Papersheep HQ

After a year and half of saving $ on rent, my roommate has moved out and I now have a whole room open! It's complete with a view of the big tree in the backyard, which is so lovely to watch year round. Over the past few days I've been working to transform this room into a home office where Papersheep can continue to grow. Already I've given the space a fresh coat of paint, including this Citra Lime color from Benjamin Moore on one accent wall, and moved in my desk and tools. Now I'm working on the finishing touches. Currently I'm dreaming of this simple white modern bookcase from Ikea and this Karma Living throw (with anti-slip padding) as a floor rug. Still need a lamp shade or cover for the ceiling light. Stay tuned for the before and after!

Where inspiration is found

Any creative knows that during the process, there can be drafts, cross-outs, re-dos and start overs. I know an idea is good when I carry it around in my head for awhile, admiring it, brimming with pride and pure joy of it's existence. Then I bring it to life. However getting to that idea phase to begin with is usually a different story each and every time. Some people I know keep a notebook for sketching when the idea comes. Joan Didion wrote in her book, The Year of Magical Thinking, that she and her husband would carry note cards in their front pockets, so as to get the idea down before it left their respective brilliant heads. Others look to nature for inspiration. I can confess that I never quite know when creativity will strike. For example the invitations above where commissioned with only one condition: to be designed in a modern-ish style (meaning not formal and no scripty font). Free reign = designer's dream! Thus I was left to be influenced by two other lovely pieces of design. I chose my Martha Stewart dishes for color and my quatrefoil patterned curtains for shape. Where and how do ideas spark for you? photographs by gina houseman

Birds of a feather

I've decided that this blog is now a visual platform to keep in touch with friends and family, by sharing project ideas and inspiration. Here is a sneak peek of what I'm working on lately. More to come, but hello and welcome! photograph by gina houseman