Office Inspiration Shelves
So I've been rearranging things in the house again. Since we've only been here for a few months, we're still working out how we want to use the space. When we moved in, Gootz and I each took separate rooms for our offices, which happened to be at opposite ends of the house. But we do quite a bit of work together and it's problematic to have our work spaces so far apart.
So we did some shuffling and now we're sharing an office. In the process, the shelves above my desk have moved to a new wall. They're smaller, but I think they're better. I have all kinds of miscellaneous treasures that inspire me. Gifts from my family, books from my childhood, souvenirs from my travels, handmade things and fascinating glass paperweights. I just love the pretty swirly colors inside of them. Not everything here is expensive or precious, but it all makes me happy when I look at it.
What about you? Do you have inspirational items near your desk?
Comments (30)
Angela, I love your office. I actually have the same type of shelving in my home office as well. My shelves are painted white and the iron brackets are white as well. I haven't completed my office yet... i have to do a little at a time.
But I did find this chair off the side of the road, and painted it brown, turquoise and white. It sits across from my desk, and just gets my creative juices going!
Thanks for the post!
Posted by Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall | March 17, 2008 8:56 PM
Posted on March 17, 2008 20:56
I love the stuffed green dog at the top, and the stuffed blue monster at the bottom! Vintage toys and kid colors always inspire me. In fact, I have a big, old Radio Flyer wagon on top of my computer hutch. I also love to keep photographs of inspiring things and places on my tack board, a few of my kids drawings of our house, and my very first business card designed by a dear friend.
I like your idea of open shelves, but since my "office" is right in our living room--I have to be able to close the doors on all my creative clutter. Hopefully an office in my future one day though!
Posted by Jennifer Peterson | March 17, 2008 9:21 PM
Posted on March 17, 2008 21:21
What a great collection of inspriration Angela, I like to keep things by my desk too - but sometimes they threaten to overwhelm me.
Posted by Jodie | March 17, 2008 11:08 PM
Posted on March 17, 2008 23:08
Such pretty fun things on your shelves! I keep a few things close to me that make me happy or inspire me. I'm working on an inspiration board this week and having fun with it.
I really enjoy your blog. :)
Posted by Karen Erickson | March 17, 2008 11:13 PM
Posted on March 17, 2008 23:13
Thanks for sharing, Angela! I think it's absolutely essential to make our offices warm, welcoming, special places, since we have to spend so much time in them. Even in a corporate setting, my office was always full of plants, art, books--even a fishtank. (And it was the most popular destination in the building!) And you should see my home office... Sharing an office, though? I don't know about that! You'll have to let us know how it works out!
Posted by our friend Ben | March 18, 2008 3:38 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 03:38
Oh yes! I can't work in an ugly sterile environment. Love your shelves! I could definitely get work done in there. :-) Rosie
Posted by RosiesWhimsy | March 18, 2008 5:15 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 05:15
Oh, me too... I have to have inspiration in my surroundings. I keep ALL my cards, gifts & tokens from customers & friends in view. I have candles burning while I work... I absolutely LOVE the ole iron flower frogs... I have them everywhere... w/ notes & photos displayed in them. I have a small sitting area for visitors. OH... I have my tv in view for my favorite shows or DVD's to play... Music... is a top priority in my office/studio... Smooth Listening. Soft glowing Lamps, no over-head Lights. Well I could actually go on forever...
Love your blog & ALL your idea's. I visit often... Blessings 2 you, Pamela "Beehind Thyme"
Posted by Pamela "Beehind Thyme" | March 18, 2008 6:45 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 06:45
Everything is so neat and displayed so nicely. Looks great!
Posted by Connie W | March 18, 2008 8:11 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 08:11
I love my sewing room and the inspiration around it. I think being in a creative room is so important.
Posted by Nanette | March 18, 2008 9:41 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 09:41
So very pretty and what a lovely place for you to work and be inspired!
I have a small quilt that a friend made for my birthday hanging on the wall next to my long worktable where I make scrapbooks and sew. Family photos are nearby and a huge photo above the table of a country road leading toward mountains.
Lindy
Posted by Lindy | March 18, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 11:22
i love the little things you have on your shelf..So cute..You have a nice space..
Posted by lulu | March 18, 2008 11:39 AM
Posted on March 18, 2008 11:39
Your shelves are fun and personal. How nice to have a place to keep these little treasures!
Oh how I wish I had an office, or even a desk! The computer lives in one of those little computer armoires since it is in a public area of the house. I really would like to have a nice open desk though! Someday...
By the way, your blog is great. I loved your thrifted chandelier. What a deal!
Posted by Mrs. B | March 18, 2008 2:43 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 14:43
Angela:
So many things inspire me from Lamps, to file folders on my desk. I just love to be surrounded by "stuff". "Pretty Stuff" makes me feel pretty.
Love your office space and the curtain in the backround. Anything with roses does it for me....
I have the same sort of shabby chic caddy you have displayed on your table next to the sewing machine, obviously WE have great taste!
Love to yu,
Debbie Kay
Posted by Debbie Kay | March 18, 2008 8:11 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 20:11
Lovely!
It's so fun to see other people's inspirational work spaces. Makes me want to go clean up, lol!
