My Office Studio Design: A Cinderella Story

While there may be mayhem lurking behind certain closed cabinet doors in my home, most of the areas are quite neat and tidy to the eye.  However, right around Christmas last year  the room where I spend most of my day, my office/art studio, got quite out of control.

Let me show you a few Before pictures…

Please don’t judge me too harshly, this space was also used as Santa’s Workshop.  Eek…

Notice the black furniture pieces, a bureau and ladderesque bookshelves ~ not terribly functional for this space

The easel area

Even the floor was not immune to the chaos

Could I really be creative surrounded by this on my DESK????

It was time for a major makeover!

The thought of reorganizing and redesigning this space was so overwhelming.  If only I’d had a fairy Godmother and little bluebirds that would help me transform this room, just like Cinderella!  Instead, I got the next best thing:  my friend and organizer supreme, Tina, of Aphrotidy.

Tina first did a consultation where we clarified my goals for the space.  Next, she spent an entire day side by side with me discarding, donating and filing (properly) many of my papers, art supplies and books.  Sometimes we just need someone to motivate us!

Once my “stuff” was purged and re-organized, it was time to tackle the design of the room.  It worked out that at just about this time, my son Fred was moving into a new apartment and he was the happy recipient of the bureau and bookshelves.  It turned out to be the perfect time to select more functional furnishings for the space. While it’s true that I have any number of manufacturers available to me through the Boston Design Center, I was looking for pieces that were reasonably priced and immediately available.  Hello, IKEA!  Yes, IKEA pieces can be made POSH!

While attending BlogTourMilan with Modenus, I was impressed with glossy finishes of the cabinetry I saw in Italy as well as the sleek contemporary look.  After doing some homework, I was thrilled to find the same look at IKEA ~ on a budget.  The available combinations of finishes and furniture pieces made customizing my Office Studio a breeze.

Come take a look at my new and improved Office Studio space…

A petite hallway that leads into the main room, here is a full view

Framed photographs of some of  my favorite designs

On the opposite wall, a bookcase filled with quick reference materials

Full view of the main space with my desk

My desk, bulletin board and computer ~ strictly a design working space.  The IKEA desk has a roll-out section on the right that offers me more surface space (love it!).

My easel painting area

My splurge, thanks to the proceeds of a painting sale, a Taboret that houses all my paintings and most of my supplies, neat and tidy!

Here is the full view of the IKEA pieces that offer me storage.   Of course the main  drawback of IKEA pieces is that all of this came flat packed in boxes  and required assembly. Thank goodness I have a dear friend and installer who was willing to do this for me…

All of my client notebooks, files, and office supplies are hidden away, no visual distractions

I adore this “peek-a-boo” glass element, it’s perfect to showcase my artwork

I’ve used this bookcase as a display piece (for now)

Full view of my Office-Studio, from my ocean deck

This photo was taken from the same place facing the opposite direction, do you like my view?

Storage area and Work area

I think most people would agree that an appealing work space  is critical to your performance whatever your profession.  It doesn’t matter if you have a large or small space, whether your budget is extravagant or reasonable you can design a place that will support your creativity and help you succeed!

It’s important to determine which surroundings work best for you, and then build that environment to suit your needs.

~Marilu Henner

xo,

Pamela

P.S. This blog is coming to you from my new Office-Studio, ahhhhh

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