Week 5 of our Shelter in Place in Atlanta. We have a pretty clear picture of our new normal. Many people are working from home. We are zooming, face-timing, video conferencing, and trying to accomplish our work while in wonder of what the future holds. To say working under these circumstances is difficult, is an understatement. We understand this because we are working virtually as well. Monday meetings, client meetings, finding creative solutions without the ease of collaborating with each other at our studio, without the ease of popping by a client’s home to run ideas and questions by them, is something that we are beginning to understand. So we decided to put another challenge to our designers that may speak to you personally in these times. Design a serene, organized office that reflects a place that you would like to work- all of a strict budget. Jen tackled the $1500 budget and Melody had a bit more at $5000 (minus tax and shipping). Our hope is that these designs give you some ideas for your own space.

Jen $1500

Inspiration for the smaller budget office came from a few weeks of working outside on the deck and enjoying this beautiful spring weather we’re having in Atlanta right now. By creating a light and airy office space within your home, you can bring a similar feeling indoors on the days and nights when you can’t work outside. To start, a few key splurges like a grey-washed wood desk and a comfortable, stylish chair can be layered with clean-functional shelving and mixed media artwork. Then, a simple woven cotton rug acts to anchor the furniture ensemble, along with a minimal ceiling fan to provide an overall cozy feeling and much needed air circulation. Your once dreary office can become a fresh place you want to work in and be inspired by.

Melody $5000

The go to color palette for a “serene” space tends to use soft light colors, but what if you feel the need for something a little more grounded? The saturation of these jewel tones paired with the layered textures evokes a different sense of calm. The mixed metals of the bookcase and textured desk pair beautifully with the ombre floor lamp. The rich evergreen velvet of the office chair mixes luxe with function atop the mustard tribal flatweave. Cool marble contrasts the warm grasscloth when the clock is layered on the wall, and hung with the foggy forest print. Each piece is intentional and intriguing, giving this space a sense of peace and purpose.

Soon, these designs will also be available as Limited Edition designs. we will be able to send you your favorite design with the links to the items that can ship directly to your home, and some helpful design tips in setting up your new room. We hope that this service can offer some peace, beauty and respite during these difficult times. Please reach out to us at: [email protected] if you are interested in this or any of our virtual design services.

By: The Balance Design Team

At Balance Design, we have been sheltering in place and working remotely, much like the rest of Atlanta for the past 4 weeks. We have also been realizing how having some comfortable stylish spaces outside can keep up from feeling too cooped up. So, we challenged our designers to create outdoor spaces for the patio, porch or balcony that would be both stylish and budget-friendly. We gave Shelby a budget of $1500 and Melody a budget of $5000 for a bit more of a splurge. See how their creativity was not limited, even though their budget was!

Shelby: $1500 Budget

Total: $1390

Creating a serene outdoor space can completely transform your home life and take you on a beautiful get-away – in your very own backyard! By utilizing online vendors, we have pulled together a great budget-friendly space that can be easily implemented! Combining a sleek teak sofa with textural woven chairs, and layering with colorful accents and a smart rug, really pulls everything together. The icing on the cake is the colorful sailcloth (great for shading from the sun), whimsical accent pillows, and a pitcher of margaritas! A beautiful outdoor space can be attainable at any budget!

Melody: $5000 Budget

Total: $4475

When utilizing a larger budget, we wanted to ensure there was plenty of seating that could be lounged on poolside, or just enjoyed on a lovely spring day. We paired a woven sofa chaise with a swing to give every member of the family their choice in seating! The swing is actually a double, perfect for cuddling up next to a loved one, or curling up with a good book.  The pineapple wind chimes add a bit of whimsy that sound with the breeze and colorful pops from the rug, pillows, and tables bring a fun boho vibe that pairs beautifully with the subtle ombre coffee table. Finally, the striped umbrella keeps everyone cool, calm, and protected from the sun.

We invite you to reach out to us if you would like any design assistance during these unprecedented times. These designs are available from online retailers and can ship directly to your home! Your home is your haven and we think you should love it. Take care and stay safe!

By: The Balance Design Team

The runways are an inspiration to many in terms of fashion, but to us they are so much more. The stunning looks at the recent New York Fashion Week have motivated us to step up our point of view when when it comes to interior design in so many ways. Let’s dive in!

Stephanie’s Pick

Photo Courtesy of Vogue-Michael Kors Collection

Photo Courtesy of Anthropologie

Delicious.  Michael Kors drapes these fabrics to show off the model’s curves with effortless style.  The rich spicy hues are eye catching yet subtle.  This Anthropologie tête-à-tête has a similar vibe – rich, spicy, and curvy.  The entire design harks back to a Parisian salon, yet still feels up to date and fresh.

Jen’s Pick

Photo Courtesy of Vogue- Redemption Collection

Photo Courtesy of Romo

Muted color tones and nuanced florals were seen all over the runways this year. Redemption’s new ready to wear collection for Spring 2020 was no exception! Soft pink florals and paisleys were layered with crisp creams and metallics to create a look that embraces modern femininity in a fresh way. On the interiors front, Romo’s newest collection of wallcoverings and fabrics, Japura, showcases a similar trend for the modern home. Soft colorful shades are becoming the new neutrals when paired with intricately detailed floral motifs. These reimagined botanical prints are nothing short of dreamy, and we can’t wait to spec from this collection for our clients!

Melody’s Pick

Photo Courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar- Lela Rose Collection

Photo Courtesy of Instagram – bambetleblog

Playing with color can be more than mixing and matching pieces with different tones. Lela Rose uses color blocking to make a pant suit evoke a light and playful vibe, while still being fierce. The same can be applied to interiors! Have fun with color-blocking of unconventional areas by using contrasting shapes with bold hues and turn your space into a work of art!

Margo’s Pick

Photo Courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar- Prabal Gurung

Photo Courtesy of Made Goods

I’m really attracted to artsy and unique styles in design and also in fashion. I think these earrings are awesome examples of expression and creating ‘outside of the box’. This dresser is just like the gorgeous earrings of Prabal Gurung- the jewelry to complete a beautifully designed space!

When designing your own space and need inspiration, turn to the runway for unique color and silhouette combinations!