We decided to give up our HQ in March last year. Mabel was due any day and I would be taking a few months off, Adam was moving to Cheltenham and three other members of the Rock My team live in London, Cornwall, Birmingham and Northampton respectively. It no longer made sense for us to all endeavour to be in one place.
That’s the beauty of running an online business though, you can be any place – providing there’s Wifi! And as we no longer see each other quite as often we have become far more organised in terms of regular meetings that come complete with agendas, minutes, specific allocated tasks and future planning. Who knew all those years ago when we were writing posts at 3am to be posted at 7am that one day we would become so business like?
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I wasn’t looking looking forward to working from home, I’ve tried it before and found it lonely and thus demotivating. But it was a long time ago, and I wasn’t working for myself at the time.
It was really important that I created the right environment, that my “work space” was separate to my “home space” as much as possible. I also wanted an area that felt spacious and organised yet still reflected my personal style. As you may have read some months ago, I decided to actually transform the guest bedroom into my home office area, it just made sense.
A lot of my day-to-day job involves an unorthadox amount of feminine pretty, that’s what happens when you are immersed in the beautiful world of weddings! and don’t get me wrong, I love a splash of peach and blush pink as much as the next person, I just prefer more industrial stripped-back and I guess you could say masculine (?) decor when it comes to interiors.
Turns out I’m rather partial to dirty copper, grey and white. And more white. I’m also strangely attracted to battered metal mixed with wood.
Due to the rather awkward shape and size of our master bedroom (makeover coming next week!) there is no room for a dressing table and/or really anywhere to get ready. I therefore incorporated a “beauty trolley” (make-up, jewellery, hair products) and a full length mirror into my office space. It seems rather self indulgent but I love it.
The key to maintaining the spacious/organised feel is storage, storage and more storage. My husband built me a generous walk-in cupboard which hosts anything from accounts to press coverage to props for shoots (you can see the door to the right of the trolley – there are steps from it up to the loft). I also have a set of amazing metal trunks that I use as a coffee table but also keeps all of my less attractive (yet necessary) paraphernalia out of sight.
I use my big screen for any of the work I do that involves imagery/design so I sit at my desk for nearly all of my Rock My Wedding features and social media responsibilities. For the writing element I sometimes just like to park myself on the sofa with my laptop and a cup of tea….maybe a digestive (or two.)
I had grand ideas for all of these fancy accessories and expertly placed “bits and pieces” around and about the place, much like the beautifully styled work spaces you see so often on Pinterest. When it came down to it everything I added I almost immediately took away again, it just felt like….clutter. Unnecessary ‘stuff”. I find I can easily mix up the colour scheme/look with different blooms anyway, it’s amazing what different a splash of the aforementioned blush pink can do.
My current favourite piece of typography artwork is the “She believed she could so she did” monochrome print by Jasmine Dowling, there are so many inspiration quotes out there you could literally create wallpaper but this is the one that resonates the most with me.
Besides, if you don’t believe in yourself then how can you expect anyone else to?
Do you work from home? Do you have a designated home work office/space?
How do you find working from home?
Any useful storage tips?
Do you ever have a bit of a re-syle with a few cushions and flowers?
Please feel free to ask anything I’ve inevitably forgotten to include in the comments section below, and if you like this kind of more personal decor feature do let us know, we’ll do our best to feature more!
P.S There are a few more images in the gallery below if you fancy a peek.
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Where To Buy
Sofa and Storage Trunks: These were from Made.com, I sign up to their newsletter for their flash sales – I’ve recently bought a lush copper clock for the hallway that was only thirty quid.
Desk: This is actually a trestle table from French Connection Home, I wanted something long but with less depth to create more space.
Copper Chair: This is from Cult Furniture and is strangely comfortable. Although it can be a tad chilly on your backside first thing in the morning.
Trolley: Cox and Cox, the grey boxes are from H&M, the others are a mixture of vintage/salvage finds, The Vintage Wall is worth a butchers for similar pieces.
