Tips of the Trade: 5 Tips To Work Design Into Your Workspace With Paper and Stitch
Whether your workspace is where you answer emails, pay bills, or do crafts, it should be the area of your home or office that inspires you to be productive, creative, or to get stuff done. That may mean painting a wall an invigorating statement color, or positioning your table to face a window or favorite artwork. Maybe it’s just a modern vase of fresh-cut flowers or one funky succulent. We asked Brittni Mehlhoff of the DIY and design blog. Paper and Stitch what her top tips are when it comes to bringing her workspace to life.
1. Textiles!
If you only do one thing to brighten up your workspace – or any space for that matter– add a few textiles. A statement rug, a few bold pillows, and a vintage throw can go a long way in making a room look and feel complete.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
KitchenAid Artisan Series Yellow 5 Quart Stand Mixer With Accessories
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K Enameled Champagne Bottle Charm
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K Rectangular Drop Link Earrings
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Elizabeth Lincoln for Rookwood Pottery Floral Design Ceramic Vase, 1930
2. Mix and Match.
Mixing different styles, patterns, colors, and textures in a room (strangely enough!) can make it look more cohesive and put-together. The only rule here is that it has to be done with intention. Find an underlying element (color palette, shapes, scale, etc.) that ties everything together to make the mix-and-match process cohesive.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Henredon Houndstooth-Upholstered English Roll-Arm Easy Chair
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Grey Iron Casting Co. "Queen" Cast Iron Miniature Reproduction Toy Stove
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
18K White Sapphire Cluster Earrings
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Walter Stomps Abstract Geometric Acrylic Painting "Galactic Border No. 1"
3. Add Something Unexpected.
Life is too short to take yourself too seriously, so why not make it fun with something a bit unexpected? I always look for at least one thing to include in a room that makes me smile or laugh. In this case, it’s a beehive basket that I converted into a planter.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
English Cut Glass Decanters with Sterling Silver Rims and Decanter Tags, 1930s
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
French Miniature Tea Service and Dinnerware with Presentation Case
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Dee Sudbury Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting Of Flower Field, Late 20th C.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Drexel Custom-Painted and Parcel-Gilt Media Armoire, Late 20th Century
4. Bring It On, Nature!
Natural materials, like wood, rattan, rope, etc. are great for warming up a space in a jiffy.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
1950s Rhinestone Miriam Haskell Brooch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Watson Sterling Baby Utensils with Floral Motif and Dog Portrait
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Mahogany-Stained X-Back Armchair, Manner of Barbara Barry
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
18K Lattice Pendant Necklace
5. Plant one on me.
Bringing plants into a space is one of the quickest ways to make it feel bright and cozy. Bonus: Plants also help to purify the air and in some cases, even reduce stress. What’s not to love?
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
N. Ming Stylized Oil Portrait, 21st Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Jack Meanwell Abstract Oil Pastel Drawing, Late 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Large Louis XV Style Painted Trumeau Mirror
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash