6/17/2011

Tech + Art + Decor Updates: Making my Office a Prettier Place to Work

Thanks to my husband's prodding, I finally ditched my old school mouse and keyboard and upgraded to a sleek wireless duo. As an Apple junkie, I got the Bluetooth-enabled Magic Mouse and the Apple Wireless Keyboard. I am thrilled with the performance of both (although I miss having the calculator part of the keyboard) and I'm deliriously happy about the cord-free zone that is my desk. I HATE cords so I'm not sure why it took me so long to make this improvement. I also got rid of our huge tower so I'm solely on a laptop + LED display setup now. Integrating technology with decor can be frustrating, so less is definitely more when it comes to the tech gear! And thank goodness Apple makes such pretty technology :)

Unfortunately I didn't take a shot of the "before" look but hopefully you can appreciate the aesthetic improvement nonetheless...



So now that I've wrangled my tech sitcho, I can move onto the rest of the room. Besides getting a new rug (the black Greek key indoor/outdoor one that I had in here before started to ripple....grrr), I'm thinking of getting tailored skirts made for the desks so that the trestle bases are no longer exposed. Also, at some point in the future, the bookcase will be replaced with a custom credenza that includes tons of storage and cubbies for my dogs' beds :)

Also, I'd like to fill the walls with artwork. All spaces need lots 'o art but I emphatically believe that a creative work environment has to have plenty of it. You can see here that one whole side of the room has no art...very sad. So I went and bought a couple of canvases and am going to attempt to paint something for the space. I used to be an avid painter many moons ago and I really want to get back into it. Nothing like a HUGE blank canvas to get me back in the saddle - yikes. Jazzy is obviously supportive and excited about the possibilities!

If I create an artistic monstrosity, Plan B is to order this amazing piece from Natural Curiosities called Silver Leaf Wave. It's massive (84" x 36") and is framed in acrylic so I'm sure it's stunning in person. Apparently Jazzy is not quite as pumped about this idea. Here's a mock-up of what it would look like in the room (at least partially)...

Have you made any improvements to your workspace lately? It's amazing much impact even the smallest enhancements can have on your working environment. Whether it's a new wireless mouse, a colorful lamp for your desk, or even a fun coaster, it's nice to reward yourself for working hard every once and a while.

Have a wonderful weekend!

15 comments:

  1. Your office looks sleek and gorgeous Kyle! I have a mac and wireless mouse too and it makes you never want to go back to a regular pc again.

    Have a great weekend!

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  2. I love the white chairs! They look so comfortable- I could work really hard in a long time if I was sitting in them!

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  3. What a great space! I'm finishing my office right now and this is great inspiration. I love the painting too!!

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  4. Where did you get that industrial desk lamp on the front desk space???? LOVE!

    - Ashley

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  5. Ashley - I found a pair of those lamps at the old Wisteria Outlet in Dallas. I know that Arteriors makes a couple of similar styles like these Karl Vintage Clamp Accent Light and Fraiser Vintage Silver Desk Lamp.

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  6. Shopgirl - Thanks! I've been on a Mac since college and I've never looked back! I think the wireless mouse will be the same way. I've tried other ones in the past (the USB kind) and haven't liked those but this one seems lightyears better in terms of accuracy. Do you have the Apple mouse too?

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  7. I just got the wireless the mouse and keyboard too! PLUS I got the big screen as a belated birthday gift! I can't wait to set it all up next week. I hope my office area will look as cute as yours does!

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  8. Bradley - I love that we are computer twinkies :) The cinema display completely rocks my world...don't know how I used to work without it! Anyhow, let me know if you have any issues with your Magic Mouse. I had to uninstall "USB OverDrive" to get my scrolling/touch functions to work.

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  9. Love your desks!!! Where did you get them! I'm having a terrible time finding one I like.

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  10. Holy amazing. I love everything about your office...it looks like it should be in a magazine. I am officially jealous! xo-Jet

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  11. Hey Kyle,
    What happened to you black and white Greek key rug? Did it find it's way to another room?

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  12. Kyle please tell what color you used on the walls here!

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  13. Love the gray color on your walls! Do tell the name :)
    Always like to keep great gray paint colors for clients!

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  14. I love the industrial vibe in this room! It's really turning out great. My favorites are those white upholstered chairs. Where did you get them? We're looking to get a similar chair for the corner of our master bedroom.

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  15. Great office...I'm in the process of setting mine up now, so this is great inspiration. Where did you find the bookcase?

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