I SPY DIY: Washi Crafting!

Today I got a little time to do some crafting with my new washi tape! I was inspired by some posts on Pinterest of clothespins used as sorters for all that mail and random paper that can take over your countertop. I love how they turned out and how the keep my paper pile organized!

If you want to make your own you'll need:
- washi tape in a few colors and patterns
- stamp pad
- letter stamps
- clothespins
- craft knife

Use your craft knife to cut the washi tape into one inch strips. This should be exactly the right amount you'll need. Apply tape to the short end of clothespins. If you have any overhang, you can always remove the washi tape, trim it, and reapply. Stamp whatever categories you need on the long ends of the clothespins. 

VOILA! So easy!!

                      

My Office Redo Hits the Big Time

My office redo I wrote about back in July has been picked up by The Office Stylist!! I love their site so being included is super exciting for me! If you love office spaces and supplies and looking at how other people work, you'll love it too.

Here's a little snippet of the interview....

Describe your office space to us.

Clean, classic, clutter-free. Bright and cheery. Definitely multi-purpose!!

Where did the inspiration for your office space design come from?

I love looking at design blogs, Pinterest, magazines, etc. I get a lot of ideas that way. Being that my office is a sunroom turned office/dining room, I carefully selected what went into the room knowing that at night the “office” needed to be put away in time for dinner. Each piece that went into the room had to be either beautiful, inspirational, or super-functional. When I have guests over for dinner, I don’t want them to look over and see a messy desk, so storage was important too. I lucked out because the overhead cabinets were already in place when we moved in. They help tremendously.

What is your favorite part/design of your office space and why?

It’s hard to choose just one. I love that you can turn my desk chair around and it becomes part of the “dining room”. Whether I’m using the chair at my desk or at the dining table, it’s comfortable and visually appealing. Also, the many windows are beautiful and let in so much light. When I am crafting with paper and photographing product, the natural light is perfection.

I also love my word art from Wordle. Looking up at those words inspires me to work even harder. And it’s a super easy way to make art for your desk.

Do you feel that having a well designed and inspiring office has changed the way you and your employees work?

I definitely find myself spending many more hours in my office. If it’s a comfortable space, it’s amazing how time will fly by while you’re working. A comfy chair is sooo important too. This new one is definitely an upgrade from the last. My back is better supported and I don’t feel the need to take as many breaks to walk around. Wherever you get your work done, I believe it has to be comfortable and suitable to your personality and work style. I also think it’s important to be patient and willing to switch things up, it may take a few tries to get it right. Be flexible and willing to reconfigure things if something’s not working. your work done, I believe it has to be comfortable and suitable to your unique personality and work style.

If you could use one word to describe the feel of the office space, what would it be?

Lovely!

Tell us about your company and what it means to you to have a well-designed office space.

DipDaDip Design is a handmade paper goods company that I started after I couldn’t find the kind of hip, stylish, and customizable notebooks I wanted to buy myself. After making them for myself and as gifts for friends, DipDaDip evolved into a full line of handmade paper goods including personalized notebooks, note cards, mini jotters, and journals. Building a small business is a tough and challenging endeavor. Having a workspace that is inviting and motivates me to get some work done is essential! I love what I am doing and now I love the space I do it in too.

Thanks to Sayeh and The Office Stylist team for featuring my office!!

Back to School Supplies

I'm no longer in school, but I still get the bug every fall to go shopping for new school supplies. And I don't think I'm alone in that. It's like craving pumpkin flavored goodies around Thanksgiving or eggnog at Christmas. It seems to be instilled in us at a very young age to "crave" new school supplies when August rolls around. So in honor of back to school season I wanted to share a treasury I put together over at Etsy of nifty school supplies. Click through to see these fine shops and purchase something from one of these handmade entrepreneurs!! 

Also, be on the lookout for new back to school products from DipDaDip in the next few weeks! 

Office Makeover - Round 2

Recently I blogged about clean and understated workspaces. This really inspired me to clear out the clutter in my own space and attempt to create a visually clean and sophisticated office. Since I work from home running my little handmade business, DipDaDip Design, I desperately need a place that is inviting and motivates me to get some work done. There's nothing more overwhelming than building a small business...and wherever you get your work done, I believe it has to be comfortable and suitable to your unique personality and work style. Working in a dining room/sunroom/office like I do makes this even more of a challenge. The space has to be conducive to a lot of activities!

Sorry I don't have many before pictures, but if you're curious as to what it looked liked before, this post has a glimpse. It was cute and colorful, but not as clean and sophisticated as I am now aiming for. 

My New Space! 

Pens, notepads, notecards, and other essentials are easy to get to. Acrylic storage container and flower vase from Walmart. Business card holder is a demitasse saucer I already owned! :) Flowers from local farmer's market! Lovely! 

