Yesterday afternoon, while working on a project for the TSP, I looked around the office/studio and realized something: What I had envisioned many months ago had become a reality.
I’ve already used the desk countless times for research and blogging. Since the day I moved into this space, I’ve had the TSP sitting on the extension. But this day was different, I was actually sitting in my desk chair, swiveling between the desk and the extension – which is actually a sewing table – and I was working in both spaces at the same time.
I had to take a picture to show the reason for my sigh of contentment.
This is momentous for yours truly. I’ve spent the last ten years in this cottage carving out different spaces in which to work, shuttling back and forth, doing one thing here, then running up the stairs to do another thing there. The dollhouse was rehabbed on the kitchen table; I painted many a piece on the kitchen island. I made furniture on the table. I wallpapered it in the living room. I cut and stained sticks for the floors on the island, glued them down in the den.
When I had my little tiny studio in the hallway upstairs, I would run back and forth from the sewing table to the bedroom, where I was often ironing fabric, to downstairs where I would cut the fabric on the kitchen island. Not to mention the fact that there was so little space to work in that I felt like I was in the tiniest of closets.
I’ve done much of my Shakespeare research on the kitchen table, moving mail and other assorted ‘stuff’ out of the way so that I could spread everything out, then packing everything up and getting it out of the way in time for dinner preparation.
You see the pattern? Some things here, some things there, but nothing in the same place at the same time.
And I could never shut a door for some quiet and privacy. I can now.
We have enough open floor space in the office/studio for me to use the floor if I need to, or tuck the TSP in a corner of the room while I work on the extension table. I can answer comments on the blog while waiting for paint to dry. I can set up the ironing table in the same space where I’m cutting fabric.
It’s amazing.
I know that many of you already work this way. But here in this little tiny cottage? It’s a miracle. Getting rid of the bed (though every once in a while I miss it) was the best thing we could have done. Given the fact that 99% of the time it’s just Don and me, it seemed silly to keep the bed any longer. It took me a while to get on board with this idea, but I finally realized that this house is for us. And we should use the space in a way that suits our lifestyle.
I can do pretty much everything in one place!
Sometimes I choose to work downstairs, like right now as I’m writing this post. But now I have the option, which is so different than the past.
Huzzah!
In other news: This is blooming…
Our trustworthy Flowering Quince has blessed us with orange/red blossoms.
The lilac flower buds are getting bigger. Some volunteer plants in the big garden bed were too shocked by the sudden snow and ice that happened a few weeks ago and they came out of the ground. Some plants are still not showing themselves. It’s a mystery right now as to what will come out of the ground this year.
What can you do?
Don and I are getting ready to cast our votes in the New York State Primary and then we’ll treat ourselves to some breakfast at our local café.
Happy Tuesday.
I enjoy sewing and I am working on making my area prettier . I love having my supplies handy and I am trying to be more organized. Your space is pretty and love all your favorite items around you. Happy voting day.
Thank you Doris! I still need to do a lot of organizing and sorting and pitching with all the stuff in the closet up here, but I will.
So happy for you in your new work/creative space ! As someone who currently has a little corner of a bedroom for my sewing space – I know how important it is to have room to spread out. And, may I say what a pretty space it is.
P.S. The pictures of your flowering Quince are lovely – brings back memories of my Mom’s garden when I was a child – thank you
It’s such a pretty bush and I have a feeling it’s been here for years.
Enjoy your Tuesday, Spring is such a magical time.
It is. I feel so much more alive when Spring comes!
Oh, I get it. Having usable, functional space is a necessity when you are a ‘project person.’ I love getting ideas from other people on how to make mine better. Enjoy your day, Claudia.
I do, too. Now…if I could only have the whole room!!
I am so happy for you! I have a bed in my spare room and I’m determined to get it out and make that space a work/creative space. I need some man muscle to help me so it might be summer, but it will get done! I’ve made that promise to myself. Oh the blooms are lovely. I’m ready in the next couple of days to plant some flowers.
hugs,
Linda
Too bad I’m not there visiting, Linda…I’d help you get that bed out of the room!
