Big news—I’ve decided to take the leap (after 75 sales in two weeks—I love you guys!!!) and pursue my Katie Armour Home venture full time. I’ll finally be able to upload all my inventory! I have so much planned I can hardly sit still. One of my first orders of business, however, will be to prepare a proper home office. I desperately need a new chair, the current dining chair I use (tisk, tisk) is beginning to take a serious toll on my back. Does anyone have a suggestion for a chic, comfortable chair that won’t break the bank? I’m currently loving this one from Crate & Barrel (until I can afford the Eames that surely inspired it). Some other items I’m lusting after for my dream office:
This classic white lacquered Parsons desk by West Elm.
Mixed with a more traditional blue and white tea jar lamp by Wisteria.
For a little fragrance, fresh blooms in this vase by Kate Spade.
For motivation, this cute poster by The Love Shop.
For jotting down million dollar ideas, this chevron notepad by Linda & Harriet.
For packing shipments, these vintage inspired scissors from Kate’s Paperie.
For holding down the orders, this decoupage rose paperweight by John Derian.
For a true vintage touch, this brass faux bamboo ashtray and ceramic bust just added to my shop.
For my Domino archives, I love these simple lucite magazine holders from The Container Store. They’re currently on sale!
For covering my wall with inspiration images, this elephant tape dispenser by Iomoi.
For recycling, this pretty floral wastebasket by The Well Appointed House.
For keeping order, this industrial, vintage inspired stapler by The Container Store.
So I don’t forget what day it is all alone in my apartment, this Kate Spade wall calender illustrated by the incredibly talented Bella Foster (a Plucky Pioneer!).
Now it’s your turn—what are your office must haves??? I love suggestions! xoxo
Congrats Katie! As you know, I’m as huge fan of your store and will definitely be a return customer many times over I’m sure!
xx
What exciting news, Katie! Congratulations!
I’ve never set up a home office before- even when I work out of my house, I rarely actually work at home. Yours, I’m sure, will be stunning, though. I can’t wait to see pictures!
Thanks ladies—you’re both too sweet! I’m so excited!!!! So much to upload in the next week. It’s going to be crazy and great fun! XOXOXOX
YAY!!! This is wonderful news! Congrats! You’ll be amazing (you already are!) Looks like you have the setup covered here! Our little home office must-have is a treasured Aeron Chair – I’ll never again underestimate the importance of good ergonomics after years of back pain and migraines! I love that Crate & Barrel chair! I’m so excited for you!! XOXO
How fun! and CONGRATULATIONS!!
My aunt ALWAYS put a tv in her office for a break for her brain. To me, I would be SO distracted, but it helped her rejuvenate ideas.
I’m very excited for you!
Congratulations! Don’t forget to add in a little music! Oh, and a lightbox for photographing your finds. Best of luck to you – can’t wait to see what pops up in your shop. And I do love that chair! It would go perfect with the new desk I am getting!
Best,
Stephanie
Good for you and Congrats! Not surprised that everyone of your picks is TDF! You have such a great eye. I love CB2′s lucite memo trays…off to check out your container store pick next!
xx
Sue
love it all. especially the elephant tape dispenser OMG. Congrats! Cant wait to check it all out.
Congratulations!
I have that very same Linda and Harriet notepad. It’s great! I also love these pretty sticky notes— they make me smile every time I use them.
http://katespaperie.com/store/category/office___presentation/desk_accessories/item/0000241/page_flags_raval/
yeah, you are on your way, you lil entrepreneur!!
so funny i have many of those things when i set up my lil office space..
my suggestion is to get the table versian of the parsons vs the desk..much more space to spread out..! i am still covetting that elephant tape dispenser..i love the john derain jelly fish paperweight i have , thick pads are a must, a tray to hold your pens in their cute container and i think you gotta get some discreet speakers for your laptop/pc so you can crank the tunes..and the newest addition is my lil brass elephant weighting down my bills, i heart him!
Since our offices are moving to the other side of the building next month, will you come redecorate for us? The colors and special touches are wonderful – loving where you work is so important!
