April is an unpredictable month for
weather. We were fortunate to have a few nice days of sun but for the most part
it was rainy and dreary. What a perfect time to get organized. One of the most
frequently disorganized rooms can be the home office. If you work from home or
a have place where you pay bills and collect paperwork it can become overwhelming.
Some of our favorite organizational
items are also decorative. We love using trays, wooden bowls and antique Japanese
Tansu chests to file and conceal all of the miscellaneous paperwork, pens,
clips, etc. These chests can be had in a
variety of sizes and configurations. They were used to store everything from kitchenware to clothing, the only storage in a Japanese home. They suit interiors from modern to traditional. These versatile pieces add visual
texture and interest. We have used them
over and over in kitchens, baths and living spaces of all sorts. Two of our favorite sources in Seattle for over 25 years is HoneychurchAntiques and its sister store Glenn Richards. The two are now combined under Glenn Richards. Tansus are great to add
a bit of history and interest in your home or office while contributing to
storage.
Wooden bowls and trays are a simple elegant way to store
mail, keys, loose photos, theater programs, and other keepsakes.
If you're looking for some fun desk
accessories that you want to show off, look no further than Poppin.
They have desk accessories, furniture, and even artwork to adorn your office
walls or even other rooms in your home. Their website is easy to navigate where
you can search by category or color that fits your personality.
Home offices can sometimes be hard
to acquire when you live in a small space. In such cases we love the Thomas O'Brien Hallings Secretary. It
affords ample storage in a sleek traditional style that will fit in with any
decor. We have used this desk in a few different client's homes and they all
have loved the design, scale, and functionality of the piece.
As we spoke about in our last
month's blog post, we've been reorganizing our own office here at 98 Union. When
you first walk-in you are greeted by a portrait of Darling, Paula's little
Pekingese (now in doggie heaven). This
was a gift from a friend who carried a photo of Darling to China and had
an artist paint his likeness on silk.
New sleek desks and storage carts from Ikea
have fit perfectly against the windows providing ample desk space and
spectacular views. We positioned our scanning and printing station in the
little niche behind the filing cabinets which took a few very long cords to
reach from the computer but the final result is great. New rolling carts
provides drawers for current client details and organization. Our newly
painted celery wall has really freshened
up the office and has become the focal point to our stainless steel bulletin
board wall. Inspirational tear-outs, client fabrics, and urgent paperwork adorn
the boards. The existing Teknion storage cabinets stayed in place which houses a multitude of PDR's necessities.
A masculine home office features
dark walls, a large antique Chinese table with a rattan top used as a desk, and framed artwork.
Located on the second level of the home, views of Lake Washington are enjoyed
while sorting through emails and bills. A mirror on the South wall reflects
more natural light into the space. Wood lateral files provide needed
storage. A rug with a Greek key design in a fresh green help ground the space, and balance the dark virility of the room.
