Interiors. Events. Graphics.
Wondering how to create that ‘one of a kinda’, ‘custom desk’ look for less? Here’s DJD Design’s secret to making your home office look like a designer did it! By using both pre-made modular pieces, and inexpensive custom sized desktops, you too can create a desk that will fill any space to perfection!
By taking these modular desk components from PotteryBarn, and a custom cut piece of lexan, from Solter Plastics in Santa Monica, we were able to create this desk space that spanned from wall to wall, without spending serious cash! The whole look above cost $1,000, but we are going to show you how to achieve this look for HALF THE PRICE or LESS!!!
Step 1 is to measure your space! Using a tape measure, measure the floor space where you would like your desk to go. It is important that you get all three dimensions, width, depth, and height. *Note that the desktop depth may hang off the back of your bottom pieces (we recommend no more than 4″ to avoid unbalancing the top)
Step 2 go out and get your bases! You can use virtually anything as a base, but consider the height. (An ideal desk height is around 28″). Places like Potterybarn, IKEA, The Container Store all have cabinets that you can use as the base for your custom desk. Below are some great pieces from IKEA that you can choose from for your desk’s base.
Step 3 decide whether you want a clear desktop or wood desktop.
– If clear: A cheap alternative to a glass desktop is an acrylic or polycarbonate sheet. There are differences between the two and if you would like to know which one would best suit your needs, click this link for the comparisons.
– If wood: Say hello to engineered wood! There are many varieties to choose from and the best part of choosing wood is that you can paint it a fun color or stain/seal to look natural, depending on your design aesthetic! You can go to any local ‘do-it-yourself’ store like the Home Depot, Lowes, or the Do-It-Center and with your desktop dimensions in hand, have the lumberyard cut the desktop size you need!
We’ve all heard, at some point or another, the names and stories of the Greek gods and goddesses. Among the most famous are Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Athena. But what we know about them we usually learned in elementary school, a lit class, or from a Hollywood movie. However, it’s worth taking the time to really understand these mythical gods and godesses when considering a style of design that suits you or a client.
Perhaps it’s due to the fact that part of my heritage is from Greece, but I have always loved ancient Greek myths, learning about philosophy, and of course, the arts. So I want to take the time today to introduce to my readers the notion that the design of a home’s décor reflects the archetype within a personal sense of style.
So what is an archetype you may ask? Archetypes are deep enduring patterns of instinct that underlie our thoughts and behaviors. These patterns in the human psyche, which are expressed in myth, remain powerful over long periods of time and transcend cultural eras. Archetypes can also be detected in dreams, literature, and art, where they communicate to us through many symbols. Because archetypes are composed out of the unconscious source of symbols, they attract personal energy, structure it, and spur creativity. Then they manifest through the work of individual artists, writers, and designers, thereby influencing civilization and culture. (source)
The Greek philosopher Aristotle described an archetype as an original form, from which derivatives or fragments could be taken. In more recent times, Carl Jung and his followers imagined a psychology based on the archetypes. From studying anthropological and archeological reports of their times, they wove an understanding of the psyche and its potential. They observed how the ancient gods of polytheistic religions, and themes found in old tales, might influence modern life with regard to soul, psyche, dreams and the Self. “In Jung’s psychology an archetype is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious.” (source)
Inspired by these concepts, I thought it would be interesting to design a home for the archetype within a person. First, of course, I would get to know about the client’s history, personal likes and dislikes, and over-all goals. Then, I would match that information to the patterns of one of the familiar Greek gods or goddesses, the archetypes of Greek mythology. Let’s say that a client loves nature and animals and has an independent spirit with eclectic tastes. The client would then be matched to Artemis.
Who is Artemis? Artemis is the Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and wild places. While she assisted women in childbirth and protected all young animals (including humans), she also represented a virginal purity. She had an introverted and independent temperament. In artwork, Artemis is often depicted as a huntress with bow and arrows. Deer were sacred to her, roaming free in her sanctuaries. Her domain is nature, so a person with a strong Artemis influence might have interest in some of the following: outdoor activities, young children, animals, wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and women’s communities. This type is earthy, adventurous, athletic, but also guards her solitude. (Click Here for More Information about the Goddess Artemis)
So now, designing for the goddess within the client—a modern- day Artemis’ design aesthetic and décor might include:
In conclusion, one thing to keep in mind, archetypes occur in combinations in most people, therefore, one could posses traits of Artemis mixed with, for example, Athena and/or Persephone. So brush up on your ancient Greek myths before you try decorating your house based on your inner gods or goddesses.
Below is a collection of interiors that have been chosen to help illustrate types of spaces that would suit a modern day Artemis.
We’ve all been on a treasure hunt at some point in our childhood where we were transported into a fantastic world. We would fabricate the details of the simplest things we were on a quest to find. A mere tin can could be the holy grail, a stick be transformed into a magical wand. But what if those simple things were, in fact, not so simple? Well, this brings me to the topic at hand–adult treasure hunting!! What is an adult treasure hunt you ask? ANTIQUING!
Antique stores are often extremely cluttered and can make you feel like you are staring at a dusty pile of rubbish. Perhaps that is because our adult minds have consumed what once was our inner child’s creative mind! If we can let go of all the judgment and logic we carry throughout our daily activities and just let our minds drift, we can take that flight of imagination and from it perceive a new reality for the objects that surround us. Antiquing is all that!
