Think differently about your space and decor

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit a dear friend who just moved into a new apartment and we did a little dreaming of how to decorate and arrange her new space. I began thinking of new and innovative ways to make a space your own when you may not have full authority to do what you want. Sure, paint is an easy option, but what else. I began digging a bit on the web to see if I could find something thought provoking, innovative. What I came across were some pretty interesting things, which sparked a number of others.

The first one here is from the site of Duncan Wilson. What he has done is simply mounted white photo corners on a wall for an interesting display, easily changeable and because they blend into the wall color even if not full still add an interesting texture. Another thought I had was to attach them with a little plastic snap, so that corners could be rotated allowing for more non-standard size options.

The other item on the site that I found quite intriguing was the Post-it note wall. This one starts with 4 layers in differing colors. but could we take if further? What if you had a blank wall, non-textured preferably, perhaps even a glass window you wanted to obscure. This would be great in a hallway. Purchase hundreds, or thousands of post-it note pads line them up side by side creating one complete surface. They could be all the same color, or create a pattern of different colors on the wall. The beauty here also is if you use say 100 sheet pads, there becomes this depth as well as the certain pads are more depleted than others. Maybe you spell out your name or the name of the company you work for, your tagline, or theme. Have Sharpies in varying colors nearby. If you are in a traditional office setting with the ceiling tiles. Use the hanger clips and run elastic strings, or perhaps fishing line from the ceiling. Attach to the sharpie cap and hang varying colors at varying heights for another interesting effect.

You can create this same effect if all you have is your "office cube." What about taking one wall and making it a post it note wall. Maybe you create a mosaic with varying sizes of post-it pads and colors. Or if you have a rather conservative office manager perhaps just a nice border or brightly colored post-its.

Cool idea, but what is THAT going to cost me. Well a very quick estimate of the real 3M Post-Its in a multitude of colors is going to run you in the range of $25 a square foot. Ouch. You could extend that by splitting pads in half or quarters, or perhaps buy in bulk if you can find it. Hey there you 3M people how about it. How does a girl get her hands on a 10,000 pack bundle of 3" post it pads? I even have art installation in mind here. The best ones to get, I believe would be the ones with alternating colors in on pad, so the color and shapes of the wall changes as you use it.

So, as your are building your budget for the coming year, or perhaps you have a little extra left in your "office supplies" budget, wink wink, that you use or lose for the next year. Consider taking on a little office project.

Remember, think outside of the box. You don't have to contain your writing to one 3" pad, break across the borders drawing over multiple pads at a time. Shredding of your notes? not necessary, instantly shredded! or makes a nice puzzle for the nosy office types.

Have fun, and if you decide to create your own 3M Post-it wall, shoot me a photo, would love to see it. If you need help, you know where to find me.