Thursday, January 10, 2013

56 UHeart Organizing: A Home Office to Admire

As you have already heard and learned, this month is Home Office month here at IHeart Organizing.  And if you are needed a little boost of inspiration, boy do I have that!  Ashley from 7th House on the Left is here today to share her super organized, stylish, functional and happy work place.  Swoon worthy doesn't even scratch the fabulous surface!


Since this month’s Organization Challenge is the home office, I thought I'd show you around my office space. Well, part of it anyway since my office is still a work in progress. Nevertheless, it’s been so much fun organizing as we go along.


I'm not an avid scrapbooker or crafter - so I didn't have a bunch of glue, ribbon and stickers to store. Instead, I have things like paper, greeting cards, Sharpies, binders, art prints, files, paper tape and maybe a few "craft things" here and there. After searching high and low for the perfect storage furniture, Greg and I finally bit the bullet and purchased three pieces from the Martha Stewart Living Craft Space Collection. These babies have been around for almost a year now and I love them! Greg does too because they keep me sane, haha!

Let's jump right in and start with the big guy the lives on the right side of my office window...


This piece is actually two separate pieces {the Eight-Drawer-Flat-File Cabinet and the Storage Hutch}. The top section is where I keep the stuff I need to get to on a relatively regular basis. On the inside doors of the cabinet is a chalkboard and cork board. Since I already have an inspiration board in my office, I use this little cork board for stuff on my wish list, family photos and whatnot. 


On the left side of the upper cabinet {starting on the top shelf}, I keep one of my favorite belongings - an antique camera given to be by my uncle when I was a teenager. It's fun to have a few sentimental things mixed in with the practical ones. It makes whatever you're working on more fun and easier on the eyes. Next to the camera is a small bowl with a hot glue gun and glue sticks. On the next shelf down is my craft paint stash and paint brushes. On the bottom, our three go-to binders {home maintenance, finances and blogging / Brown & Barkley} along with a utensil caddy {from Target} turned Sharpie/colored pencil caddy. The sliding tray on the bottom is filed with random odds and ends that “might make cool random art one day” or find its way to my inspiration board. I added a bookplate label {spray painted flat black} to the front of the drawer. Bookplate labels are super handy because you can change the label out whenever you want, but still have your nice pretty label in tact.

Now for the right side of the cabinet…


On the top shelf is where we keep all of our blog and Brown & Barkley related receipts. When the box gets a tad on the full side, I just file them away. I used a glass pencil holder {from Pottery Barn a few years back} for my back up paper tape collection {the ones I use daily are stored on my desk}. Clear containers for things like these are neat to use because they're so colorful and fun to look at. Next is a small collection of my favorite home design books, held up by a crazy easy DIY bookend made from a brick and some scrapbook paper. Then, I have a box {from Hobby Lobby} that holds all of our extra phone/camera/battery chargers. Finally, at the bottom is another sliding tray where I keep magazines I need to read. 


Then, we have my favorite feature of this furniture: the flat-file drawers. I simply LOVE these crazy deep drawers - 25 inches deep to be exact. Thanks to the dividers that came with the unit, there seems to be a place for everything.


In an effort to keep things tidy and organized, I labeled each drawer using my label maker.


The deep drawers really come in handy when storying our art prints and mailing supplies for Brown & Barkley. I love when it comes time to ship a print, all I have to do is open the drawer labeled "Shipping Supplies" and there's everything I need to get it out to the UPS store.

Now that we've covered every nook and cranny of the big guy, let's talk about the shorter storage cabinet


This piece isn't as deep as the other cabinet, but it still packs a bunch in the storage capacity department. This is where I keep all of my paper goodies and paper-related items like greeting cards, notepads, the printer, card stock, envelopes and so on. 


Like the sliding trays in the other unit, I added some bookplate labels to keep things nice and organized. The bins on the door are where I keep all of our greeting cards. I keep on telling myself that if I have more than what fits in those bins, I have too many. I also added bookplate labels to the sliding trays. I have one tray for card stock, one for envelopes, and one for "pretty paper scraps". They are so convenient because they pull all the way out so you can take them wherever you're working on your project. 


The large cubby is where we keep our printer. Greg drilled a small hole in the back of the cabinet for the wires. Under the printer is two baskets - one for printer ink and the other for my notebook collection. Again, I try {very hard} to tell myself if I have more than what fits in the basket, I have too many. I have a thing for notebooks, haha. 


Lastly, we have two wide drawers. This is where I keep larger paper products {like contact paper and poster board {and poster markers} and small blank canvases {that I bought like two years ago, but still haven't used!}. 

