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 Columbus - Hilliard
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Armchair
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Tiffany & Co. "Man in the Moon" Sterling Silver Baby Rattle, 2008-2023
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mesh Bib Necklace
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Still Life Oil Painting of Iced Tea in Mason Jar With Lemon Slice
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
Garncarek Aleksander Pond Landscape Oil Painting "Staw," 2024
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pair of French Baroque Cast Brass Fireplace Chenets
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Ethan Allen Walnut Finish Hardwood and Glass Two-Part China Cabinet
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Ballard Designs Hutch-Shaped Office Armoire
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
Rookwood Pottery Floral Basket Art Tile, Early to Mid 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Rejina Pyo x Projekt Produkt RP-11 C03 Sunglasses
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pearl Necklace with 18K 2.72 CT Lab Grown Fancy Diamond Pendant and 14K Clasp
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Southwestern Sterling Animal Squash Blossom Necklace
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
English Georgian Style Pine Two-Drawer Table with Carved Skirt, 19th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Ballard Designs "Garden District" Mirrors in Weathered Finish
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mid Century Modern Style Walnut Sculpted Front Nightstand Commode
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Lyngby Danish Porcelain Demitasse Coffee Service, 20th Century
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
Victorian Coral and Vine Earrings
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
German Hanau 800 Silver Pierced Repoussé Courting Scenes Candlestick, 19th C.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K 1.00 CTW Diamond Band
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash