Rested, refreshed, and ready to go

Hi everyone, how are we all? Hope you had a wonderful holiday season - I've had a lovely break and now it's back into work mode and time to tackle all the projects I've been planning. Throughout the holidays, it's been busy as usual around here - a whirlwind of exam results, graduations, university applications, job interviews, birthdays....and that's just the kids. Exhausting! I'm looking forward to getting back to work - I really need the break.<br /><br />My first job is to completely redesign my studio space. As I've mentioned before, I'm very messy when I'm creating. Try as I might, I just can't seem to keep everything tidy and organized. So I'm kicking off the year with a plan - storage, storage, and more storage! Of course, that involves research, and I've been collecting ideas, images, and inspiration wherever I can.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QKmALFj_10b-qP8a2JyKL_sMU-SyEam14_T5qlkVnm5WpzQhPcPCw64dNqcojpLgaXnXaCJLYroXnpVCygpLCC2H7I1BPGeLTZBQwJ3K7Y1R7bSE4YboxcWFOsAWRNHe_iKCFGyhZ1gV/s1600/studio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QKmALFj_10b-qP8a2JyKL_sMU-SyEam14_T5qlkVnm5WpzQhPcPCw64dNqcojpLgaXnXaCJLYroXnpVCygpLCC2H7I1BPGeLTZBQwJ3K7Y1R7bSE4YboxcWFOsAWRNHe_iKCFGyhZ1gV/s640/studio1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">Look at that light! And I must find one of those trolleys - perfect.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/61291244898351934_SDRLJVeh_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/61291244898351934_SDRLJVeh_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/133700682657161975_wmDreGc3_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/133700682657161975_wmDreGc3_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/146930006562568797_FEsQ9XMO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/146930006562568797_FEsQ9XMO_c.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/147141112795101814_3rGoDkS0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/147141112795101814_3rGoDkS0_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/92323861080825269_HFuGrWbn_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/92323861080825269_HFuGrWbn_c.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/193232640231467614_y7b2Bcsf_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/193232640231467614_y7b2Bcsf_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/54817320434004361_577mP86Q_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/54817320434004361_577mP86Q_c.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">all images via <a href="http://pinterest.com/driftwoodi/">Pinterest</a></div><br />You can find these pics and more on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/driftwoodi/">'Studio Spaces' Pinterest board</a>. And if you find some fabulous examples of stylish (and organised) offices and studios, please send them my way! I'll be back soon with an update of my own studio, as soon as it's a little more photo-worthy.<br /><br />See you then,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Rested, refreshed, and ready to go

Hi everyone, how are we all? Hope you had a wonderful holiday season - I've had a lovely break and now it's back into work mode and ...

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My home office....plus a new painting