Well, there you have my office organization system. It's a work in progress, but that's the fun part - the progress! When you finally find a system that works for you, it's the best sense of accomplishment and there’s a peace of mind knowing there’s a place for everything. Thanks for letting me show you around!


"I'm Ashley from 7th House on the Left - a blog where my husband, Greg, and I talk about renovating, decorating and living in our first house here in Hanover, Virginia. I’ve been an interior design enthusiast and a long-time fan of all things organizing. Yep, I was the kid with the perfectly arranged Disney stuffed animals, alphabetized coloring books and the categorized and color-coded sticker book. When I'm not busy writing or doing projects around the house, I love classic TV shows (particularly I Love Lucy) and curling up with Greg, Bentley (our 9-pound Pomeranian), a blanket and a good black and white classic movie – I’m a complete sucker for Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant films. I'm thrilled and honored to be a part of the IHeart Organizing team and excited to get to work!"

56 comments:

  1. that is BEAUTIFUL! I'm inspired :)

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  2. I'm drooling over here!

    Such a pretty and practical space... love it!

    Thanks, Ashley, for sharing!

    (Heading over to your blog now)

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  3. Can I ask where the desk is from?

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    1. World Market - she wrote about it here: http://7thhouseontheleft.com/2012/10/upgrades-downgrades-office/

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    2. She mentioned it in another post on her blog that it was from World Market.

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  4. Beautiful space! I so need to get something like this to store my bulkier electronics!

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  5. Gorgeous space!!! I love the drawer unit & hutch:)

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  6. Oh man, those two pieces pack a punch for organization! I think i need to get some of that kind of organizational space!

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  7. This is amazing! I love the furniture!

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  8. So lovely! I share my home office with the kids toy closet. Every time I start to put up pretty things or begin to organize... the boys come in and do what boys do... Ah ;-) Maybe some day I'll be able to have a colorful, friendly, and organized workspace. Thanks for all the ideas!

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  9. Man! That's one fantastic office. I am drooling over those big cabinets and their organized insides. Thanks for the inspiration - I'm excited about getting started on reorganizing our little office corner!

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  10. Hi Jenn,
    I stopped by Barnes and Noble and picked up the BHG Storage magazine with the article about YOU inside! What a find and I'm sorry I didn't know this magazine existed. I loved the article about you and your home and organizing skills! I feel your blog is the "go to" site for me to get ideas about organizing with your positive outlook on being organized. I'm anxious to look on etsy to find your household binder. I think that's an awesome idea.
    Thanks for being such an inspiration to be organized. I love your blog!

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  11. Love those Martha Stewart cabinets and may have to bite the bullet too!

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  12. This is unrelated, but what is the paint color on the walls? It's positively gorgeous. I'm painting my house right now, and I really love that gray color! Do share!

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  13. Holy smokes, Ashley. I have total office envy. So amazing and so organized. I am swooning over those 25" drawers. I also love the idea of the washi tape in the jar. Simple and beautiful.

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  14. I just don't believe anyone has a home office this tidy! It's not real, not real I say!!
    J
    http://lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

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  15. Ack, what i would do have an organized space like that!!! Amazing. I especially love the little cups for pencils and pens, such an easy way to organize little things. Happy new year!

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  16. Love it ! compact but not small ~ the perfect compliment for our small Cape. Our home office was converted into a bedroom for our twin boys - so this is a great way to incorporate all of the bit and pieces needed. I agree - the flat file drawers are fantastic. Label me jealous ! Thanks for the ideas !

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  17. Beautiful! Love the camera accents in the cabinet! Can you please share the gray paint color and brand? It is perfect!

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  18. Hi there, recently saw this post http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2013/01/favorite-organizational-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1759741 on Centsational Girl and was wondering where you got these awesome pink labels from? Thanks!

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  19. Love it Ashley! Crisp white and flawless organization? done and done! Love it!

    Ohmygosh Jen, I have crazy news! We have to pow wow at some point but basically I need to get the most organized I've ever been in my life! ahh! Talk to you later girly!

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  20. Amazingly organised, Ashley. I bet you never, ever have to search for anything, unlike me! I've just finished our playroom, so my desk and surrounding mess are next up for a transformation - especially now I've seen how nice your work area is!

    Antonia

    http://tidyawaytoday.wordpress.com

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  21. can you share where you got the dog statue?? looks a lot like my dog :)

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  22. I LOVE Ashley's office! But I was wondering....where does she file things? Or, does she store all her paperwork electronically?