Studio Light: Rocket St George, I LOVE their store. I’m not a huge fan of red as a rule but for whatever reason this almost burgundy hue works well with my obvious love affair with rust.
Mirrors: I have coveted the grey full length version for what seems like forever. It’s from Brissi, I finally caved when they had 30% off in November last year. The piece on my trolley is actually a reclaimed window, Lauren C kindly found it for me from Sugden and Daughters, a salvage/up-cycle vintage store.
Cushion and Typoraphy Art: Both from Jasmine Dowling who I discovered via instagram. I love the hand written scrawl style.
Candle: I MUST mention the candle! My husband bought me this from Anthropologie, it’s £16 which is less than half the price of Jo Malone, Diptique et al yet smells AMAZING. It completely scents the entire room with delicious spicy pumpkin-ness.
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You are my interiors icon Charlotte! We move house soon and I endeavour to use inspiration ( copy) some of your ideas! Wish I could turn my classroom into this!
Rhiannon feel free to copy as much as you like! glad you are inspired by some of the ideas x
Ps: excuse my nonsensical sentence…hopefully you understand what I mean!
Do you think you could do interiors consulting on the side?! You really helped when I was doing Bronwen’s nursery and I showed all my family the pictures of Mabel’s nursery when they were trying to convince me to have pink walls
Ha ha! I don’t consider myself particularly cool on the interiors front, I just like what I like.
I would love to decorate other people’s spaces though 🙂 x
Ooooh where on earth is that amazing pineapple tray thing from?!
It’s from Debenhams Emma, I think it was about twelve quid?
Beautiful- what fabulous design inspiration! Keep us updated on the bedroom redesign…
Thanks Lou, it’s coming next week x
It looks just as fabulous in real-life as it does in these images.
I think it should be a compulsory for all RMLtd team members to have a similar styled office. I’m off to buy myself a trunk or two….
You should see it now….Becky and I are sat in the middle of the floor surrounded by half drunk mugs of tea, plates of crumbs and general mess 🙂 x
So, so beautiful. What an inspiring and lovely place to work in. I’m off to buy some Jasmine Dowling prints – love the font. Can’t wait to see the bedroom x
Thanks Sian – good luck on Jasmine Dowling, I want everything! x
I love the trunks they are fab for storage and I think I shall be investing in some. The whole space is gorgeous although I do have to ask is that desk chair comfy to work in?? All the offices I have pinned all have these chic chairs that look fab but would have my back in half after an hour or two and I’m struggling to find an officr chair that is comfy and stylish xx
Honestly Helen? I do often put a cushion underneath my bum 🙂 x
I have had physio on my back in the past so I may be worse than others but I’m always fancying chairs and then thinking “what about my back” the one I have now is falling to pieces but so comfy it definitely needs replacing so the hunt must go on!! Currently lusting over various colour swatches from farrow and ball so have a bit of time yet xx
Hi Helen, I’ve been trying for months to find a comfy work chair that also LOOKS nice and not like it belongs in an office. I’ve not had any luck so far which is annoying!
Glad I’m not the only one Kate, I’ve bought the farrow and ball ready for the office so will be seeking out something comfy and stylish next xx
Gorgeous workspace – thanks for sharing! I’ve just checked out The Vintage Wall too – so many lovely things. I will definitely be making a purchase.
I love posts like this because they’re brilliant for inspiration (and if I’m being honest, also because I’m a proper nosey parker!)
Helen I am a nosey parker when it comes to peoples homes. Especially wardrobes – I would love a good poke around someone’s closet!
Also make-up bags….LOVE looking in those! x
Clock of amazingness!! Where’s it from?
Lovely room, I am just finishing my navy/white/gold crafty space…I also have a full length mirror and beauty space lol!!
