Workspaces: When they aren't pulling their weight...

I'm coming off of the weekend after massive organizing. Maybe I should even capitalize that since it feels like a capital-letter change. It's amazing what some tossing out can do to your sanity! I focused my energy on my office which had become overgrown with fabric memos, tile samples, invoices... woof, it was bad. Not to mention that some of my family's belongings had crept in, making me feel like I was absolutely going to go BONKERS because my workspace was feeling like it had too much going on to be productive. So this weekend, I adopted the motto of "Toss it! Toss it! Toss it!" and also created some better organized spaces.

I'm about to head to The Container Store to get the last of my systems in place, but a few huge changes to my office will include a console as you walk in and making my big worktable allergic to miscellaneous crap (It always seemed to find my piles of papers and filing... wonder how that happened...?) The console will hold magazines on the shelves and designated bins on the top for returns to the design center, mail, etc. right as I go out the door for errands and in the door with bags. And not having the magazines on my office shelves frees up room for more of my office paperwork. Things are feeling good... finally!

In the spirit of getting this space together, here is some inspiration pics for workspaces everywhere.

How 'Bout That Office...

Lonny is out (as if you didn't already know) and I have to put up Kelly Wearstler's office, if for no other reason than sheer awe and good juju. That woman is a force, a pure storm of mogul-power: design, bedding, accessories and now fashion. But her office is major, not like I would have expected less. This is the stuff designer dreams are made of because I think all of us go to bed at night with thoughts of something even an 1/8th (a 1/16th?) of what she has built.

I once read in Town & Country (I think?) what her favorite things were and in addition to glam bags and books, she was asked what she snacked on: "Seaweed and Fresh Fruit."

To this day it is a running joke on the job whenever the phrase "I want to be Kelly Wearstler" is muttered, because the answer is always the same: "We won't be. We will never reach for seaweed and fruit."

But I digress, her office is stellar and confirmed rumor has it she has been working on a large project on Mercer Islaaahhnd (as my brother-in-law pronounces it). Rumor also has it among the crew that she is a peach to work with and yes, I asked... she does bring her own snacks.

Hot Pick: Ilee Papergoods

A few years ago, I went to the Sandpoint Craft Fair that happens every year near the University of Washington. Not going to lie, most of the stuff was a bust, but amidst the sea of knitting, I found the proprietor of Ilee Papergoods. I walked away with an armful of letterpress stationary and one of the best letterpress desk calendars that I have ever seen. I've saved mine so that in 7 years (or whenever it is) I can whip it out and enjoy it again. If there was ever a thing to pep up a dreary high-rise office, it was that calendar.

She is selling a set of 6 where you can choose between any six of her 37 designs to create your own custom set for $15. A steal when you think about how much letterpress cards are at stationary shops.

This years calendar -- gorgeous (click to enlarge, really worth it).

I feel like every invitation I get lately is one of those dang evites, which yes, it is super convenient, but sometimes a function needs the build-up of good ol' fashioned invitation. Baby showers and wedding showers should still get invites, and what a great compromise with a fill-in letterpress.

Ilee sells on Etsy and shipping is very reasonable -- do yourself a favor and visit.

Since I don't have enough to do....

Like a multi-tasking maniac, I spent Friday re-doing my kid's bedrooms before company came for dinner. Re-doing in this case, meant painting a large bookshelf black right up until the company was about to arrive and adding a great new black and white graphic rug. Then, yesterday, when I should have been relaxing or at the very least working on the french chairs, I decided to tackle our workshop/office.

I'm determined to get organized once and for all and get rid of all the things we don't use or don't need. It's time to simply. But I think I'll need one of these.....

In order to create a an organized office space like this

or this workspace/craft room

or a haven like Kelly Wearstler's beautiful office

I'll let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!