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  23. Ashley! Your office is GORGEOUS- that pink chair! And I'm drooling over all that organization! Love your style girl.

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  24. This is SO GORGEOUS. Thank you for using the names of the pieces -- I want them! My stress level would go down if I opened a cabinet drawer and it was so pretty and colorful inside. You are inspiring. And... intimidating. ;)

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  25. I love your creativity and the way you organize your house. I wish I can buy the same stuff for my house but I need to have enough space for the same. In this case however, I like your ideas and it helped me a lot. My bridal jewelry pearl and crystal sets will now have their own shelter after I organize them all. Thanks for sharing!

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  26. Wow, love the paint on your walls. What color is it? Awesome Room!

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  27. This is so so pretty! I love how all the cards are stashed!

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  28. Beautiful and very functional furniture plus amazing organizational skills equals a fantastic room, Ashley! I really like your gray and white color scheme -- so crisp and fresh!

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  29. Thanks so much everyone! Here are the answers to the questions...
    The paint color is Slate from Restoration Hardware in Subtle Velvet finish (best finish ever!). The desk is the Jackson dining table from World Market. The dog is from Home Goods.

    As far as my file storage goes... the next thing on our to-do list for my office is some storage on the back wall and that will definitely include some file storage! Though, I really want to work on transitioning to an electronic filing system - when I find the time, haha!

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    1. Where did u get that awesome chair?

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  30. The paint color is Slate by Restoration Hardware. I checked her blog! :)

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  31. This is beautiful indeed, but I would really enjoy seeing organization of a more traditional office, since that's what my family struggles with... You know, files, bills, manila folders etc.

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    1. I totally agree Danielle they are always beautiful but not every day functional.

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  32. I love this post and any thing organized and cute!

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  33. Hi, I'm watching you on CLEAN FREAKS!!!! I have go to learn your shopping tricks. Way to go!

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  34. Wow Ashley! This is absolutely inspiring!!! We definitely have to have the same rule for things ~ "if it doesn't fit, you have too much". That definitely helps keeps the clutter down. Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful tips and ideas. :-)

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  35. Definitely drooling over that furniture! We have a running joke in our house where every time I want something that doesn't fit into our tight budget I want to start a jar on my nightstand to raise money for it...gotta start a jar for these for sure.

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  36. Its totally beautiful, but I have to admit it was the dog statue that caught my eye! Do you recall where you found that?

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  37. This is amazing! So pretty, organized and inspiring. Can't wait to read more on your blog, Ashley!

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  38. I'm loving that desk...is that a repurposed sewing machine table?

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  39. The one thing I'm most interested in is the item you didn't seem to write about above. :-( The chalkboard. Did you make it? Maybe it's obvious but I'm curious about how to make one that is both magnetic & a chalkboard.

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  40. Hi Kelly! We made the inspiration board (which is technically a pin board and a chalkboard in one) out of a thrift store frame, cork and chalkboard paint. You can find our post on it here: http://bit.ly/UXyrEi

    We also made a magnetic chalkboard for our laundry room. You can find that post here: http://bit.ly/L9lqBE

    Hope that helps!! :)

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  41. I wish you could come to my NYC apartment and fix it up for me! Love your blog!

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  42. Do you have a place for your readers to put before and after organization pictures of their spaces? I feel like that would be a great motivator! I'm also thinking of the horror that is my home office... tackling it tonight. I swear.

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  43. This space is so fantastic!! It makes me want to run to my office and downsize all my craft supplies so it can look this clean and organized!

    Really fantastic!! :)

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  44. Wow what an amazing space! Looks like the size of my whole apartment..well a girl can dream!!

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  45. Awesome!! Thanks for sharing all the details and the thought that went into your chosen method of storage. I'm totally going to look into getting one of those cabinets! Thanks!

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  46. I love your desk - where did you find it?

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  47. I have to learn more shopping ideas..way to go folks...Thanks I've found this blog to get more ideas...Thumbs up for you guys..:D

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  48. Thank you for sharing Ashley, I love the clean look and all of the color punches. My personal favorites are your chair and your inspiration board! What a great budget friendly and easy DIY project.

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  49. Beautiful craft room! I am trying to decide whether to buy the storage hutch to store my 12x12 scrapbook binders that are in progress. I see you have regular binders on the bottom...any idea if you just put one shelf on each side in the middle whether you would be able to fit 12x12 binders top and bottom? I also have a question out to the website customer service where I was going to buy it but any advice would be appreciated. :)

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