My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Creating My Own Space

As most of my regular readers know I have changed my office and my sewing and craft room around several times in the 3 1/2 years we've lived in this house. AND I'm fortunate enough to have 4 bedrooms in this house for only 2 people. I also chose not to have a room for guests because it's a waste of space for us. (More on that later.) This office is on its 3rd change because a few months ago I was looking at other people's creative spaces and thought mine would "look better" if I took most of the "extra" stuff out and put it in the craft and sewing room, and it DID look a lot better with so much stuff out of there. I put my huge white cottage desk up against the wall. I thought that gave it more room in the center of this smallish room. Well, I've come to some serious conclusions about that!

One: Hubs said moving furniture is tough on the hands. Nuuuuuuuu, it's tough on the feet, or more specifically, the toes! Ouch!!

Two: It did give a little more room to the center but to what end? It didn't make any difference in what I could do with the center of the room. But the greatest "epiphany" was that it didn't work for me; it didn't "flow" well for ME. I've been around the internet visiting with other people's offices and creative spaces and thought to myself that some of them are wonderful and why can't I have "THAT" kind of room. But I had to come to that decision on my own. I couldn't file any papers with just swiveling my chair around to the filing cabinet. I faced a boring wall instead of having the window seat in front of me and wasn't able to take in the view. My paper shredder, which I use frequently, was in front of the printer stand and I couldn't get into the doors very easily at all. Now, I have never gotten ahold of a copy of a book titled Where Women Create so I have no clue how they do it but I'm sure the rooms are fantastic. I do hope to find a copy at a reasonable price on Amazon soon though so I can just look at it for the eye candy, but truly this works for me - Connie. While I'd love to have my space be gorgeous enough to be able to show in a magazine, that isn't ever going to happen. It's a humble little room - all pink and froufrou-y (and that is the correct way to spell froufrou). I love it and it makes me happy. It simply didn't work for me the other way but I had to try it out. (And trust me, this is a huge and heavy desk for Love Bunny and me to turn around, let alone MOVE!) I won't ever have a huge room with huge floor to ceiling windows with lots of light. I won't ever have the "beautiful shelving" or the vintage stuff that makes a place even more wonderful - for me at least. I won't ever have people in here oooohing and aaaaahing either. I have a "nicer" room than some people and a "not-so-nice" room to some other people. Get over it! This is a "home center" for this family - a "working" place for me. I do all of my business in this room and blog and webcam with our kids and grandkids. It needs to be "functional" more than anything and "form follows function" and so it is with me and this room. While it is lovely to me, it is functional and that's its main purpose.

And about the guest room: we don't need a room to sit empty unless our kids come to visit which averages about twice a year because we go back to California to see them once or twice a year at least. So why keep a "guest" room that isn't used? So that room is now hubby's office. We can each have our own space to do whatever business we need to conduct AND each have our own computers to read or whatever. It just didn't make sense to us to waste that space.

BEFORE TODAY:
So this is what it was the 2nd time I redid the room but just before it is now. And if you think you're confused please don't forget hubs! He's wonky at this point, chicks.

This was my view across the room or - at that point - behind my back.

AFTER TODAY:
This is how it is now from the above pictures. In the picture below you can see the power cords. There is no way I can get rid of any of those cords. It hooks up a lot of extra stuff I have for my computer. They are what they are and nothing can change that for me except to maybe try and camouflage them a bit and I have a "plan" for that coming up soon. But I do like it with less stuff on the walls - especially since the walls are now pink.

This side still needs to be redone and I need to tidy it up but that's coming soon.

I have a red wooden bench on my front porch that I plan on bringing in to this room. It's in need of a paint job and that will happen later but I think this room needs it more than the front porch and it's "wispy" enough that it won't take up much visual space as much as a cabinet full of books would.

My printer is now easily accessible as are the doors beneath it that holds paper, ink cartridges and extra disks for recording.

And another important thing is my view and this clock. My kids gave me this clock for our 40th anniversary 8 years ago and I love it. I took it down and told hubs to use it in his room. He's never put it up and I've missed it tremendously. I used to look up and see the time (yes, I have a clock on my computer monitor but the hanging clock is one I'm used to; it's a gift from my kids and I wanted it in there). It's nice to have an "old friend" back! Yep, that place needs to be tidied up also.

I think the gist of this story is that you need to do what works for you even if it isn't the the "decorator book" look that's what you'd like or love. I've seen miniscule craft rooms and miniscule sewing rooms here on blogs and they're gorgeous and/or lovely while its occupant lusts - like me - for the "perfect" space or room. It's a painful realization sometimes but you'll get over it. Excuse me while I go have my "melt down" or my own little "depression"; I'll be right back, sweet cherubs..........

28 comments:

  1. You are always doing stuff around the house. Don't you ever get to sleep? I don't think you do because you are always on the go, go, go!!! I wish I had 1/2 your engery.

    Just when I think your place is so pretty and perfect you move it around, change it up and low and behold it becomes even prettier! Wow! how do you do it?

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  2. Connie, dont be depressed! Your room works for you and that is the main thing. I think it looks fine.
    I believe you can get wire covers if you want to cover up all the wires that we all have dripping from computers!

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  3. Connie...

    I do think you'll be much happier with the room arranged this way!! It will be marvelous!!!

    Jan

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  4. Isn't it the most fun to rearrange and get a new look for little or no $$? Love your change and love your room.

    Your comments today touched on my greatest fear. I believe I would have to be sedated if/when something happens to our Angel Baby. I understand your Hubs.

    JudyBug

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  5. Well, I have to say that I like it better in the middle. You can see everything; even those annoying visitors you get every now and again. lol You wouldn't want a sneak attack from behind!

    ~Stacey

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  6. I agree 100%... What makes you happy is all that counts... Your rooms work for you and make you happy... So keep them the way you like... Lovely in PINK!!!

    HUGS,
    Donna

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  7. Connie your space is beautiful!!! I would love to work in there!! Great job!!! I showed you my little bookcase with things organized nicely. I also have an armoire in my room that holds many of the larger items. My work space, itself, is my kitchen counter. I have lots of space to spread out, the dining room table behind me to use as needed, music nearby and great lighting. It works for me for now. I would have to give up a kid to have a craft room of my own. I'd rather have both my kids living with me and stand at the kitchen counter.

    This was a great post. By the way, Where Women Create is now a magazine, in addition to the book. It's one of those $15 Stampington publications. I hear Marie Osmond will be in the next issue. You must check it out - truly beautiful spaces - good inspiration to make our own spaces.

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  8. Hi Connie, Looks great and who would not want to work in your wonderful creative space. Yes, get WWC, some surprises ahead this year!! and is now in a quarterly publication. The second came out Feb. 1st. My studio will be in an upcoming issue!!
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  9. The clock is so nice! And your room looks beautiful, all the colors are so peaceful.
    Hugs,
    Ginger

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  10. We also have four bedroom with only our bedroom being a bedroom. We have a sewing/quilting room, a scrap booking room and a grand children's room that is going to be changed to a kid's playroom this summer. We also have guests so rarely that it is a waste to have an unused room, especially since we have a 5th wheel that sleeps 12.

    I have spent a lot of time moving furniture around in my rooms too. I still plan one more change in each room. I think when you work in them you see how they could be better. I think when you de-clutter you find changes that work better.

    Your room is really beautiful and it is so like you and like the beautiful crafts you create.

    Have a Wonderful Day!
    from Roberta Anne

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  11. Connie, I had to come to the same conclusion when I moved my craft table to the center of the room . It works. And your room is pink!! Mine is yellow and I have no thought to paint it. Other rooms will come first.

    karen

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  12. Connie......I love what you've done with your rooms! I'm a mover and shaker too in my home, and like to rearrange things often! I love what you've done! ;) ~CC Catherine from "Catherine de th`e Cups"

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  13. I think it is so important to have your desk arranged so that you have a great view. I used to have mine against a wall before I turned it to look out a window. I love watching the snow fall or rain while typing. I love how you have a room and hubby has a room..so important to have your own space! I am loving the slipcover on your desk chair and totally think you should make one for me and send it over...lol! Thank you for your input on my 'getting caught' post..I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later!! Anyway, I think you have a lovely home and as long as it makes you happy when you walk in...that is all that truly matters, my friend!

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  14. You know your room is beautiful.Yu don't have to create rooms like the book. This is you, an original, & I like what I see.Especially the lanterns & the window seat. Now I do some stitching seeting on that sweet number.

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  15. Connie Girl you are always doing something...I never get a thing done any more..this looks real good. and what can you do woth all those cords..nothing...not like plugging in a toaster girl..thanks for coming by...hugs and smiles Gloria

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  16. your room's comming along nicely, it's great to have our own space, we've been empty nesters for over 12 years & the bedrooms have been turned into office /Library /sewing room lol
    Helen

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  17. Connie, I think it looks great. I always have a hard time moving things around. I just love all the pink accents.
    STephenie

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  18. Hello Connie; You are always amazing me with every post I read. I love all the inventiveness you always come up with. I love your room it is very bright and soothing, and happy. By the way I have that book and I don't use any more I would love to send it to you, if you wish. Just send your address to my email alaurajane@gmail.oom and I will send it out to you. It is a great book but I don't really need it now. So if you don't mind sending me you address which will not be know to any one else,,, that is a promise, you will have the book. You will love it as I did.

    Hugs;
    Alaura

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  19. Oh Connie,
    I am so with you on this and I'm so happy you said it out loud! I would love to have a beautiful room like in the book you spoke of (I love it), but I'd have to move my family out of this tiny house and knock down all the walls or rent a warehouse in town... None of them an option ;) nor do I want to be away from my family. It's great you have everything you need at your finger tips or close by. You go girl! Now off to see your photo tutorial.
    Happy night!
    xo~Tracie

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  20. It looks great to me!!! I only wish I could get my craft/sewing room put back together. It is hard to organize a room while your 4 yr old is in another room reorganizing it! lol Seriously! I'm going nuts with my house all out of shape! One more year of preschool and look out house, I will have the whole day to get you back into shape!

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  21. Hi,
    The room looks great...and very functional too!

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  22. Hi Connie. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind and encouraging words about blogging. I have been doing it for about a month...starting to get the hang of it...loving every minute.

    I'm glad you found me...because I found you. I will stop by frequently!

    Donna

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  23. Connie, thanks for visiting my blog! It is a small world after all isn't it!!! You aren't the first to say that you are or were born in West Virginia.

    I also forgot to say that I love the window seat in your room! My daughter wants one for her room but my husband hasn't had the time to build it for her. Hopefully she will get it soon.

    Hugs,
    Angela

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  24. You are a busy girl! It looks really good and it will work better for you. I love all your pink touches!

    Hugs, Sharon

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  25. Hi Connie, no matter how many 'pretty work spaces' we see in blogland we all have to do what works for us! Sometimes I wonder if anyone really ever works/creates in some of those areas. They are just so, so neat.
    Alison

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  26. I love all your pink! Love the desk!

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  27. Your workspace is lovely & so efficient! I love the tote hanging on the doorknob! And I spy some cute red shoes .... are you barefoot again?!?!

    Love,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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Comments are so nice and I thank all of you that leave one for me.