Home Office Inspo From 5 Stylish And Accomplished Women

There's something about working at home that just gets work done; maybe it's the privacy that helps block out distraction, the familiarity of the space that gets creative juices flowing, or perhaps it's the atmosphere created by being surrounded by sentimental knick-knacks that inspire one to do one's best and aim for higher goals. 

Regardless of the reasons behind the choice to get things done in one's home office, it's important to give that special space lots of TLC to take full advantage of its benefits! Decorate it according to your liking, set boundaries to shield your work flow from disruption, and most importantly, feel free to be your authentic self while you're there. 

If there's anyone who can tell you why these things are so important, it's the five women we spoke to about their own home offices and how the sacred places within their homes have contributed to their successes as leaders in their own industries. 

NicePrint Photo's founder and entrepreneur Charisse Tinio; mommy influencer, interior designer, and entrepreneur Cat Arambulo-Antonio; entrepreneur Karla Zulueta; fashion designer Amina Aranaz Alunan; and interior stylist and photographer Kitty Bunag each share the inspiration behind their own offices, the process behind conceptualizing them, and tips on how they keep these areas spic and span.

Charisse Tinio, founder of NicePrint Photo

Why did you decide on creating a working space at home? How is it different from your office space outside of the house? 

Tell us about your favorite pieces of décor and other must-haves in your home office. 

Tell us about the overall design inspiration of your home office.

"My home office is actually just a built-in desk between built-in closets in our bedroom. The overall space is elegant and classic because I wanted it to blend into the rest of the master bedroom." 

Did you have a color scheme and focal point in mind while decorating your home office?

"It's a soothing cream and white palette because I want it to match the rest of my bedroom. The focal point is the solihiya wallpaper, which is somewhat like a pattern obsession of mine, as well as an ARANAZ brand signature." 

Why did you decide on creating a working space at home? How is it different from your office space outside of the house? 

"I use this particular desk for 'house work.' I have a letter organizer for the files that my kids bring home from school, I use it to write cheques, and to work on my computer. My work area especially in my design studio is much more a creative space than this is."  

Tell us about your favorite pieces of décor and other must-haves in your home office. 

"My desk chair is an antique pass-me-down from my paternal grandparents. I remember my grandmother used to use it as her vanity chair." 

How do you keep things organized? What can't you work without? 

"My letter organizer has done wonders!"

Share your tips for setting up a home office. 

"1) Make a list of the essential things you want to work on from home and build around that. Supply your drawers with these items so they are within reach.

2) Any work space should always be 'pretty,' so find desk and office desk accessories that you love.

3) Have rules and share them with your household, so your things don't disappear from your workspace when you need them! (My pet peeve is when my pair of scissors disappears from its designated tray!)." 

Cat Arambulo-Antonio, mommy influencer, interior designer, and entrepreneur

"Every part of OM Antonio pretty much shares the same aesthetics, since it has my style injected everywhere. But, I must say that my office and studio definitely have a life of their own." 

Did you have a color scheme and focal point in mind while decorating your home office?

"I design spaces the same way I style myself and everything else I touch. I always use a black and white palette, inject metallics, and a pop of color. My work revolves around me designing and creating content for my social media accounts, which is why  all angles will be Instagram-worthy. Each corner of my office and studio have focal points, because each section has a different look and vibe to it." 

Why did you decide on creating a working space at home? How is it different from your office space outside of the house? 

"Working at my own pace and time is a commitment I made with my husband from the start. When we got married, we agreed that I can work for as long as I have time for him and our children, and can run our household. So creating a studio and office so I can work from home was inevitable and a perfect compromise. Everything starts from the heart of one’s home!"

Tell us about your favorite pieces of décor and other must-haves in your home office. 

"My crystal collection. I recently started collecting crystals which I purchase from all over the world. Not only are they beautiful, they also serve a greater purpose. They bring joy, energy, and serve as a reminder of always setting intentions to live with purpose."

What do you usually work on in your home office? 

"All my ideas will be conceptualized from there: from my digital media videos, collaborations to creating and expanding my Cat Arambulo Studio line." 

How do you keep things organized? What can't you work without?  

"I have a place and space for everything. I have a clear direction of what I’m doing and where I want to go. Now, all I need to do, I write them down and just do them. I can’t work without my phone, crystals and pen, and paper. I still write everything down because I’m old school."

Share your tips for setting up a home office. 

"1) Know your purpose and intention. What do you want to do in that space? What is your purpose? My daughter Danielle always says, 'If you know the why, the how is easy!'

2) Research and collect a lot of pegs. Now that you know what you want to do, think about how you want the space to feel. The color palette, finishes and furniture pieces will totally create that 'vibe.'

