Design Advice: Lackluster Law Office

The decor in law offices is typically about as exciting as you would expect – tan walls, wood furniture, lots of files and papers.  Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get a ficus.

Back in my lawyerly days I was mentored by an awesome attorney, one of the smartest chicks I know.  She recently switched firms and wound up in this glamorous office.

But there is a bright side – her firm actually encourages the lawyers to decorate their offices.  Imagine my delight when I got an email from my former mentor asking for a little design advice!!

Although she really wanted fun colors like hot pink, lime green and orange, she worried that such vibrant colors might be too much for a law office – so she requested a variety of options, some including the fun colors and others with more traditional “office” colors like warm reds, greens and tans.  Keeping a “traditional but not stuffy” design scheme in mind, her only other requests were for a lamp, some artwork and new, matching in/out boxes.

Design Quickies don’t usually include 10 options – not gonna lie, I got a little carried away!!  If you have the strength, check out the different goodies I whipped up for her:

Option 1: artwork 1, artwork 2, artwork 3, artwork 4, artwork 5, artwork 6, frames, lamp, shelves, trays (from See Jane Work, no longer available - try this or this instead).

The artwork in this design is a more affordable, somewhat DIY version of a very popular set of art from Crate & Barrel, as well as Ballard Designs.

{ You’ll notice that these floating shelves make an appearance in each design – they are super long and will look awesome on that long wall by the bookcase.  I would stagger them so that the upper shelf extends over the bookcase a bit, and the lower shelf is scooted to the left (towards the door) at least two feet.  That way there will be room to lean diplomas, add a narrow vase, personal photos, a book, etc. }

Option 2: artwork 1, artwork 2, artwork 3, artwork 4, frames, lamp, shelves, trays.

Option 3: artwork, lamp (from Target, out of stock – try this, this or this instead), shelves, trays.

{ This print is a steal as compared to an almost identical print from Ballard Designs. }

Option 4artwork 1, artwork 2, lamp, shelves, trays (from See Jane Work, no longer available- try this or this instead).

Option 5: bull dog artwork, basset hound artwork, lamp, shelves, trays.

{ Disclaimer: I definitely didn’t expect her to pick this option, but when I came across these quirky prints I just had to concoct a little design with them in honor of her bull dog and beagle pups. }

Option 6: artwork, lamp, shelves, trays.

Option 7: artwork 1, artwork 2, lamp, shelves, trays.

Option 8: artwork, lamp (base & shade sold separately), shelves, trays.

{ The Bed Bath & Beyond artwork is a an affordable alternative to the Z Gallerie piece. }

Option 9: artwork, lamp, shelves, trays.

Option 10: artwork, lamp (from Target, out of stock- try this, this or this instead), shelves, trays.

Whew!  Still with me after all that?  If you were redecorating your office, which option would you choose?  And speaking of offices, what’s your office situation?  Do you work from home, from a cube, from a corner office?  Or maybe your office days are behind you?  Do tell!!

Click on the following link to snag some design advice of your very own – Interior Design Services.

Highlights: Inspiration Tuesday

Hey guys!  It’s time for a little eye-candy from yesterday’s Inspiration Tuesday blog party.

As much as I enjoy Jeff Lewis’ total freakouts, half the reason I watch Flipping Out is for some serious design inspiration.  Turns out Averill of Odi et Amo feels the same way!  She featured some really gorgeous interiors from Ryan Brown, Jeff Lewis’ business partner – and I’m totally in love with this living room!!

California Casual

Seriously, you should check out the rest of Brown’s designs on Averill’s blog – you’ll dig’em, I promise!

And then we’ve got that gorgeous dining room transformation from Christy of A Lil’ Welsh Rarebit. She took this ho-hum dining room . . .

Highlights: Inspiration Tuesday

and turned it into a stunning, playful space.  I’m ready for my dinner invitation, what about you?

Highlights: Inspiration Tuesday

Find out all about Christy’s new dining room, from the lovely furniture to those sassy plates, right here.

Thanks for the inspiration, I can’t wait to see what everybody comes up with next week!

