Mission Stairs

As you selectively add momentos and objet d’arts for your office to add some personality, you might consider this authentic model of Mission Stairs on sale NOW from One Kings Lane. Let it sit on a credenza or bookcase in clear sight to remind you that it’s essential to stay focused when climbing to the top…or it might just help spark the energy required to stay on track with your new year resolution of taking the stairs instead of the elevator. As Nike says, Just Do It…and do it soon. The sale price of $99 ends Wednesday 1/30.

Storylines for your office (wall)

Frederik Roije's Storylines book shelf

Available in four colors, dark and light grey, white and blue.

Last month, I introduced you to Frederik Roije and his Guidelines wall-mount magazine rack. Now witness another great find from his Amsterdam-based studio – Storylines is a book shelf with the outline of an architectural skyline. If in the search for something interesting for your office that goes beyond the conventional, look no further. What I enjoy most about Roije’s work is the combination of architecture, design and functionality. True to the modern creed of “form follows function,” there’s nothing better than a true testament of authentic design that fuses all of these great aspirations. Made of powder-coated folding metal, Storylines is available in dark grey, light grey, blue, and white and is available for 199 Euros.

Meet petite Vika Veine – IKEA

Affordable and space saving Vika Veine desk by IKEA.

Available in Brown-Black or White.

Convenient access to cables and plugs.

I get excited when mass manufacturers decide to provide accessible, clean design to the public. Grant it, IKEA is a rare breed with Swedish roots, which can hardly be coined as a “mass player.” But, considering it’s sheer volume of products and mass appeal, I appreciate their consideration of space-challenged dwellers living in urban neighborhoods. So if you’re in New York, or just happen to have a rather tight space, take note. The Vika Veine desk is a small workspace (measures 39″ wide by 24″ deep) that opens up to provide access to a felt board full of pockets and space for paperwork. Thanks to the mechanism of the pop-up hood, a channel opening provides access to power outlets and for hiding those messy cables. It’s a smart feature and one that is rarely seen with such minimal flair. You can be working and easily hide everything by closing the top. Furthermore, you have a clean worksurface in a split second.

The best part, the price is only $99 USD (not including the legs).

Write Wall – IdeaPaint

IdeaPaint turns your wall into a dry erase board!

Available in a solvent or water-base paint

Ever get in trouble for writing on the walls as a kid? I did. Perhaps it was a degenerate gene that connected me to my graffiti-making cousins or it was an artistic need to exert some creative expression. Whatever it was, I masked my bedroom walls long before it was popular to do so in conference rooms for the business world. Now, thanks to the wonders of science, you have another option besides chalkboard paint for similar applications. IdeaPaint, founded by three Babson College graduates, creates a high-performance solvent-base and a home-friendly water-base paint that transforms your walls into an effective dry erase board. For commercial and corporate needs, 50 sf of surface paint is available in an array of neutral colors starting at $175 USD. For smaller home projects, the water-based solution is available for 20 sf of coverage for $30. Keep in mind, 20 sf will yield an area that is 5′ x 4′. If opting for this option, I suggest buying cheap molding to create a frame effect for the designated area. The last thing you want is to go outside “the lines” and truly ruin your traditional walls. Consider this a lesson learned from my youth.

Visit IdeaPaint for their great site full of…well, ideas.

Set within a color backdrop, a small amount goes a long way.

More Inspiration – A.T’s Get The Look

Apartment Therapy's series of DIY home office. Get this look! Photo: Jill Slater

Short and sweet, or should I say suite. This example comes once again from Apartment Therapy’s Get The Look with their recommendation for dealing with tight spaces. What’s perfect about this one is the minimalistic aesthetic accomplished by the all-white palette. Doesn’t it look more like a hotel room? So many of my friends always complain about their business travel, but I love it. I especially love the short-term living in chic boutique hotels. Now, taking the cue from a corporate room, making your bedroom just as clean is the way I like to live.  Don’t forget the night cap chocolates for the nightstand. Catch the details at Apartment Therapy.

Inspired? DIY Home Office

The "before" - a pantry closet.

The "after" - a small home office

Never say you don’t have the space for your own home office. Valerie and Roger had to convert their second bedroom that was being used as a home office into a nursery. The solution? Convert a small pantry into a dedicated space for the home computer. You may sacrifice storage for other home items, but don’t sacrifice the fun in your design. For more images and info, check out the original story that ran on Design*Sponge.

Inspiration – Another Home Office

A home office that fits the room.

Situated in a loft space slightly above the main living room, this contemporary desk with chrome legs and a glass top makes for a great compliment to this comfy space full of natural light and rough wood grain accents. Take the inspiration from the outdoors and add just a little to your office to tie it all together. In this case, you have the beach just several yards away and the color of white skies and the natural color of sand is the true inspiration for this organic space.  And with just one signature nautilus shell on the desk, it is the perfect accent for a sophisticated room. Just don’t get distracted if you have real work to do.

Inspiration – Another Home Office

A very simple home office that you can create yourself.

Seriously, this is one of those simple home offices that looks more expensive than it really is. A simple desk created with two stands and a counter top, all kept in the same material. A basic walnut chair fits with the room but maintains a slight distinguishable look. Add this with a bold graphic rug and neutral paint, plus a window view and you have yourself a serene office for conducting home business. The basic string for clipping pictures and postcards is a brilliant touch. Try it sometime.

Inspiration – another home office design

Eclectic flair by SF-based designer Martha Angus

Another quick post for inspiration. This modern lacquered white desk is flanked by an ornate stool and art frame. This is a great way to create an eclectic home office that will keep you creative and inspired. Wondering how to get the look? Well, you can find an very affordable version of this desk at West Elm. And as for the ornate decoration, try an antique store. You’ll be amazed at the great finds, but just be patient. It may take several trips to various shops before you find what you’re looking for. As for the mastermind behind this look, visit Martha Angus and her San Francisco studio for more great living designs.

Inspiration – another home office

Need some inspiration for your home office? From the pages of Elle Decor.

I love it all. The chic Chinois black chairs, the painted black mullions of the window, the all white space, the stainless steel work surface – all of these elements make for a very posh home office that can be replicated in practically any room. Here’s what you might not realize, you can create this desk with old bedside tables that are repainted and used as the base for this linear workstation. Also, find cork tiles for a floor and install them on the entire wall and have an instant tack board for displaying pictures, art and important documents and calendar dates. Remember, stay consistent with your accessories. In this case, use the same type of thumb-tack and clip for the wall. And if you happen to have one, place your Emmy award on the side as a paper weight.