A few more gorgeous pieces that are on sale:

Printer’s Letter File Hutch

A selection of lovely baskets

The Harrison Lamp

Now, if you’ll excuse me, the Wyatt Table Lamp is calling my name…

**Just so you know, this post wasn’t sponsored or requested–I just noticed the sale going on and wanted to share it with you.**

For us, chalkboards aren’t ideal, so though I got a lot of inspiration from the choices I shared with you last week, none of those calendars will be finding their way into my office.

This week, I have corkboards. I happen to adore corkboards–they’re so easy to use, and can be decorated in so many different ways. And I was delighted to find so many attractive corkboard wall calendar options. Here are some of my favorites.

First up, we have a pretty standard corkboard calendar–it’s a great size, and I love the tip to adhere the dates with velcro so that each month the calendar is easy to set up. With something this large, I think I’d stick with a solid color as Southern Living has done, but I don’t think I’d use two neutrals–for my office space, a colored ribbon would infuse a nice jolt of color.

If you only need to see a week at a time, Michaela made seven cute squares that might fill the bill. I like the way she switched up the positioning of the fabric on the squares to give it a bit more dimension without a lot of detail to distract from the week’s agenda.

I love this checkerboard style command center. It looks like it was from Pottery Barn, but I can’t find it on their website now, so you’d probably have to DIY it. Their version includes white boards and chalkboard tiles, but I’d like it all in cork.

I love Shannon’s collection of framed corkboards and think it would make a great calendar system–you could even number the frames themselves which would save a little space and give each frame an extra decorative element.

I love this embroidered perpetual calendar by Sara on Etsy. It’s hand embroidered on natural linen and has a piece of cork in the back so that you can pin and re-pin the numbers to date the calendar. I couldn’t resist including this one even though it doesn’t really have any space for weekly tasks.

This gathering inspiration for my wall calendar has been so much fun. And I’m not done sharing just yet–stay tuned for one more roundup of fantastic wall calendars for home offices.

I must admit, I see her point. Usually, you can score great true vintage industrial pieces at flea markets, consignment shops, and thrift stores. So, why would you pay top dollar for a replica? And, really, doesn’t it defeat the purpose of having great vintage-industrial pieces if they’re actually neither vintage nor truly industrial?

But, honestly, I think you love what you love, and sometimes you fall in love with a certain style but finding pieces with true functionality in that style is a little tricky (as is the case with true vintage industrial pieces–finding something with both style and functionality takes some serious time or luck). So, perhaps it’s okay to pick up those pieces that you adore “off the rack” as it were instead of spending lots of time hunting down the right piece only to discover it still needs fixing or reworking to be functional.

How about you–where do you stand on the vintage industrial trend in general? And how do you feel about brand new pieces done in the style?

So, when reader Laurie sent an email asking for guidance on choosing a rug, I was eager to make some recommendations. In Laurie’s case, she has a small budget and needs a large rug. Here’s what she wrote:

I need a 8 x 10 rug, but have you seen the prices on those suckers?! So, any advice for a simple (preferably solid color, or modern design) rug in that size that’s under a grand?

If you’re looking for a large, sleek/modern rug for your home office, take a look at these three that Laurie approved of for her own space (and Laurie, we’d love to hear which one you ultimately choose!)

Dash and Albert

The woven diamond rug from Dash and Albert has a low key, sophisticated pattern. It comes in several colorways, so if the light blue/ivory’s not quite right (or doesn’t have enough contrast for your space), make sure to check out the others. Be aware that it’s an indoor-outdoor rug.

Milliken

This luscious cobalt blue rug, the Modern Times Harmony Blue Jay Rug, is definitely not subtle. It’s also a great price at just $300 for the 7’9″ x 10’9″ size.

Beige Stripe Rug

Though the pattern on this rug is a bit more dramatic than the other options I sent Laurie, it still strikes a nice balance between being interesting and yet not feeling old-fashioned. Be aware that it is made of Polypropylene, which accounts for it’s really low price (just $175).

Other challenges for choosing rugs for a home office include needing to deal with the office chair legs (make sure to pick up a rug protecting mat), but in Laurie’s case that wasn’t an issue due to her office set up. If it is an issue for you, you’ll probably want to only choose from rugs you see in person–it can be tricky to determine how tightly woven/dense/and tall a rug is from its online description and photos.

What do you look for in choosing rugs for your home office? Or have you left the floors rug-less?

The Alice

At 52″ tall, this Overstock.com chair is definitely taller-than-average, and the sleek wings keep it cozy. It would look absolutely stunning against Jessica’s painted purple brick wall, and would make a perfect spot for client calls or sketching design ideas.

Versailles Domed Burlap-Backed Chair

I’m a sucker for the high drama of this porter’s chair from Restoration Hardware. At a whopping 62″ tall, I think it may even be taller than Jessica herself, and it would create a cozy reading retreat in her office.

Sienna Chair

The shortest of the bunch, this sleek ivory leather chair from Jayson Home and Garden is still 42″ tall (which is taller than typical occasional chairs). The nailhead trim gives it a classic look, but the chair still feels really modern because of the clean lines.

Minimalist Wing Chair

The Minimalist Wing Chair by Pearson is upholstered in a menswear-inspired windowpane plaid which gives it a sophisticated, cozy feel. It’s 45″ tall, so it’s a bit taller than the Sienna, and it has classic, yet sleek lines.

It’s currently on sale via One King’s Lane for just $1099 (from its regular retail price of $2500). If you’ve never heard of OKL, it’s a members-only home goods site. To join (and see the Minimalist Wing Chair and other great deals), start here. (Note: that is an affiliate link–when you join, you’ll also be eligible for special rewards for recommending the site to friends.)

So, which chair would you choose? And how do you feel about extra-tall chairs in the office?

But, if you’re in the market for an attractive desk blotter, look no further. Here are my three favorites plus one great tutorial for making your own desk blotter.

Black and Gray Geometric Desk Blotter Pad

This 14 x 20 blotter by Labnutz features a quatrefoil pattern in sophisticated black and gray. Depending on the size of your desk, it may be a bit too small, but it’s a great size for smaller desks. The side pockets are great for tucking away notes or other papers you want to keep front and center.

Labnutz creates each blotter herself in Raleigh, NC.

Bella Desk Blotter

The Bella desk blotter from See Jane Work comes in five gorgeous colors. It measures 16 x 21 and features contrasting stitching.

It’s handmade in Italian leather and measures 16 x 21.

Oasis Pad Backer with Concept Pad

The Concept Pad (and Oasis Pad Backer) from Levenger is great for creatives. The 11 x 17 ” sheets of the Concept Pad
offer plenty of space for notes and drawing. The pad itself is only 20 x 12 so it might be dwarfed by larger desks.

Make Your Own

Martha Stewart offers a step-by-step tutorial to make your own desk blotter using leather and chipboard. The great thing about a diy desk blotter is that you can make it any size and color you’d like so you can be sure it suits your desk. (Of course, if you choose to use a standard blotter pad to fill it, you’ll want to make sure you rely on those dimensions.)

Which desk blotter would you like for your own desk?

If you’re a big fan of decorating, I’d love to hear how you approach it; and if you’re lower-key like me, let’s commiserate! (If you don’t decorate at all, whether because you don’t celebrate, or you just don’t like to/want to, perhaps you could share if you make any changes to cozy up your home office for winter or de-cozy it if you’re in the southern hemisphere.)

And, if you need a bit of inspiration, how about an Office Supply Tree (by Martha Stewart, of course)?

My office has lovely patio doors. They’re all glass, and let in tons of light. The view wasn’t perfect (partly driveway, partly pretty backyard).

Taken at night to show spray really does provide privacy. Notice Izzy (lower left corner)–he’s why the spray paint wasn’t extended all the way down. (Also inside the door, two plants for the winter.)

Unfortunately, they’re also really visible to the street which means door-to-door sales people and evangelists always come to that door. And I couldn’t hide out (say, if I was on the phone with a client and really didn’t want to tell an evangelist that yes, my call was more important than his desire to save my soul) because they could see right in.

So, in order to feel really productive and comfortable in my office, I had to address those doors. And I had to do it in a way that blocked as little light as possible.

But I had one more challenge to consider: a dog who LOVES looking out the doors at the squirrels and neighborhood cats and who pulled down any curtains I tried to hang, and managed to drool all over the window in between the slats of the (original to the house) wood blinds that had been installed. So, it was a problem. I needed tons of privacy without blocking light, and it all had to be super dog-friendly. Plus, I wanted it to be removable should I ever change my mind.

I thought about using a contact paper on the windows, but what I read of the installation and the removal didn’t thrill me. Plus, the designs I found were mostly pretty tacky or very solid and neither felt quite right. So, I kept searching, and luckily came across Valspar’s “Frosting Interior” for glass at Lowes. That seemed perfect since it meant I could easily apply it precisely where I wanted it.

When it came to a design, I decided to keep things really simple. I’d never used spray paint on glass before and didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew. Plus, I have a lot of projects to tackle. So, I masked off four simple long skinny rectangles per door, leaving both the bottom and the top of the glass clear. I applied two coats of the frosted glass spray paint and pulled off my tape immediately following the second coat.

Getting the masking tape straight took longer than I anticipated. Finally, I’m ready to spray.

Here’s how I applied Valspar “Frosting Interior” frosted glass spray paint to my patio doors. (Note: I purchased vinyl lettering with my company name in a frosted glass finish to apply atop the rectangles.)

If you decide to use frosted glass spray paint to add privacy to your windows or doors, here are my tips:

• Ventilate the area as much as possible. I wore a mask, but sprayed the doors closed and wish I had been able to spray them open. Next time, I’d remove the door that opens so that I’d have plenty of ventilation. (The spray is designed for inside spaces only, so I couldn’t spray the outside of the doors.)
• Don’t be afraid of a simple design. I spent about a week trying to figure out what design to put on the doors. I thought about everything. And, in the end, I really like the simplicity of the rectangles. The reason I didn’t just spray one rectangle per door was that I wanted some visibility so that I’d be able to see who was at the door (the spray really does obscure your view).
• The paint does filter light, but not nearly as much as I’d worried it would. If you have that same concern, go for it! Give it a try and see if you like it. The glass frosted spray paint isn’t particularly expensive, and it scrapes off really easily, so if it’s just a matter of not knowing whether or not you’ll like it, I’d definitely recommend you dive in and try it out for yourself.
• Buy more than you think you’ll need. I wound up only using one bottle, and still have quite a bit left in that bottle. But, it would have been really frustrating to run out halfway through, so I’m glad I bought two just in case. Plus, it was so easy to use, I think I’ll be using my spare bottle on other projects around the house.
• Stay out of the area for several hours. In my case, I had to stay out of the office for the entire day–the fumes gave me an intense headache. So, don’t apply the paint at the beginning of a day when everyone will be hanging out in that room later in the day. Give it a full 24 hours at least so that you have time to air out the room.

I couldn’t be happier with the change–it’s given me the privacy I wanted, and Izzy  (my dog) can still see everything. Plus, it looks lovely from both the inside and out and isn’t too modern for my home’s brick exterior.

My home office was originally the home’s garage–they converted it to a den in the mid-70s so I started with the requisite brown paneling and very creepy, dark closet space. On the one hand, one full wall of the office (a full 20′ span) was closets which seemed great for storage. But, on the other, the closets were 4′ deep (so deep as to be unproductive), and made the office’s one window look dramatically off center, plus they meant I couldn’t put any furniture along one full wall. Added to all that, they were really dark and creepy and would have been a nightmare to paint. (The ceilings in my office are 13′ high, and the closets went all the way up, paneled both inside and out.)

