Are you working from home wishing your work space was a little more motivating?
Come see inside the walls of four of my favourite artists and influencers to get some ideas for sassing up your space.
So, as a vast percentage of the global population has been sent to work from home. I have been thinking about what that looks like for a lot of us and how that is impacting our motivation and mental health.
Lots of you are already well equipped to work at home as you usually would, some of you (me included) have never had the luxury of working from home and maybe some of you just need an injection of inspiration to revive your work spaces.
As I was searching on Insta and Pinterest. I came across extremely styled, "white" spaces. If this is your jam- you have the world of social media at your feet. However, if this is your worst bore-snore nightmare, then this post is for you.
Maybe you have been in isolation for a little too long if you don't recognise this name- Hattie Stewart is a London based artist who catapulted to fame with her unique redesigns of magazine publications and advertising campaigns. She has worked for some monumental players in the game such as Adidas, GQ, Mac Cosmetics, Playboy and House of Holland. Click here for her Instagram page to find out more.
As a fellow creative, this space fills me with joy and inspiration. The space appears as an extension of the artists mind and creative flow. It's personal, it's colourful, it is not what you would usually see if you Pinterest searched "desk decor".
I chose to feature Hattie's space because, for me, it is real. It isn't conforming to what will get the most likes on Instagram- it is personal, functional, creative and fun. Although, this is not everyones cup of tea, you can still find inspirational elements to apply to your own space. For example, the use of plants, great natural light, not being afraid to be messy, the use of textiles to soften the space and colour blocking. Another tip is to put your own work on show- the work you are most proud of. This will act as a motivator in-between those coffee moments!
Sarah Akwisombe is an Influencer, Business Woman, Feminist, Mumma & Stylist Queen from Croydon, London. She is my Beyoncé! Originally starting out as a blogger and interiors obsessive, her followers sky rocketed. I have been in her audience from the earlier stages and have been an admirer of her style ever since.
The images below are from a blog post (find it here) she wrote on styling your workspace with 'Command' products. I haven't use the products and promoting isn't what this post is about, but appazza they are good for those of you who are renting and still want to put things on your walls without causing damage. Anyway, anyway- I chose to feature this space because it is super stylish and easy to recreate at home.
I also featured this space because it would not be expensive to implement and could also be more of a temporary solution for those who won't be needing to work at home after this corona vibe is a distant memory.
Elements I love in this space include the motivational print - hells bells, we could all use those right now; the wire wall grid for amazing flexibility and the decorative touches that make the space fun and unique such as the hand figure and the light.
Psst: INSIDER STYLE TRICK -
Creating different heights on a flat surface gives the space attractive focal points. Piling up your favourite books as Sarah has done here is not only useful, but also a great way to add height. Take it to the next level by adding a little something to sit on top. It could be a plant, a light, or a photo frame with a picture of a happy memory to boost those serotonin levels.
3. @tlee79
Now, I have to give a special shout out to Tamara Lee, a DIY & Design lover that I happily discovered during my insta hashtag search for #homeofficedecor. When I searched, I found pages and pages of delicately styled, white desk spaces that look like a product of a magazine shoot. All very lovely, but without unique character, without functionality and all a clone of one another. Again, if this IS your jam then keep on insta scrollin' baby- however, I am elated that the below image jumped out at me and gave faith that we aren't all living in some insta-clone-void.
That said, this space IS styled, IS functional and IS beautiful. It is also full of character and I bloody love it! I am a sucker for a dark interior. The way Tamara has painted the walls in blocked monochrome is gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. This woman knows how to coordinate doesn't she?!! Matching smaller elements such as her telephone and mousemat, to the chest on the far side of the room works so well. She has used the bold colour against the monochrome background to create focal points that pop- yasss!! And can we please mention that light fitting- J'adore!!
Okay so maybe your thinking "woah mamma this is a little too much for me" and that is okay! For the faint-decor-hearted, there are so many elements of this space that you can translate into your new, personalised work space. Those being- 'zoning' your desk space with a rug. 'Zoning' is interior jargon for creating a way to separate an area within a room. Thus creating a sense of structure and grounding. Also here we see a really fun desktop background- "shoulda woulda coulda" may not be your thaaang, but if you are home working, choose something fun and up-lifting. Rotate it every now and then so your brain associates working on your computer with happiness and fun.
Clearly, Tamara has put a lot of effort and thought into this space and this can't be created instantly, but I have included this space because maybe some of you want to create a home office that will way out-live this Voldemort virus. Perhaps you have some spare paint knocking around the house and want to be inspired into creating something similar in your home. Do it guys!! The time is now :)
4. @melody.ggg
Next we are epitomising creativity in your work space. Enter Melody.G. artist, friend and all around dream babe. Melody works in a variety of media. She is a painter, pattern designer, jewellery maker, model babe and writer. She is one of those annoying people that are so talented in everything she artistically puts her mind to, but also one of the nicest sweethearts in the globe so you can't even be mad at her! Check out her online studio here- click click.
I have chosen to feature Melody's work space because it is so free, super inspiring, minimal in styling, but beautiful in execution. You may wonder why I say 'minimal'- & that is because, she has simply got what she needs to work and not a lot more. Her work itself is the decor, inspiration and motivation. She has a bold lamp, her laptop, some paints and some plants. Sometimes we can over-think styling a space and here, Melody has just used what she needs to create.
Recreating this in your home is probably the easiest. Whilst you may not be an artist with beautiful paintings surrounding you- you can swap out the art for personal items such as photographs, magazine prints, record covers, textiles etc- the space will soon build up and be full of colour and vibrance, ready for you to smash those work goals!
Side Note - This is not a ad, or a plug, but of course as we all know small businesses and creatives are feeling the financial brunt of this Voldemort virus. Melody is currently taking on digital commissions to try and help the ol' financial flow. So if you want some fresh digital art in your home, or would like to support the 'Melody needs to survive' fund- check her work out and make contact on the links provided- thank you!
SO, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT GUYS??
1. Home offices do not need to be boring. The more effort we put into creating our little working areas, the better it is for our mental connection to the space. Breaking it down- if it is boring, we will not want to be there. Easy.
2. You can easily create an inspirational space with what you already have in your homes- move some furniture around, grab a spare rug, put up some prints and photographs, add a couple of plants. You've got this!
3. Functionality is key! This post isn't about making your space the most liked photo on Instagram- it is about what works for you. There is no point in over-styling your space so that you have a tinie-tiny area to actually work in. Make sure you can access what you need first and add styling elements second.
4. Less about the space, more about you - do not forget the self care! Take regular breaks, have lots of water, keep washing your hands and staying safe.
If you need any advise on styling your space, feel free to message! I have a little time on my hands right now :)
Stay safe guys xx
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