Malachite and Marble Floors Sneak Peak.

Those of you who follow me on Instagram (@atlsdesign) have seen the progress of the painted floors in my office.  Inspired by Kelly Wearstler and her mesmerizing take on patterned floors, I took to transforming old wood floors into a malachite and marble masterpiece.

After grossly underestimating the magnitude of said project, cuss words were flying along with a few threats of scrapping this project all together.  But a glimmer of hope remained and I pushed through the grueling process of taping and faux finishing row by row, "tile" after "tile".  Admittedly, some boxes are better than others, but over all I love the results.  It's spunky, yet classic.  Colorful, yet sophisticated.

Can't wait to share my entire studio after it's properly shot in a week or two.  And for those of you who stopped by from Little Green Notebook, thanks!  I'm glad to have you :)  You can find more on my malachite piano bench and green piano here.   And one more recent shot of the piano I just love.

Office Envy.

image via Pinterest

So sorry for the radio silence. I was out of the country indulging in some much needed R&R in the sun with the fam. Renovating an entire house at once, as fun as it is, is straight up exhausting. But I'm back and recharged and thinking about this beautiful office.

Can we just talk about how great it is? It is moody with saturated hues, but light at the same time thanks to that massive window and the way it's been treated. I love the texture a bamboo shade brings to a space and think almost any room can handle the addition. One of my favorite tricks for adding interest to a window is layering such a shade under long panel curtains. So many people stop short choosing just one or the other, but layering is where the real magic happens in a room.

The shape of the chair is so lovely and perfectly enhanced by the nail head trim. Those ottomans steal my heart and I don't think I will ever tire of moroccan inspired furnishings. Currently scheming up a DIY or considering this little gem Jenny included in her side table round up.

Another wonderful aspect of this room is it's fine balance between classic and on trend elements. What I like to refer to as the "structure" of the space (the walls, main floor covering, large {expensive} pieces of furniture) are neutral in color and in style. The accessories and smaller, more changeable elements are where the color and real personality come in. This is a wonderful way to create a personal and slightly trendy space without tying yourself too tightly to one look. You can easily change out the accessories for a brand new look a few years down the road if you keep the bigger elements neutral.

What are your thoughts on this office? Are you a fan like me?

Office Design Board.

Happy Monday lovelies! Things at the house are moving right along, and hopefully by next week the drywall will be finished! The rest of the house still needs the gorgeous espresso hardwood floors installed, but I'm doing a painted floor in my office. So the minute the drywall is finished in there, I have plans to paint and start installing all work related goodies. Having an office again sounds like such a dream. I cannot wait!

Here is the design board I created for the space. As always, there might be some small changes, but this is the overall look I'm going for. Do you love it as much as I do?

Inspirational yet soothing. Quirky yet chic. I'm really loving this vibe. Details not shown include custom built ins, a cork/ chalk/ magnet board, and this beauty for the reading nook.

How is your work space designed?

Classic and cozy? Slightly chaotic? Neat as a pin?

I'd love to hear!

Inaugural Outfit To Room Post.

I'm not sure how my favorite fashion bloggers do it (Emily, Mara, Sydney, and Blaire- I'm talking to you). Posing for outfit pics is just plain AWK. WARD. So I'll ease into these fashion posts with a workout look. No where to go but up from here, right? Real outfits are coming soon. Promise.

Yesterday I tied up the 'ol running shoes and had such an unbelievable run, I had to blog about it! And seriously, I get my best design ideas when I'm out jogging away. Anyone agree?

Neon watermelon really gets me going on mornings when I'd rather stay in bed. And peachy walls for that priceless glow that sticks around all day after a couple miles spent pounding the pavement.

Go get your run on ladies!!

Work Hard, Play Hard.

Offices can be tricky. They need to be highly organized in order to facilitate efficient work, but may look cold and sterile if you don't include details that make you happy and add color and personality to the space. Here are some tips to help you achieve the office of your dreams.


Clear desk space by hanging personal items on the wall over your desk. This way, you can still see them every time you look up from your work, but you have more space for the necessities.


Utility can be pretty, as evidenced by the sterling silver pencil holder on this desk. Function is important when choosing items for your desk, but it shouldn't be the only thing you consider when choosing pieces to include. If function and form meet, you will begin to create a space that truly makes you happy every time you enter.


You can "go big" with other element of your office such chairs, curtains, and walls, but it's typically a good idea to keep your desk a neutral color so as not to distract from your work.


Offices tend to be on the small side, so creating a focal wall or two can add character and depth to a space. Sometimes all four walls in a bright color can be too much.


Create a memo board that can act as the epicenter of your office. Here you could include a calendar, goals, mission statement, bill payment, important contact information, etc. depending on your business needs.


Add a small plant. It adds life to what can be a dreary place at times.


(Images via Room & Board, Rambling Renovators, Lonny )