7 Key Elements For A Stylish And Whimsical Work Space

Photos by Jenn Camp

I've been coveting just about everything from the home section at Urban Outfitters, so when I was approached with an opportunity to create and style a space with my top picks, I jumped at the chance. I've been looking to add more home decor inspiration to the blog with an added personal touch, so this was right up my alley. Here's my take on a stylish and whimsical work space, along with 7 key elements for getting the look.

Click below for more photos and all the details...



1. Desk → The desk is one of the most important elements of putting together an work space. It helps to ground and define the look and feel you are going for (i.e. mid-century modern, Hollywood regency, bohemian, rustic...etc.) In the spirit of going whimsical, yet stylish for this project, I was looking for a desk that had a glossy top with architectural elements, so it's no wonder this streamlined modern desk is the one that caught my eye.

+ Metal Tubing Desk

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2. Fashion Books → To add a style element and guaranteed eye candy, I like to keep a small stack of fashion and beauty books or, at the least, books with stunning covers and bindings on the desk. It's great being able to take a break and flip through the pages to see creative images or favorite passages, which help to clear my mind and get some inspiration.

+ It By Alexa Chung
+ How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are
+ Lolita By Vladimir Nabokov
+ Chloe Sevigny By Chloe Sevigny
+ The White Album: Essays By Joan Didion
+ Always Pack A Party Dress By Amanda Brooks
+ The Art of Hair By Ruby Jones

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3. Art → One of the best ways to add some color and personality to the space is with some sort of artwork like a poster, print, illustration or painting. Having your favorite imagery or quotes around can also help boost your mood while getting through your work day or study sessions. This palm poster was my top pick to give the space a jolt of energy with its bubble gum pink background, plus the palm leaves give a relaxed laid-back feel.

+ Wilder California Tropical Palm Art Print

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4. Lighting → A statement lamp is key in decorating a desk area. Not only does it provide much needed light for when you're burning the midnight oil, it gives the space an extra visual element that adds some dimension. In this case, I wanted to have some metallic details and this shiny gold lamp fit the bill perfectly.

+ Gumball Desk Lamp

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5. Textiles → What I love picking out the most for any space are the rugs, throw pillows and blankets. They're perfect for adding color, texture and a little personality. For this area I wanted to add the whimsy of mix prints and add a tactile quality, so I went for a colorful nubby pillow and Mongolian fur throw for the chair, and a woven striped rug.

+ Hooked Stripe Pillow
+ Plum & Bow Connected Stripe Rag Rug

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6. Tech Accessories → Beyond a computer, there are a few tech goodies I like to keep handy. First, a wireless speaker is a must for listening to music or taking hands-free calls. There are so many cool designs now, which means it doubles as decor. Second, an instant camera is great for capturing candid moments like when friends stop by, or when your pets are doing something ridiculously cute (most definitely my case). And lastly, a cool phone case is something to consider, because your phone is bound to be on the desk with everything else, so why not add the extra flair?

+ Braven 705 Speaker
+ Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera
+ UO Custom Marble iPhone 6 Case

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7. Beauty/Jewelry → If you are anything like me, you can't stand to work on the computer or be writing when your nails are a hot mess. That's why I make sure to always have a bottle or two of nail polish and some lotion handy for any touch-ups. In the same vein, I like to wear statement rings or bracelets while I work as a little pick-me-up, so a cute jewelry stand is a must.

+ UO Neutrals Collection Nail Polish in Leather
+ UO Neutrals Collection Nail Polish in Cherry Tomato
+ Astrological Jewelry Stand

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Shopstyle & Urban Outfitters. The opinions, as always, are my own.