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My Home Office

2013 July 11
by WWGD

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

A while back, I had the pleasure of having my work and home office featured on We Are Mom and Pop.

It was really fun to have my talented friend Fawn Christiansen come by to shoot my little space, and since we’ve been on the topic of working motherhood here lately, I thought I would share it in more detail with you here.

Like any good blogger, my desk is a glossy white West Elm Parsons desk (above).

There is a reason why this desk is everywhere – it is chic, clean, simple and the perfect size for all my essentials.

The drawers are also kind of small which I love because it makes me edit, edit, edit.

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

I spend a lot of time in my office working on my PR business and this blog, so I need it to be inspiring, organized and stylish.

This candle (above) was a gift from my sister that serves as a constant reminder to keep opening doors, taking risks and working hard.

The paperweight is just pretty. Because I like a little pretty in my day.

And the pool blue pens are from Poppin (a matching stapler sits on the other side of the desk) to add a little fun to the function.

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

The office was one of the first spaces in our home that I decorated and I was surprisingly fearless about it.

I had my heart set on a gray/blue backdrop that would feel cozy and a little like a rainy day (to counteract all that darn California sunshine outside my window).

Dunn Edwards Cape Cod Blue was the perfect fit.

It plays off the crisp white mouldings and trim and the dark espresso wood floors beautifully.

It’s unique and classic at the same time.

The chair is the Tobias from Ikea. And no, it’s not that comfortable. But my little CB2 pillow helps.

The prints on the wall are also Ikea and traveled with me from my big agency office to my home one.

I love them because they bring a little style to my space, even on the days when the topics at hand are anything but.

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

A good PR professional is always reading.

This CB2 magazine rack (I have two of them and they are always full and in rotation – sadly it looks like they are discontinued) keeps my monthly must-reads in order.

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

These little guys flew in from the backyard table and perched atop my bookshelf to add a pop of color to my rainy day paint.

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

A tray keeps my business basics close at hand: stapler, notepad, WTF card for those WTF moments.

MyHomeOffice-WhatWouldGwynethDo

And finally, the room has a view.

At my last job I used to joke with them that I didn’t need a raise when it came time for reviews, I just wanted an office with a window.

Now I have several big ones that open to our darling backyard garden and the blue skies above it.

I consider it quite a promotion.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re decorating an office space in the home or out of it:

Keep it simple and streamlined. The less clutter, the better. Use trays and shelves and chic tumblers to do so.

White desks and glass desks are light and bright and easy to accessorize with any color.

Infuse it with a little calm and comfort – a burning candle, photos of your kids, essential oils.

Make it pretty. Fresh flowers in a small vase on the corner of a desk are my favorite thing.

Inject some humor and fun (my WTF card) for those moments when you need a little laugh.

Look for inspiration outside of your work zone. If you love fashion but work in finance, hang up some prints like these for nothing but eye candy.

And seriously, do your best to get a window. And open it wide.

8 Responses
  1. Liz Duncan permalink
    July 11, 2013

    Love your space!!

    • WWGD permalink*
      July 11, 2013

      Thank you! Me too! 🙂

  2. July 11, 2013

    the last bit of advice is the best. it’s oh, so true. and i love that you’ve juxtaposed a rainy day with permanent california sun. it’s totally what i would do. (nothing like a good rainy day).

    congratulations on a beautiful office and the fact that you get to have it. well done, mama.

  3. July 11, 2013

    Love your office space, thanks for sharing! I too work from home (part-time) and also blog there…and craft there…and escape there sometimes, you know how it is… Now I’m inspired to change things up a little!

  4. July 11, 2013

    Love this space. I have to share my home office with the family, so I feel like it gets quite cluttered. My work office does have a window – yeah – but it looks so corporate. I’ve tried to had some colorful prints and accessories to showcase some personality. Thanks for sharing your space. 🙂

    • WWGD permalink*
      July 11, 2013

      Thank you! I really think it’s so important to make it inspiring and your own — even if it’s shared. It will energize you, promise!

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