ROUND UP: WHITE DESKS

On any given day I could be found working at my parents kitchen table, my brother's girlfriend's apartment, or any number of coffee shops around town. This is due in (large) part to still not having internet at Wrightwood - in order to get cable run to the house to even set up wi-fi we have to go through a whole process. Another reason is that I don't have a space to work there. The dining table is covered in construction documents, random bits of hardware, and dust. Now that the guest room is all sanded and painted and anxiously awaiting furniture, I can turn my attention to an office space all my own. All my dreams of perfectly placed witty coffee mugs and fresh flowers will finally come true. One of the first things that I'm thinking about for my office is a work surface - and I have my heart set on a white desk. I also learned from my last foray into desk buying that buying one without storage is a mistake. I own far too many pens and paintbrushes and paper goods and cute office supplies to have them all out on my desk. In my office specifically I need multiple work surfaces since I need space to layout drawings or samples, so I can see IKEA in my future. Their Linnmon tops are amazing, durable, and oh-so-cleanable (because somehow my work surfaces almost always end up looking like four sugar crazed 6 year olds had craftime at my desk). I would definitely place it on top of some serious storage but they have some cute leg options too. But because of my general messiness, I would really like my main desk to look grown up - to make it look at least a little bit like I'm a functioning adult. If you would like to pretend you've got adulthood on lock too, I've rounded up some of my favorite white desks from around the interwebs just for you!

ONE KINGS LANE - campaign desk | I've had this guy saved on my pinterest boards forever. Gold and white? Come on. Tons of storage, and pretty to boot. This desk would make a pretty awesome entry table or console in the future too when it had run it's course as a desk. Honestly I can think of like 20 places I could put this table right now.

IKEA - alex desk | Clean & simple. And the only non-x-base in this selection. This desk looks good and at $169 is totally affordable. It has those two big drawers (yay! storage!) but what you can't tell from this picture is that there is a little fold up flap on the backside for cord management that is genius. Honestly I didn't even know about that when I picked it, but I just found out and this desk may have just become my front-runner. *insert heart-eye emoji here*

TARGET - x-base desk | This is my #1 boo. Thanks Target for giving me more reasons to just throw money at you. I mean Target gets it. I love the integrated look of the drawer on the front and the proportions are just right. I even like how there is a base on the legs which I think would really help the desk stand out on the colorful vintage kilim rug of my dreams. At about $327 this is a pricier option that IKEA but it has a glass top and the legs are metal - so it's probably a more durable option too.

IKEA - skarsta desk | I lied. There are two non-x-base AND this one doesn't have storage. However this is a sitting/standing desk! I have done a lot of reading about the benefits of not sitting all day and I like the ease with which this desk could transform - this desk could save your life y'all. I had to include it. It's not the prettiest, and yet it's the prettiest convertible desk I've seen. For drafting and drawing - or just stretching your legs a little this is a pretty cool option. It comes in two size options now - including one that is 63" x 32" which is impressive!

WORLD MARKET - josphine desk | Another great budget option. I love World Market, don't you? I'll be honest, I don't love the proportions as much as some of the others and the legs being inset instead of on the edges of the desk is a little bit of a weird choice. I think I would have to see this one in person before really making a decision but for $199 this is an affordable choice. It also comes in kelly green - and studies have shown that the color green promotes creativity!

WAYFAIR - watkins desk | This desk is visually lighter than the others. I think this would look great as a stand alone or if you had to have a desk in room where other functions take place (like in your bedroom - which I don't advocate and I know from experience is sometimes unavoidable) and you just want the desk to go-away. I like the two drawers - deeper drawers allow for hiding of more things - important for sanity and in multi-functional rooms. Bye bye stapler and post its. (and what is this?? I found it for even less at Joss & Main... reason 9289345 to shop around y'all)

CRATE & BARREL - spotlight desk | At $599 this one is a splurge for sure. The spotlight desk is one of the larger options though, and you know it's quality and will last a while. I love the cross brace between the legs that you can rest your feet on and unlike the World Market desk I think this beauty gets her proportions just right. It also has three drawers for storage and the middle one flips down to become a work surface - perfect when your desk is covered with papers.

I hope this guide helps you on your quest for the perfect place to layout instragram flatlays...er, I mean, desk. I know I have my favorite picked out. I can't wait for my office to be ready so I can share it with you all (and so I can finally stop carting all my work all over town). So tell me, which desk is your favorite? 

A GROVE INSPIRED PATIO

It's fall y'all! Nothing says fall like tailgating and no one does gracious, over-the-top, entertainer-of-the-year tailgating like Ole Miss. One time, at LSU, I saw an Ole Miss tailgate with a working ceiling fan hanging from a tree, and this was an away game! I thought nothing could better embrace that incredible attitude than an outdoor entertaining space inspired by those Rebs who are heading into a gameday feeling good after beating that team everyone loves to hate last weekend!

This is probably a little more traditional than I would usually go, but it's Ole Miss, they practically define traditional. I love this mix of indoor and outdoor furniture giving the space a really comfy feel, if not a little over the top. I see a group of friends gathered around a perfectly catered spread in Grove Attire. This is a fan base I imagine drinking champagne while watching football. Champagne or really, really nice bourbon. 

1. A warm, Dash & Albert rug grounds the space, maybe in front of a super classy outdoor fireplace. I'll be the first to admit that red isn't really my favorite color but a more fall inspired scarlet, softened with the jute is winning me over here. Red can go really "SPORTS TEAM!! AMERICAN FLAG!!" if you let it get too primary color feeling.

