workspace in progress.

I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of myself. Last weekend, I was crazy productive and started putting together my workspace (finally!). I was focused, determined and confident in how I wanted to pull it all together. Knowing it's a work in progress, I thought I'd share some shots to at least prove there isn't a pile of junk spanning across the entire area anymore. I still need to choose artwork and refinish some of the furniture but I'm really happy with how things are shaping up.

The biggest tip? Make sure to surround yourself with storage, inspiration and things that make you actually want to be there. After all, at the end of the day - it's still a place for work which can keep you from hanging out there.

[canvases are being changed to softer paintings with a lot of white space]

[most of the frames were spray painted white - still toying with whether to paint the two frames white]

[two cork boards on either side of the space for posting]

[canvas on the desk actual hides the power cords and internet]

Like I said, it's still a work in progress. I'm planning to tone down the artwork a lot - keeping the overall composition soft, minimalistic and filled with pastels. I want the environment to be serene yet inspiring. Like all my rooms, I don't want it to look completely pulled together because to me, that's boring. I feel most comfortable when things are a little disheveled and full of personality. Kind of giving off the same vibe as these spaces.

[copyepaste]

[the happy home]

[curious covetous]

[plush palate]

I've been browsing through my new favorite artwork site, society6, for some investment planning and inspiration pieces. The only thing that stinks is that I'm still on the hunt for a site with 4x6 and 5x7 pictures - anyone have any go-tos they're willing to share? Here's are some ideas I have for the artwork so far. 

the king of van horn

sea recollection

tree rings

robot head

mona lisa remix

As mentioned before, I'm also planning on refinishing my desk, the hutch (not pictured) and (maybe) my sewing machine. I have a couple of options up my sleeves but I'm still figuring out how to execute. I also managed to swipe a chair from the side of the road (yep, I'm that girl) that I plan to recover and refinish as well. 

As you can see, I'm headed down the eclectic road again, keeping the clutter balanced and manageable with a lot of white and repetitive shapes and color. I'm still tinkering around but hopefully I can pull together the final look within the next couple of weeks. 

What do you think so far?

mismatched tables.

After working through Michelle's living room moodboard, I got to thinking about mismatched side tables. I like 'em. A lot. They're capable of keeping a space casual and mixing multiple styles all at once. I've been experimenting with the look using a few options I've collected over the years and something still doesn't feel quite right.

The first table I LOVE. It has a marble top and pillar bottom that used to be a gross brold (that's brown-gold). I spray painted it a glossy white and absolutely adore how it highlights all of the detailing of the piece. I literally made my parents stop in the middle of the road so I could grab it off the curb on the way back from a family friend's engagement party. Yes, Jim was there and no, not a single person in the car flinched at my request. What a crew.

The second option is what doesn't seem to be working. Here are the two options I've been toying around with. Aside from the obvious frame lamp shade swaps this corner desperately needs, I'm still not convinced either table is the right fit for the space. 

The first is one of my grandma's old nightstands from when my mom was little girl. It could use a little elbow grease and a new pull but I think the piece is a great size, has clean lines and a mid century-ish shape to it. Obvs it has some sentimental value attached to it but I'm trying not to base my final decision on that. 

The second is a rattan cube I actually scored from Wal-Mart a grillion years ago. I love the boxiness and insta-texture it brings to any space but get nervous it comes off too rustic for the look I'm going for. 

What do you think?

There is one other option that I'm still thinking through that involves replacing the side table with a shorter bookcase I currently have on the opposite wall. It's your basic, pine/oak/maple, 4-shelf bookcase built by my grandpa and would look fantastically chic painted white. Maybe with the cracked texture. I love rooms that use unexpected objects as side tables but I'm not sure the size would be right for the space.

I'll keep you posted on the living room progress but for now, here are some rooms that have the mismatched tables down perfectly. The key is to focus on style and shape - making sure they're complimentary vs. the exact replica.

via simply grove

via style at home

via my home ideas

via creamy life

via live love small

brabourne farm

via little green notebook

Do you have any mismatched side tables in your home? If not, try mixing things up a bit - maybe switching out one side table with one of a different size, shape or color. Or better yet, try replacing with a potted plant or a tripod lamp. Not every side of every piece of furniture needs to be anchored by a table.

If you're already ahead of the curve or assembled a layout you can't stop staring at, please send along so I can gather some more ideas and feature! kantoskeatgmaildotcom.

pattern mixing tips.

Sticking to the subject of combining patterns (as posted about yesterday), here are some different ways for making your space look chic vs. a rough, hot mess.

1. Balance loud and neutral. 

Choose one colorful, highly saturated pattern that you absolutely love and adore. Then, pick out the most neutral color within the pattern (white doesn't count) and find a monochromatic pattern of it. This makes the room come off pulled together without being full of solids.

brabourne farm

being brazen

4.bp

2. Pick a theme.

Whether it's floral or aztec or turkish or chevron, stick to similar shapes in a similar color palette. The commonality between shapes will tie the patterns together.

ada and darcy

anthology magazine

google

3. Find a common color.

Whether complimentary or monochromatic, you can't go wrong with picking patterns that have the same color palette in mind. Be sure to balance between big and bold, small and delicate, geometric and even floral. If they're within the same color palette, they'll go together.

bits and pieces

decorology

black eiffel

visual photos

4. Experiment.


Sometimes, there's no logical explanation for why something should be paired with something else. Similar to relationships (yep, here it comes), there's no real reason why it works... it just does. To potentially stumble into something fab, you have to take some risks, pull some randos and start mixing. If it looks great, awesome and if it doesn't, on to the next.

Try taking things from other rooms and pairing them together - you never know what you'll find. Go on try it. I dare you.

apartment therapy

flickr

emily henderson via young house love

house of deva