Bringing the Outside In: Nature Inspired Office Designs

Last night we dipped our toes into the eternal debate for desk setters: would life be better if you had a job where you didn't sit at a desk all day. Over drinks withco-workers, we shared stories of friends who are teachers or yoga instructors or -- gasp --actors who don't sit at a desk and are therefore impossible to get an email back from immediately.

"How do they do it?" we say, shaking our heads.
"What do they do all day?"

But then, as the drinks keep coming, we start to think a little deeper about those questions that were flippant half an hour ago. "How do they do it?" becomes "Could I do it?" and "What do they do all day?" becomes "Would my day be better that way?" The debate continued both aloud and unspoken in our own heads, but by the end of the night, the only conclusion we had come to was that we'd ingested a week's worth of salty foods and carbs should be banned immediately from our lives.

We, the desk-set, may never find our own answer to would life be better without a desk job. We have a feeling that the only answer is best summed up by the pithy saying "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." And in honor of that thought, we're posting some pictures of inventive work spaces where they've brought that green grass right into the office.

For example, the design firm of HOK London has brought the ability to lounge on the lawn right into the office.

At this awesome office space in Milan, Italy, "the goal is to keep workers very relaxed." {via}

The chamber of commerce in the capital of Slovenia has put the principle into practice by filling their space with greenery.

And if you've ever found yourself admiring at the colors of fall foliage, you should know about Sugamo Shunkin Bank in Tokiwadai, Japan where it's always autumn (inside at least). The floor to window glass windows are decorated with 24 colors of stenciled leaves.

{All pictures via}

Does your work space bring the outdoors in? Let us know at OfficeEnvy@Gmail.com or Office_Envy on Twitter.

A few more inspirational home office interiors

Please excuse our silence for the last few days while we worked on our site revamp project. Today we're keeping it short and sweet. For your viewing/design-loving/procrastinating pleasure: a few more inspirational home offices that mix whimsy with work.

{Via}

Have Your Ever Seen A Better Attic Makeover?

It should come as no shock to you, the faithful Office Envy reader, that we here at Office Envy are constantly in search of pictures of inspiring office design and decor.

What is surprising - is how this awful unusable attic space transformed into one of the chicest little home offices we've ever seen.

Before:

After:

All pictures {Via}

The renovation project - and gorgeous new home office - belongs to the writer behind the blog Perfectly Imperfect, with whom an interview is posted on TheOfficeStylist.com.

Of her favorite parts of her new home office Shaunna says:

"It truly is hard for me to narrow down one favorite, but it would have to be a tie between my desk area and the daybed. The desk is an 1800′s French Provencal piece that I found at a local antique mall for $120, and the chair I bought, painted, and reupholstered for $50. Of course I love the space I work on, but as much inspiration comes from what I look at while working. That’s where the daybed comes in…my husband and I built it from the doors of my childhood home. In addition to writing the blog, I paint and restore furniture. This project was especially challenging and meaningful to me. Plus, I got exactly what I needed for the space for $50." {Via}

If you love Shaunna's style, you can download her e-book here!

Home Office Decor Inspiration

A few months ago a friend of ours told us that shopping for cosmetics was her way to relax, and last night as we found ourselves curled up with a stack of Crate and Barrel catalogs we realized that "shopping" -- more like window shopping really -- for furniture is our way to relax.

Often after a long day we'll find ourselves ducking into a West Elm on the way home from work or fighting the urge to see what's new at the Container Store.

And when it comes to procrastinating, stumbling around the internet looking for awesome interior design is a favorite pastime (thank God we got over that annoying little computer solitaire addiction that used to be our go to way to procrastinate).

It was on one of these recent browse-about binges that we came upon these awesome home office set ups. We love them all, and find them all inspiring in their own unique way.

Click on the image to see more details.

Which one do you like best?

Envy this Office: A Fashionable Office

Fashion and lifestyle website WHOWHATWEAR has teamed up with The Coveteur to produce a series of photoshoots of some of the fashion world's coolest offices (a project we'd love to help out with!)

Thought you'd enjoy the first installment of their series, "Fashion Office". These pictures are of the Los Angeles office of WHOWHATWEAR.

All photos courtesy of WHOWHATWEAR

The Conference Room

The Art, Photo and Market team's space

Chair Fabric by Dwell Studios

Chief Operating Officer Mika Onishi's office

Office of the Director of Ad Sales, Shayna Kossove

Video Conferencing Equipment

Editorial Director's bookshelf - reminds us of Shenan's office

The office of Creative Director Katherine Power (bottom 2)

Does this office give you a case of OE?

Let us know at OfficeEnvy@Gmail.com or Office_Envy on Twitter.