P.S I ‘may’ have gotten a little excited…
Hi Lizzie! it’s from Habitat (in Homebase) they do a MASSIVE version as well!
Your crafty space sounds amazing! x
I have a cinnamon version of that candle and it’s amazing! I work from home in what doubles as a guest room, I have the Micke desk from Ikea which has a magnetic board at the back so I can put up wall planners, notes, fun things etc – I also got some pretty magnetic backed pegs to hold random bits of paper I need to deal with. And my cat likes to sleep on the shelf along the top.
I paid about £100 for an office chair I find really comfy (essential) and I have lots of pretty stationery (also essential clearly). I do think the little touches matter like nice coasters.
My best storage find has been these box files from The Holding Company for paperwork: http://www.theholdingcompany.co.uk/filebox-with-12-dividers-prodpf_fil022/
I also have some awesome Pantone Universe storage tins to match my colour scheme! They are fab! I got mine in Bloomsbury Store in Bath ages ago, you can also see some here: http://www.stylishlife.co.uk/pantone-universe-metal-storage-tins-boxes
PS I have the nominell chair from ikea (mine is black with a white Scandi leaf print). It’s so comfy and has a tilt function as well as height changer so you can get it exactly how you want.
Wow thanks for all the recommendations Annie! the desk sounds great, I would hope to have a larger desk myself should we move house, I do have to keep things VERY tidy in oder to have enough space on my current trestle.
James’s cat Fathead has taken to sleeping underneath my radiator x
I did have grand ideas of what could go on the shelf but it has been commandeered!
I used to have a much bigger desk but it just created a bigger mess to be honest… I love the Micke one but it is quite compact.
I’m so glad to hear Fathead is still on the scene – haven’t seen him mentioned in a while!
Pah ha ha! He’s a bit of an old dude now Lynsey 🙂 x
Beautiful space, looks lovely! Can I ask where are your lovely make up storage boxes from? Looking for something similar. Love the trunks x
Thanks Angela, they are from H&M (they have them still I think) x
So lovely! What an inspiring place to work from! You have such good taste Charlotte. I’ve just spent the day trying to design what is about to become our new HQ at work… how to make 10 free desks all look nice and hide a big corporate carpet… I’m not sure I will pull anything as chic as this off!
Corporate carpet is the worst Amanda, I feel your pain. For my office I would have loved lovely white washed wooden floorboards (!) but they would be really bloody chilly!
Put beautiful things on the walls – then no-one will notice the floor 🙂 x
Haha that is my plan… and to paint the desks and to put the biggest rug the world has ever seen in it! We’ve made an ikea wedding list for the move!
I love working from home. We live in a new build townhouse but lucky that the downstairs bedroom is perfect office size and has an adjacent shower room that I call the executive bathroom ;0) it’s difficult to sometimes get motivated but have my desk so that I can look out into my garden (do you work with your back to the window, I’m a bit freaky and couldn’t do that) big benefit is garden working in the summer thanks to wifi x
Hi Helen, I work with my back to it if I’m at my desk, but it’s to my right side if I’m on the sofa. I do make the garden my office in the summer – love working outside x
gosh i love your space Charlotte, it’s so clear & concise! Home office envy for sure. My space is always a bit chaotic but i feel it’s mainly because i dont have enough space for all those lovely props & all the ridiculous craft bits i use day to day. Plus… I’m shoved to one wall of my living room. I dream of having my own room where i can really -sort it out- but admit, i do enjoy a bit of chaos too. Maybe I secretly love having 4 different things on the go!
Working from home I really do enjoy, i think i’m a hermit at heart! But i wish i didnt have to be so near to my work all the time.. I’m at that stage where i’m always thinking about it because it’s sat right there behind me even when i’m relaxing with Andy watching a film. I definitely need more seperation, but it’s just not possible yet in a 1 bed flat..
I did consider taking over a spare room in my parents house but i know i’d be driven mad. No matter how hard i try, i’d totally feel like i’d gone a bit backwards..?
