NEWS FLASH: JONATHAN ADLER DOES ANOTHER CHIC THING

Patterns, how do I love thee? Let me count the colorways....  An Adler-designed office mixes and matches.

Will Rogers once said he never met a man he didn't like, and I suspect the same is true of patterns for Jonathan Adler. This time, he's bringing his signature "happy chic" design into home offices, with a new line of paper products. The collaboration, with box store giant Books-A-Million (or "Books-A-Missing" if you've ever tried to find a particular volume there) is a color saturated, pattern-powered set of stationary and home office goods, including the notecards and pen below. The entire line is priced from $4.95 to $14.95 and is available through B.A.M. or Adler's website.

Rendered in four main patterns, Multi Chevron, Acapulco, Greek Key, and Diamond, the set includes pencils, pens, note cubes, and my favorite, reporter notebooks.

I particularly love the files - filing is such an onorous chore ("what comes after "J" again?"  "Did I accidentally put that in the round file?"). But if nothing else, you'll be entertained while trying to dig up last year's tax records.

Post-its with panache:  these are going on my desk ASAP. Imagine using them at work. Error-riddled report someone dumped on your desk? "Hate" post-it, definitely. 

Gift-wrapping is an office time activity too - although I'm much more tempted to use these papers as decoupage inspiration. Blog Bromeliad, always ready with DIY ideas, has a great tutorial on how covering bins in paper - perfect for creating charming storage for your spring cleaning. Organize with Adler!

And of course, if you don't have an office area, Adler can help with that too! (Chippendale Armchair and Channing Desk, both Jonathan Adler.)

All images, Jonathan Adler.

Technology Goes Gorgeous

Tory Burch in her NY office.

I remember my first computer, an unwieldy, unappealing chunk of black plastic produced by Dell Corp and accompanied by the greatest technological wonder known to modern mankind:  a WORKING PHONE NUMBER THAT DIRECTLY CALLED A HUMAN FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT. In under a minute. I know. I tried it.  

These days, such an incident would be relegated to the department of minor miracles, but at least one thing has improved: looks. The modern designing woman need not suffer hours awaiting technical support - oh, she'll wait, but she'll have something lovely to look at while she does it. Below, a few ideas for improving your view. 

Thomas Paul calendar mouse pads.

A personalized paperweight at Red Stamp.

An office by Kelly Wearstler. Orderly, but not TOO orderly shelf stacks and a variety of textures keep the look interesting. Most importantly, there's plenty of light - four light fixtures in this view alone.

Vivienne Tam laptop for HP (there's a matching clutch too).

Anna Griffin file folders from Elisabeth's Embellishments.

Kate Spade pencil case.

A Celerie Kimble office. I like this space because it just happens to have a desk tucked in the corner - the room can be used for so many different things at the same time. And the layers of cool color are wonderful. 

Images/Sources:  Tory Burch image, businessoffashion.com. Mouse pads and paper weight, redstamp.com. Wearstler office image, studioannetta.com. Vivienne Tam laptop, hp.com. File folders, elizabethsembellishments.com. Kate Spade pencil case, katespade.com. Celerie Kemble image, Kemble Interiors via lovely blog M.A. Belle. 

Feminine Revolution

Finally. We had the feminist revolution and now we can enjoy the feminine revolution! No more blah-nilla folders. No more ugly yellow stickies. No more dippy plastic pencil cups. Woman can be powerful AND pretty. As Maggie sings in Funny Face: "banish the black... and bury the beige! From now on girls... Think Pink!" And any other colors or patterns, I might add. All items below from the terrific website, See Jane Work.

One of my favorite finds: this "framed" chalkboard would make a great reminder board at work.

I also fell in love with these desk trays by Thomas Paul - adorable, and only $8!

All images, seejanework.com.