Oh, Kate, I’m so very excited that you’ve decided to do this. I was just browsing around your etsy shop last night, looking for something to send to a friend, when I noticed those sales — so impressive! I’m not shocked your awesome shop was so well received. And the fun of setting up a home office? I wish I could come over and help! I really can’t wait to see where this new adventure takes you.
I have a little water fountian in my office that is so soothing…..for those times that you need a little moment of relaxation. Congrats, Kate! xxoo :)
GO get ‘em KAtie!!! I miss you so much. New york needs a visit from you. For my home office I prefer good old mechanical pencils, and hermes note ad in orange, and my favorite antique silver vase for holding markers for sketching.
xx
I’m so excited for you I’m unable to contain myself! Congrats! (I’m also envious…)
I’ve yet to find a chair that works for me but sometimes even a bum chair can be made tolerable with a back pillow.
MT
Congratulations!!! SO SO SO exciting! A phone date is definitely in order, asap. Must call soon!
Oh, and I loved the Love Shop on Etsy. Just combed through all their prints and they are divine!
That is so exciting! All the stuff in your store is so fabulous thats so great you can now pursue it full time!!
Congratulations Kate!
How exciting and wonderful to be able to do what you love full time, you are big inspiration. It looks like your home office will be splendid and I agree with everyone else, I covet that tape dispenser.
I’m overwhelmed by all your support and good suggestions! Can’t wait to look into everything everyone mentioned—you’re so full of good ideas! XOXO
Congrats! Very inspiring! I just peeked at your shop and it is so divine. I can hardly wait to make a purchase :)
CONGRATULATIONS–GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!
I am also on the hunt for a good desk chair at home. I ordered the armless version of one very similar to the C&B one you pictured from Overstock. I’ll let you know how it looks! Also, we have the version with arms (though it’s from ZuoModern) at my office in white. As much as I love it and as comfortable as it is, we have destroyed them with jeans and black pants. Oh and that parsons desk? Adorable but way to small. The Ikea Jonas desk (with the privacy panel in front) is way better (and a fraction of the cost!). May not be available in white any longer though…
Good luck! Have fun!
Marija
I’m SO happy for you! Congrats! Isn’t it such a dream to work for yourself!!! AND you are! You should be your OWN next Plucky Pioneer!! Amazing and seriously inspiring Kate. I wish I could make an office for you, bring in pretty boxes, organize your shelves, buy you beautiful furniture and of course, always make sure you have a big fat full vase of flowers on your desk. Cheers!! Lots of Love to you and again congrats. Pop the BUBBLY girl!
Oh my goodness—I want to cry every time I approve a comment. You’re all really TOO nice! As excited as I have been, I almost forgot what a big step this is… Holy smokes, I’m going to be my own boss—a life long dream—huzzah! XOXOXOXO Love you all SO much!
P.S. Marija — you must let me know what you think of the Overstock chair. I never thought about jeans on white leather, very good point. Headed over to the Ikea site now… Where would I be without you all?!
you are amazing! i am so excited for you! seriously, a dream of mine as well and you are inspiring me daily. as always. but with this one BIG TIME!!! youre the best. favorite kind of tea? and i promise, ill finally send it.
loves!
britt
Awesome! Fantastic! I’m so proud of you, keep up the good work. You will be amazing at this. And you’d better post pictures of the finished office :o) I need that Wisteria lamp BTW…
First off, I happened across your blog a few weeks ago and now I am HOOKED!!! You are incredible! I am an interior design major in NY and I have to say its rare that for me to take a break from design homework by looking at more design stuff but i just find your style so soothing and elegant. You are wonderfully talented, best of luck to you!!!!
Being a student that sits at her desk hovering over a computer or a drawing pad I have to say a good chair is key! But of course style is important, I have the Generation Chair by Knoll and its a dream, you can get it in almost any color combination so I’m sure you can find something that works.
