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Organizing a Creative Studio With a Touch of Playful Personality

Organizing a Creative Studio With a Touch of Playful Personality

Ergonomics·Living Room Corner·Oct 2018·6 min read
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UpdatedOct 12, 2025 8:24 PM EDT

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This story first appeared in the Fall 2019 issue ofDomino,under the title "Neat as a (Shiny Gold) Pin."

If you assumed binder clips, scissors, and loose paper belonged tucked away in a supply closet, Darcy Miller would kindly disagree. "Why on earth would you ever hide them?!" she says—and she lives by that philosophy. The illustrator, celebrations authority, author, editor, and founder ofDarcy Miller Designsrecently settled into a newworkspace, and every one of those essentials—along with tape, glitter, twine, and a near-endless rotation of colorful pens—sits out in the open, each in its designated spot. The studio took shape with help from interior designerStefan Steiland stylistRebecca Thuss."Beingorganizedmatters," says Miller, "but it always has to feel a little bit like me." That translates into abundant gold (her signature shade) and, naturally, her signature whimsical drawings. One side of the room, inside a Manhattan townhouse on the Upper East Side, is devoted tocrafting; the other, to entertaining. Platters and champagne coupes stand ready for events and workshops, like a calligraphy session with her small but growing team. "I think of it as a modern craft room designed to spark creativity," says Miller. And with everything from stationery to sequins lining the shelves, what more could anyone ask for?

Wall DecalsDarcy Miller X Chasing Paper.Photography by Thuss + Farrell
Wall DecalsDarcy Miller X Chasing Paper.Photography by Thuss + Farrell

Designing a Creative Space That Works as Hard as You Do

BindersBindertek; Anchor Hocking Glass CanistersThe Container Store.Photography by Thuss + Farrell
BindersBindertek; Anchor Hocking Glass CanistersThe Container Store.Photography by Thuss + Farrell
Custom CorkboardCorkboard; Dry Erase PocketsAmazon.Photography by Thuss + Farrell
Custom CorkboardCorkboard; Dry Erase PocketsAmazon.Photography by Thuss + Farrell
Photography by Thuss + Farrell
Photography by Thuss + Farrell
All Pins and PaperclipsAmazon.Photography by Thuss + Farrell
All Pins and PaperclipsAmazon.Photography by Thuss + Farrell

Everything in Its PlaceFile folders have a way of descending into chaos. Miller files scans of her artwork (grouped by theme) into sturdy matching binders instead. Supplies that come in multiple colors and styles are stashed in clear glass jars for instant identification.

Make the Most of Your Wall SpaceTo track works in progress, the artist pins her drawings into brightly trimmed folios (another Amazon find) on a fabric-covered bulletin board. As each piece nears completion, it migrates from the bottom row to the top.

Keep the Essentials Within Reach"The secret to staying organized is knowing what truly matters to you," says Miller. Keeping the right supplies—say, everything needed to whip up spontaneous party favors—close at hand means you're always ready when inspiration strikes.

Stay Color-Conscious"The studio is like a little jewel box where we make magical things," says Miller. "So of course there has to be a touch of gold." Committing to a single shade (a metallic, in her case) keeps pins, clips, and other small supplies looking cohesive rather than chaotic.

More Organization Inspiration:The Surprising Secret to Staying OrganizedTop Products for Organizing a Tiny KitchenExpert Tips for Tidying Your Bookshelf

Lindsey Mather Avatar
Lindsey Mather Avatar

Lindsey Mather

Editor in Chief

Lindsey Mather is a devoted words person who leads Domino's content strategy and creation. Whenever possible, she carves out time to write and edit stories about how people shape their spaces—and how those spaces shape them in return. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Sam, and their daughter, Stella.

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