Remember a while ago, when I mentioned I was working on my <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2011/01/changes-afoot.html">home office</a>? Well, there's been progress. The desk has arrived (which is actually an interim option, but that's another story) and I've started to gather some bits and bobs to pretty up the space. Take a look:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZa04g-JJ3MJ1jmNgFBqSMrh9IO2v3aYCMFNquzrE-aj3PGPZfF_WxlhXqrUjLe7_Nwcw_AgjYA_hZIYQipQCgAfeYAwyHJ6cRXXs6bsG-j0gYrCoISnT55zKbvkgh6RG5q3PLV8beaQ/s1600/sea+fern+III+denim+situ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZa04g-JJ3MJ1jmNgFBqSMrh9IO2v3aYCMFNquzrE-aj3PGPZfF_WxlhXqrUjLe7_Nwcw_AgjYA_hZIYQipQCgAfeYAwyHJ6cRXXs6bsG-j0gYrCoISnT55zKbvkgh6RG5q3PLV8beaQ/s640/sea+fern+III+denim+situ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">What's that you say? Why yes, that<b><i> is</i></b> a new painting you see there! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">It's the latest in that delicious denim blue, my current favourite colour.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtQMNesN6CGmc8cfcoBqIHPfhKMtithl_sAiPZzFcjPHz2zY0eFGqpW_gt0BRhc56iLfI_3SyAwJpxAKwPz2IsHG4stSjdD-vV0gydPdOrdDSzKhOCLi8jfpp24XLLYwCSBWjkmlXjcA/s1600/office+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtQMNesN6CGmc8cfcoBqIHPfhKMtithl_sAiPZzFcjPHz2zY0eFGqpW_gt0BRhc56iLfI_3SyAwJpxAKwPz2IsHG4stSjdD-vV0gydPdOrdDSzKhOCLi8jfpp24XLLYwCSBWjkmlXjcA/s400/office+1.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, terrible pic, I know, but you get the idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNKs-wIaiDegTQnJjMFRN9rWUFRzX7o19WRMhQC_s5PyDDtvDjrjW6XZ1IJ8ofT-cxLqRA51AE-j17k5G6e7ccJ0SLbtuMPac0ZmtafkCc4xVQ_Yc6f4Y0dM_3DeamC0I6FQQ1uokuv4/s1600/sea+fern+III+denim+framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNKs-wIaiDegTQnJjMFRN9rWUFRzX7o19WRMhQC_s5PyDDtvDjrjW6XZ1IJ8ofT-cxLqRA51AE-j17k5G6e7ccJ0SLbtuMPac0ZmtafkCc4xVQ_Yc6f4Y0dM_3DeamC0I6FQQ1uokuv4/s640/sea+fern+III+denim+framed.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNKs-wIaiDegTQnJjMFRN9rWUFRzX7o19WRMhQC_s5PyDDtvDjrjW6XZ1IJ8ofT-cxLqRA51AE-j17k5G6e7ccJ0SLbtuMPac0ZmtafkCc4xVQ_Yc6f4Y0dM_3DeamC0I6FQQ1uokuv4/s1600/sea+fern+III+denim+framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Camera batteries died mid photo shoot :( This painting is the same blue as Sea Coral in Denim (even though it doesn't look like it) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_P4_DgcvTtdahJoRgmJsmzL3vDSjfr2rdqmewmvc-xU_ego8iOyIa-ttjmp-KAgNhSsA9guhHM8e_2d-Ypjg7qEpwkb1c0uAEglmRnrCb54FKbrJx9NCb0Gj9sF6tnhsMs-6KvRisCM/s1600/sea+coral+denim+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_P4_DgcvTtdahJoRgmJsmzL3vDSjfr2rdqmewmvc-xU_ego8iOyIa-ttjmp-KAgNhSsA9guhHM8e_2d-Ypjg7qEpwkb1c0uAEglmRnrCb54FKbrJx9NCb0Gj9sF6tnhsMs-6KvRisCM/s640/sea+coral+denim+frame.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Yep, that's the original Sea Coral in Denim, all framed up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_ZD0ijby3mb0C7ZCACnDYO2WfgrMGYMyxBw51jwf5ted4Mzk3YdDqmqhsmgcMKWn_U8nuuWud4Q0gk5SZMiyNJFeSuvml7evuotZCMtzYqi_8YnBhfR3bXx_TD-PMUyoGWBzO1fQ1pY/s1600/sea+fern+III+denim+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_ZD0ijby3mb0C7ZCACnDYO2WfgrMGYMyxBw51jwf5ted4Mzk3YdDqmqhsmgcMKWn_U8nuuWud4Q0gk5SZMiyNJFeSuvml7evuotZCMtzYqi_8YnBhfR3bXx_TD-PMUyoGWBzO1fQ1pY/s640/sea+fern+III+denim+2.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">'Sea Fern III in Denim'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">watercolour on paper, 210mm x 290mm</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've just finished this painting, and prints have just been listed over at my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/driftwoodinteriors">Etsy shop</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm quite smitten with this colour actually, and all of my sea fan/coral prints will soon be available in this lovely denim blue....not to mention the on-trend favourite, honeysuckle pink, and more.</div><br />Oh, and btw, next on the list is supersized artwork! A very savvy someone (I'll spill the beans soon on just who that someone is!) suggested going large for these works, so who am I to argue? Stay tuned for paintings that will definitely make a statement - I'm talking 1-2 metres square here. Can't wait to show you!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

My home office....plus a new painting

Remember a while ago, when I mentioned I was working on my home office ? Well, there's been progress. The desk has arrived (which is act...