I experienced it first hand a few months ago when I walked into T.L. Gurley Antiques in Pasadena, CA. I can’t explain why it happened or how, but all of a sudden I felt like I was on an amazing treasure hunt and found myself staring at the most magnificent pieces while creating their stories in my mind. The best thing is that antiques have such wonderful stories! Their very existence evokes the magical journey that landed them in front of you.
An antique may be collected or desirable for many reasons: its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, or some other unique quality that lies in the eyes of the beholder. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society, that has the power to send you into a dream of that world.
I want to share with you pictures of some of the pieces that so inspired me. At the same time I hope you will make your own trip to the antique shop nearest you.
P.S. Remember there are many variations of black…gray black, blue black, black black…just like white…
This was one of the most exciting parts of the Pasadena Showcase House this year for me. This amazing garage restoration by Garage Envy was truly a “work” of art. As a car buff and interior designer, I was thrilled to have seen this in person!
Formerly a three-car garage, the Carriage House, has been transformed into a functional workspace that embraces utility while maintaining the period architecture and style. The main goal was to restore and enhance the space that is the workhorse of the estate.
State-of-the-art custom welding stations, wood-working areas and raised paneled cabinetry make this the envy of most garage spaces. But all work and no play would not suffice with this design, so a wine cooler, refrigerator and flat screen TV have been installed, giving the space the needed accoutrements and the right mix of new technology to make it the ultimate man cave.
Lighting plays a paramount role in making this oversized space feel inviting. Antique units repurposed from old welding tank covers and vintage light fixtures brighten the area while complementing the other design elements. The floors have been diamond polished and sealed in order to preserve the exiting poured concrete. This practical treatment not only makes the surface impervious to oils and solvents but also adds a polished look.
Free up floorspace with a wooden bike mount that doubles as a shelf. Available from Established & Sons.
Here at DJD Design, our goal is to work closely with our clients to determine and create an environment that is a reflection of their needs. Whether it is a single room or an entire home. We believe that open communication is key to achieving your desired results and we pride ourselves on meeting budget and scheduling requirements.
This was a home office design I created to be both esthetically pleasing and completely practical. This was a relatively small space that needed to include, a space for a computer, filing, a reading area, and space for books, so by combing modular pieces with custom-made pieces I was able to create an inviting and usable space for my client.
Creating a “customized” desk area can be simple and inexpensive by mixing modular components and tailored components into one. The cabinets are from Potterybarn, and the desktop was a custom cut piece of plexi-glass.
Small area rugs are a great way to designate a space or to add some texture to a room. Positioning a chair at an angle in a corner will allow for optimum use in small spaces as well. Be sure to add a reading lamp near your chair to give you enough light when reading.
“THINK” about the chair you sit in day in and day out….if you are like me and spend hours on end sitting at your computer, you will way ahead of the game if you invest in getting the right chair! DJD Design’s #1 chair is the “Think” chair by STEELCASE! Not only is this chair designed to absolute perfection, but it has an environmentally friendly design.
Its smart features anticipate your needs as a user and react to them as you change postures and sit for long periods of time, but we’ve known about its design excellence for a while now. In addition to a mouthful of ergonomic adjustments (three recline positions, 4-way adjustable arms and adjustments for seat height, seat depth, lumbar height, and an adjustable headrest) and, perhaps more important to us, are its materials; the chair itself is comprised of 99% recyclable content and is made of up to 41% recycled material. It is also Greenguard certified and helps contribute towards LEED certification.
Going green is the new way in the world of design, and not to mention in business. Who doesn’t want to save a little green these days? Well…we certainly do! So, with that, have at it! Pour a little bit of green color into your life! Moss green is making its way into upscale home magazines and leaving its impression on new sustainable textiles. Let’s make 2011 a green and prosperous year!
Check out BEHR’s Decorating with Green article:
http://newsroom.behr.com/pr/behr/document/DecoratingGreen.pdf
Looking for a little luxury in your life these days? Let lavender leave you feeling luxurious. We’ve seen it in the fashion industry on the likes of Mila Kunis and Cate Blanchett at the 2011 Academy Awards, and it’s making its statement on the cover of Australia’s current Vouge Living magazine! Lavender is not only useable in fashion, but is a beautiful color for your bedroom or accents for your living room. It signifies elegance and luxury in a toned down fashion. Historically, purple is associated with royalty…now, it’s being used for everything from custom furniture fabrics, to wow-factor fashion garments. So go ahead and lather up in lavender for 2011!
I’m obsessed with shades of gray. Perhaps because it speaks to both the masculine and feminine. Slate and charcoal grays are the new neutrals, and muted dulled silvers are my best friends. From jewelry and fashion, to interiors and automotive design, we can’t get enough gray! I say, don’t ‘feel’ gray, GET gray! Go ahead and place a cool shade of gray with almost any color for a hot pairing. My suggestions; aqua or orange.
Check out BEHR’s Gorgeous Grays brochure:
http://newsroom.behr.com/pr/behr/document/Gorgeous_Gray.pdf
AND….
Now this is going to be a difficult one for me to understand, or better yet even use, but I would say it might be worth mentioning in this blog, since ‘Honeysuckle’ is Pantone’s 2011 Color of the Year. My take is that this color might be fun to introduce into a commercial setting, like a fashion boutique, or a lounge bar. Pink is definitely a statement color that will be sure to attract some attention, regardless of where you use it!
Here’s an article by Laurel Petriello:
http://designwire.interiordesign.net/products/3150/pantone-selects-2011-color-of-the-year/comment-page-1#the_ID
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