2. Ole Miss fans deserve a sophisticated place to sit, even outside, and these Johnathan Adler side chairs go perfectly with their bowtie and a glass of Pappy Van Winkle. 

3. As a contrast this stump table from West Elm keeps things playful and not too serious. I could see a few of these throughout the patio space for setting down drinks or little plates of food. On real plates because I'm sure thats how they roll.

4. All the pillows, for all the comfort! A mix of classic fall patterns and neutral colors would breakup the stark white of the couch and soften any seat. I like a lot of what Dash & Albert has in their outdoor selection right now.

5. A chandelier. Duh. Hanging from the inevitable and beautiful trellis. These people hang chandeliers in their tailgating tents, of course there would be one in their backyard. This particular chandelier is from Shades of Light. And I want it hanging under my carport. Stat.

6. I couldn't not include this vintage champagne bucket from One Kings Lane (that is unfortunately no longer available). It's gorgeous. Except someone who went to Ole Miss probably just has one lying around from their grandfather's grandfather. I personally feel there should be more champagne with football. I also feel that there should be more champagne always.

7. Finally a beautiful outdoor sectional for all their friends. Ole Miss fans are kings and queens of entertaining and they would need plenty of space for all their friends to sit. Sometimes outdoor sectionals can feel really heavy (you know what I'm talking about, that woven plastic stuff? Indestructible, yes, but not always the prettiest) and this piece from Pottery Barn takes the cake. Perfect in a southern backyard on a herringbone brick patio, covered with cozy plaid blankets around a fire pit.

BAYLOR BEARS DINING ROOM

WOW, this post just didn't want to be made! After so many PAWsitively unBEARable technical difficulties I thought I was going to be SIC ('em). I wanted to do a Baylor Bears nursery, but I also thought that would be a little bit of a cop out. Teddy bears and cute baby bear artwork. I also like to make too much work for myself. So sit back and relax with a Dr. Pepper and check out this modern-rustic Baylor Bears dining room - where you can eat your tortillas instead of throwing them off a bridge*.

1. Maybe it's cheating to have artwork directly depicting the schools' mascots - but I couldn't pass up these awesome geometric bear prints from Etsy artist Yolanda from Tiny Kiwi Prints. They really fit the theme of Modern Rustic and they're quirky and cute (she's got TONS of other animals too - I think these prints are just so good!) I would name the one on the left after RGIII.

2. Who doesn't love a brass sputnik chandelier? I know I've been dying to use one in real life for a while now and this one from Lambert & Fils, a Montreal based lighting company, really fit the bill. I wanted to bring in that Baylor Gold in details throughout the space and this one has huge impact. I would love to see a vintage medallion on the ceiling with this guy hanging down.

3. This skinny console table from Crate & Barrel is a great, minimalist approach to a sideboard. You can keep linens and a few key serving dishes on the lower shelf and the upper shelf is perfect for a curated bar filled with all your classy gameday drinking needs. 

4. I think these black dining chairs, also from Crate & Barrel, strike a balance between traditional and modern and the radiating lines created by the chair backs bring energy and movement to the room. I like the idea of using black as an anchor for  the space. Keeps the more modern flourishes grounded.

5. This dining table was quite a find. The steel legs are extraordinary and the raw, rustic looking top hints at a farmhouse table while keeping things clean. What I can tell from the website is that a cute German man named Philipp needed an awesome table and couldn't find one - and so he made one - which is the best way to solve a problem don't you think? Check out the website because now he makes other really beautiful things too and he's going to start shipping to the US next year. 

6. AH heres that Baylor Green! I really like the warm mossiness this particular shade of green has. It's earthy and rich and I think a settee at a dining table instead of a couple of chairs is really really interesting and comfortable! Velvet couches are to die for and this Jonathan Adler piece is pretty darn great. 

7. Since this room would obviously have beautiful, reclaimed, wide plank wood floors you need a rug to warm things up and ground your dining set. This killim from West Elm is neutral with just enough of a geometric pattern to reference back to the bear art and  the angular legs on the dining table. AND since this is a pretend room we can pretend all your game-watching friends will never ever spill wine or barbecue sauce on this rug. Ever.

8. Finally I threw in this serving dish for two reasons: one being that I've had it pinned to my "Wishlist" board for ages because look at it and two because when you Bear alums look at it you can think back on wonderful times running with the golden Baylor Line - see what I did there? Eh? Eh?

Add some gold flatware, white dishes, and some Mark & Graham linens embroidered with the only monogram that matters to you (B-U) and I think any ex-Waco-ite would be more than happy here.

So that's football post #2!  I'm realizing the challenge I set for myself is hard enough just working within the parameters of a school's colors, mascots, and traditions (special shout out to Siobhan for setting me along the right path with Baylor). I would love to learn more about people making awesome stuff in those cities as well, but man that was a tough one. This weeks room features some wonderful pieces from designers I admire and a few I found while looking for pieces along the way, but this time nothing from the great state of Texas. Tune in next week for my first out-of-state team tribute - and I'm still not totally decided on which teams I'm going to feature so let me know why your alma mater should be next!

*apparently there is a Baylor tradition where they throw perfectly good tortillas off of a bridge. I would love to hear why any self respecting Texan would do such a thing to a perfectly good future breakfast taco. Did you go to Baylor? Can you explain?