A PRETTY AND PERSONAL HOME OFFICE TOUR
Ready for a home office tour? Today I’m sharing where I work! And I’m also sharing tips for making our workspaces pretty and still professional. And professional and personal! Many of us are working from home and want our home workspaces to work for us!
Let’s tour my office! Yay!
The office in our home is where I work and spend most of my day! It, like the rest of my home is very sunny and bright!
The morning sun pours in through a big window so no wonder my favorite time to work is first thing in the morning!!!! I usually work in my office in my pj’s with lots of coffee until mid-morning! This gives me a big start on my work and satisfies my love of being in my pj’s!
Come see what I’ve done to this office space and how it looked when we first moved in!
My office is still a work in progress! But so far I feel happy and cozy in this bright spot in our home!
A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THIS SPACE
If you have been a StoneGable reader you will maybe remember this desk from our upstairs sitting area.
When we moved to the Tanglewood house I knew this desk would work perfectly in this space. Let’s see, as I show you around the office, what else you might see from our StoneGable home.
When we first moved here our office was a blank space!
Yup, just a very basic room with a nice size window on one side and a big opening to the foyer on another!
The image below was on move-in day!
THE BACKSTORY
There were certain things I made sure Bobby was clear on before we bought the house. We were really both on the same page with what needed to be done to our new home.
One. The whole, entire, every speck of the house had to be repainted! (done)
Two. The fireplace had to be rebuilt. (done)
Three. The carpeting in the bedrooms had to be removed and replaced with hardwood to match the existing flooring before I moved in. (done)
Four. The kitchen needed a total update although it was new. It really did not work with the rest of the house. And since our home is so open it needed a makeover! In less than 2 weeks demo begins! Yay and YIKES!
Five. French doors needed to be added to the opening of the office. (done)
Six. Bookshelves had to be built across the back wall in the office. (done)
Seven. We had to address all the railing and spindles in oak on the stairs. We are still working on a solution to this issue!
Eight. The upstairs bathroom needed a mini makeover. Hopefully, in the spring!
LET’S START OUR HOME OFFICE TOUR HERE
The french doors really help to define the office space. And they don’t make me feel closed off from the rest of the house when I am working!
It is so important to carve a quiet space out for yourself if you are working at home! I do a lot of writing and editing all day and I need quiet.
The built-in bookshelf was a huge project! I didn’t really realize just how much goes into building custom bookshelves and cabinets!
The whole unit houses my business and more! And it gives me a place to rotate my favorite photos of Bobby, my kids, and babies!
I often get asked where I put family pictures. Well, now you know! We keep them in our bedroom too!
They are my favorite part of the home office tour, for sure!
MY WORKSPACE MINDSET
Even though I don’t share my workspace I try to keep my office looking welcoming and professional. For me, it is a balance. I want to send myself the message… YOU ARE AT WORK! And I want it to have a style all my own.
When I went from blogging as a hobby to making a living, my mindset changed. I set up office hours and kept them. I cared more about my workspace and kept things in order!
Not wading through the mess I can make really made a difference!
The side and bottom cabinets in the office are filled with books, and crafting supplies, and important papers. Behind the center bottom cabinet doors hides my printer!
This is my best advice about all the “stuff” we can collect that is job-related… put it in baskets, pretty cardboard containers (like the white magazine holders that house my favorite decorating magazines), or organize it behind closed doors if you can!
And here’s my very best advice when it come to office-related paraphernalia… EDIT! Get rid of what you can and go as paperless as possible! This has so helped my business and the overall look of my office space!
Next stop on the home office tour…
THE INBOX
This is my inbox! I tidied it up for you! And I must admit it usually does not look this empty!!!
I would love to know how the bloggers with super clean desks keep them that way! We all need to learn from them! I have way too much paperwork even after editing! And mail, don’t get me started on mail!!!! But most of the snail mail we get is personal. Yet it gets filtered in here!
One way to keep my inbox under control is to make sure I can see the bottom of it three times a day! This is a tip that helps me to feel under control! But it is way easier to aspire to this goal than actually do it!
Did you notice I opted for a woven basket as my inbox? I love baskets and one of my vignette baskets was a perfect fit for the desk! I love it when something pretty can also be professional!
