Wednesday, January 20, 2016

PreSpring Clean

I decided to do a little early spring cleaning in the office yesterday, and removed all the books so I can weed out and donate what I don't need and rearrange what I do. Then I started moving the furniture to accommodate the addition of a dresser, and eight hours, two sore shoulders and an aching back later I ended up with this:



There are a couple of paintings I need to rehang, but this is pretty much how it will look for 2016. Although I can't always keep my home office spotless I really love it when it's this clean. The dresser will probably stay, too; after 15 years of faithful service my college kid decided she didn't want it anymore. I can donate just about anything but furniture, especially when it's something that belonged to the kids. So until someone in the family needs one, it will likely become my new office supply storage center.

The sofa folds out into a queen bed, which allows us to use the office as an extra guest room when needed. I always put a quilt on the floor for the dogs, which Miss Skye usually hogs:



My writing space on the other side of the office isn't quite as pretty (and please, ignore the disintegrating old computer chair, scarred work station and wretch tangle of cords I can never arrange neatly):



I do need to replace the chair before it collapses into a heap, but it's so comfortable I'll probably keep it until it does. Same thing with the old work station -- I've had that thing for about fifteen years now, and as battered as it is I can move it anywhere in the house (which is nice when we have noisy visitors.)

Although my spine is singing the Ave Maria now it did feel good to tidy up and change things around a bit. It really doesn't matter if you keep your writing space spotless or cluttered; making sure you feel comfortable in it is the important thing.

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:24 AM

    It is interesting that you use such a small work station. Where do you work when you need to use pen/pencil and paper? I have discovered that my desk (which I think is rather small) has become my sacred space. My desk is small and from Target. Because I do a lot at my desk, I am looking for something slightly larger.

    SandyL

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  2. I usually do my hand writing out at the table on the back porch, Sandy. If it's too cold or hot out there I'll work at the kitchen table, and if I need quiet I'll sit in the office on the couch with a lap desk or clipboard. I've thought about getting one of those L-shaped desks with a workstation on one side and a flat writing desk on the other, but they take up so much space, and they aren't easily moved.

    I'd check out the thrift stores and see what you can find second hand. Or you might visit your local Office Depot if you want something new; when I was ordering some toner I noticed they're having a 50% off furniture sale this week.

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  3. Yes, check the thrift stores. Ours even offers 1/2 off during the first part of the month, so it's even cheaper.

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  4. It's so nice to see your writing room! I always wonder what other people's work stations look like.

    Yours is way more tidy than mine. I'm surrounded by books, painting supplies, and an odd assortment of relics that I've collected over the years. I have no quilt so Nana takes up residence in the spare chair. :)

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  5. “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
    Albert Einstein

    That's way, way too clean for me, but obviously, Miss Skye loves it! :)

    (an aside - I sent you an email...)

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  6. What a lovely space to write in. It looks so calm. If I had a spare room, I'd use it for sewing but unfortunately for me, I'm in a small flat and my living room serves as a sewing space too. I really like your quilt.

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  7. Wow. You have a lot of great space. And so well-organized!

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  8. DeeCee12:37 AM

    Your office is lovely! And how lucky is your pup that there's a beautiful quilt to keep them comfy?

    Since I am still in the process of moving and living with family, I don't have an office or even a desk right now. It's driving me nuts that all my school work must be done on the living room couch which is not as comfortable on the back as I would have thought.

    P.S. I am having the hardest time getting my posts on here...once in awhile Chrome will cooperate and other times Mozilla will, but many times nothing will let me reply. Argh to the computers!

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