I've been raking and grading papers and......
so my indoor space is...well...a mess! But my garden is looking hopeful.
Carol
terranovadesign.blogspot.com
Carol
Posted by Carol Soules | March 18, 2008 8:20 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 20:20
What another wonderful corner of your special space. (still love your fabric shelves).
You have everything at your fingertips and I lvoe that vintage looking ivory file and pencil holder.
Hope you have a great week!
Posted by Lisa | March 18, 2008 9:17 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 21:17
How nice to see your shelves stuffed full of treasures. I did see a kittycat or 3, didn't I? ;-)
I have many framed and unframed pics in my study to inspire me. And then there are the kittycats, who inspire me no end. While I'm writing this Merlin is sitting next to my right hand and is purring in my ear and licking my face. And he is giving headbutts too. :-) Very inspirational although it makes it difficult to type. ;-)
Posted by yolanda elizabet | March 19, 2008 12:56 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 00:56
Hello Angela,
I just wanted to say that I love your site. I am always looking on the
web for ideas that I can use in my future cottage. I hope mine is a pretty as yours one day :)
Also, you are welcome to visit my blog...it is just my ramblings about what I am doing to reach my cottage dream. Would you mind if I added your site as one of my favorite places?
Thank you once again for inspiring me.
~kimme
Posted by Kimme | March 19, 2008 7:23 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 07:23
Of course you know what I'm going for ...... love that SINGER!
Posted by the farmers wife | March 19, 2008 8:27 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 08:27
Hey Miss Magpie,
I like the configuration of the smaller shelving, myself. Dosent look so top heavy. Especially when you like to have "lots" of inspiration on them. Or a larger desk to even out the space of the larger shelves.
(you know me, always pokin my 2 cents in, wanted or not..)
As for my inspriation, especially today, all I have to do is look out my floor to cieling leaded glass windows at my yard. I have a gorgeous view of what "could be" the dreams are of no shortage here. What did you think of those photos, anyway??
Hope everyone is on the mend at the magpie nest.
happy spring!!
Lisa
coastal nest
Posted by Lisa | March 19, 2008 8:59 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 08:59
hi angela. i have an electrician at work as i type. pretty soon my stuff will be out of boxes and i can make my room JUST THE WAY I WANT IT. i will refer to your blog when i put it together!! i hope your medical circ.s are all over with, that everyone is in the pink, and that you are able to be mom, wife, blogposter, and whatever creative word describes what we all do to your heart's content. jkj
Posted by jane | March 19, 2008 9:59 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 09:59
Humm - don't even have room for a desk! Everything is multi-purpose in the barn for us...Want to sew something - the coffee table becomes a sewing table and the sofa becomes a pin cushion. Want to write an article for the magazine - either do it on the kitchen table or in the bed...but spend too long trying to type in the bed and my back starts to hurt!
Posted by Julie Size | March 19, 2008 10:49 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 10:49
My desk at home, as well as my desk at work, are really very similar. Both have favorite family photos, a bouquet of silk flowers, vacation souvenirs (mostly small shells), potpourri made from dried rose petals from my garden and green plants.
At home there is a covered basket under my desk filled with yarn.
I like to surround myself with things I love, especially when working. :-)
Marilyn
Posted by Marilyn | March 19, 2008 12:23 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 12:23
Love it, how beautiful! I love stopping by your blog, you truly inspire us! Thank you!
Posted by Angie | March 21, 2008 5:25 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 05:25
I really like your shelves in your office...may have to steal that idea!
Happy Easter to you and your family!
Posted by lucinda | March 21, 2008 2:05 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 14:05
Wow - what a great and fun blog! I just discovered it and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit! Thanks!
Posted by Nan | March 28, 2008 4:41 PM
Posted on March 28, 2008 16:41
You are such a charming person. I love coming here and made a mental note to myself that I must return to see the responses to the green challenge. The is the busiest time of year for me and I haven't had the time to blog like I should. But I wanted you to know that I came to get some inspiration from you. I'm working on a vintage floral arrangement for a customer. Thank you so much for the help and beautiful pics. It has brightened my day and gotten me off to a great start with my vision for the arrangement. See you again soon.
Posted by Anna | April 20, 2008 2:10 AM
Posted on April 20, 2008 02:10
I have too many inspirational treasures by my desk! There are various pictures of my two sons, and my great-niece and great-nephew's pictures.
I have a lovely rock with a sunflower painted on it and cards from my husband. A candle, etc.!
Cindi
Posted by Cindi | May 25, 2008 2:55 PM
Posted on May 25, 2008 14:55
such a lovely spot to work.
Posted by joyce | May 26, 2008 12:20 PM
Posted on May 26, 2008 12:20
Angela,
I love you blog. I have gone back & read some of your older post, thrifting & inspiration. It's all so very inspirational to me. I am playing around with my own blog. (just started last week). I have to say, #1 not sure what i'm doing just yet, #2 it's a lot of work. (for me). I have added you to my favs. -Joanna
Posted by Joanna Lewis | May 27, 2008 7:18 AM
Posted on May 27, 2008 07:18
I actually don't have a desk because i have no room for one in my teeny tiny apartment. If I did, I'd say that I'd absolutely have my favorite things around me. I think it makes it a more inspiring place to work.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 1:39 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 01:39