FLOWERS
I do love flower and in the summer keep a vase of flowers from our garden and containers.
They sit in my inbox and that really helps to keep the clutter down. I just don’t have the space with a pretty vase of flowers sharing the inbox!
Flowers and a mix of herbs are my favorite combination. Can you see the parsley and curly mint in the casual arrangement?
Flowers make me feel happy!
For me, flowers are an important part of my office! I count them as pretty and professional and personal! Win, win, win!
Next stop on the home office tour is…
THE OFFICE SITTING AREA
Across the room from the desk is a little place to sit!
The mirror that used to be in the foyer at the StoneGable house was turned portrait style and hung above the chair.
On the wall perpendicular to the mirror is a little wall gallery made up of my favorite “I AM HIS” sign that was in the StoneGable dining room. Also, an original piece of artwork done by my grandsons Anderson and Alexander. And a sweet little sheep, another original piece of art. I’m going to add something from my granddaughter Emma Kate to the wall as well.
I love looking over and seeing things that make my heart sing! I think it is good for us to display things in our office that we truly love!
These things feed my soul!
The chair, side table, and floor lamp all came from the StoneGable family room.
Although my home might look neutral there is really a lot of muted color going on!
One brighter color I just love is a saturated burnt yellow or gold. I’ve always loved this color!
So this summer I have used a bit of this warm color around the entire house!
There is still lots to change out like the rug and maybe the little chair. And I’m still looking for a fashionable and comfortable desk chair! And I need to get the big clock fixed on the wall because it broke in the move.
The office is a place I love to work! It feels like it was made for me!
I hope you are creating a workspace that is pretty, professional and personal too! I like to say our spaces should be both functional and fabulous!
Here’s my view when I sit behind my desk.
When you see this image know that this is my view when I’m thinking about YOU!
You might like to see more of the Tanglewood House below…
QUICK AND EASY SUMMER CENTERPIECE
7 SMALL PORCH DECORATING IDEAS
BEST TIPS FOR DECORATING A FOYER TABLE
You’ve done once again—it’s beautiful!! It gave me the push I needed to start organizing my small work area!
Good Morning Yvonne: Thank you so much for the tour of your beautiful home, I enjoyed seeing where you work. You have very good taste in decorating. Thank you again and have a nice day.
Marilyn
What a beautiful space to work in Yvonne! Love the built-ins!
Thanks, Shirley!Your new home is just stunning! Hope you are feeling well. I continue to pray for you my friend!
I loved seeing your pretty office, Yvonne! Having an organized AND stylish place to work makes for much greater productivity!!! You should be a happy blogger! In the “moving day” photo, I noticed your fiddle leaf fig plant. It is the first time I have seen it since your move. Is it enjoying your new home??? It was so lovely in your living room at Stone Gable. Stay safe!
Thanks, Bunny! The fiddle leaf fig went to live with my daughter-in-law. She loved it so I gifted it to her. And yes, I’m very productive in my office!
Golly-Molly Yvonne! Your office looks lovely! So clean, bright and highly organized with so many textures! LOVE IT!!! Especially your inbox basket — Dynamite idea!
Where did you purchase your desk? I have been looking for something with clean, simple lines and with plenty of desk area, just like that desk 🙂
Julie
Hi Julie, you can find the desk here: HERE
Hi Yvonne –
What a wonderful light and bright space to work. It looks so inviting, a place that makes getting work done – easy. 🙂
I am in the midst of EDITING my office. It has been awhile – I am purging like mad.
I love the two round lidded baskets behind your desk. Are they a new purchase or something you had? Do you have a aff link for them? I love Lidded baskets!
Yvonne, Your new office is so you. Just bright ,organized and beautiful with just the right balance of work and family. Great place for family pictures. I don’t have a business out of my home but I do have a space I call my office where I have my old family desk and a post it board to try to keep me organized. I wish I had a larger window in,the room but that’s not happening.
Enjoy your first summer in your new home and stay well.
Thanks, Kathy! Summer at the Tanglewood house is very bright! One thing I love is all the pretty views. If feels like we are almost living outdoors!
I’d probably get way more done in an office as beautiful and organized as yours! Love this.
What a beautiful office to work in!! So bright, so comfy!!
