Thursday, March 6, 2014

45 UHeart Organizing: Creatively Colorful Office Styling

Today is another great example of when a little excitement paired with color creates a beautifully organized and styled space.  Say hello to Megan of Honey We're Home.  She is back today to share how she made some super simple changes in her office {which is seriously amazing by the way}, to get it back to a place that makes her want to work happy.



In my home office, I have a large white cubed bookshelf (the popular Ikea Expedit) that I love for storing books, magazines, craft supplies, and also decorative items like photos and other objects.  Like Jen mentioned in her "Too Much of A Good Thing" post recently, a bookshelf can easily become an eyesore or too visually overwhelming if you don't have an overall theme going on or too many things displayed randomly.  How you display the objects creates a "look" that can be great or messy/cluttered looking.  Originally, my office had a lot of aqua in in, so the aqua boxes you see in the picture below were perfect for storage.  But, there wasn't much cohesion in the color scheme and things looked a little random, so I reworked the bookshelves a bit.  It's always a work in progress, but here is the "before" shot from November 2013.


I'm working on a new blog design that incorporates pink, blush, gold, white, and black so I thought it was fitting to bring those colors into my office.  I started with an inspiration board in the corner of the room.  


Not wanting to spend a lot of money on new decor for the shelf, I bought two pink, white and gold polka dot cardboard boxes at Target, then made a few of my own decorative boxes with old shoeboxes and gift wrap.  



I used old boxes I had saved for this very purpose and found the wrapping paper at Target.  


I wrapped the box and lid separately to add more visual interest, and just wrapped like I would a gift, taping where needed.  



Obviously, the choices are endless when it comes to the wrapping paper you could use.  Target, The Container Store, and Home Goods have great selections. 



The box below I wrapped with large decorative paper I bought at Paper Source.  It's expensive- about $5 for a large sheet, so I use it for projects like this.  They have paper with colors and patterns that are  gorgeous and unique.  Along with wrapping the boxes, you can see in the pictures below that I wrapped the magazine holders with gift wrap from Sugar Paper.  A few of the books are wrapped with fabric too.  (p.s. I play a mean game of SATC Trivia) 



This hexagon box was found at Amazon - loved the shape - and wrapped with paper from Paper Source.  That was a difficult box to wrap!  I still don't know how I did it, just kept wrapping, cutting and taping until it was all covered and looked decent. 


I think I found the gold glittery wrapping paper and black and gold zebra paper at Home Goods.  The glittery paper was really messy though.  



There is still a "lot going on" but it's more cohesive now with the colors I had in mind. I'd like to add more books and that bottom row can probably be expanded all the way- it holds my old Oprah magazines (I've been a subscribers since the first issue) and I have more to put in there.  I kept a few of the aqua boxes to keep the bookshelf from becoming too "sugary", but since this space is mine, it can be pretty girly.  I love that it's so easy to create the look you want (and add storage) with old shoeboxes and wrapping paper!  Inside my boxes are things like craft punches, paint chip samples, chip board pieces, and foam paper.  If you have any questions, I'll be back responding to comments.  

Thanks for having me Jen, I appreciate you and your readers! 


"My name is Megan and I am a lawyer by day, design and decor lover by night, and Mama to the sweetest 2-year old boy you've ever seen. I'm passionate about fitness (and chocolate!) and could not live without my relationships, girl talk, and my morning coffee. I've been blogging for two years over at Honey We're Home, sharing my love of keeping things organized and beautiful at our house. My efforts to live in the moment and cook more are an adventure in progress."

45 comments:

  1. Where did you get the Hello Sunshine print? So cute!

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    1. That is a greeting card - I think I ordered it from Rifle Paper Co.

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    2. I would love to know as well! I love that!!

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    3. I found it...I think! http://riflepaperco.com/item/Hello_Sunshine_Card/376

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  2. I don't know how you do it Megan. Every time I try to jazz up a box by wrapping it in paper I always end up with holes in the corners (does that make sense?). Your office looks gorgeous. Are you planning on getting a new table in there since the other one is now in your entryway?

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    1. I moved the table back up to my office, just out of the way for the picture! It was just too useful in there!