Read more »

Changes afoot

It's a new week and I'm back in work mode (well sort of, anyway). I have lots of renovation plans for the year, so yesterday I braved the rain and headed off to Ikea. One of my xmas presents was a gift card, so of course I couldn't wait to see what goodies were on offer. I had planned to take some pics while I was there, but you know how it is - once I arrived I completely forgot.<br /><br />I was looking for a few things in particular - I need a new work desk and storage for my studio, an ergonomic chair, and desk for the soon-to-be-renovated home office....none of which I managed to get. I<b>'</b>m thinking that this arrangement would be perfect for my studio:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvhvBF5Ev8GsjXdR1Z94I39o9OVTK5MDtnWIVsK8CKczQLRGKfkb724qRhuLxd-lD4EKTrT6dHAst8rrSmuYb46f3-h8nqmFdqGz1UMK1picSu4-EnD9l3S3QQFRAEgp9VFVtdpJTslg/s1600/vika-gruvan-vika-artur.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvhvBF5Ev8GsjXdR1Z94I39o9OVTK5MDtnWIVsK8CKczQLRGKfkb724qRhuLxd-lD4EKTrT6dHAst8rrSmuYb46f3-h8nqmFdqGz1UMK1picSu4-EnD9l3S3QQFRAEgp9VFVtdpJTslg/s1600/vika-gruvan-vika-artur.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the vika artur combination from Ikea</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then I saw that Laura Trevey uses the same desk in her gorgeous studio:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBZUPqNtTA8aX2f57_6cJBhsR9jo7h1Pp8oylpPm9rRVwXSAfZVPK5BJVJIjgAauk_bgsTfAgLEFZW-5Td0IYK2JRfQ2qRnHmhyphenhyphenDCotTeDv2t4_0S67XPu10R0T_I6B6-SwtnaCfdz40/s1600/laura+trevey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBZUPqNtTA8aX2f57_6cJBhsR9jo7h1Pp8oylpPm9rRVwXSAfZVPK5BJVJIjgAauk_bgsTfAgLEFZW-5Td0IYK2JRfQ2qRnHmhyphenhyphenDCotTeDv2t4_0S67XPu10R0T_I6B6-SwtnaCfdz40/s640/laura+trevey.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lauratrevey.com/">lauratrevey.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, it was out of stock, so I'll be heading back in the next couple of weeks. I also need something like this from <a href="http://potterybarn.com/">Pottery Barn</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4c5GGO8UnpGTid-9LXehuO24SquA3GJSzKZPS5TNYVKytm9EunCGm_a7QPAKtYgaUKyJGUuIHAeg_yyOSNoZ7sASmoSMEyaCTEFZ6oUoBBxviGuDYoRIyesdxzJzaqDlo8_TnrBG5eo/s1600/Home-Office-Design-Ideas-Pottery-Barn-9+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4c5GGO8UnpGTid-9LXehuO24SquA3GJSzKZPS5TNYVKytm9EunCGm_a7QPAKtYgaUKyJGUuIHAeg_yyOSNoZ7sASmoSMEyaCTEFZ6oUoBBxviGuDYoRIyesdxzJzaqDlo8_TnrBG5eo/s1600/Home-Office-Design-Ideas-Pottery-Barn-9+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">.....which