Tips of the Trade: 5 Tips To Work Design Into Your Workspace With Paper and Stitch
Whether your workspace is where you answer emails, pay bills, or do crafts, it should be the area of your home or office that inspires you to be productive, creative, or to get stuff done. That may mean painting a wall an invigorating statement color, or positioning your table to face a window or favorite artwork. Maybe it’s just a modern vase of fresh-cut flowers or one funky succulent. We asked Brittni Mehlhoff of the DIY and design blog. Paper and Stitch what her top tips are when it comes to bringing her workspace to life.
1. Textiles!
If you only do one thing to brighten up your workspace – or any space for that matter– add a few textiles. A statement rug, a few bold pillows, and a vintage throw can go a long way in making a room look and feel complete.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mesh Bib Necklace
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K 1.00 CTW Diamond Band
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mid Century Modern Style Walnut Sculpted Front Nightstand Commode
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Rookwood Pottery Floral Basket Art Tile, Early to Mid 20th Century
2. Mix and Match.
Mixing different styles, patterns, colors, and textures in a room (strangely enough!) can make it look more cohesive and put-together. The only rule here is that it has to be done with intention. Find an underlying element (color palette, shapes, scale, etc.) that ties everything together to make the mix-and-match process cohesive.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Alfio Grasso Oil Painting of Seated Nude "Sunset," 1970
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Eastlake Style Birdseye Maple and Single Drawer Desk, Late 19th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
18K Cyma Quartz Wristwatch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
José M. Lima Floral Still Life Oil Painting, 2023
3. Add Something Unexpected.
Life is too short to take yourself too seriously, so why not make it fun with something a bit unexpected? I always look for at least one thing to include in a room that makes me smile or laugh. In this case, it’s a beehive basket that I converted into a planter.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Leif Janek Abstract Acrylic Painting, 21st Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Czech Barolac Style Frosted Glass Vase with Cherub and Grapes Motif
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Waterford "Prentiss" Crystal Candlesticks With Rectangular Waterford Clock
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Walter Stomps Abstract Geometric Acrylic Painting "Galactic Border No. 1"
4. Bring It On, Nature!
Natural materials, like wood, rattan, rope, etc. are great for warming up a space in a jiffy.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Victorian Walnut and Poplar Bed Frame, Late 19th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Don Sutton and Duke Snider Signed Rawlings Official NL and Al Baseballs
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mike Trout, Nolan Ryan, and More Graded Baseball Cards, 1990s-2010s
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Christian Dior Navy Trotter Jacquard Zip Pouch
5. Plant one on me.
Bringing plants into a space is one of the quickest ways to make it feel bright and cozy. Bonus: Plants also help to purify the air and in some cases, even reduce stress. What’s not to love?
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Oil Painting of Madonna and Child, 21st Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K 0.38 CT Diamond Solitaire Necklace
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Dave Fetty for Fenton "Hanging Hearts" Limited Edition Art Glass Vases, 1975
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash