Study Spaces

So here we are...taking my son to his 2nd year of college...already!!. A good friend of mine told me the college years went faster than the high school years, and she wasn't kidding!! For those of you in the midst of the same, or even if you are preparing your school age child's home space for studying, below are a few wonderful examples of work and study spaces for every style. Check it out!

This would be my favorite spot, feeling the heat of the sun rays coming through the window, hot tea, my favorite design mag...and wait, yawn, I think I'm ready to nap...

How about rough and ready? A little industrial style for a more rugged look.

You can never, ever go wrong with the extremely affordable Ikea Expedit system for storage. Loads of desk space doesn't hurt either!

A little old world flavor perhaps? Sometimes all we need is a cozy chair, light and a throw.

Need a little bit more room than a chair? A sofa with a large coffee table works wonders for studying! Love the world map mural!

Isn't this a clever nook with a bit of both worlds? Desk and lounge spaces in one!

I'm really in love with this one. A bit more open than a closet yet it still has the flavor of it's own little reading nook, and the architectural accent above to give it true savoir faire!

I've seen this pic before and it has always been one of my faves. Super cozy and inviting! However, in my house, it would be inhabitable due to total cat takeover and layers of cat fur!

If your child really likes feeling cozy, even a single door closet can become a personal study space!

Good luck to all students this coming year!!!

Toodles! Susan

All images via Pinterest or Houzz.

Football Colors on HOUZZ

Fall is here...almost!  This has been an incredibly busy, busy summer for me, and for many people I know.  There must be some weird karma energy in the air uniting the emotional and hectic vibes.  Unfortunately, it has not been all positive.  Some events this summer have been exciting, some tragic, some nervewracking, and some just plain "yeah, ok, whatever".  Maybe that's why it's felt so busy...the emotions have been nothing short of a whirlwind!  Nonetheless, a lack of writing has certainly prevailed!  Hear, hear!!  With that statement, I feel like I should be in a medieval village courtyard listening to the angry crowd yell!  OK, back to design...  Getting excited for the football season?!  Well check out this article by Houzz.com writer Lisa Frederick where they featured one of my designs to represent the West Virginia Mountaineers colors of blue and gold!!

Show Your Team Spirit With Colors

Announce your football allegiance with something subtler than a shout: rooms dressed in color palettes to match your team!

In Alabama, where I live, sports — especially college football — are king. Almost every conversation eventually turns to how (insert team here) looks at spring practice, or how they'll fare in the upcoming season, or how they blew it in the big game last weekend. So it goes without saying that folks here aren't shy about putting their fandom on display at home, inside and out.   ~~click here to continue reading and see images~~

About Lisa Frederick:

Location:

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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About me:

Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.

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My favorite style:

I'm essentially a traditionalist, but I love mixing things up with elements of the unexpected. I believe the pieces that fill a home should have meaning and resonate on a personal level, rather than being chosen simply to fill a space.

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My next house project:

I'm itching to remodel my tiny master bath - a mishmash of '80s brass fixtures, seafoam-green wallpaper and chocolate-brown cabinetry.

Hut, hut, hut...(that is what the quarterback says, right?)  ~Susan~

Houzz Feature - Where to Put the Piano?

Do you own a midcentury console piano?  Me too!  Trust me, you are not alone!  Do you want to keep it although it really is not your style?  Yes?  Again, you are not alone!  Whether you purchased this piece yourself or it came to you as a hand me down...typically the latter, huh...it is here to stay, for a while anyway.  Not only that, but to replace this item is expensive, time consuming, and not an easy piece to have delivered.  But where to put that thing? And how do you integrate it with your other style loving pieces?   Check out this week's Houzz feature, "Yes, You Have Room for a Piano"  by Amy Renea.  One of my piano design solutions has been featured!!  Click HERE!!!

Keep the tunes rolling!  Susan

My Design Office featured on Houzz.com!

Thank you Vanessa Brunner of  Houzz.com for featuring my design office as an inspiring place to work!  Click here to see it and read about it!!!

On another note, today I am totally in love with this picture!  Why not stay on the same side??  Say what you ask?  Same side of the color wheel folks!!  I love all the greens in this photo and the way they complement as well as create dissonance or interruption amongst each other.  You could do this with any hue on the color wheel.  So, take that favorite color of yours and go wild!!

Have a very colorful day!!!  Susan