I'm completely smitten with. I know I'd be so organized if I had this set-up - pity they don't ship to Australia. I'll be on the hunt for something similar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another thing on my list is some Lack shelving. These are so versatile, they come in different sizes and colours, and are perfect for display and storage of all the necessities:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6FMFGlVLcKwmgfxgIKh6vXeaLH8AyhXzfrF7YpPMEB3No207-o4t4YM-d9OQEq5VzVvqCT-WIaPK2bhMrtIlhAe2iMYkRutLUlCjr1pglGSd0KexeZmaS7aaYbVzGzRs-FtnykRjHBM/s1600/11-28-07lackshelf2+via+apartmenttherapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6FMFGlVLcKwmgfxgIKh6vXeaLH8AyhXzfrF7YpPMEB3No207-o4t4YM-d9OQEq5VzVvqCT-WIaPK2bhMrtIlhAe2iMYkRutLUlCjr1pglGSd0KexeZmaS7aaYbVzGzRs-FtnykRjHBM/s640/11-28-07lackshelf2+via+apartmenttherapy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/shelving-storage/12-uses-for-ikeas-lack-shelves-037156">apartmenttherapy.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and this too....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwCMVMwc1IBUxKD6wTJ6iYODf5AjMgQgbTrPqU63POwSBCQLlpp18QDZQI7dp4DH9xzivgTTht9malrjUTdD0LckFYXqf4KRgRuQELwEFb5S6XlLar4_lkvSqYhT0a4NxMzR1eK5zWTs/s1600/alex-drawer-unit-on-castors-white__63414_PE170984_S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwCMVMwc1IBUxKD6wTJ6iYODf5AjMgQgbTrPqU63POwSBCQLlpp18QDZQI7dp4DH9xzivgTTht9malrjUTdD0LckFYXqf4KRgRuQELwEFb5S6XlLar4_lkvSqYhT0a4NxMzR1eK5zWTs/s1600/alex-drawer-unit-on-castors-white__63414_PE170984_S4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/10711/">alex drawer unit</a></div><br />But the hardest thing to find - a decent chair that's not only comfortable, but easy on the eye. I hurt my back a few years ago, so finding the right chair is at the top of my list, but <i>sooo </i>difficult. There is a real gap in the market if there are any furniture designers reading this post!<br /><br />That's just the beginning of what I have planned for this year, and I'll share all the pics as soon as I can. I do love starting the year off with a project - what's on your to-do list for 2011?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Changes afoot

