Saturday 16 August 2014

5 inspirational office spaces

Image via finn.no
The last couple of weeks me and Little Miss Moo have been busy working on turning our messy dumping ground of a loft space into an office/work-space/playroom...
With LMM starting year 1 in September, she needs a place to do her homework, as her room is too small for a desk....but more selfishly, I wanted to create a work space for my self: Somewhere I can get messy with all my projects (so I don't mess up our NEW kitchen, which has been my little hub up until now, and somewhere I can retreat to , to write my blog posts in peace and quiet (NOT on the sofa with Scoobie Doo blaring on the telly...like just now!!) Also somewhere we can all go to just hang out... So I've been spending a lot of time on Online looking for inspirational work spaces/ offices recently...
Today I want to share my top 5 most inspirational images:
#Top image is from a friend of a friends home in my hometown of Bergen, Norway, The entire house is just dreamy, but I particularly love the simplistic and rustic look of this work space: The use of old apple crates as shelves on the wall is inspired, and the framed child's drawing is soo cute.... And I lust after that filing cabinet!!
Norwegian blogger Elisabeth Johansen from pure interior has created this little working paradise.
I love the long desk with space for several, miss matched chairs: Ideal if LMM has friends around for some craft time... I also adore the wire mesh mood board on the wall: I may have to DIY one like it!!
 
Amalie Fagerli of the Norwegian blog Svenngaarden 's workspace is almost opulent.... yet functional, with the use of gold and metallics throughout! I love the gilded ornate frame used to display her mood board /images and the lushness of that green palm!! I also like how she's created a narrow shelf above her desk to help free up some desk space and keep it clutter free!


This space from blanaid is very close to what our loft space look like, with the slanted ceilings on either side, and I love the idea of the trestle bench along that wall and the way this lay out gives enough floorspace for a seating area and a rug on the floor where LMM (or me) can play !




My last picture of an inspirational work space is this one, found via vtwonen. Unfortunately I cannot find the original source, but it is obviously Scandinavian: Just see that lovely map of Scandinavia on the wall...I want one!! I love the monochrome and airy look in this room, but what really caught my eye, was the flooring: The sort of floor you don't need to worry if you spill some paint on....This work space is for creating in!! I also love the use of casters on the storage units, making them easy to move around to change the space!!


Follow along in the next couple of weeks to see how elements of these inspirational offices will be implemented in my redesign of our loft into a work space...
There will be some practical how-to's, some easy DIY's and some more creative and decorative makes ....and of course: the big Reveal!!



Thursday 14 August 2014

AN ARTFUL LIFE



Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Kate from An Artful Life at the opening of her London pop up shop at the Folly!

"An Artful Life studio and shop was set up by Interior Architect Kate Whitfield. Kate designs and sources creative items that are beautiful, imaginative and on-trend to help customers create their own stylish environments to enjoy spending time in.
The eclectic collection is constantly changing and being added to. Many items are one-off vintage finds, some adapted, or hand-crafted in the studio, others are new and chosen for their beauty and modernity."*

*extract from the AAL website

Vintage school chairs, customized by An Artful Life Studio's
This was a first, for many reasons for me: my first experience of a pop up shop, my first face to face meeting with someone I've got to know through "blogworld"...and my first night out, solo, since having little miss moo!
And I must say: I picked a good one! 

Wooden stool with painted legs by An Artful Life Studio

In a relaxed atmosphere at the beautifully, trendy the Folly bar, Kate's collection fitted right in...and that themed with her friendly demeanor, made this nervous, small time blogger feel at ease straight away! Of course it helped that her collection of upcycled furniture and handmade home accessories  pared with handpicked items from a variety of designers, is right up my street!
CUBE cushion from A MIND'S EYE
In fact: if I could, I would fill my home with her collection ....and it would be so me!

So I felt at home! 
(albeit a perfectly styled home...filled with things I love,  heaving with stylish, merry people, where I was greeted with a glass of champagne!!....so, nothing at all like my real home then.....more like the home of my dreams!! LOL)


I adore the creative initiative Kate shows in her collection: Handmade macrame planters, upcycled wooden candlesticks, made from a vintage set of children's building blocks and hand painted retro furniture, from An Artful Life Studio, sits in perfect harmony with graphic print cushions from a mind's eye and hand picked home accessories from established interior lines, such as House doctor...All beautifully supplemented by original artwork, such as the Angela Morris-Winmill canvas below,  and modern prints from smaller graphic artists, like Letters on Love.


Kate's online shop is just bursting with eclecticism and original and unusual home decor....and I am pleased to tell you: All at affordable prices!!
Kate has certainly got an eye for not only aesthetically pleasing , modern design, but also for quality craftsmanship...something that shines through her collection!
So if you are after something a bit different for your home, I would highly recommend that you check out An Artful Life...not only will you be supporting the very talented Kate Whitfield in these early days of setting up her new business, but you may also find, and support THE next big thing in design, before they hit the mainstream!!

Here's my picks from her collection, for our new office/workspace (more on that coming soon...hint hint!!):
 From top Left :
Geometric make-up bag £4.50
Wooden stool with painted legs £130
White fade clipboards, set of 3 £17
"it always seems impossible..." framed print £36
Set of 3 wooden trays £15
Vintage wooden filing cabinet £150
House Doctor vase with handle £18.50
Vintage school chair £47

Of course, I didn't come home from my night out empty handed....here's my loot:


As mentioned above, I probably would've come home with half her shop stock, was it not for an annoying lack of money and arms for carrying!! (I did try my luck with a scratch card  earlier in the day, but with no luck.....as for growing more arms: No chance!! (Maybe for the best, that last one....??)

This is NOT a sponsored post, but an honest appreciation for Kate Whitfield's taste in home ware design, and a big respect for her talent and aspiration!! 
I wish you the best of Luck with An Artful Life, Kate....you deserve it!!
(OOOh ...I sound like such a fan....(which I totally am!!)

Go on...
Check out An Artful Life folks!



Monday 11 August 2014

Create some uplifting DIY artwork....

...to set yourself up for a great day!




If you follow me on instagram, you will have seen this before....but today I want to share a simple and easy way to create some art for your walls!

All you need is a canvas, some blackboard paint and chalk...
Click play on the video below to see how easily you can create this...



Find a nice uplifting quote, and hang it in your bedroom so it's the first thing you see when you wake up, like I did, to set you up for a great day!!



I was struggling to work out what to do with this big empty wall in our bedroom, but this fits perfectly!!
I love it!
Of course you can change the writing at any time by wiping the canvas clean...
(Oh ....and meet "Arthur", our new family member...yes, I'm talking about the plant!!)

I am posting this early this week, as I am very excited to be attending the opening of the talented Kate Whitfield of An artful life's pop up shop in London this wednesday...I will tell you more about her and her new collection later in the week!!

Wish you all a great day....
...and remember:
Choose Happiness!!





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