Home Base Decor

Selasa, 26 April 2011

Tidy and organized: Home offices and workspaces to motivate you

I'm working in a little impromptu "office" while I'm here in Spain, which consists of a small desk - about 3ft wide by 1.5ft deep, and two small drawers. The wall is sort of a popcorn texture and painted a pinkish tan. It's not really inspiring. But, it is temporary - and there is an ancient cathedral to wonder at through my window. Until I have the space and means to create the office of my dreams, it sure is fun to collect inspiration...

*swoon* white, mid-century modern, a whole bookcase of organization potential! This space has so many of my favorite elements!
via SFGirl by Bay on Pinterest

The real home office. I love this desk. It's great for anyone who needs a lot of surface area - and the drawers are small - which is great for organizing pencils, brushes, etc.
via Lifework

You can create a beautiful office space in an open floor plan living situation or in the corner of another room. This one is in one end of a living room. The tiled floor creates a visual barrier, separating the office into a separate space. And look at the cubbies and matching baskets!

This is a really cute pinboard for a gardener, but you can take the same ideas - file folder hanger, little baskets - and clips for organizing your projects...
2 images above via BHG

Two file cabinets and a large plank make a substantial desk - an easy DIY that doesn't cost a lot.

I love little nook offices. I work from home full time so it wouldn't really work for me, but it's a great solution for home offices where you just need to deal with correspondences, bills, etc.
3 images above via Alice in Designland

Isn't this workspace soooo pretty and cute? The charming lamp, the little wood radio, the artsy trash bin...and the wallpaper is to die for. (the wallpaper is called Harlequin Passion and from wallpapersonline.com.au)
via Adore Home Magazine

Do you have a home office? Is it a dedicated room? Shared with another room? In a nook or closet, etc.?

April's Monthly Storage Plan: The Laundry Room

So, I'm really late getting you April's agenda from BHG's "Month by Month Storage Plan."
But I promise you this one is pretty painless - but can make a big difference in saving you time every week doing your laundry. Here is BHG's suggestions for creating a streamlined, efficient laundry room...

• Sorting Baskets. Place a three-compartment bin or basket in a closet or open shelf in your laundry room (look at home or office supply stores for options). Separate clothing to be repaired, dry-cleaned, and donated.

Laundry baskets make great sorting bins that are easily moved about. You can download BHG's free Laundry Labels here. (You may have to sign in or create a profile before they let you do this - just a head's up)

Not all of us have the luxury of separate rooms or dedicated spaces for every task or hobby, so a well planned out utility room can handle multiple purposes. This room handles laundry, and crafts such as wrapping... notice the rolls of wrapping paper. A surface over the washer and dryer provides space for crafting. Lots of baskets and bins provide storage for supplies.
via BHG

• Keep Detergent Handy. Fill plastic beverage dispensers with laundry detergent, softener, and other liquid laundry additives. Hang a set of plastic measuring cups nearby from a cup hook.

via House to Home
Liquids and powders obviously look prettier in glass bottles or tins, but it might not really be practical for everyone. Also - if you forget instructions easily save the usage labels for products.

• Drying Rack. Mount a drying rack or double towel bar near your washer as a spot for air-drying clean sweaters or rugs.

via BHG
This is a great example of the well organized laundry room. It's not an actual "room" so the owner has cleverly installed curtains to hide the area when not in use. And even though the space is small, a foldable drying rack still fits in nicely. Ballard designs has some great drying racks similar to this one.

• Make a Catch-all for Ironing Supplies. Convert a silverware caddy into a stain-treating or ironing kit. Fill with small size cleaners, spray starches, and linen waters. Be sure to include essential tools such as brushes, dry-cleaning pads, and collar points.

via House to Home
Mounting planters or containers can also serve as catchalls for any other cleaning supplies you need on hand.

Below are some more laundry rooms to inspire you -

Small, but shelving provides space to organize

I love the idea of an armoire as a utility room organizer.

3 images above via BHG

5 images above via House to Home

You can read the original content here on BHG.

A real home that looks beautiful and lived in at the same time

Pictures of beautiful interiors abound but I always appreciate house tours much more than staged spaces for editorial pieces. This real home is in Chicago, lived in by a furniture designer and art professional, circa early 1900's, and is 1200 sq. feet.

Enjoy!

I'm really into simply lately. The lines are clean and you can tell possessions are well edited....
I also totally crushed on that rug when West Elm introduced it...still love it

Again, the space is sparse but not lacking visual interest... love the mix n' match chairs as well

great use of space putting that storage unit in the hall...

The dark molding is gorgeous. One day I will have atleast one desk and one work table in my home office/studio!

What do you think?

via Apartment Therapy

Pied-à-terre anyone? Adorable Parisian abodes...

This company finds apartments in Paris and lovingly restores them to their state of original charm...

Love that unusual lamp and the chair!

Respect for the original architectural details is given

soooooooo pretty

All of the floors are to die for

What do you think - would you like a little Pied-à-terre?

See more at the company site, a+b kasha

Entryways and staircases - basics that should not be ignored

Staircases and entryways are something most of us have in our homes yet so many people overlook them when decorating their home. If you are one of them, or are just bored with yours, hopefully you'll find some inspiration below...