3) Work with Empire Designs' Mark Perez and Dianne Innanuran!"

Kitty Bunag, photographer and interior stylist

Tell us about the overall design inspiration of your home office.

"It’s not so far from the look of our entire home, but it is an extension of who I am—my ever-changing moods, my obsessions. When I see all my mess in one place, I see endless possibilities."

Did you have a color scheme and focal point in mind while decorating your home office?

"My walls used to be white; they're now light gray. Having a neutral canvas allows flexibility when adding pieces to the space. My desk is the anchor of everything." 

Why did you decide on creating a working space at home? How is it different from your office space outside of the house? 

"The decision came freely out of my needs. Other than the need for self-expression, having a 'home studio' allows me to make use of my work time efficiently."

Tell us about your favorite pieces of décor and other must-haves in your home office. 

"My personal space is filled with sentimental stuff. I like being surrounded by things close to my heart—some from my most memorable travels, my daughters’ artwork, things I make, books, magazines. Recently, I’ve been collecting and layering rugs. I’m so drawn to textures, colors, and prints of different textiles. I'm also happy with my new rattan chair I gifted myself with early this year. I’ve been working really hard, I feel like I deserve a pretty chair so I’d work harder!"

What do you usually work on in your home office? 

"I do a lot of space design desk work for the Craftsmith Guild. Many times, concepts and ideas come in the wee hours when I’m at home. It’s a little jewelry workshop sometimes. I’m also able to do product shoots and styling in my little space for different brands. The pullouts go straight to my home office where my props and surfaces are. I do a lot of photo editing at night, too." 

How do you keep things organized? What can't you work without? 

"I have to have nice basket storage. I have to have a nice tabletop. I have to have a nice, comfortable chair. I need good lighting and good music. A scented candle too! Also, coffee, in a nice cup."

Share your tips for setting up a home office. 

"I encourage everyone to look at their possessions from a new perspective and see how the most humble and everyday objects can transform a space—'un-style,' mismatch, texturize. Use different textiles, unfinished wood, raw concrete, rusty metal. Style with plants, too. Seek beauty and meaning in everything. Embrace it. Display it."

Karla Zulueta, co-founder of Aperitif, Sundowners, and Zulu / creative director of Skin 101

Tell us about the overall design inspiration of your home office.

"This new home is inspired by our newly opened resort called Sundowners Zambales. I love living by the beach and took the resort's feel to the city. As you can see, the theme is very tropical and it has a villa feel. I'm at this phase in my life where in I want my space to look like it's somewhat out of the city." 

Did you have a color scheme and focal point in mind while decorating your home office?

"I remember getting this condo very bare and gave a two-week deadline to renovate everything. From the wallpaper, to lighting, and all custom furniture, everything was done quickly in two weeks! Everything was ordered through mobile, and since it was a rush, I didn't really know what the end look [would be like] until all the fixtures and furniture came in one day. And you know what, it's not that bad! I love it! The color scheme is pastel, nude, and raw tones, and I have a mural of a wild forest on my wall that is a focal point of the space." 

Why did you decide on creating a working space at home? How is it different from your office space outside of the house? 

"I always want to work from home, especially when I need to think very deeply and get a clear vision of what I want without any distractions. This is the desk where I goal-set and think of what will be the next steps for my brands." 

Tell us about your favorite pieces of décor and other must-haves in your home office. 

"I am so in love with the rattan rocking chair. I had this custom-made for this space and is very much inspired by my travels in Bali. Also, this one of a kind center table trunk chest I got from Pottery Barn is an investment piece that I would very much bring to my future dream home. Lastly, my favorite part is the striking wall mural of a wild forest. I just love looking at it while sitting on the sofa and drinking tea. It's just so cool and vibrant, and I get so much inspiration from it."

What do you usually work on in your home office? 

"This space is where I usually get design inspiration for our villas. I'm always in the creative department of my brands, so I love visualizing here and doing research on design." 

How do you keep things organized? What can't you work without?  

"My space, to be honest, is very minimal. There isn't much stuff in it. I work all the time on my laptop and mobile phone, so not much organizing is needed to be done here. I keep it clean and empty all the time." 

Share your tips for setting up a home office. 

"1) Make the space reflect your sense of style. It makes you want to immerse in the space more and make your work flow cozier and more enjoyable. 

2) Get local pieces and work with your local carpenters. Customize it to your own liking!

3) Add indoor plants to make the space cozier and more vibrant."

Photographs courtesy of Charisse Tinio, Amina Aranaz Alunan, Cat Arambulo-Antonio, Kitty Bunag, and Karla Zulueta