Anyway this has given me some space-clarity inspiration 🙂
Sundari your space was lovely! and believe me, my space can look VERY chaotic – it does now in fact. Littered with internet clothing orders (!)
If you have the offer of a free room and the location suits…why not?
I love having multiple things on the go, I don’t know how else to be x
So stylish! Thanks for the mention. We’re thrilled to have one of our reclaimed mirrors in such a super stylish interior.
Pleasure – it’s a great mirror!
I love it Charlotte! Right up my street! I got totally obsessed with copper recently and looks like our kitchen will also match the rest of the house in greys, whites and copper! X
Thanks Eddie! I even fuelled my copper obsession with some copper hair grips from & Other Stories yesterday! x
Absolutely gorgeous home office!! We’ve been struggling with ideas for an office table and that one looks pretty perfect…
I love the print. We think my 16 month old daughter has cerebral palsy. She’s having lots of tests and physio at the moment. But she just smiles and laughs through it all with such a determined look on her gorgeous little face. The words of that print really mean something to me as when my husband and I talk about it, we’re determined life will still be awesome for her. We believe in her and hope she’ll believe in herself. A bit deep for a Friday morning, sorry! Anyway, thank you. That print is going to take pride of place in my bedroom.
Wow Sarah, that’s for sharing such a personal and heart felt comment. I am sure no matter what the results your daughter will still be the happy and determined little girl she is today. I am so glad you like the quote and am sending lots of love and hope your way x
I absolutely love your home office and style! Do you mind me asking where you got the copper lettering from?
Hi Theresa! they are from Cachette, A french company but they ship to the UK x
http://www.cachette.com/en/interiors/interiors/oui-rusted-metal-letters/1-270
Oh wow I love your decor and colour scheme in this room. We’re just decorating our smallest bedroom (lots of lovely white paint!) and turning it into my office/craft room. I can’t wait for when it’s finished! Going to draw on inspiration from what you’ve done here. x
Hi Kate! You must send us a picture when you are done, sounds lush! x
I love this room! I have just recently purchased a sofa from made and very generously they are sending me a voucher to say thank you. I love the trunks used as a coffee table and great for storage which I am seriously lacking. I am going straight to made.com now to try to find these! Did you have to use any special paint? xx
Hi Caroline, the trunks came already white 🙂
I didn’t need to do a single thing! x
love the thin white shelf – where’s it from? Thanks 🙂 x
me too where are the shelfs from pretty please
Hello Charlotte, I love what you have done with your room. I also work from home and have to share my office with a nursery so space is precious. I wondered if you could tell me where you bought your desk? Its the perfect size! You may have had it made, its lovely. Thank you for sharing. Charley
[…] I picked up the duvet cover from HomeSense and the blind is a gunmetal grey blackout blind found in B&Q and finished the room with a Nkuku metal cage light, also favoured by Charlotte in her home studio. […]
I love the pillow!
Where did you get it?
Thanks!
[…] Source: Rock My Style […]
Hi Charlotte! I am a teacher so I am making the most of my time left before the new term to follow up more posts on RockMyStyle. My house is a mess due to painfully slow extension work plus the fact that anything we have done already, desperately needs redecorating again, but husband,whilst able to do things, won’t let others in to do some work (unless brick laying ) and keeps starting projects and not finishing them. You may sense my frustration and I will stop now….
SO my point is – spaces for ME! ‘Beauty’ area in the bedroom (stuff and mirror in four different areas of the room!) and an area around the kitchen diner for my ‘office’, the desk being of course, the kitchen table! This post has inspired me to look at these areas again – I am often tweaking little things about the house and love creating little vignettes and displays that my friends often comment on, but am going to play to make things work for me better so I can remain sane amongst the chaos! Love your newer dressing table shelf too – might swap a side table from the kitchen with a mini chest of drawers in the bedroom! Thank you! 😊
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