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!

The color wheel

Continuing on this theme of inspiration... here are a few pictures that have got me excited about paint swatches again. This gorgeous home of Abigail Ahern was recently featured on Design*Sponge. It inspired my newest color palette featuring gray with shades of purple mixed in. Do you think these shades will go with my new green velvet couch? Or perhaps they can freshen up my minimalist bedroom. I also love the way the bright pink accent chair makes this room all fit together. Which may be why I've decided to paint my previously black curtain rods bright pink! Now to just get the wall colors to compliment...

The psychology of design

Lately, I've had the urge to rearrange. Since as long as I can remember I've always used my home spaces as sets for styling. When I was young, my dresser top had a new arrangement of objects and themes every few weeks. After leaving the nest, and beginning to work in the photo industry, I can distinctly recall explaining to roommates that they should start thinking of our apartment as perpetually being styled for a photo shoot. Now that I have my own place, every room is at my mercy. Lunch breaks are filled with architecture and design magazines and drawings of my place in 'plan' view on napkins and scrap paper. After taking a quick genealogical poll I come up with at least two previous generations with the habit. Do you rearrange or know someone that does? I wonder why one gets this urge. A need for change or order? Spring Fever? Or simply an outlet for creative energy, perhaps. Whatever it is, I seem to catch it every six months or so. This latest bout has lead me to a much more minimal sleeping room. The goal being distraction free relaxation. To continue on this idea I'm tossing around paint chip color and wallpaper combinations. Yellow and grey is my latest obsession. Yellow says cheerful to me and grey brings calm. But I wonder if grey would be gloomy on days when the sky matched my walls. Or maybe paired with yellow it will be in perfect balance. Do you have a favorite color combination for a peaceful space? photograph by gina houseman