Thursday, October 28, 2010

Love The One You're With- Emily A. Clark

I am so excited to share with you the next post in the "Love The One You're With Post". Emily, from Emily A. Clark, is one of the sweetest bloggers you could ever hope to meet. I was thrilled to meet her in New York, then we shared a cab back to our hotel and it wasn't a ride I will soon forget! I know I have said this before but I swear we could have been life long friends....

I'm really loving Marianne's idea for this series. So many times, it's easy for us (especially those of us who love design!) to focus on what still needs to be done instead of all that we've accomplished and enjoy about our own homes. In other words, I'm glad Marianne is forcing me to be positive for a day instead of adding to my wish list and scrutinizing every last detail of my own decor.

So, on that note, I'll share the one space in our home that I am currently enjoying most--our home office. It's tucked away downstairs, and was one of the main selling points for me when I first looked at our floorplan.

I loved the idea of having a space where I could "escape" away from the chaos of the rest of the house. And, while the process of decorating it was a slow one, I made a plan, took my time and used colors and pieces that really felt like "me."
I started by repainting this campaign dresser (a thrift store find) a bright kelly green. I've always been so drawn to color, especially painted furniture, and thought this would be a stylish storage solution.
The wall above it also gave me an opportunity to display some of my favorite family photographs. I am not the world's best at actually printing photos and having them framed, but this wall makes me happy every time I look at it.
Not only do I love a brightly painted piece of furniture, but I also have a thing for "happy" fabrics. This one is called "Wilmington" by Covington and gave the space a much needed dose of pattern against the dark gray walls.
And, finally, I love the big Expedit bookcase (from IKEA). It has a really clean look with tons of storage for my favorite books, design magazines, etc. Even if I don't have time to read them, it's nice to be surrounded by them.

Thanks to Marianne for the opportunity to be on her wonderful blog. I had the chance to meet her last month in NYC and she is just as sweet as she is beautiful. I could've spent hours talking to her. Unfortunately, most of our time consisted of a 30-minute cab ride together that ended with me leaving my phone in the backseat. But, that's another story, for another day. . .

Now that is one talented blogger! I am dying over that office- the gray, the green, the curtains, the storage. Love, Love, Love. Thank you Emily for being part of this series!!!! If you haven't yet, be sure to check out Emily A. Clark!

22 comments:

Red Door Home said...

A very pretty space. I also agree about focusing on all that we have accomplished rather than looking at what still need to be done. It is easy so easy to start looking at the next project when we should be enjoying the one we just finished.

Connie @ Sogni e Sorrisi said...

You know I love your office, Emily! And your floorplan looks fab.

René said...

A great idea for a series and a nice reminder to stop dwelling on the to do list.

-Rene

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Love Emily's office, and how funny, I just posted our floor plan yesterday. A trend?! Janell

Splendid Sass said...

Wow! Beautiful office.
Thanks for sharing, Marianne.
Teresa

paula said...

looks beautiful! love the campaign dresser.

JMW said...

What great color combos! Love what she's done.

Rachael Sedory said...

Im dying over this space!!! Amazing!

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

looove it! especially that green dresser!

Unknown said...

Emily's office is gorgeous and I totally agree about appreciating what you already have- it's hard not to just see all that you still want to do when you look at a room. I posted pics of my living room today on my blog for the same reason- I'm happy with it:)
I love love the green dresser in Emily's officce- also loving the layout of her house (wish I had a little escape room like that,) the dark walls, and amazing curtain fabric- love a great pattern. Thanks for sharing!

Danielle Oakey Interiors said...

i feel the same way, always doing, always changing! Its nice to take a step back and enjoy your work. Fantastic job on the office, that green dresser is my favorite part :)

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Great post!! I'm dying to have an office/studio space, so I'm envious. It's decorated beautifully, and gotta love IKEA and their storage solutions. But, what I'm taking away most from this post is to dwell on the positive. As a perfectionist I'm constantly seeing what needs to be done and what hasn't been done perfectly, so I love switching it up and saying hey, that looks pretty good:)

Kathysue said...

Love this series of post,Marianne! Great idea!! Emily is a fav of mine, love her blog and her get to it enthusiasm to get things done tastefully and on a budget. Her office is a great example of that. So cool and fresh and so Today!! Kathysue

Mona thompson said...

This is a really wonderful space. You are preaching to the choir here. I need the reminder to appreciate things and not be in a constant change mode. Blogging exposes me to so many things that I am constantly changing my mind when it comes to decorating for myself. Fortunately I don't do that with clients.

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Love Emily. She is so sweet as you said and very talented. Great post!

xo,
cristin

Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design said...

Love this series and I still love Emily's office! She did such a great job!

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

So fun that you two got to meet in person! Wish I could've been there to meet you both!

Happy weekend!
Linsey

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

I never get tired of looking at Emily's office. Her wall color is gorgeous, the green on that dresser really pops and the rug and gallery wall are just amazing!

Alex {Things That Sparkle} said...

your office looks absolutely gorgeous! love the pop of kelly green

sugar said...

That's my exact floor plan : ) Love these!

Angela said...

I love those white lamps. Where did you get them?

Unknown said...

Lovely color choice on the green dresser. Do you know what exact color you used and the kind of paint you got?

Thanks
Hannah