It feels like just yesterday that we moved into our current office, but it's been just over a year now! We spent a good chunk of last year doing renovations to the space taking it slowly one room at a time. You may have seen our beautifully organized and fun craft room and our completely renovated dream kitchen! Today, I'm sharing the next room on the list—my executive office! I worked with my talented friend, Sarah Sherman Samuel, to bring this space to life. Come see the before and after and more about the space below!

Ever since opening a physical office for Oh Joy outside of my home office five years ago, I have always sat with my team in one big open space. I loved having the ability to easily communicate and brainstorm with them in that arrangement, but it got difficult when I had lots of phone calls or meetings and needed privacy. When we moved into our current space, I had planned to sit together with my team again until they all confronted me one day with an intervention. They were like, “Joy, you need your own office!” I joked that they kicked me out, but it really was the best decision as it allows separation when I need it but also I am right there and still very easily accessible…

 

This particular room that is my office was previously the reception area for an art gallery. It’s the only enclosed space in our whole office so even though it functioned as a main entrance previously, we blocked off the front door with a curtain and now have people enter through an alternate entrance. The space itself had some grey tile and white walls previously. We removed the tile and replaced it with Oh Joy tile (of course!) and had it installed by Good Fellas Construction. After the tile was in, I turned to Sarah to work her magic on the rest of the room! The challenge for her was how to marry both her style and my style together in a space I could work in and flourish in every day.

Desk Area

Since my previous "office" was in the middle of a bigger room with the other desks, I didn't have any artwork or furniture other than my desk and chair. The only thing here I had previously is this same desk from our first office five years ago. For this area, I needed to have storage close to me so that I could easily file papers away and tuck items away when not in use. For decor, I wanted the art in my office to reflect the work of people I know in real life. So Sarah put together a mix of prints by my friends which I love. The big painting was made by oldest daughter, Ruby, with a local artist, Kim West (remember Career Day?).

Sources: Blu Dot desk, Ikea floating shelves, chair from HD Buttercup, Curtains by Skyline, Cedar and Moss light, clear balls by Decorative Novelty, disco balls from Amazon, Team Woodnote Salvation print with Simply Framed frame, Team Woodnote Orange print with Simply Framed frame, Max Wanger tall palms print with Simply Framed frame, Max Wanger Joshua tree print with Simply Framed frame, Bonnie Tsang sky print, Geronimo x Jennifer Young photo, Lindsey Burwell drawing.

Sitting Area

Across from my desk, there is a seating area that looks like a mini living room. I have used this part of the office for one-on-one meetings with my staff, for interviews, and anytime I need to chat with just a couple people privately. I know it was a challenge I gave Sarah to work with the tile already in the room since it created a strong pattern and color story. But she did such a great job bringing in the pattern and color I love in a chic and cozy way.

Sources: Oh Joy velvet settee, rattan chair by Grandin Road, Novogratz Rug from Lulu and Georgia, Mirror from Lulu & Georgia, wallpaper by Juju Papers, coffee tables from Target, shag pillow from Anthropologie, tassel pillow from Anthropologie, side table from Ikea, Cedar and Moss light, Oh Joy for Cle tile.

Display Area

When you first enter the office, you see this large display shelf that mixes past Oh Joy products with some of my favorite design books. I keep some of our “best of” products on my display shelf to remember all of the fun things we’ve created over the years. And, all books by my talented friends are kept here in my office.

Sources: Ikea shelving, Oh Joy for Target party animals, Oh Joy for Target bud vase, Oh Joy for Target pitcher, Oh Joy for Target votive holders, Oh Joy for Target jewelry boxes.

I mean…don't I look like I mean business in my new executive office? I love how Oh Joy product is woven throughout along with our custom tile that covers the floors. It serves as a great representation of the brand when people visit, but also feels inspiring for me to work in every day.

There is a small bathroom in my office in which we continued with some fun wallpaper and the same floor tile. That room isn't finished yet, but here's a peek!

Sources: wallpaper by Juju Papers, lighting by Cedar & Moss, mirror by Ikea.

Sarah really helped to marry two parts of me together—my personal aesthetic and my brand’s aesthetic—into a space that is fun, welcoming, and serves as a great representation of my brand when we have clients visit. You can see more about here process on her blog right here. And, thanks to Domino Magazine for featuring the space!

Design & Styling / Sarah Sherman Samuel

Tile installation / Good Fellas Construction

Photography / Tessa Neustadt