Must Haves for My Desk

It doesn't matter how many times I clean off my desk and try to remove the clutter, there are always some desk must haves that stick around. Here are a few of my essentials to keep me going:

via annixen

A cute pencil/pen holder is a must have. I need easy access to write or sketch out my thoughts and something simple like this is a perfect match for my desk. 

via letterlovedesigns on etsy

Although I love sticky notes, sometimes the clutter of sticky notes everywhere gets on my last nerves! Having on spot to jot all my notes down is much easier for me, especially when I can close the notebook for the day and have a pretty cover to look at!

via jasminedowling 

With most of my schedule and events kept in google calendar it's not as necessary for me to have a place to write down what I need to do on a calendar but I love having one to look at just as a reference. I think sometime's I'd be lost if I didn't have a calendar staring at me!

via pinterest

And last but not least, I need something pretty to look at! Since I spend most of my days at my desk, I need it to be a spot that I love to be at. Sometimes it's a picture, a plant, or even something as simple as a fun lamp. Anything to make me smile while I'm in the middle of working. I always have pictures of the pups in my life on pretty gold frames on my desk. You never know where your inspiration will come from.

via Lonny

The desk itself matters too.  I like a lot of clear surface space.

via Lonny

What are your must-haves for your desk?

Have Fun with Lighting

I have a love/hate relationship with lighting. When it's done right, I love it. When it's done even a little bit wrong, I hate it. Let's not even get into how much most of it costs. It's easy to let lighting be an after thought when we're mostly so focused on furnishings and room layout. A lot of the time I have trouble even considering lighting until most of my room is put together. The good news is is that there is an endless selection of lighting styles out there to find a piece that not only matches your space, but can really take center stage and make a positive contribution to the room. You can make it a talking piece of your space or use it to add a little color!

via houzz

If you are starting from scratch and need to locate all of your lighting fixtures, there are tons or retailers online and with showrooms to find what you need. One example is homebase lighting. Homebase is a leading home enhancement retailer selling amazing finds for your home and garden. I particularly love their Habitat Lighting section!

I'm a sucker for lighting in unexpected places - like this chandelier over the island.

via House Beautiful

Between the options of ceiling fixtures, floor lamps, decorative lamps, pendants, and outdoor lighting the options can make the task of choosing daunting.  That's why I allow my room to make the decision for me.  Of course, if you find a lamp or fixture you absolutely love,  the room will follow.

Of course, your lighting doesn't need to scream either, a chic little piece can do it's job well in the background.
via Lonny

There are a few things to consider when selecting your lighting, like how much natural light is in the room, how much light you'll need at night, and where you will need direct lighting and ambient lighting. If you already have enough light in the room adding a fixture or lamp for decorative features can be a little more flexible. 

via BHG

You can really go dramatic in the dining room because you don't have to worry about people hitting their heads!
via Adore Home

Don't forget to be a little creative! You can get get a hollow glass lamp and fill it with something fun or meaningful. This gives you complete control of the final look and style for your space. Just because you need a little light in a room doesn't mean it has to be purely utilitarian - make it something worth looking at too!

via houzz

This post is in partnership with homebase.co.uk

Chic goodies for sprucing up the place...

Flipping through my latest issue of House Beautiful, I was stopped in my tracks when I spotted a page dedicated to favorite housewares under $25. I especially noticed this 18" Quatro Table Lamp - lamps are so expensive! But this lamp, which you can find at mxyplyzyk, is only $25! Check out more of their cool stuff...
The $25 lamp!


I adore this retro side table...

And this magazine rack/table is genius





...an awesome way to put those grocery bags to use, a clothespin frame turns them into a garbage can.



I really need one of these - a dual timer - because I have trouble monitoring more than one pot at a time.


317 U for me!

This reminds me of a project I did in a glass-blowing class in college, where I made tons of glass pepsi cans from a plaster cast.

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Even better for you guys - they also have sales on goods for your home!

Be sure to sign up and take a peek at the awesome deals they have on goodies from Artecnica! Here's just a sample of what you'll find:




MIDSUMMER LAMP SHADE Sale price $39 original price $90

* Hanging lamp shade
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* The recipient of multiple design awards and featured in countless leading publications, Midsummer Light is destined to become a design classic
* Maximum lamp rating is 60 watt
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* Dimensions (in inches): 30" H X 18" diameter
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* Magically transform any room into a fantasy shadow gardens of delights
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* Dimensions (in inches): 12.5" H X 12" diameter
* We expect to ship this item within 10 business days after end of sale

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* Dimensions (in inches): 42 W x 96 H
* We expect to ship this item within 10 business days after end of sale




Clocks: Sale price $29 Original price $55

* 12" diameter
* We expect to ship this item within 10 business days after end of sale

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A surprising resource for home decorating (and it's on sale!)

I go through a novel a week commuting to and from work on the train, and I usually procure my literary enjoyment through Barnes and Noble. Little did I know they had such an extensive collection of home decor and small furniture goods until they sent me an email announcing their 20% off spring sale on their home collection. It's worth a look if you need things for your home office and or library.

Love these mini white vases

the very cool invisible bookshelf


I have a retro minimalist clock similar to this and I love it

This interesting vase/bowl/platform is called liquid cardboard - is recycled and recyclable, and you can shape it.







Kate Spade paper - I love her colors

Some home decor favorites

Crate and Barrel is a great furniture manufacturer, and I've heard from a lot of people (even carpenters), that if you can't afford to go custom, than go Crate and Barrel. The quality is consistently great, and the price is what you'd pay for some not-so-great quality furniture from similar companies. They also have clean design - which is a major plus!--okay, a major necessity!

I *love* the Windham writing desk in white! It's so clean and pretty!

A Crate & Barrel classic - the very cool Ona pitcher

I really really want these cushions in white! I want to put two side by side and use them as a headboard. Anyone know where I can find them in white?

A retro cool toaster from Bodum. Bodum is in my building and they had a sample sale last week, but sadly - and as usual, I had no cash

Bamboo dish racks are the best by far. I love mine cause I just fold it up flat and put it in a cupboard when I'm done. Unfortunately it's falling apart - but this would make a lovely replacement!


This pretty Optic sea glass lamp is only $89, and comes in three colors! This would be great for anyone with a coastal theme going on.

My new favorites...

from CB2. Sometimes CB2 is a little too modern and "sterile" for me, but I really like the clean design of their products. I think that if used in the right doses they could really blend in beautifully to a wide range of decor styles. How about you?








Go to CB2 to see more.
All images cropped and formatted by Decorology