Welcome to my brand new column, Anatomy Of An Office! This series is dedicated to pulling together a functional yet stylish workspace and over the next few weeks, I have some fun stuff planned including resources to find great (yet affordable) artwork as well as a simple shelving DIY.
Things got real last Thursday when I signed the lease on Branch’s new space and was handed the key. With a little over a week until our move-in date, I felt the pressure to pull together the look of the space fast. Because this is a design studio, the space has to be highly functional — but at the same time, with friends and clients stopping by, it has to feel pulled together. Accomplishing both is a delicate balance!
When thinking about the space, I had a few thoughts / goals:
1. Avoid useless clutter. Everything needs a purpose. Candles, plants and artwork? Awesome. Random items taking up valuable surface space just because they look great? Not so much.
2. Invest in key statement pieces. While I’m definitely working on a budget and have some extra furniture that will work well in the space, I don’t want to run out and buy cheap, disposable items to fill any gaps. The thought of taking shortcuts only to have to throw away a lot of stuff in a few years doesn’t feel good. I’m using a desk, computer and chairs I already own but decided to splurge on a nice credenza to hold books and supplies.
3. Matching office supplies are worth it. While not a necessity, having nice sets of items you use every day (pens, stationery, coffee mugs, dishes, etc.) feels very grown-up and orderly. I love it. Because of this, I ordered some orange goodies from Poppin. I already use their yellow set-up in my home office and their stuff is fantastic.
4. Infuse your personal style within the style of your business. The aesthetic of Branch is very midcentury modern with clean lines and pops of citrus hues while my personal style (splashed across Nubby Twiglet) is more black and white with an avant garde flair. It’s important to mix in a dash of my personal style (Branch is my business, after all) so it feels welcoming — there’s nothing worse than opening the doors to a space you own and going, “Who is this? Who am I?!!”
5. Accept the imperfections. The brick walls in my new space are really rough. The rafters are unpainted. And, the room isn’t a perfect square. And you know what? I LOVE IT. I love it because it doesn’t feel like a replica of my home office, it feels like a completely new space. The thought of leaving my home office every morning to go into an exact replica of it at work just feels pointless. The imperfections of my new space? They’re what make it unique.
Thanks for coming along on this exciting new journey with me!
Item resources: Alba credenza, For Like Ever print, succulents, Nelson eye clock, Bertoia side chair, Poppin scissors, marble board
, Parsons desk, wire basket, rolling table, Union rug, Chad Wys print, Poppin pens and lacquer tray.
On the hunt for even more office tips and tricks? Check out Anatomy Of An Office!
