Happy Weekend

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I have a hot date with some pastries, magazines and the sofa. It's rock'n'roll all the way this weekend. How about you guys? What's making your weekend?

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{A Small & Bright Home Office}

Do you ever see a space that you would happily move into without changing a thing? Well for me, this creative little workspace is one of those. Filled with natural light and uplifting yellow hues, it can't be anything but inviting. The battered green table and chairs perfectly offset the glossy whites of the sideboard and box files, whilst the cardboard moose head fills the dead space with style. I knew my home office was missing something and now I know...a yellow rosette! What do you like about this eclectic-meets-modern workspace?

Images from Apartment Therapy | Layouts by Bright.Bazaar

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{Office Inspiration: A Stationery Studio}

What do Kate Spade, Linda and Harriet, Jonathan Adler and ABCD Designs all have in common? They each design awesome stationery that's what! I admire each and every part of their creative paper work because fine stationery is so lovely, and for me I treasure a card much more than a present. So why am I banging on about stationery? Well, Mr. Boddington is another fine stationery designer working out of New York City and his studio is enough to make the coolest card in the pack weak at the knees. Guys, check this place OUT! Such a delight from whatever angle you look at it. First up there's the desk, a lovely bureau-style piece (find similar at Three Potato Four and The Peanut Vendor) with a vintage typewriter and globe to complete the look. Plus, look closely and you'll spy copies of our favourite shelter mag. Anyone who drinks tea out of a bright orange tea cup and reads Domino is a dude! Later on there's more warm wood vintage finds, typewriters and a Keep Calm Gallery print that works well in this unusual space. Finally, that view? Yeah, I died a little bit too.

Brooklyn Bride | Mr. Boddington

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{Office Inspiration: The Art Barn}

Maybe you work in a creative space everyday or perhaps you slog it in a cubicle doing the 9-5? Either way, I promise you this creative work space will make your jaw drop in awe. Let's take a peek inside the art barn of Alexis, Fern and Feather's author, who I discovered through luxe and lillies yesterday - it's a real treat!

Managed to stop squealing with delight yet?! (Yep, it took me a while to stop, too!) Ok then, let's see how we can recreate this creative, laid-back style...

Paint with Sexy Pink from Dulux

Add lighting with the Ridged Pendent from Pottery Barn

Accessorise with the Pink Splash bunting from Zigzag Bunting...

...then add character with these antique bottles from three potato four...

...and finally keep in with the barn-like look with a pile of these wooden trays

Images: 1. Luxe and Lillies; 2. Fern and Feather

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{Bold and Functional Home Office}

This is such a simple and fun way to update an antique dresser, don't you think? Plus, it makes for a really practical home office solution with all that extra storage. The wallpaper may be bold, but somehow it feels sympathetic to the age of the dresser. Get the look with this clock, this lamp, these boxes and this wallpaper.

Image: HousetoHome

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{Office Inspiration: Grey and Orange}

The reason I think this office is so great is because it's achieveable and accessible. Don't get me wrong, I love dreamy, OTT styling as much as the next slave to interiors, but every now and again it's lovely to think: I could easily achieve that look. Teaming the cool grey hues with vibrant orange accents was a good move, as they are clearly best friends. Plus, it would be easy to get the look with a lick of this paint, a couple of these units and this fantastic lamp. Sorted!

Image: Living Etc

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{Office Inspiration: Red and White}

It's not easy to make work spaces look relaxed and effortless in their approach to style, but this office achieves it with great effect. The vintage anglepoise, accent red chair and exposed wood desk, mixed in with eclectic finds, makes a space fit for some serious creative working.

Blodwen

Now, why not get the look?

A Chair, Tolix.

Type 1227 Anglepoise Lamp, Heals.

Vintage Desk, Three Potato Four

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{Office Inspiration: Parisian Office}

Like many I've always thought it would be lovely to have a Carrie Bradshaw style desk-by-the-window set up for a home office. This office space makes that ideal even more attractive. Great use of storage and plenty of natural light = a brilliant work space. The only problem? How would I get any work done with that view?!

Image: mividabonita via The Decorista

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{Office Inspiration: Jonathan Adler's home office}

Ok, so I'm going to biased because I'm already a huge Jonathan Adler fan, but how could I resist blogging about his office when it has that delightful seahorse lamp? As soon as I saw the feature on Apartment Therapy I was itching to share my enthusiasm for his space. Jonathan may have filled his office with items from his own collections, but I don't see any problem in that; it's nice to see that he believes in his brand, in fact I'd go as far to say he lives and breathes it. His office space is an extension of his homewares and pottery business: it doesn't take itself too seriously, and it certainly doesn't look like your average home office.

For a start, the desk is in the centre of the room, which instantly creates a space that's much more informal and relaxed than many offices. Plus, the table is round, allowed for a softer feel compared to angular, more traditional rectangular shaped desks.

The Utopia Sun vase is one of Jonathan's favourite home items and it never leaves the table in his office. Sure, this is an expensive vase, but to me it would be one of those items I would save for and look forward to purchasing, treasuring it for many years once I owned it. The fact it looks as though it belongs in a Tim Burton film plays to my imaginative nature, only making me like it more.

Thanks to the open shelves and myriad of ornaments, vases and artifacts, there is quite an eclectic feel to this space. I see so many office environments that are modernist, stark and lifeless. It's nice to see a work space that can strike that balance between retaining some interest and personality, whilst not being too overbearing.

Another striking difference from traditional offices is the tactile experience that Jonathan's home office offers. There are no uncomfortable or hideous swivel chairs in sight. Instead, there's a comfy armchair, over sized rug and plenty of soft textiles and funky cushions. Somehow, though, the space still retains the feel that it is an office and a space for working. Jonathan, in the unlikely event that you're reading this, please do share how you manage to do this!

Images: Ellen Morton, Apartment Therapy

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{Birthday giveaway: Tommy desk lamp}

Image: Habitat

I've always enjoyed blogging about office interiors, both big and small and my regular feature, Office Inspiration has peeked into a diverse range of workspaces over the last twelve months. Some of my favourites include the colourful office of Orla Kiely, the gorgeous Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie headquarters in Philadelphia (proving big companies can encourage creativity) and the effortlessly cool yellow and black office of stylist Tim Neve.

This is why I'm delighted that the first birthday giveaway this week is a Habitat classic in the form of the Tommy desk lamp. Understated, yet ever so stylish this little fellow would add instant style to any workspace. Fancy a lovely new addition to your office? Leave a comment on this post about why the Tommy lamp would look great on your desk, and I'll randomly pick a winner from all comments by midnight tonight. Good luck!

T's & C's: I'm afraid this giveaway is open to UK residents only, due to Habitat's shipping policy. The winner will be decided by random.org when the competition closes at midnight on 8th March 2010. Only one entry per reader please. The lamp cannot be exchanged for cash or any other item.

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