Design Advice: Tiffany’s Tasty Kitchen

Oh goodness, I just love a great kitchen makeover!!  When Tiffany wrote in for a little advice in pulling her kitchen together, I jumped at the chance to whip up a design board for Tiffany and her hubby.  Here’s what she had to say:

Hello!  I just found your blog and I must say, your home is gorgeous!  I love love LOVE your kitchen and den!  My husband and I are actually in the process of redoing our kitchen, we just purchased new countertops and are in the process of picking out paint colors for our walls and cabinets.  My question is, where did you get your backsplash, or, do you have any advice on a backsplash that would look nice with these color countertops . . . Also, if you’re so inclined, I’d love your advice on paint colors (our appliances are white and the floors will be a dark wood).  Thanks SO much!  ~ Tiffany

Before I fill you guys in on all the design quickie-goodness, here’s what this lovely couple is currently working with (minus the scalloped trim, mismatched trim and tired flooring):

Design Advice: Tiffany's Tasty Kitchen

Design Advice: Tiffany's Tasty Kitchen

Design Advice: Tiffany's Tasty Kitchen

Eeek, I’m so excited!!  Talk about great bones, with oodles of ceiling-height cabinets – I’m drooling!!  The look that Tiffany is going for is sophisticated yet comfortable, kind of a Restoration Hardware feel.  You’ll notice that most of the designs that I’ve come up with incorporate mosaic tiles, which add a layer of texture and interest to the kitchen which is really a nice contrast to the flat cabinet fronts.  Okay, here we go!!

Tiffany initially suggested this burnt orange paint color for the walls with off-white cabinets, but was at a loss as to what do to for the backsplash.  Take a look at this warm and inviting kitchen that I whipped up, taking into account her suggestions:

Tasty Kitchen - Option 1

[FYI: the paint colors may vary slightly due to your computer monitor, so be sure to check out the paint chips in person!!]

~ Wall Color: Onandaga Clay, Benjamin Moore

~ Cabinet Color: 1812 Swiss Coffee, Behr

~ Backsplash: SOHO BLEND ™ – Kaleidoscope ® Colorways ™ Mosaic Blends, $9.95 per 1.15 square foot

~ Drawer Pulls: Liberty Satin Nickel Stepped Pulls, $34.99 for 8 pulls

~ Cabinet Knobs: Liberty Satin Nickel Stepped Knobs, $27.99 for 8 knobs

Tiffany’s next option has a completely different feel and is chic, sophisticated and airy, with white cabinets, a shimmering glass backsplash and sleek hardware.  This look would be fabulous with glass canisters on the countertop and silver accents.  While the glass tile is a tad on the expensive side, the effect that it will give the kitchen is priceless.

Tasty Kitchen - Option 2

~ Wall Color: 700E-3 Contemplation, Behr

~ Cabinet Color: W-B-600 Luster White, Behr

~ Backsplash: Easygoing; $15.95 per 0.949 square foot

~ Drawer Pulls: Amerock Manor Pull; $5.97 each

~ Cabinet Knobs: Amerock Manor Knob, Raised Square; $3.97

This stunner incorporates a lot of the same elements as the second kitchen design – white cabinets and sleek hardware, complemented by glass tile.  But in this scenario, the glass tile is much more earthy and is set off by olive walls, and also picks up on the wood tones in the flooring.  I like to think of it as a more neutral, yet equally interesting, version of the very first design.

Tasty Kitchen - Option 3

~ Wall Color: 760D-5 Shortgrass Prairie, Behr

~ Cabinet Color: W-B-600 Luster White, Behr

~ Backsplash: Ivory Iridescent Glass Mosaic Tile; $8.99 per square foot

~ Drawer PullsAmerock Manor Pull; $5.97 each

~ Cabinet KnobsAmerock Manor Knob, Raised Square; $3.97

And last but not least, Tiffany’s final option is casual and understated, with a backsplash in a classic (and totally affordable) white subway tile, updated with black grout for a little pop and interest.  The neutral walls will complement the sand-colored countertops, and the steel blue cabinets provide a great contrast with the more subtle colors in the space.  Finally, the sturdy satin nickel hardware will add a little oomph to the flat cabinetry.

Tasty Kitchen - Option 4

~ Wall Color: 730C-1 White Clay, Behr

~ Cabinet Color: 740E-3 Prelude, Behr

~ Backsplash: 3 x 6 glossy white ceramic tiles; Home Depot has them for 21 cents a piece

~ Drawer Pulls: Belwith Satin Nickel Bungalow Pull; $4.97 each

~ Cabinet Knobs: Hickory Hardware Satin Nickel Bungalow Knob; $4.97 each

Thanks to this Design Quickie, Tiffany has four fabulous options that would look dynamite in her kitchen – all she has to do now is choose!!  I can’t wait to hear what you guys think (especially Tiffany), and go ahead and fill us all in on which plan is your favorite.

Click on the following link to snag some design advice of your very own – Interior Design Services.

This post is shared with DIY Day on A Soft Place to Land.

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