Designers' Corner: Home Office Design with a Pop of Color

Though we're T-ing G I F we have to admit that it was a pretty great week here at Office Envy. We survived the spotty acela internet access en route to Boston to profile an awesome office, met some really cool and inspiring entrepreneurs including Marie Forleo, and the Hot Blondies team, and had a great meeting with designer Rekha Krishnamurthi of DivineNY to discuss her recent home office design project.

As a designer, Rekha focuses on the power of color to transform a space -and she loves to introduce pops of color into neutral spaces, especially home offices.

Because she believes the great design should be accessible and affordable on every budget, one of the services that Rekha provides is creating inspirational mood boards for clients based on their color palette of choice to give her clients some ideas for items they can use to easily update their space.

Rekha finds that the mood boards allow her clients to unlock their own creativity.

Take a look at this home office mood board that Rekha and the DivineNY team created this for client in Boston who wanted to brighten up her home office space with a new color scheme and coordinating accessories. Click to enlarge.
"I'm particularly drawn to the Max Mocha Felt Ottoman from CB2 (which also comes in orange) because it turns into a twin sleeper - so it's multi-functional for a home office that can also serve as guest room when needed," says Rekha.

And if you like the burnt orange color scheme, you'll need to check out the wrap office chair from West Elm. Not only does it provide a great pop of color, but for anyone who needs to swivel and roll, this chair is made for easy mobility as you glide from one side of the room to the other.

Here's a free design tip from Rekha for your own space, courtesy of Office Envy.

"If you want to liven up a space and make it cheerful, go for an orange palette - but the key is to not use too much. Mix it will with other neutrals so that the orange tones are subtle but add enough of a signature statement."

Interested in hearing more for Rekha? Check her out online @ www.divinedzigns.com or on Twitter @DivineNY and on Etsy @ DivinedzignsbyRekha

Life's a Beach at the Google Boston Office

Here at Office Envy things have been busier than ever. We're on a mission to check out the country's coolest office spaces so that we can share our findings with you and this week we hit the road in pursuit of that goal.

We just got back from Boston where we were invited to check out this office that offers and alternative for employees who can't make it out to the Cape.

Thought you might enjoy some pics!

Pull up a beach chair and lounge in this faux sand pit that has plenty of sunlight and easy access to snacks.

Or maybe you'd prefer a cabana?

There's no pool boy - and you have to bring your own refreshments, but there's an outlet and a "view" of the water in this cabana.


Another Boston area favorite is quaint charming Charles street, but if visitors to the office don't have time to traipse during their trip, in this office the cute come free.

Take a walk through the hallways and it's as if you're out on the cobblestone streets.

You can even open the doors and make yourself at home in a huddle room.
It's been our pleasure to feature this inspiring office design on Office-Envy.com
If you'd like us to profile your office, hit us up at OfficeEnvy@Gmail.com or Office_Envy on Twitter.

Envy this Office: Founder of Morpheus Media Shenan Reed's Stylish Corner Office

Just when we thought we might be over-thinking this whole Desk Set style thing, we stumbled upon an office that calmed our nerves (and gave us a serious case of Office Envy). Great office design really is out there. And at Morpheus Media, it's part of the culture.

The company, which was recently acquired by Createthe Group, has carved a niche for itself in the luxury marketing game. This full service interactive marketing agency counts on their creativity to provide out of the box digital marketing solutions.


And with a client list that has included the likes of Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Dior, it's no surprise that this office has style.


Founder and now CMO of the new merged entity (Morpheus Media, a Createthe Group Comapny) Shenan Reed has designed an office that lies at the intersection of office and art.


"I wish her office was my apartment," gushed one employee.


Here's a sneak peek for you!




"We got creative when it comes to finding good deals," says Reed, who in the past has furnished the office on American Express points earned through putting media buys on plastic.



"Here's the good stuff!" Reed pulls out a bottle from her in-office bar. In the conference room down the hall, 50-some clients and friends of the agency have gathered for a Thursday afternoon happy hour.






The one thing that the office (noticeably) lacks is a formal desk. The only thing resembling any such thing is a small glass table in the center of the room. But it's covered by a large open art supply kit. Employees are invited blow off steam using the crayons to color on the coffee table (below).







So without a desk, where does work get done?
"A lot of times I'll put out my lap desk on work on the couch," says Reed.

If there's one piece that will make this office famous (and it just might actually do so), it's the "book"case. Floor to ceiling. Filled with Stiletos. And yes, she wears them!

Shenan displays one of her favorite pairs. "The shoes themselves are so beautiful, they're like art," she says. Agreed.

You'll be glad to hear that it's not just the company's founder that gets to work in style. The whole office has a sleek, modern feel.
And comfortable executive chairs for everyone!

These leaf-looking things are to quiet the ambient noise from co-workers on phone calls.
Hope you enjoyed the tour!