So, my first step was to pull out the closets and pull down the paneling. Even with lots of help, these two tasks took about two weeks. Then, the whole office was painted a cream color–ceiling and walls. I really like that the color is light and airy, but warmer than white. On the downside, I chose a matte because the walls are in rough condition (which was probably why the original owners had added the paneling!) and so the effect is a bit darker than I’d hoped.

Here’s what the office looked like once the painting was done. (Yowzas–that is one gigantic mess!)

The day after painting was complete

You can see the new carpet in the photo, too, but what you can’t see is that I left the original (filthy) Berber carpet on the stairs… When the room was a garage, it had concrete stairs going out of the garage and into the house. When they installed the Berber carpet, they glued it down to the stairs. After having tackled lots of other projects in the house, I was convinced the carpet was going to be a nightmare to get off the stairs (whenever possible, the original homeowners used the strongest glue they could find–which was great for longevity, but made removal… not so great). So, I left it. For about six months.

Then, Jessica Zee came for a client meeting about her website. Other than the eyesore stairs, my office was in “pretty good” shape. But, she knew it could be better. So, she challenged me to shape things up and make the office reflect my style as a designer.

She suggested I start with those horrible stairs, and as soon as she left, I decided to see how hard it would be to take off. And I started pulling. And yanking. And a day later, the carpet was completely off the stairs. (My hands were also covered in blisters. It’s such a good thing I’m not a regular mani-pedi girl.)

Alas, under the carpet, the concrete stairs were in worse shape than I’d anticipated. They’re *really* uneven (to the point where part of a step is missing–I always wondered why I slipped if I stepped on that stair wrong, and now I know–there was no concrete under the carpet in that spot, just air!). Also, prior to the Berber carpet, the stairs had been covered first in glued-down carpet and then in glued-down carpet padding. I got up as much of it as I could, but eventually was doing more harm than good and so I figured I’d let the paint hide the rest of the flaws.

Of course, little did I know that painting concrete stairs was going to require TEN coats of various products. (Which meant nearly 20 days that the stairs couldn’t be walked on.) But that’s a story for part two of this home office makeover.

But, there’s another benefit to building your own wood home office furniture that goes way beyond saving money or getting to use the saw… You can customize it. I don’t know about you, but when I spend a pretty penny on a new piece of furniture, I’m always afraid to change it (the same is definitely not true of the pieces I pick up from the thrift store–stay tuned for a tutorial on faux gold leafing a chair to see just how irreverent I am when a piece isn’t brand new and pricey). Plus, often times the size is just off enough to be annoying–like, when you have 32″ for an entry bench, but can only find a bench that’s 18″.

So, being able to choose all your own colors, modify the size to fit your space, and getting solid wood furniture for the cost of materials? Sign me up!

What’s more, Ana regularly features projects her readers have made which means you get to see just how doable those projects are (especially since many of her readers are first-time furniture builders).

And she has a wide variety of plans perfect for your office space. Here are my favorites. (All images from Pottery Barn or West Elm.)

Secretary

A secretary desk is the perfect solution for small offices (or offices that are on display, like those in living rooms or bedrooms), and this one is no exception. Though I love it in PBs white, I think it’d also look smashing in navy or eggplant, with a brighter color on the inside. Though the PB hardware is lovely, it would also look sweet with something a little fancier.

Get Ana’s plans and materials list here.

Project Table

In Ana’s plan, she adds a drawer to the desktop so that you can easily store pens and other desk stuff, which is such a smart idea. See, building it yourself lets you make sure that your home office furniture suits your needs perfectly instead of having to compromise.

Get Ana’s plans, including materials list, here.

Apex Bookshelf

This bookshelf is lovely with its sleek, modern lines, but what I especially like is the way it’s so airy looking–it won’t overwhelm a small space the way a more solid bookcase might. Plus, I priced the supplies at my local Home Depot and it’s really inexpensive to build–well under $50. (Though that’ll vary by market.)

Check out Ana’s plans here.

What’s your favorite?

Beware: you’ll spend quite a long time on Ana’s site if you have any interest in building home office furniture. So, now that I’ve warned you, why not visit Knock Off Wood and choose your favorites?