Today’s Flickr faves come to us from J.E.N., who submitted them to our Fresh New Spaces Group. I think I would actually get stuff done in this space, unlike my current office, where the In-box is too full and is thus distracting:

Thankfully, Keska George, CEO of KG Style Design and author of KG Style Blog agreed to stop by and help me by guest posting about organizing the home office today. Take it away Keska!

9-5 jobs are so yesterday! Work-at-home positions are where we are headed. Nowadays, almost every home has a home office.  Whether it is for business or a place to pay bills and house the computer, in order for it to function, there must be organization.

Your desktop should be only have a few basics.

• In-box, pending and To-file (commonly known as an Outbox)
• Computer and peripherals
• Holder for pens, scissors and letter opener
• Stapler and tape dispenser (you can keep this in your drawer)
• Label maker (you can keep this in your drawer)
• Master notebook
• One decorative object

If you don’t have drawer space in your desk, make space for the things  that would normally go in them. Small containers on the desk can hold  paper clips, a roll of stamps, extra staples. Lidded boxes on shelves  can serve as auxiliary drawers. Figure out categories of things you need to store and put them in a labeled box on a shelf.

In-box, pending files and an outbox
In-box  should contain items that have not yet been touched, read or organized – things like mail to read, forms to fill out, invitations to respond to, etc. Check your In-box everyday and remove items one at a time.  Determine what needs to be done and add them to your to do list.

Pending files: A way to manage documents that are either in process or can’t be  handled right away, or current projects that need to be tackled. If  these files are tucked in a drawer, chances are you’ll forget about  them. Keep them in a tray on the desk, or if you need to see them at a glance, put them in a desktop file sorter or stepped file.

To File box: This is where everything you have completed will  go so the next step will be to file.

Master notebook: Avoid endless scraps of paper by jotting notes in a spiral notebook on  your desk. Write the date at the top of the page. When you’re working at your desk, record phone numbers, directions, and reminders in the  notebook. Keep a supply of sticky notes near each phone in the house so you can take down information when away from your desk. Then place the sticky note in the notebook.

Consider Going Paperless. Should your home office go paperless? That’s totally up to your needs and how comfortable you are with using a computer as your main source of filing.

If You Decide to Go Paperless:
More and more companies are going with the “green” option when it comes to paper bills. Ask all of your companies that you’d like to sign up for this option.

Electronic faxing: Use a service like efax.com, which lets you generate outgoing faxes on the computer and send them  through the Internet. Incoming faxes are delivered to your email inbox.

Scanner and shredder: Don’t worry about scanning old records, since after 7 years, most of what you have to save for tax purposes can be thrown out. Scan and shred as much of your current paper as you can and file the documents on your computer. Keep in mind that most credit card and utility companies as well as banks will make seven years of statements available online.
Back up using services like www.mozy.com

External hard drive: When storing information electronically, regular, consistent, and reliable backup is a must.

Following these guidelines will help you not only set up your home office, but also develop efficient systems for handling work, having what you need available at your fingertips and storing everything in an organized manner.

The one, the only, Normann Copenhagen. Creators of beautiful modern design since 1999. Not only are their products drool-worthy, but with prices starting at $12.50, everyone can afford a little piece of Copenhagen. Here’s a few of my personal favorite things.

I am so excited to see Sterling Cooper Draper Price’s new digs in the Time Life building. Apparently there is a non-existent second floor, and they have The Emporer’s New Conference Table. The set designers on this episode are so genius. I’ve been all over AMC.com today looking for videos about the new sets but so far I’ve come up with nothing, but they are great about feeding us tidbits about their process so I feel hopeful there will be some good videos about the sets there soon.

There were many nuances in the set design. Betty, who now has a new husband in her bed, has tossed out the peacock blue velvet upholstered headboard for something more traditional (along with all of her fifties nipped-at-the-waist frocks for frumpier roomy suits and a double strand of oversized pearls). Don has moved into a depressing, pre-furnished, divorced dad apartment in the city (above), complete with bunk beds for overnights with the kids. It has absolutely no feeling of home, unlike his old house in the ‘burbs.

The most exciting thing about the episode were the shiny new offices of the new firm, Sterling Cooper Draper Price. Some of the artwork has evolved, their are shell chairs and Saarinen everywhere, and everything looks just a little bit more modern than the old firm. I can’t wait to see Cooper’s office and accompanying artwork, which they did not reveal last night. Doesn’t this area look like something that could exist in some hip start up? I love the detail of the Lanvin shoe on the inspiration board on the right.Oh wait, you can’t see it in this shot, but you can in the one below it:

Roger Sterling’s white office is my favorite. Complete with tulip table, I’m blanking on what that white lamp is called (please help me in the comments section! Thanks CapreeK “Nesso Table Lamp by Giancarlo Mattioli for Artemide”), white mirrored console, graphic black and white curtains and black and white painting. Check out the chrome table lamp and coat rack!

Breaking through more glass ceilings, Joan now has her own office. She’s kept it more traditional:

Still no conference table – it will be funny to see how that works out:

Finally, Don’s office hasn’t changed much. He still likes his mid-century modern dark woods, though it’s lightened up a bit. The spirits are still the most important part of the office:

Did you watch? What was your favorite part of the set design (or the show, I’m always happy to dish about this show!).

all images from amctv.com