5 Messy Chic Offices

We try to keep a tidy home, but the one area where it's nearly impossible for us is the home office. That's why we're always happy to see photos of creative workspaces with a little bit of artfully arranged mess in them...

Personally, we're stack-and-pile people, but we also love the look of corkboards pinned with inspiring photos. When clutter is controlled and used in a thoughtful way, we think it can actually add some character and interest to a workspace. Click through the links below for the story behind each space shown above.

• 1 The Post Family's Art Loft
• 2 Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed
• 3 Stack and Pile Home Offices from Vitra
• 4 Clustered Artwork Revisited from Marie Claire Maison
• 5 Mary Randolph Carter's Office at Ralph Lauren on the Selby

Photos: Sarah Coffey, Kenny Hemphill under license by Creative Commons, Miro Zagnoli / Vitra, Marie Claire Maison, Todd Selby

Comments (8)

I don't think I could ever do a corkboard. I'd see it as art itself and treat it as such (if this inspirational image doesn't look good with what's already there, it doesn't go up). I keep a file of such things in an old mailbox in my studio. I find that if I have those things in front of me all the time, it's harder to branch out and find new ideas- I keep going back to those alone.

I'm actually quite jealous though... other people's inspiration cork boards are always so fun and such a feast for the eyes!

We can decipher the messy part, please give us some explanation of what makes these office spaces chic. I often see rooms labeled "chic" and am sometimes not quite sure how they get that label. This post completely mystifies me.

Definition given below for reference.
chic (shēk)
adj. chic·er, chic·est

1. Conforming to the current fashion; stylish: chic clothes; a chic boutique.
2. Adopting or setting current fashions and styles; sophisticated: chic, well-dressed young executives.

See Synonyms at fashionable.

n.1. The quality or state of being stylish; fashionableness.
2. Sophistication in dress and manner; elegance.

[French, probably from German Schick, skill, fitness, elegance, from Middle High German (sich) schicken, to outfit (oneself), fit in.]

chic'ly adv., chic'ness

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company

is there something in particular about these spaces that make them unfashionable or unsophisticated, and therefore not chic?

I'm just envious that someone went to the Wayzgoose. Great poster!

The third reminds of me of my desk.

Clean offices are overrated, in my humble opinion. It was drilled in me throughout my school years that a clean desk was the sign of an organized and intelligent mind. And for some, I'm certain it is. But for others, myself included, a nest is cozy, comfortable and inspiring. I'm also generally thought to be (by others) a very organized person. But then, I haven't seen their offices. Perhaps they're more nestish than mine?

quiltmaster - I read the 'chic' as firmly tongue in cheek... not only about these particular spaces, but about the word itself, and our pursuit of it.

it's rare that i see a post and truly like every single space. this is that post.

(by the way, where are those great little wood chairs from?)

kelly
http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com