-NEK
http://haagsche.com.server44.firstfind.nl/CHAIRBLOG.EU/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Knoll-Generation-Chair.gif
Oh wow, that is such great, great news! I’m so happy for you, I would love to have my own business, maybe one day – I’m working on it! If you head in the direction you’re planning your office will be devine! Perfect mixture of vintage meets modern chic, don’t forget a photo frame or two of your loved ones for inspiration and a smiling face…particually helpful if you’re having a rough day. Oh, and if it was me I’d also have a large cork board for all my inspiration :)
Kate this is SO fantastic!!!
My mother-in-law and I have a booth at our local antique mall where we sell our favorite found goodies… I’ve been wanting to bring it live for a while, but I haven’t had the time or energy to commit. You are SO talented… your styling is perfection!
I am totally old school and ADORE my “rolodex” from lovely design (http://www.lovelydesign.com/lovely_products_address.html)!
Good Luck!!
Natalie Eve — Thanks so much for saying hi! That generation chair is too chic—love it! And it looks so comfy which is the best part. Not sure I can make that sort of investment just yet, but it’s certainly worth looking into. So pleased to meet you! XO
Sarah — that rolodex is the cutest, chicest thing I ever did see. I may have to do a post strictly with people’s suggestions…hmmmm. XO
how exciting! I have a chair from CB2 that is somewhat similar to the top. Love it! I have seen some on overstock for great prices too.
ugh. Just realized the lucite file folder that I just got is now on sale. hate when that happens.
I am quite jealous! One thing to remember… keep the office separate from the rest of the house. You do not want to end up all work and no play.
Best of luck!
Congrats!!! That’s gotta be so exciting :) I’m dreaming of the day I can do the same so I love hearing when others do it. You deserve it…your shop is great!
Oh and you have to get the parsons desk…I’ve been obsessing about it for years, it’s my fave :)
Full-time?! Kate that is awesome! Good for you, you will do amazingly I know it. You have a passion for what you do and everything you want will simply follow.
I too wish for the Eames chair. I too love the lacquered West Elm desk. I too love that poster. I too love (have) the Kate Spade wall calendar. Can’t wait to see photos of your new proper office:)
wow… 75 sales in 2 weeks! that’s wonderful! I would do the same thing and take it full time. if I had that many sales, i think my fingers would fall off and my sewing machine would die! haha… but then again I am selling wedding dresses and you are selling cute little nic nacs that we all drool over for our homes.
That chair looks delicous! if you have a crate and barrel store near you or a funiture store of any kind near you they many times have sale items somewhere, usually the floor models, that you may get for a great price… I would try that out.
by the way, I am crazy jealous that you are able to take that leap. it takes a lot of courage and support. I am gaining courage right now…
I can’t get over all of you and your kind words—I’m so excited! Off to photograph things now in fact! XO
Congratulations! That is quite a feat, especially for someone so young. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
From what I can tell by these images on your post, it looks like you’ve got some fabulous things in your shop. I may just have to take a peek!
yayyy — bigtime congratulations! i can’t wait to live vicariously through all your adventures :) congrats again!
You know what you ABSOLUTELY need in your home office? A framed print of the West Virginia University poster boy! Talk about inspiring!!!!
Mary — hahaha. You’re right. I have one around here somewhere…. He’s so handsome, it will certainly inspire me to work. Miss you guys. XOXOXO
How exciting Kate!! Congrats on everything!
CONGRATS!! this is so exciting!!!!! who knows where this could take you! BEST of luck!!!!
Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment that the shop took off so quickly :)
Not sure if it’s a NECESSITY, but a tackable inspiration board is a fantastic accessory / eye candy that’s easy to update! Best of luck!
congratulations!! so excited you’re doing the shop full time. redoing a house but i have two little boys so i don’t have time to scour little shops right now. looking forward to a larger katie armour home.
How exciting!! Congratulations!!
I love everything you’ve picked for your office and can’t really think of much else other than a fab bulletin board of some sort to post inspirational photos and reminder notes.
I love that poster about the world is your oyster! I may need to put that in my office too.