A Room of One's Own — by Guest Mom Joslyn Taylor

I have a tiny nook in our hallway where I work from home when I'm not in the office. It's not much, but having a little space of my own amidst the rest of the family’s “stuff” is a real luxury. I’m an advocate of carving out someplace personal in your home and making it as reflective of you as possible. It doesn’t have to require an extra room — a converted closet or a multi-use armoire works just as well (and sometimes better). But, ideally it’s a spot that’s off-limits to everyone else, where you can tackle the mundane (i.e. bill paying) as well as more creative pursuits…not to mention a little daydreaming.

When it comes to my office space, I tend to be a little childlike in that the smaller, cozier and more unique, the better. Some spots that inspire me:

Images clockwise from left: Rural Theory, La Paracaidista's Photostream, Room and Board and Domino Magazine

Once you have the space carved out, you’ve gotta have the goods. Rather than relying solely on traditional office supplies, I like to use unconventional objects to make my desk more inspiring and less sterile.

Boxes
The lacquer ones from West Elm impart instant chic on your desk and are perfect for holding paper clips, rubber bands, stamps, etc…. I also love these Kiri wood boxes from Jayson Home and Garden for an earthier feel.

Fresh Flowers
A nice little bouquet is the easiest way to make a space feel special. I always go the uncomplicated route and put a bunch of the same type of flower in a simple glass vase, but I get endless inspiration from the more sophisticated arrangements like this one on Housemartin’s site.

Diptyque Basil Candle
I like to keep a scented candle at my desk, but finding one that smells great and is completely inoffensive to my husband is a monumental task. This candle from Diptyque is one of the few that‘s acceptable to both of us, as the un-predictable scent isn’t too sweet or cloying. The fact that it lasts forever also helps justify the slightly steep price tag.


LL Bean Boat and Tote Bags
A little bit of an unlikely pick for a desk accessory, but in addition to being a mainstay for picnics and overnight trips, extra-large LL Bean bags make great toy baskets, clothes hampers and are perfect next to a desk to stash stacks of old magazines and catalogs.

Personalized Stationary
I’m pretty obsessed with writing thank you notes (I’ve been known to write a thank you note in response to a thank you note…sad), so I’m of the school of thought that you can never have too much pretty stationary on hand. I love note cards that reflect the writer and having it personalized is even better. There are really lovely styles at Iomoi and Juniper Design & Ink.

Pretty Pinboards
Whether you opt to cover a corkboard or piece of MDF with pretty fabric or grab some pre-made linen covered tiles like these from Pottery Barn, an inspiration board is a must. Try to resist the urge to completely cover the surface with school reminders and handprint art though. Instead, regularly rotate in images that inspire you.