"Metropolitain" canvas sign from Hobby Lobby. Screensaver is Fliqlo clock and can be downloaded here. 

This fun word cloud art is something I made online at Wordle.net. Paste text from anywhere into their generator and you get easy, printable art for your home. I took text from DipDaDip's website and I must say, just looking at those words is pretty inspiring to me. 

Here I've got shipping supplies and finished product at the ready. Wire basket from TJ Maxx.

The Big Picture!

Larger pieces are from the following retailers:

Desk: World Market  Dining Table: IKEA Lamp: IKEA Chairs: IKEA  Pillows: IKEA
Rug: Target

As always, I'm sure this office will be a "design in progress"...;) Stay tuned for what else I might do to it!!

 - Kelly 

I'm Dreaming of a White Office

Lately I've gotten into a "simplify" mentality...keep things simple, organized, and aesthetically clean!! This new philosophy has led me to organize my closet, my collection of necklaces, and now has made me want to revamp my office...again. ;)

Anyway... here are some inspirational photos for my new-and-improved, minimal, clean, and super efficient home office!!! I'll update you on the process as I get photos!

Clean Office Inspiration

The mostly white palette in these two offices definitely scream "clean" to me. The only downside is you'll have to be disciplined enough to keep your desktop organized daily to go along with the minimalist aesthetic. This may be difficult for some, but I think a clean workspace can mean an efficient workspace!! 

Products to Achieve the Look

This acrylic desk chair is clean and classic and will give the illusion that you have more space than you really do. Perfect for smaller offices!!

These clear letter trays from The Container Store will help you stay organized while still giving off that clean and clutter free vibe. And bonus: they are much nicer to look at than those plastic black trays we've all seen at the office! 

This ceramic pencil tray from SortingwithStyle.com makes me want to sharpen some pencils and write old-fashioned letters!! Fresh and feminine, it's the perfect addition to a stylish desktop. 

Also from SortingwithStyle.com is this ceramic vertical business card holder. Being as my latest business cards are vertical, I was excited to find this little gem!

Now all you need is some fresh flowers and a mug for your coffee!! Monogrammed mug from Anthropologie. 

Oh!! And don't forget to add a notebook from DipDaDip !! Haha. Shameless plug!!!

The Giveaway is On!!!

The giveaway has officially begun at TheOfficeStylist.com! Go there now to enter and get inspired by Sayeh's great office styling tips and ideas!!

One lucky winner will receive four customized notebooks from our online shop!! 

We are currently story number 2!

Pretty Paper Roundup

It's no secret I love paper products. I even run a small etsy shop where I make and sell customized notebooks inspired by typography, street art and graffiti. I love seeing new ideas and small businesses doing something really well. Here are a few new items I recently stumbled upon that I'm crazy about.


Dandelion Planner by NotebookNotbuk

Greeting Cards from Circles And Squares

Notepads by Arminho

Quick and Easy Desktop Makeover

Because I am starting to work more from home, I decided to give my desk a quick makeover. As you can see in the before picture below, my office was plain, simple, and a little boring. Pretty, but dull. Anyway...I decided to give it a little bit of color and visual interest, but I had to do it on the cheap. 

BEFORE

AFTER

HERE'S WHAT I DID

• First, I hung twine from two push pins. Then using metal office clips, displayed some of my favorite things: a picture my husband took in Europe, magazine clippings, to-do lists, etc. 

• Next, I got out some of my more colorful books that have beautiful and inspiring images to keep nearby. 

• Then, for a desk mat/ mouse pad I found an old cork placemat that I had lying around. 

• Finally, I filled an old glass bottle with some flowers. Done!

Offices That Work

If you work from home or even in a cubicle, you know how difficult it can be to create a space that makes you want not only to linger, but to actually get some work done!

Here are a few of my favorite office makeovers I've found online and what I have learned from each.

1. Orange can be cool. 

The problem with my own personal office is the light yellow walls and natural light that makes me sleepy! The pops of orange in this office aren't overdone but effectively keep your mind awake and engaged! And it's a happy color. I recently painted my front door a burnt orange and love it!!

2. It's just takes a few statement pieces to take a room to the next level. 

Three things alone make this room: the red chandelier, the bright green chair, and the blue, funky patterned wallpaper. That's it. Just three key pieces. Breaking things down into basics and then layering fun, out-of-the-ordinary elements on top really make a space unique. Ultra stylish!

3. Ample storage and clean is key. 

Keeping your workspace clean and organized is essential to efficiency and being productive! Stylish storage solutions are very important especially when it comes to smaller spaces. They help keep your workspace clutter free and your mind is able to focus on the task at hand. 

Now get to work!