, how about yours?

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Harlequin Love

Here's a little eye candy from Harlequin. I've always loved this line and their new designs never disappoint.


Absolutely delicious, don't you think?

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Classic Lighting by Visual Comfort & Co

I'm in love with these fixtures from Visual Comfort & Co. Their beautiful, classic, simplicity makes them right for almost any interior.





Two of these pendants will be hanging over my desk in my newly re-organized office.



I would have loved to use this double one but it's too wide for my room.

Love the patina on this copper pendant.


They have a fabulous assortment of library lamps available in their standard finishes. They remind me of these lamps in Alessandra Branca's stunning office.


photo - Alesandra Branca via Cote de Texas

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New From Uttermost

Can't afford exquisite hand painted wallpaper from Gracie Studio? Why not try one of these beautiful panels from Uttermost. They're large enough to make a statement 47" x 50" and a very reasonably priced. Hand painted on hard board.

Love the silver background on this one!


I just ordered this one for a client. Can't wait to see it up close.

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My Home Office - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

After closing my design showroom last year I moved my office into a spare room next to my Master Bedroom in my home. I love the room - it's mostly windows so it's sunny and cheerful but that's about all it's got going. (Yes, my windows are filthy! I'm going to go wash them right now!) I was going to change out the window treatments but quite honestly I just don't have the energy for that right now. Maybe later - for now I'll work around them.



It's a bit cramped for all of my stuff. I had my carpenter try to squeeze in the cabinets from my office in my showroom - it's a tight fit. We used as many units as we could but it left unfinished end pieces and panels now on the outside that were never meant to be exposed. My plan next week is to have it finished off so it looks as if it were actually meant to be installed in this space.


I had used this room previously as my sewing room and I had an old thrift store hutch that held my paints and other supplies. I decided to keep the top of the hutch and placed it on top of a unit of of file drawers. I think it will look okay when it's all painted and I like the glass doors. I'm debating whether or not to paint it a contrasting color?? I think it might be too much in such a small space.


My gigantic partners desk was meant to be used by two people - myself on one side and my assistant on the other. It is far to large for this new space and just one person so I am having it cut down a foot in depth. This will allow me to turn it to face the windows and give me more maneuvering room around it. (Note the hole so carefully cut in the side for wires. This side used to be up against a wall in my old office. This thing definitely needs some new end panels.


office side

bedroom side

This is my extremely ugly double sided fireplace that separates this room from the master bedroom. I have lived in this house for 10 years and have never done anything with these two units. I just could not make a decision since I hate them so much. The one on the Master bedroom side has a gross niche for the TV which is really the only place for it. (Notice my lovely cable coming through a hole in the wall - my husbands idea of wiring. This is the only way I can get cable in the office right now- it's going to have to go)

office side / bedroom side (with still gross TV niche and a raised hearth)

Here are the renderings for the build outs. Very simple layer molding and panels. All the wood work and cabinets will be painted white. I want to keep the room light and airy. The rest of my house is very rich and dark with wood and tile floors, lots of wood and colors ranging from cream to dark chocolate. I want this room to be a contrast.


This is the very ugly ceiling fan that is in place right now. Fans are a functional necessity here in the desert but I plan to chuck this one - all it does is blow my paperwork around and I need more light.



I think these are the final three candidates for new lighting. I'd like to go with something a bit more exciting but I'm on a budget here! I'm in desperate need of strong task lighting since my eyesight sucks at night which is when I do a lot of my drawing. I will also throw some recessed lights in while I'm at it. I'm thinking of using two number 1's side by side ( I wish I could find one with a red shade but I've given up) or one of the others. Which would you do?


I like this little window in the corner. I had to cover half of it to fit the cabinets in but I don't think it looks to weird. I'm hoping this will all be done in a couple of weeks so check back to see the finished room. I'm sure it will be an improvement!

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