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All I have floating in my mind right now is how much I want and desperately need a new desk and chair. After a look around the internet, especially Pinterest, for ideas and a trip to Ikea at the weekend I've finally come up with how I potentially want my little desk to look and to figure out prices. I have to say I am quite impressed by Ikea office stuff at the moment as the desks and chairs are good quality but very affordable for start ups. And for me personally I don't like to spend a lot of money on a desk but spend a bit more on adding accessories to make it a place I want to work at.

I like to think of my desk as my creative hub and it is where I tend to get things done away from having laptop time cocooned in bed with a cup of tea. I'm going to be quite busy with freelancing over the next couple of weeks so if I am not at work I will probably be sat at my desk working away on designs ready for the huge trade shows coming up alongside blogging. 

When I decorated my room a couple of years ago I got a very small desk because it was useful and manageable at the time, plus it fitted in to my budget. Now I need to upgrade and this is where Pinterest has come in handy for ideas. My desk can get messy very very quickly and currently feels very cluttered because there is no room for stationary boxes, pen pots, my Roberts radio or some flowers all in one place. 

I'm that type of person and designer to get excited by their desk and want to make it their own. When searching through Pinterest I came across these images and more that I can combined to create my own style. I love how all of them combined are simplistic and not too cluttered, especially the first one with images above the laptop, a space for stationary and a comfy chair. I'm trying to seek out a shappy chic chair that I could potentially up do and make my own floral cushion (2) so a trip to charity shops may be needed. Anyone that knows me knows I love flowers and having recently received flowers to put on my desk I need to keep on top of having some. They brighten up any space and are great for pictures (you have to think of your Instagram don't you!). I want to be able to stick inspiration on the wall with cute washi tape (4) or get a little pin board (5) where I can also post some of my Paperchase postcards (I have a big collection) or little bits of inspiration I see and need to print out for projects. I currently have a huge art box that really needs sorting out and so a pen pot is ideally needed for my desk. Anything with monograms on attract me and I think a little cup with an L on will sit perfectly on the desk like in image 5 and 6. Another idea I picked up on is to have current magazines I am reading stacked on the side with a candle on top next to my Roberts radio to add some character. A lot of the coloured themes I see on Pinterest are gold and/or black but I think I want to keep it very simple by adding colour using flowers, my radio and my pin board.

All I need now is to get to Ikea and purchase the desk .... and maybe some flowers on the way home!

What is your workspace like? Follow my Office/Studio board on Pinterest here!

- Speak soon, Lisa Jayne X

Homeware Wishlist

Now I am back home and have finally sorted through my room (I say finally but there is actually still a few things to get rid off) I am in need of adding some bits and bobs to make it more cosy ready for Autumn nights in with a good book. Yes, I have an exciting life!
Sorting out through my room started off with me going through old memories including letters, a lot of those Polaroid snaps you get of yourself and the topless Abercrombie Model outside their London store (I looked so afraid in all those pictures it was quite funny), exhibitions leaflets, theatre booklets, clothes and college work. I cannot believe some of the things I designed at college and thought they were actually good. It was a shame to get rid of it all but since leaving college I have never used any of it and it was time for it to go to make room for my University work which had been stacked in corner piles until now.
I have a lot less stuff and clutter about me now so I can spend more time in my room creating things and blogging. I have my little corner of textile/fashion books stacked up with my beloved Roberts radio on top and my mannequin covered in fabric swatches next to a huge box full of art materials and paper (I never knew I had do much paper in my life). But, who knew I had so many perfumes, beauty products, scarves and bags! Why do I hoard everything I get or own? Why am I not ruthless enough with my stuff? So, purchases should be made gradually!

I want to build a little photo frame gallery on one side of my room and this Scroll Landscape Frame and Hanging Frame from M&S would work great with the white, vintage like frames I already own that have pictures from Paris in them. On the other side near my pretend little studio I call a desk I will place the fashion illustrations that I had for my degree show kindly designed by my friend Chris. Note to self is to get a pin board to have inspiration in front of me for future projects and to make it a more creative place.
I love anything with my initial on it for some reason and this Alphabet L Scented Candle from M&S got me very excited when I saw it in store and it smells quite nice. And I do love a good candle so this is perfect.
I have gone through a lot of blankets in my time, they were my essential during the University winter months when you didn't want to put the heating on. This Soft Blanket form H&M is one I have been admiring for some time now so maybe this might be the first buy. It is super soft and a lovely cream that would work with this Arabella Print Set from M&S, which is very granny chic don't you think? Almost like having old curtains on your bed. I own a lot of cushions but some are starting to look old and I like to decorate beds with blankets and cushions so this Lady of the Manor Slogan Cushion was a great find from M&S again and adds a bit of humour to any room.
I want to join the cool gang of bloggers who have dishes and glass holders for all things jewellery and cotton buds and have seen a few little bits in H&M home back in Nottingham but haven't found anything that is right just yet. I'm a big fan of Urban Outfitters homeware so will be keeping my eye out for things on their website and, if I was rich enough, I am pretty sure I would have many things fro Zara Home as their printed bedspreads are gorgeous.

Whats on your homeware wish list this coming Autumn/Winter?

- Speak soon, Lisa Jayne X