There are many cool things about my new job as a community newspaper editor, but one unexpectedly sweet perk is that I have my own office. Not a cubicle or other Office Space-like desk divider system, a real, honest-to-goodness office that I get all to myself. It’s actually pretty ridiculous.
I’ve been so busy for the last couple of months that I haven’t had much time to think about decorating the place. I’ve started bringing in a few things for my desk and bulletin board — tea mugs for storing pens and, you know, drinking tea; photographs, postcards and a favorite xkcd comic — but the walls are still pretty bare.
The former editor put up nine black and white journalism-related pictures, but they don’t really inspire me much. I want art with more pops of color that reflect some of my passions better.
My current idea is to buy a series of vintage dictionary prints from some Etsy shops I found over the weekend. I love the mix of old words and beautiful color prints, and I think I can combine favorites from different shops into a relatively coherent looking photo collage. These are some of my current favorites:
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Top row (left to right): Minnesota by StayGoldMedia; Elephant & Butterfly from nommon; Penguin Family by nommon. Bottom row (left to right): Keep Calm by woodendoll; Tulips by Vintagraphy; Pigs Can Fly with Love Balloons by VintageDictionaryArt
I really want some book-related art, which is why I figured I could turn to all of you for some advice. Do you have any favorite bookish pieces of art or places to shop that I could use? Any favorite Etsy shops I could mix and match from? Better ideas that vintage dictionary prints? I am totally open to suggestions!
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The ALA website has a store with some cute/interesting items.
Thanks for the tip!
Those are really cool! I wish I had some other bookish art to share with you but I have nothing to offer.
I do love some of those. I think the vintage look will be neat in my office if I can choose what I like.
Nice! I vote for the “keep calm, type on” one and the flying pig. I’ll keep my eyes out for bookish art for you…
Those are my two favorites too!
Love these! Particularly digging the Keep Calm, Type On one 🙂
I think that will come in handy on deadline day 🙂
It’s not book-related, but this is one of my favorite posters for an office wall:
http://www.despair.com/gettowork.html
My office tends to get decorated with taped-up cartoons, poems and, currently, a fake brochure for the academic service I run, featuring a photo of a student asleep on her book.
Ha ha! That’s awesome. I have those same things in my office right now too (minus the fake brochure).
I love the Keep Calm! My aunt and uncle owned and ran a small town weekly newspaper for over 40 years. Her stress level just before publication days rose.
Minnesota will catch the eye of those who come in (I assume that’s where you are).
Oh yes, publication day is high-stress, that’s for sure.
Those are tres chic!
I have a few saved to my favorites on etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83697109/book-lovers-never-go-to-bed-alone-5×7
and anything from http://www.etsy.com/shop/HesedBooksAndGifts?section_id=10374672
Those are all awesome! I love the Book Ninja one in the second shop 🙂
Ha! I so feel you, Kim, and even wrote about this a few months back. Etsy is definitely a great place for finding book-related prints and other fine goodies, and I wound up decorating my office-cum-corner-of-a-big-room with my own photos of London and other England-related artwork. Dreaming of my favorite far-away place is very inspirational!
I remember that post — you had some great art pieces there 🙂
I love these! I’ve made similar art in my house with pages from romance novels and then I paint over them. I’m very jealous of your office though. I was excited to have a job with my own cubicle!
That’s a super cool idea! I could maybe just go find some old books and make something similar myself… We’ll have to see.
Definitely the “Keep calm, type on” one! Btw, this would also make a great gift for any grad student writing up their thesis (as I’m discovering from personal experience right now 😉 ).
Ha ha, yes, of course! Really, that’s good advice for anyone.