Office Space

Posted by Claudia Bottoms on 16 January 2011 | 5 Comments

Sure, I love my group of girlfriends for all of the important reasons in life: their sincerity, kindness, senses of humor... I admire how driven they are in their careers, juggling motherhood and households and 1,000 other things. But, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one more little detail: I also admire how they manage their mini-empires with impeccable style. It's hard to miss, really. They always know what the current trends are, and their wardrobes and homes are a reflection of their unique personalities.

Just when we were talking about launching this magazine, one of these dear friends, Krista Salmon, was launching her blog, kiki's list, which explores her own style. I knew there was a partnership there. Lauren and I asked her to do a Q&A with a North Carolina-based interior design/decor store, and then choose some of her favorite items, similar to what her followers look forward to on her blog. 

Perhaps it's wrong of me to give myself a blog-atory pat on the back, but let me preface by saying, when it comes to shoes and handbags and such, I am hands-down the black sheep of the group. Hence my excitement when Krista's column arrived in my inbox.

Not only did Jamie Meares of Furbish (Jan/Feb 2011) encourage us to paint our ceilings, but Krista's first item on her list of finds were coincidentally the botanical prints hanging behind me in my office! See Exhibit A below (while you pardon my amateur photos). I just moved into my home a few months ago, and the first thing I did was paint my office ceiling Beet, by Martha Stewart. I bought all of the hot pink accessories from Z Gallerie I could find to help incorporate the color into the room: pillows, a frame, a lantern, leather coasters, etc.

I give myself this pat on the back because I hope to encourage you to do the same. Every time I look up, it makes me happy. If you're considering it, do it. The photo on the far right is the view from my swivel chair. (Do I wish I had a cool, upholstered, apple green office chair and a hipper desk? Yes, but baby steps to office fashionista :) The contrast of the Beet with the chandelier, and then the prints of my babies, make spending 95% of my time in this room a lot more enjoyable.

I love working on SavorNC, not only because of affirmations like these, but because of all of the new ideas I can't wait to try on my own, and all of the places I'd like to visit — once I step out of this fashion-forward office ;)