Maybe moody and broody isn’t exactly how you’d describe your ideal home office, but I like to imagine that it fits some personalities. I mean what if you’re a mad genius writing your manifesto or a scientist furiously devising algorithms? You need a quirky, dark workspace my friend.

I love this space. It’s so unconventional. The furniture placement, the way the art is arranged, a modern chair paired with a traditional desk. Wonderful. And I love the extra softness the rug brings. What do you think?

one | Ellis House via desire to inspire
two | Somerset Place via desire to inspire
three | Enrique Menossi via Simply Smitten

Last time I talked about home offices I featured some rooms that were full to the brim with accessories and especially books. If you’re going to be reading a lot as part of your work process, that’s some great inspiration. But what if you like so many folks these days do the bulk of your work on a computer? Futhermore, what if you have a hard time focusing sometimes (don’t we all?) and what you really is as little distraction as possible?

Well feast your eyes on these beauties I have for you today. These work spaces all have a lovely, calming, and simple design. A clean slate of a backdrop to help you really focus on your work, with just enough pretty to put you in a wonderful mood.

A simple little nook may be all you need. The walls are left light and neutral to allow for some bold and blingy furniture pieces.

Creamy walls and drapery are calming while the colorful accessories add a little enlivening pizzazz. Would these home offices work for you? Or do you need even less distraction? Or maybe you find them too plain? I’m curious what you think!

one // Hecker Guthrie via desire to inspire
two // Opal Design Group via dustjacket atttic
three // McGill Design Group via dustjacket attic

Do you have a home office? Do you spend a lot of time in there? Leave you feeling blah? It may be time to give that work space the design attention it deserves. No matter how unimportant a room seems, the bottom line is: if you spend a lot of time there, it should make you happy. Something as simple as a pair of statement lamps can do wonders.

This, friends, is redonkulous. Leave it to Kelly Wearstler to design a home office  that melts your face off. You’ll notice that bookshelves are a common factor in each of the photos today. There’s no denying the effect books have on a room. Cozy, lived-in, functional, inviting, and of course they make you look smart. I should take a moment to acknowledge that Wearstler’s design budgets are astronomical, which could easily leave the rest of us feeling discouraged but don’t let it! The key is to focus on concepts and details that can easily be translated into a more modest home. Like the aforementioned use of many books or just like in the previous photo, a pair of statement lamps.

I don’t know how functional that desk is (where do you hide all the inevitable cords?), but I admit that I love the concept of a desk being open to the room rather than jammed in a corner and facing a wall. My favorite aspect of this design is the seating nook with it’s comfy bench and dark, dramatic wall paint.

Which of these offices is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

One // Traditional Home via Savvy Home
Two // Kelly Wearstler via My Favorite and My Best
Three // Via Emily Henderson

Sorry I’ve been so absent this week. The inspiration has not exactly been flowing. I’ve always believed firmly that I should only blog about what I genuinely love, and never just grasp for straws and post something that doesn’t inspire me for the sake of posting frequently. What you see here is what truly intrigues me, and I intend to keep it that way.

This is some good photography. I love the simplicity and openness. Looks like an excellent place to work. Photographed by Petra Svensson for Elle Interiör via My White Room.

I don’t quite understand how any work gets done with so many accessories cluttering up the desk, but I like the vibe in this place. The home of Elizabeth Blitzer for Lonny Mag via decorology.

Oh, lovely bright space. In my imagination nothing but uplifting and innovative thoughts happens here. Photographed by Line Thit Klein for Alt Interiors via vmac+cheese.

On the other side of the spectrum, this room is enveloped in dark gray, a hue that I very much love. Cozy and so very sophisticated. The pop of bright yellow-orange is perfect. Photographed by Roger Davies for Elle Decor via Savvy Home.

This one really speaks to me. I love the colors, the art, and the dramatic old cabinet. I also love how this work area appears to be part of a living room, because honestly if I’m going to be working at home I know there’s going to be times when I’ll want the TV on. I can multitask like that. Designed by Sara Tuttle via Little Green Notebook.