The anzu office/store cupboard

Yesterday we went to Ikea to get some supplies for the spare Anzu office. At the moment it is really a store cupboard packed to the brim with boxes, but we are hoping that soon it will be a rather more tranquil space. I would love that it be as calm and orderly as Lee Radziwill's (Jackie O's sister) office,

or this

but in the end as we have to stick with the hideous blue carpet in there and do have to store a lot of things, I'll probably just be happy if it doesn't end up like this. I don't know whose office this is, but how can they get any work done in there?

In particular I'm liking these images from Domino - white with colourful accents, tranquil and uncluttered.

I'll keep you posted!

Busy, busy, busy

So so busy in the office - putting the finishing touches to our new products, preparing for Pulse, sending out mailers..

The Apprentice

Each time I watch the Apprentice it makes me smile to think that the contestants were being filmed right across the road from the anzu office! Whilst they quibbled over pantsman, rugs and boardroom politics, we were just quietly working on anzu cards and new products...

Re-decorating the office

We have been re-painting the office so it's been quite chaotic.

I also hated the windows, so I thought I'd post the before and after shots. Above are the windows as they looked before, and below the end result!

I didn't want to spend lots on them so we just covered the existing windows with these Japanese/Swiss chalet stained wood panels with rice paper inside. It makes such a difference to the look of the office I think. We can still open the windows and have the existing ones behind so it worked out far more cost effective than replacing all the windows.

Trellick Tower & Goldfinger

I recently saw this photo in the Getty gallery and had to get it for the office. It shows Trellick tower, which is just round the corner from the anzu office. It was designed in the Brutalist style by Hungarian architect Erno Goldfinger and was built in 1972. A cab driver wouldn't believe me the other day when I said it was a landmark, but it has become an icon - it was the first building featured in the animation segment of the Olympic handover ceremony, is sung about by Blur and also featured in a Gorillaz video amongst other things.

It also has an odd connection to the author of James Bond, Ian Fleming, who decided to name his villain Auric Goldfinger (a character who kills women by spraying them head to toe with gold paint) after the architect. Erno Goldfinger immediately reacted by consulting his lawyers. However, after Fleming threatened to rename the character 'Goldprick', Goldfinger decided not to sue!

The anzu office on a Friday

I'm working hard,

Ryma is working hard,

but I'm not too sure about this one.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from everyone at Anzu!

(the above image is our Holly & Ivy mule card)

The office has been looking very festive for the past month and I thought I'd post a couple of the photographs. I shall be taking a break from the blog until 3rd January. So see you in the New Year!

English eccentric

I have decided to make some little changes to the look of the office and so have been trailing the London shops for some new things. I really like the English eccentric look that is around at the moment so I paid a visit to Caravan. With chintz covered mannequins, teapots galore, and old wooden display cabinets in the shop it didn't disappoint. I even like the graphics on their website, see www.caravanstyle.com

I ended up with these chintzy cushions, and they wrapped everything beautifully. Another place I visited is just up the road from work, Howie and Belle.

It has vintage clothing, 30s style lampshades, French tub chairs, and curios. It always has different things. I ended up with a barley twist lamp.

The Howie and Belle website is www.howieandbelle.com The final stop was Tower Bridge Antiques in Bermondsey - a massive warehouse full of antiques and junk (photo below). You never know what you might find! I love this chair. Unfortunately it wouldn't fit in the office, which is probably just as well as I think I'd feel pressurised to dress like Barbarella every day just to sit in it!

Unusual offices

I just came across these images of the Google offices and I think they're great. Train carriages always capture my imagination.

Below are the offices of 3 Rings, an online games company. I like the empty picture frames on the wall.

I bet the employees have fun meetings sitting out on the turf in this twba office in Tokyo.

Below is another image from the Google offices.

The unexpected effect of a sitting room that is actually an office is what I was going for in my office, although I think I might change it a bit and tone down the girliness!

Jasmine and I in the office this week.