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.

Workflow of the future – Workflow Concept

Workflow desk concept by O4i.

The new cubicle for the stale office.

Here’s something to dream about. Swedish design firm O4i has proposed a new concept for the modern office that makes the stale cubicle a rather interesting place to work. Led by designers Henrik Kjellberg and Jon Lindstrom, the Workflow concept is an all-in-one workplace that provides a standard height work desk, a transaction counter for standing room work, and a built-in lounger for those impromptu relaxed brainstorming sessions or…well, naps in the office. Who needs a sofa in the office, right? It’s not like we’re Mad Men drinking during the middle of the day and needing a horizontal surface to lay. Well…come to think of it, this has been a requisite in the past due to some crazy lunches, but we’ll discuss that later.

The concept first grabbed my attention on the design blog community, ChicTip. Thank you contributor Lauren Proctor for posting the info. The O4i site includes several other product designs as well as a brief introduction to the award-winning designers. Not for production or sale, yet, but if we keep our fingers crossed, perhaps our dreams will come true.

Guidelines for your Life (and other mags)

Frederik Roije's folding medal Guidelines for wall mounted magazines.

Something about Frederik Roije‘s Guidelines design is very fashionable for your office wall. “Fashionable”… perhaps I’m channeling Anna Wintour because of today’s Fashion Night Out. But if you agree or not, his simplistic design is quite practical for displaying a few magazines that can pose as art. A little Bauhaus mixed with a Mondrian twist, the Amsterdam-based designer has created something unique with folded metal that is coated and available in white or dark gray. If you’ve been reading The Desctop for awhile, you will know that I have a love affair with print magazines. I’m especially excited about Roije’s creation because it is now easy to frame your favorite three covers without going through the trouble of placing them inside a frame. Furthermore, you can switch out the covers with ease for a quick update. For anyone looking to add a bit of fashion to their office space, simply add Guidelines to your wall. Available directly from Frederik Roije’s studio for 169 Euros.

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.

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.

Good Golly Miss Molly – Molly Desk

The Molly Desk designed by Toby Howes

I’m torn. I’m torn about this particular desk designed by Toby Howes for a client he states loves nostalgic ’50s–era furnishings. The Molly desk is a combination of a few different styles that is quite remarkable, no matter how you might feel about it at first sight. I do find the contrast between the exquisite burled maple and satin-looking walnut to be quite stunning. I’m even intrigued by the swooping lines of the molded wood frame. But all together with the horse track glass desktop, I’m having a very love hate relationship. What do you all think?  Don’t be too swayed by this particular design. Mr. Howes has some amazing samples of stellar craftsmanship on his web site.

Window To The World

Home office perched near a window.

This image is from Katy Elliott, a personal journal site (aka blog) about restoring a 250+ year home in Massachusetts. She writes about her need for mid-height shutters for street level windows, but I’m more intrigued by this home office that is perched near her view to the world. Her beautiful artisan desk is sparse and clean with just the necessities – laptop, black & white globe, a few reference books, a picture, envelope holder. The companion Eames aluminum chair is one of my favorite and together, the entire ensemble is subtle, elegant and modest. Even with a little attention, you can have a designated space that really catches your attention. Remember, “less is more.” This reminds me that I really need to purge my desk.

The shutters may help create privacy, but the simple pivot of the blinds provide a new look on life. Keep a view of the outside while sitting at your desk. You’ll find yourself tilting your head up every so often for the break. It’s a mental refreshment!

Good Ole George – Modern Touch

George in his Americana gold frame.

George after Tyler Goodro's modern reprise.

Design*Sponge is another great design blog with inspiration for your home and, occasionally, for the office (forgive me if I have already mentioned this blog on this site – it’s really that good to mention again). Here’s one prime example of a junky antique store find updated with a modern twist for contemporary living. Submitted by Tyler Goodro of Plastolux, the tacky old gold frame with plexiglass was treated to an artful redo including new glass. Every time I enter an antique shop, I always find similar pieces just like this. Now I’m inspired to try my hand at something that makes for a contemporary reinterpretation for my office. With a little acrylic paint and the time and patience, you too can have a modern one-of-a-kind. Just avoid the urge to buy the picture with the dogs playing pool.

Instant Artwork – Posterazor

Posterazor your world. Pic from ApartmentTherapy

You’ve heard me say this a few times – personalize your space with art. The thing is, art is subjective and it doesn’t have to be something expensive. Quite honestly, you can do a white wall with a blue square and call it art. Grant it, this would be a lame installation in my opinion, but I think you get the idea. From our friends at ApartmentTherapy, here is a great option for a quick, easy and cheap custom art wall. Posterazor is a free download software that will take a single image and explode it to any size you want for a homemade poster. Even better, as shown above, print it and hang it like a modern day grid for a very contemporary look. What’s great about this example is the contrast of the dark background and the white paper.

All you need is a digital image and a printer and voila! Instant art. Try it.