The Redesigned Oval Office: Yay or Nay?

Hmm. Very brown and very striped to me. I like the two lamps...but for me it's a nay. Just doesn't seem to live up to the architecture or the stature of the Oval Office.
How about you? (For more design details, check out the NY Times article.)

All images above via CBS News here.I prefer the Clinton version.

(image via White House Museum)

A Virginia Gentleman's Study & A Sale

A few weeks ago I wrote about the extraordinary home of a very creative woman (here and here) Now I'd like to share the photos from her husband's study- an equally fascinating and intriguing space. Entering the room you immediately sense that this is someone who is passionate about history and completely at home surrounded by collections and personal mementos. I don't think it would be possible not to be entertained and informed after spending a day in this room.
Organized abundance - for me it's a very pleasing look.

Cannons standing guard. Notice the stately landscaping at the entry of this home.
Love the red and white shades on these sconces. Hope you enjoyed the peek into this amazing study.

On another note - A Sale:

I was recently contacted by Annie Groer, former Washington Post Home section writer about an upcoming "Get It Gone" parking lot sale at 4912 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD this Saturday, April 17, from 7 am until noon. (*Rain Date is April 24. For updates go to Capital Consignment)

Room Envy

Love this study - dark, glam and energized with red accents. Hope you're having a great weekend. Yesterday, Meg of Pigtown*Design gave my friend and I a great tour of 3 of Baltimore's design shopping spots. The McLain Weisand Warehouse sale did not disappoint! Be sure to check out her recent two posts.

Designer Sonia Simpfendorfer, Nexus Designs, photography by Elliot Cohen, image via Home & Garden Australia

A Dreamy Child's Bedroom & Smart Family Office

More from the Washington Design Center's Spring Design House - Shazalyn Cavin-Winfrey of SCW Interiors created this dreamy child's bedroom. This space in the design house is fairly narrow and the built-in-bed with storage cabinets on either side was a great use of space. A pull out trundle bed offers an additional sleeping area. The interior's padded walls are upholstered with a really fun fabric from Cowtan & Tout. This room left me wondering if every house shouldn't have one of these nooks you can crawl into for respite and retreat, curled up with a good book or a few design magazines...


The painted custom cabinetry had a nice patina to it - which neither of these photos does justice to. The fabric was placed behind the cut out screens. The red cowboy hat is too cute!

Another very succesful room was the Family Office designed by Sandra Meyers of Sandra Meyers Design Studio, LLC. There were three separate functional areas incorporated into this room: a custom work space for four people to use at once, a sitting area and a desk space for the parents. This unique light fixture was a real hit. The work space is laminated with a wood grain stria.
Custom built-in shelving surrounds either side of the fireplace. Love the mixed red glass mosaic tile.





The glass desk is from McGuire by Baker Knapp & Tubbs. I am in love with the carpeting from Stark Carpet - beautiful.

Back to a post on book covers from last week - this one is fabulous!

Pink & Green - Anne's Gorgeous Office

It's wonderful to have such a nice friend who also happens to be a talented designer and partner at Dwellings by Design. Whenever I enter Anne's office, I don't want to leave. "Oh, what else can we chat about so I can linger a little longer!" I think to myself. From the overall concept to the execution of the details, this work space is inspired. Love the choice to concentrate the palette on two colors and then revel in the may ways to play out the pink and green combination.

Crisp, clean and lovely - the perfect spot to be creative. The Parson's desk from West Elm allows Anne a full view of her inspiration board. Sadly, the desk is no longer offered in this spring green.

Anne ordered the Talia chaise from Ballard Designs and had it custom covered in this cheery pink/green stripe. This is the best place to lounge with a cup of tea and a stack of design magazines. (p.s - note to self - I need a pillow with pom-pom trim)

Love, love, love these vintage pieces from her grandmother. They catch your eye immediately as you enter the room.

Three framed pieces of wrapping paper anchor the wall behind the desk. Below is an expanse of bookcases within easy reach of the workspace.

Can't get enough of this chaise.



A closer look at the framed paper.

Simple bookcases brought to a new level with pink trim and wallpaper lining.

Notice how she brought the pink trim to the back of the bookcase too - a great touch I haven't seen before.

A close-up of the large message board that anchors the wall directly across from the desk. I think the design choice to make this board the same color as the wall keeps the space looking open and fresh and allows the inspirations to pop against the background. In particular I was drawn to one...

Mary Engelbreit I don't think we've met! I have to admit that this illustration looks alot like childhood photos of me when I, ahmm, was not in the sunniest disposition!

Flowers and a crown as accent pieces - what else could a girl want!

Thank you for the mention!

Thank you Jo and Kim of Desire to Inspire for including me in your Easter reading guide! It was totally unexpected and very exciting! Check out Desire to Inspire's complete Easter reading guide - there's alot of great blogs listed, including Just Imagine, one of my regular reads.




And while I'm on the subject of thank you's - thank you to PVE Design for posting my home office on her week-long feature on desk vignettes and home offices. Isn't this illustration wonderful!



















PVE noticed the brick wall that is calling out for help. Here's the question - do I paint it white or dark brown like the back of the shelves?
The painting is Anne Harwell's Lilly's Desk

Since it's Monday...a look at inspiring work spaces

Elle Decor, Photography William Waldron, design Bruce Glickman and Wilson Teng


Elle Decor Jan/Feb 2008, photography Roger Davies, Designer Jennie Abbott

D Home, Mar/Apr 2007, photography Danny Piassick, designer Betty Sewell


D Home, Jul/Aug 2005, designer Rebecca Sherman

It's Monday - back to the work week. And, based on the traffic report I heard this morning, it seemed that for many people it was their first Monday back to work in 2008. It got me to thinking about the environment that surrounds us when we're working. To me each one of the spaces aboves evokes a different mood - hopefully it fits the person who uses this space to create, write, email, talk, etc. I momentarily thought I'd share a picture of my work space but then reality set in - that would necessitate a few too many hours of tidying up for the photo shoot! I mean after all, you can only cut the angle on a photo so tight. Uh oh, what does that say about my work environs? Now I have a new to-do - make home office space more peaceful and inspiring. Happy Monday.