Can you tell me the paint color of your front door and sidelights? Would like to use on ours. Thanks
Hi Tara, I wish I could. The door etc was painted that color when we moved in. I’m still trying to get the color from the builder. When I find out I’ll let all of you know.
Love your office Yvonne. I’m jealous of all that natural light. Good idea to empty the inbox 3x a day. Mine is spilling all over my desk right now.
Hi Linda, so nice to hear from you!!! Would love to get together!
Thank you for your home tour posts! The pinner image reminded me to ask: how well do you think your front door “hello” decal will hold up through a winter? I love it! But… I live in the Upper Midwest and we get lots of snow and below zero temps. Thanks for your advice.
Hi Kim, we have a covered front porch so I think it will be fine. Why not give it a try? They are so inexpensive and you can remove them easily. Hope this helps.
Could you please tell me the names of your paint colors on your walls and wood trim? Tanglewood is just as beautiful as Stonegable!
Hi Linda. Our paint is SIMPLY WHITE by Benjamin Moore. The Tanglewood house is so open I chose to keep it light and bright. Simply White is such a pretty soft white! Hope this helps.
Another lovely space in your stunning home! I always notice the x back chairs in your posts because I absolutely love them. I have tried ordering them from Luxe Decor but they have been on backorder for months. I noticed on a recent post that you had different dining chairs. Is there any chance you are selling them? If so, I would be thrilled! Would you can email me in response, please? Thanks for all your beautiful postings, I so enjoy them.
Hi Karen, I really love those x back chairs too! I am saving them for the eating area when we renovate our basement. I found the chairs on Wayfair but I see they are not in stock right now. They are called “Juniper Del side chairs”. Hope this helps.
I love your rug and would love one just like it! Any remembrance of where you bought it , or who makes it? Thanks in advance…
The rug was awesome in the foyer and now in my study. Here’s the link:https://rstyle.me/+EvhyBUsdiXYvQAmMB2HxUQ
Hi Yvonne,
Your office is just as beautiful as the rest of your home 🙂
I just have to ask, is your desk chair standing on a piece if glass or is it a particularly thick and shiny chair mat?
Good eye, Heathe! The desk mat is glass. My husband got me a Vitrazza glass floor mat as a gift. It is fabulous!!!!!
What a beautiful office you have, Yvonne! You have done such an amazing job of decorating it. Everything goes so well together! So great to have such a lovely office when you spend so much time in there! Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a blessed week!
This room is just gorgeous! I love the neutral colours and peaceful vibe it exudes – even though it’s your office. My office is tiny, actually, it’s the landing at the top of the stairs. I built a corner desk to fit the space and added lots of plants which make it feel more relaxed. What a shame about your clock getting broken in the move, hope you can get it fixed, it’s beautiful.
Hi Jayne, your office sounds so cozy!!!!
Love the lamp on the desk! Can you possibly let me know where you bought it? Thank you
Hi Karen, the lamp is popular! I found it at the Pottery Barn a few years ago. Hope this helps.
It’s just gorgeous Yvonne! Thanks for sharing at All About Home. I am happy to feature you this week:
https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/all-about-homelink-party-49/
Enjoy your beautiful space!
Thanks so much Amber!
This is by far, my favorite room in your home! I adore everything about it! May I please ask where you got your glass floor protector for your chair? Also, may I suggest the hourglass chair from Pier One as your comfy desk chair? I recently purchased the neutral tweed with dark espresso legs for my own office and I love it! So comfortable and so stylish! Unfortunately, I did hear that they are going out of business? ENJOY!
Blessings,
♥️Beth
Hi Beth, thanks so much for the suggestion. I’ll check it out. The floor mat was a gift from my husband for Christmas. He found it a Vitrazza. It’s fabulous!
I love your office! Actually I love everything you do! Where do you get your beautiful baskets displayed in your office ! I love them and their texture! Thank you
You brighten my day!
Thanks, Elizabeth! Here is one of my favorite baskets:https://rstyle.me/+xwa8I-dNHjFBySwwFTxa1w
Thanks for sharing your office. Would like to purchase the very large wire basket with liner. Please share where I can obtain one. Funny it adds so much to the look of your office, to me, yet you didn’t mention it. Funny how everyone sees so differently.
Happy holidays.
Hi Nan I found it at the Pottery Barn years ago.