It's a new week and I'm back in work mode (well sort of, anyway). I have lots of renovation plans for the year, so yesterday I brave...

Read more »

Mini home office

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We have a small home office nook just off our main living area. At the moment, we have an ugly 'armoire' that houses the modem, printer, and other office paraphenalia. Now that we only have laptop computers, we don't need to worry about storing a tower and monitor, so I'm thinking of ditching the armoire for a nice desk/shelving/display arrangement, where I can inject a little more interest and personality. I also have a gorgeous old captain's chair, with a cast-iron base, which I've been wanting to use for years but haven't had the spot. So, I went looking for some online inspiration, and this is what I found:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1H2jY3eSGCllNpYo_aGrWxLvQdtug6WW59Z0_kWzG-RW2q1fzsd0rVd2ouDt6foa9DcvK49t7kCIKe_SQB1sAa1U2EI7LLiY_SBM6WUROc-199YMVanbOjfJkH3eAK-7SzHH1vMHfyk/s1600/office+housetohome+co+uk+personal-home-office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1H2jY3eSGCllNpYo_aGrWxLvQdtug6WW59Z0_kWzG-RW2q1fzsd0rVd2ouDt6foa9DcvK49t7kCIKe_SQB1sAa1U2EI7LLiY_SBM6WUROc-199YMVanbOjfJkH3eAK-7SzHH1vMHfyk/s400/office+housetohome+co+uk+personal-home-office.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://housetohome.co.uk/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">love the wall decoration - somehow I think the desk is a little small!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphycIgQUGKksuS182VYkir_3iumpSS5o9DJQVR9UNNdSPJMTGEVHQDzWSnLm7B31GCrMANQDNft6JDdheFBs5ttBk0upzqZg-_eL5llxUEtfkZarCIsR-l2gLaEzm-Xv7jBX6rEV477A/s1600/office+ehomee+com+small-space-office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphycIgQUGKksuS182VYkir_3iumpSS5o9DJQVR9UNNdSPJMTGEVHQDzWSnLm7B31GCrMANQDNft6JDdheFBs5ttBk0upzqZg-_eL5llxUEtfkZarCIsR-l2gLaEzm-Xv7jBX6rEV477A/s400/office+ehomee+com+small-space-office.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> vintage storage</span> <a href="http://elledecor.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via elledecor.com</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElJJGPw2cGYYfhyphenhyphenpbAvIGHdDHntCJ0CgJ-XCnfuUk1-44xPU3ZlmYwHaJVysNDISjJOLB_Pnb4GwdTWo_ZLSEC6QlUxJ6_LkGZs6B2gbEYs9YQg5s3SbN5exsvPq9qJJjua9MA1iq-O8/s1600/office+delight_by_design1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElJJGPw2cGYYfhyphenhyphenpbAvIGHdDHntCJ0CgJ-XCnfuUk1-44xPU3ZlmYwHaJVysNDISjJOLB_Pnb4GwdTWo_ZLSEC6QlUxJ6_LkGZs6B2gbEYs9YQg5s3SbN5exsvPq9qJJjua9MA1iq-O8/s400/office+delight_by_design1.png" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://delightbydesign.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2RjBxeZdrt1U9Qvx9Q4vdnArZDqoCghD30W7SdxLxJ-hZQKVS-8W7WW8t26rdMxIAIygKzjQPjcDZGwPHu6mB4HK4P4uVKMm6evIQ3SlGLdpvzotAlgjISXdPSncBN1RCjTo1K6MrjU/s1600/office+countryliving+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2RjBxeZdrt1U9Qvx9Q4vdnArZDqoCghD30W7SdxLxJ-hZQKVS-8W7WW8t26rdMxIAIygKzjQPjcDZGwPHu6mB4HK4P4uVKMm6evIQ3SlGLdpvzotAlgjISXdPSncBN1RCjTo1K6MrjU/s400/office+countryliving+com.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://countryliving.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a little too cluttered for me, but I like the desk and chair</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjUMZbX7vVLa0iBPwJlg_mDB-mwUj6c8A3XJJWwo7XDpDHANVJSboDaKmseDW1ETcDwva7LDgnUG__kpQOHeoZu3DMluNGs58zXH4ibo82vdK6W6UaHOHhXr8lWaxJvO-yJLVduSccV4/s1600/office+house+beautiful+via+beachhouselove+blogspot+com+built-in-desk-house-beautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjUMZbX7vVLa0iBPwJlg_mDB-mwUj6c8A3XJJWwo7XDpDHANVJSboDaKmseDW1ETcDwva7LDgnUG__kpQOHeoZu3DMluNGs58zXH4ibo82vdK6W6UaHOHhXr8lWaxJvO-yJLVduSccV4/s400/office+house+beautiful+via+beachhouselove+blogspot+com+built-in-desk-house-beautiful.