A Tote Bag for the Tabletop?

Large Decorative Tote Bag

My followers know I have a thing for my L.L.Bean Boat and Totes. Well, this is too much fun -  a silver version for the table or your desk or wherever you want a cheeky touch of whimsy.

The Large Decorative Tote Bag adds a touch of whimsy to your home. Perfect for organizing trinkets, pens, or pencils, or even as a decorative accent for your workspace, this piece offers both functionality and flair. It would be fabulous on a bar for cocktail napkins or cocktail picks.

Classic Chinoiserie

J. Joern Cunningham

A wonderful work/study area has been created in the corner of this room.

The wallpaper is the classic Brunschwig & Fils Bird and Thistle. Although not a chinoiserie wallpaper, it is a very popular classic paper that works beautifully with chinoiserie, like the black Chinese Chippendale chair and blue and white Chinese porcelain on the mantel.

Blue and White

Bungalow 5

One Room Challenge Preview

Tomorrow on Week Four of the One Room Challenge, I will be showing you how to knock off this $1700 Worlds Away gold leaf desk for $60 as well as my picks for styling your desk.

Fabulous Friday Finds

House Beautiful

This style of desk/console is a wonderful backdrop to Chinoiserie as demonstrated here with the Chinese calligraphy brushes, elephant, and lantern. I have found two fabulous versions of it at great prices.

From Pottery Barn, their nickel and glass Ava Metal Desk priced at $499.

Ava Metal Desk

And a wonderful desk from West Elm that is so elegant and well priced - their nickel and glass version of the Glass Cross Base Desk priced at $399. I am in the market for a new desk and I am considering both of these.

Glass Cross Base Desk

And since you twisted my arm, two new pictures of Margot -

Saturday Inspiration

Very old school Chinoiserie and quite charming with its burgundy grasscloth walls, framed botanicals, gorgeous velvet leopard chair, jute rug layered with needlepoint, and blue and white Chinese porcelain. I really love combining leopard velvet and blue and white Chinese porcelain.

Chic Desk High/Low

I have always been crazy about the desk in Aerin Lauder's office/dressing room - a Z desk circa 1970 by designer and architect Gabriella Crespi. I think Pottery Barn's Ava desk, that I used in yesterday's inspiration board, is evocative of it. It has clean, crisp, geometric lines, polished nickel and glass, and is very budget friendly. If I were looking for a new desk, this would definitely be in the running.

Sunday Inspiration - Styling the Desk

As you know, I am in the middle of a little home office makeover. Now that the painting is done, the fun can begin! Next up is styling my desk. In looking through my files for inspiration, I pulled together this group. These are the elements from them I would like to include in my own desk styling -

*Chinoiserie
*Feminine
*Eclectic
*Functional
*Chic
*Stylish
*Fun
*Creative

I hope to give you a peek at what I've done this week.

Charlotte Moss

Lonny

Lonny

The Everygirl

Mary McDonald

Mary McDonald

Lonny

The Elephant That Got Away

Ruthie Sommers

Linda from My Crafty Home Life emailed me a couple days ago that ever since seeing this elephant console above on Chinoiserie Chic, she has been trying to find one and had spotted this one just below on Craigslist. It is located near her in Woodland Park, New Jersey for $225 or best reasonable offer.

My advice was that I would inflict bodily harm on her if she didn't get it. Linda has decided to pass and I would love to see somebody grab this. I wish it were closer to me - between my house, my daughter's apartment, and interior design clients, I can usually figure out a home for things.

Here is some inspiration. BTW, the tusks need some work, but this could be restored professionally or by a clever DIYer. Speaking of DIY, I never ever do DIY projects and am starting one soon. I will keep you posted on the likely debacle.

This one is currently available on 1st dibs for $3500 and I don't like it as much!

;-)

More Saturday Inspiration

Here's an interesting idea - an antique black and gold lacquer Chinoiserie desk used as a coffee table.

The Chinoiserie Desk

Are you looking for an incredibly elegant and classic desk? This Chinoiserie version by Williams-Sonoma Home from its Hampstead Collection with its mahogany bamboo legs and glass top would be a wonderful choice.

Iomoi Monkey Business

I am crazy over this monkey tray for my desk to hold my iomoi calling cards.

Bamboo Pens

This set of real bamboo pens, available in Natural or Brown, is a great way to glam up your desk. They are only $15.00 for a set of six available online at Charlotte Moss. Charlotte suggests throwing them into a silver mint julep cup-very chic! If you haven't visited her online store, you are in for a treat. It is a treasure trove for lovers of Chinoiserie.