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  3. I love the look of her shelves. I am so sad they are discontinuing the Expedit. Why, IKEA? WHY?!!!!
    www.styleoyster.blogspot.com

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    1. Well, the 'new' expedit looks the SAME to me! I don't understand Ikea! ;)

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    2. I am sad too that they are discontinuing the EXPEDIT. This post makes me want to race out and buy more before stocks dwindle. I'm not keen on the new version because the outside edges are a lot thinner and it doesn't look as 'designer'/'trendy' to me. I worry that the new versions won't be able to take as much weight either. Ours has to withstand a lot!

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  4. This is such a beautiful bookshelf! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous inspiration Megan!

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  5. Where did you find the large "I love you blogs and coffee" print? Love it!

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  6. Yikes! The space is very organized and I'm sure it's practical. But there is just way too much going on! The colors and patterns look like they belong in a teen girl's bedroom. Jen, your post about taking your studio down a notch rang so true for me. Simplify. Pretty and easy on the eyes is the way to go.

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  7. This would be great for my sewing room. Thanks :)

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  8. So beautiful!
    To Morgan S. Please tell me you are kidding when you say ikea is discontinuing the expedit!

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  9. So many colours and so many things going on, it just hurts my eyes. If toned down a lot it might be really good.

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  10. Also, the magazine holders are by Rifle Paper, not Sugar Paper- oops!

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  11. I love all the colors! Who wouldn't be cheerful working in that organized, colorful office. Just lovely.

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  12. I need to update my profile! My son just turned 4!!! and I have a fitness blog too: www.honeywerehealthy.blogspot.com :)

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  13. So wonderfully organized, colorful and happy! I could live in Megan's office. Such a fun room. Love the gold heart.

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  14. Hmm, wrapping paper? It's a great idea! ♥

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  15. Megan you're office looks great! It looks very organized and real. I think too often I see pictures of a posed office and wonder where all the stuff is for projects and just every day craft or office use. I think your office is a great balance.

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    1. Thank you! I try to find a good balance. I have a "jewelry stand" that also houses craft supplies too, I posted it on Jen's blog here if you want a peek: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/02/uheart-organizing-creative-and.html

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  16. I think this might be my dream shelf! I adore everything! Never thought to wrap boxes in paper (duh!) That is so much less expensive than buying all new ones each time I change my decor. Genius! <3

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  17. Wow, this looks so great. I need more storage in my office and love the idea of bringing it all together by covering things in coordinating wrapping paper. Genious!

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    1. Thanks Mimi! I still want to label the boxes- makes it easier than trying to remember what's inside.

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  18. where did you get the blue desk organizing type containers for your note cards and tape? I would love to get something like that for my office. Great space

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    1. That is a "wrapping station" from Home Depot and it comes with those compartments. It also comes in white.

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  19. This was a great post! I have similar shelves in my study and it's a space I just don't love at the moment. I now have some great ideas to pretty it up and tie things together :-)

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  20. That's really colorful, I like it.. :) I also wrap my old shoe boxes in paper, it's so cheaper than buying fancy boxes..

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  21. I see the Home Depot wrapping station but I don't see the blue letter trays online. Did you get those from Home Depot also? Your space is beautifully organized. The colors are my faves! :)

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  22. Great space! Do you have a link to the Target polka dot boxes?

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  23. Ive just recently came across your blog and only reading 5 posts I'm in love with it! You have such amazing ideas for storage and home solutions! Totally inspirational!

    Gianni
    www.giannic.co.uk

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  24. Lovely space! I'm wondering where you got your bookplates from? I think I need those for some of my labels. :)

    Hannah

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    1. Hi Hannah! Staples carries adhesive bookplates as part of the Martha Stewart collection. I did a whole post on the topic here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/01/labeling-101-label-holders.html

      xo!

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  25. The IKEA shelve is definitely one of the best inventions they ever had in their store! Very durable and useful!

    SusanLoves...

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  26. This is EXACTLY how I want to live!
    Normally only read fashion/beauty blogs.. and then I found this!
    I really going to pin this. Wish I was so organised... I'm doing my homework as a teacher now in the living room because the study is so messy.
    I will follow!

    Greets from the Flemish part of Belgium,
    Leila (& Esther)
    http://leopardxlipstick.blogspot.be

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  27. Hi Megan! I love the post but was titillated by the wrapping storage. Could u do a post on it in more detail? Love EVERYTHING you do!

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