Live Work Space: A tale of love and hate

I've been thinking about apartments, space, and the lifestyle of the entrepreneur a lot lately. My last space was an outrageously huge live work loft that I shared with a collection of folks that had nothing to do with the work I do. Twas awesome.

Then the day came when I had to find a new place to live, and possibly a separate place to work. Being a designer with a lot of materials and equipment to accommodate in a space, and being on a lean budget at all times to fund my crazy ideas, I found myself having to prioritize what I want in a space. Things like space, would be traded for flashy appliances; smaller work space traded for a separate work space complete with a door to close it all off at the end of the day.

I share this video with you because when I watched it, no matter how cool or ridiculous the spaces I've been considering are, I realize that the compromise could be like the above video. And even then, there's a way to be happy with what you've got.

And being happy satisfied with the space we're in for us work-from-homers is a very important thing. < -- More on this in another post.

Homegrown Inspiration

Royal Oak, MI 1939

Family kitchen. Birmingham, MI 1942

Sugar Beet worker. Saginaw, MI 1941

National Guard @ Chevrolet Plant. Flint, MI 1937

Strikers resting. Flint, MI 1937

I'm a small town girl, into the big city life. And this is where I came from. Generations later, and not much has changed but the clothes.

Playing Dress-up

I made the trek back to my small hometown in Michigan (cue music by Journey).  Of course, being the small and somewhat awkwardly located place that it is, there's not easy way to get there. 

Not easy at all. Especially when you get stranded, but I digress.

Getting back to my childhood home is one of those really simple pleasures that I just can't replicate in my city apartment. On of the best parts of being back at home is playing around in my parents closet a la 2nd grade. 

 As people get older, their closets typically become more refined.  In the case of my parents, they have some really beautiful things- but I'm interested in the older  pieces that are almost costume-like today.

When I find something that I really love-- for its beauty, comedy, details, or nostalgia-- inventing ways to use it is like a sport.  What are some of your best closet finds?

Feelin' Baubley, pt. 2

As you may know, I moved into my new apartment 2 months ago. Since then, it has been a slow but steady process to make it a home. When it came time to move in, everything seemed much different than I remembered (story of my apartment life!) It came time to get a little creative.

The first issue was that my new bedroom had no lighting. Literally none. There were light switches that turned on nothing. So after being inspired by baubles, checking out this tutorial, and doing a little bit of handy work... this is what I came up with.

2 Ikea paper lanterns, 5 sheets of paper from Pearl, some nylon twine and they hang delicately over my bed to provide the kind of soft light that reminds you fireflies and something celestial all at the same time.

Going Postal

Creating a comfortable and unique living space is something that I've recently been a little, well, OCD about. Moving into a new apartment is a clean slate on the design front, and I'm not taking it lightly. In my daily adventures of online window shopping, I came across these postage inspired pieces that make exceptionally personal gifts or uniquely special touches around the house.

both by Olive

I just may make something like the postcard version this weekend to help pass time until Sunday when the new PostSecrets come out. My online obsession: revealed.

Life[Style]: Tea & Co.

I've never been much of a coffee drinker, this much is true. But within the last couple of years, I have really started to appreciate good tea. Coming from a household of non-tea-drinkers, learning the ropes from tea snobs in my adventures and travels was a little intimidating at first. Somehow, I became the girl who brings large amounts of tea [not magazines] in my carry-on when traveling back home from new places.

In preparing to move to a new apartment at the end of the summer, I have dedicated myself to only purchasing new items that I truly love. I'm thinking a glass teapot, perfect for blooming teas.

French presses are not just for coffee. The warmer is edgy and would sit nicely on the table at a meeting with clients.

This set is sweet and delicate in a not your grandma's tea set kind of way.

Trekking across town with this travel infuser in tow is a great and green alternative to your

on-the-go Starbucks addiction. Take note, Olsen girls.

And for the smartest looking desk in the entire office, opt for a single cup tea infuser

Like this tabletop-friendly version,

Or this one.