The need for a productive and comfortable space was the motive for the study design. A culmination of ideas supports daily routines from the computer desk for correspondence, the worktable to review documents, or the sofa to read reports. The wood mantel creates the base for the art niche, which provides a space for one homeowner’s taste in modern art to be expressed. Horizontal wood elements are stained for layered warmth from the floor, wood tops, mantel, and ceiling beams. The walls are covered in a natural paper weave with a green tone that is pulled to the built-ins flanking the marble fireplace for a happier work environment. Connections to the outside are a welcome relief to enjoy views to the front, or pass through the doors to the private outdoor patio at the back of the home. The ceiling light fixture has linen panels as a tie to personal ship artwork displayed in the office.

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

New Orleans Inspired on Yarrow Point

Kristi Spouse Interiors

Custom home designed with inspiration from the owner living in New Orleans. Study was design to be masculine with blue painted built in cabinetry, brick fireplace surround and wall. Custom built desk with stainless counter top, iron supports and and reclaimed wood. Bench is cowhide and stainless. Industrial lighting. Jessie Young - www.realestatephotographerseattle.com

Los Altos Hills Shared Spaces

Form + Field

Tunbridge Wells Attic Conversion

Nicky Percival Limited

Glorious sunny work place with view to garden

High Style in San Antonio

BRADSHAW DESIGNS LLC

Warm and inviting this new construction home, by New Orleans Architect Al Jones, and interior design by Bradshaw Designs, lives as if it's been there for decades. Charming details provide a rich patina. The old Chicago brick walls, the white slurried brick walls, old ceiling beams, and deep green paint colors, all add up to a house filled with comfort and charm for this dear family. Lead Designer: Crystal Romero; Designer: Morgan McCabe; Photographer: Stephen Karlisch; Photo Stylist: Melanie McKinley.

Keller Sophisticated Office

BRNS Design

From Seasoned to Sophisticated Home Renovation

Corinthian Fine Homes

Our busy young homeowners were looking to move back to Indianapolis and considered building new, but they fell in love with the great bones of this Coppergate home. The home reflected different times and different lifestyles and had become poorly suited to contemporary living. We worked with Stacy Thompson of Compass Design for the design and finishing touches on this renovation. The makeover included improving the awkwardness of the front entrance into the dining room, lightening up the staircase with new spindles, treads and a brighter color scheme in the hall. New carpet and hardwoods throughout brought an enhanced consistency through the first floor. We were able to take two separate rooms and create one large sunroom with walls of windows and beautiful natural light to abound, with a custom designed fireplace. The downstairs powder received a much-needed makeover incorporating elegant transitional plumbing and lighting fixtures. In addition, we did a complete top-to-bottom makeover of the kitchen, including custom cabinetry, new appliances and plumbing and lighting fixtures. Soft gray tile and modern quartz countertops bring a clean, bright space for this family to enjoy. This delightful home, with its clean spaces and durable surfaces is a textbook example of how to take a solid but dull abode and turn it into a dream home for a young family.

Reservoir Hill Renovation

Sam Kachmar Architects

Gentleman's Study

Reed & Acanthus Interior Design

Federal Colonial Reinterpreted

Patrick Ahearn Architect

Greg Premru

Nathan Spotts

Custom cabinetry by Warmington & North Architect: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer Photography: Haris Kenjar

Whole Home Remodel

MB Interiors

High-end design Highbury and Islington

Juliet Murphy Photography

Juliet Murphy

New Classic

Whitlock Builders

Ladies retreat

J. Waddell Interiors, LLC

Part of the ladies retreat, this bar is at the ready for friends to enjoy when hanging out with the owner. I love to repurpose antiques and this secretary was the perfect choice for setting up the bar. I added glass shelves and down lights to give it sparkle. Photo by Walt Roycraft

Family Farmhouse

Alexandra Rae Design

The library of the Family Farmhouse Estate. Art Deco inspired brass light fixtures and hand painted tiles. Ceiling coffers are covered in #LeeJofa grass cloth. Bird floral is also by Lee Jofa.

GG House

ReDesigning Life

Home Office Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace and a Wood Stove

A home office has many uses and isn’t a mere luxury anymore. You might work from home, or bring work home, or you might just need a place to go through bills, mail or store important paperwork. Kids can use a home office to do their homework, or quietly play a game online. Browse the photos on Houzz for home office ideas and inspiration, and strike up a conversation with the architect or designer or your favourite picks. For more home office ideas, check out the Stories section.

How much office storage do I need?

To ensure your home office or study room isn’t buried under a deluge of paperwork, books and supplies, incorporate plenty of shelves, cabinets and drawers. Floating or built-in shelves with cubbies can stock books and magazine holders; or for a more traditional look, make room for a large bookcase that fits in with the decor of your home. Invest in a filing cabinet to store paperwork, and opt for a lockable filing cabinet if you have sensitive documents. A tray organiser can store incoming mail and will help prioritise bills. The type of desk you choose is also key to keeping things organised. Look for desks with deep drawers and plenty of surface space, and add tray organisers to the drawers to keep track of staples like pens, pencils, highlighters and sticky tape. If you want a streamlined look, find a way to conceal any computer cables or wires, too. One solution is to install a false back on your desk, if it doesn’t already have one.

How do I choose an office desk and chair?

If you spend long hours hunched over your work desk at home, invest in ergonomic office chairs with wheels for better back health and comfort. Consider optimal lumbar support with flexibility in adjusting handles and back angle. Most rolling office chairs come upholstered, typically in leather, but that’s no reason why you can’t have one custom-made to suit your home decor. When picking out your work desk, be sure to consider its overall function. If you work from home and hold meetings, pick an oversized, sturdy desk that is double-sided (can be accessed from both sides). You’ll want it to look professional, so opt for dark timbers over high-shine finishes. It’s also a good idea to create a separate study desk for the kids, so homework doesn’t go missing among your files. If your home office is for the whole family a two-person desk or built-in long work bench are more suitable. Where space is tight, look for a retractable computer desk, or utilise an awkward corner with a corner desk.

What home office decor will encourage productivity?

Use your walls for to-do lists: hang a pegboard and paint it in your favourite colour or be adventurous with chalkboard paint and whiteboard panels. Bulletin boards that keep the whole family in order are an extra feature that always come in handy. Use your stationery and office accessories – think pencil cups, paper trays and magazine holders – to add colour and pattern, and desk lamps, clocks, maps and calendars to personalise the space. Above all else, aim for ease of use.