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://housebeautiful.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh9jI_yE1_tlOfF20aVc2t7tNdtuMNe1mC3N69Tm74i0PA5QZ2owQVA8rNOSDIVokS3Si_1OPB3FU8wH0nwr5eGkK8hFsBkqK_fZRQDpjC4cpkp_ZQqx4bhJrHnTMAO7SzuxvLW1cLMo/s1600/office+inspireinspire+typepad+com+6a0105364b0678970c01156fe37649970b-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh9jI_yE1_tlOfF20aVc2t7tNdtuMNe1mC3N69Tm74i0PA5QZ2owQVA8rNOSDIVokS3Si_1OPB3FU8wH0nwr5eGkK8hFsBkqK_fZRQDpjC4cpkp_ZQqx4bhJrHnTMAO7SzuxvLW1cLMo/s400/office+inspireinspire+typepad+com+6a0105364b0678970c01156fe37649970b-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://inspireinspire.typepad.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_QJpmgf_ATe6XmAdstm4T9qN-ovUs6BsY3Fn5PgyLILbrOesktS0YCs_ACOodnB-ZUAIG5Gbs0dm4D65O1owryiozyq129tdQ5-5_47UeI5OeGAeczI3yp4Wl0gTjtgDVV6D3X2VDWY/s1600/glam-home-office-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_QJpmgf_ATe6XmAdstm4T9qN-ovUs6BsY3Fn5PgyLILbrOesktS0YCs_ACOodnB-ZUAIG5Gbs0dm4D65O1owryiozyq129tdQ5-5_47UeI5OeGAeczI3yp4Wl0gTjtgDVV6D3X2VDWY/s400/glam-home-office-white.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">my all-time favourite - and I know much of blogland agrees! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7xe44WS4zirx7HNMpGgXiJoMNWjHOTViTPCFoWLHEKqMjcKDDpHR98ut-WT1UYd8ZmvjSKqsySEM5r7Hjfwt6AbSOclmPb57ZYI7S4QjP79fy0f2Ws5VHq1ldeyVLjqSzUYVUvuFieE/s1600/office+kimvalley++wordpress+infuseyourstyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7xe44WS4zirx7HNMpGgXiJoMNWjHOTViTPCFoWLHEKqMjcKDDpHR98ut-WT1UYd8ZmvjSKqsySEM5r7Hjfwt6AbSOclmPb57ZYI7S4QjP79fy0f2Ws5VHq1ldeyVLjqSzUYVUvuFieE/s400/office+kimvalley++wordpress+infuseyourstyle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://athome.kimvallee.com/2009/05/infuse-your-home-office-with-style-for-my-organizing-monday/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> clever storage</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsd6G0x1IVvNGSlaW0PT7w2ZuwM3sHM7m6L1xt4112JQ_o8copnhwdRliWBilT1oPQp7yQ7xWSNsUKF9oVoiRQBDAUy08gBJ3q_YDL-czTK5xfVYn6aPzxvUlZAjAL3sj_M0hNkdWvDc/s1600/office_chair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsd6G0x1IVvNGSlaW0PT7w2ZuwM3sHM7m6L1xt4112JQ_o8copnhwdRliWBilT1oPQp7yQ7xWSNsUKF9oVoiRQBDAUy08gBJ3q_YDL-czTK5xfVYn6aPzxvUlZAjAL3sj_M0hNkdWvDc/s400/office_chair1.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.mynooks.com/austinantiques/pics/office_chair1.jpg">source </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">oh, and this is similar to my chair - mine is stashed away in the back of the shed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddyhOdFG0rogY2i2ajW3ZaWRbBYfUHjlQMbxKfAKfLh8pTjh9peZU5mywbXoHiv26PMY9FnZ2t0Qx-rw2NQ6gbKfsmb0SHkaO2tf9wjU3mxCovdwqG5cSmz-IxqF1HkRzUwXVybAb1fw/s1600/DSC03203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddyhOdFG0rogY2i2ajW3ZaWRbBYfUHjlQMbxKfAKfLh8pTjh9peZU5mywbXoHiv26PMY9FnZ2t0Qx-rw2NQ6gbKfsmb0SHkaO2tf9wjU3mxCovdwqG5cSmz-IxqF1HkRzUwXVybAb1fw/s320/DSC03203.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">remember this? I think I'll hang this in the corner over the desk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So, my plan is to incorporate some modern elements, vintage furniture, a picture wall, and some clever (and good-looking) storage into the design. Oh, and as it's technically part of the living area, it needs to be attractive enough to have on show. Let the fun begin!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>

Mini home office

We have a small home office nook just off our main living area. At the moment, we have an ugly 'armoire' that houses the modem, prin...

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