Your shared space makes so much sense….and looks pretty too! Love the quince. Our maples are finally starting to turn green, as well as our daffodils. But, our temps are going down…after a warm stretch. Sure got used to temps being in the 70’s! Happy voting! ;)
One of our maples is sporting teeny tiny leaves, the sugar maple isn’t really doing anything yet. It was in the high seventies yesterday – almost too warm!
Stunning garden photographs, as always, Claudia.
You have inspired me to do some organizing; thank you!
I have to deal with the closet in here, but it has to happen when I’m in a ruthless mood, Nancy!
Instead of a man cave, you have a woman aerie! So happy you have a dedicated space big enough for your projects, for you. I know it’s shared space with Don….what does he do in his area?
He’s not up here as often as I am, but he plays the guitar, meditates, that sort of thing.
Creative people need space to spread out….a bit. You always mention how small your place is ,
but it sure looks roomie. Do you sew in this room also? No more at the top of the stairs?
Since it is just you and Don 99% of the time…this was a good idea. You can always get a blow out mattress for the rare guests.
Addie
It isn’t roomy at all – it’s less than 1000 square feet, not counting the unliveable basement(entered from outside!) Maybe we’ve simply managed to decorate it so it looks roomy. I will sew in that room though the machine is in the closet at the moment. No more top of the stairs, which was sort of charming for a while but very hard to work in. I was always afraid to scoot my chair back because the top of the stairs was right there! We do have one of those mattresses, so we’re all set!
And how many times in the past few weeks or months have you asked yourself, “Now why in the WORLD didn’t we make the change from guest room to office sooner?” PS – it looks so inviting too. Hope you enjoy its pretty versatility for years and years… ?
Many, many times! I guess I thought we should keep the bed because it was in really good shape and we might have guests. But the reality is that we rarely have guests and we can always use the inflatable mattress. So, so glad we did it! Thanks, Janet.
Your space is looking great Claudia – warm, inviting – must be a joy to work/play there. And, love the quince shot. I’m still thinking my lilac buds were killed in the snow, but my husband is convinced they will be ok.
It is wonderful to work there. I’m very happy with it. I bet your lilacs will be fine – mine seem to be doing okay. Fingers crossed, Vera!
The office/ studio space looks wonderful. It is so nice to hear you are both enjoying it so much.
The pics of your blooms are so pretty. Our Maple tree is full of green popping leaves. The lilacs look great, too. Most of the perennials are also waking up. After several days in the 70’s and the 80’s (!!) yesterday, it is back in the upper 50’s and raining today. We surely need the rain. A couple of weeks ago we were only dreaming of the 50’s and 60’s. It is the sliding backwards in temps that is so hard to accept now after having the taste of the sun and warmth.
Patience is a virtue, and so very hard to practice.
It’s cooler here today and there’s a no burn warning because we need rain and it’s really dry. So, I’d be happy to see some rain around here. I bet it will come on Friday when I have to drive to Hartford!
I need that sort of arrangement in my sewing room. I haven’t quite figured out how to work it out without blocking some of my shelves, but eventually……
You’ll figure it out, Jan!
I’m glad you have a space that works for you now.
Been dealing with a similar issue, here in my parents’ old house. Just three bedrooms and, I must say, in my mom’s ending years, we were glad for the two bedrooms other than the one she was sleeping in, because Mom’s weekend caregiver used the one room as hers, and the other weeknights caregiver had the other room. Otherwise, I don’t know where I would have put them. I didn’t expect them to stay awake all night long, in a chair. Mom was alert enough to ring a bell for them and I think they did only lightly sleep but, still, it was better for them to be somewhat rested than not.
For me, though, I’ve already overtaken one bedroom, other than our sleeping one, as my workspace. And I’m considering dumping the third as a guest room. As you said, it’s the same for us…we seldom have an overnight guest but instead have mostly day visitors. I was really upset when the new owners of my former vintage cottage knocked out the wall between the kitchen and formal dining room, to ditch the formal dining room and make one long kitchen but, you know, I’ve had to get real with the fact that it’s not my home anymore and maybe function was more important to them than 1920s-era antiquity (and leaving its perfectly-wonderful, custom blueprint alone).
It’s always hard to see someone else change the place you used to live in. Better not to know! I think this is when ignorance is bliss.
Can you believe it was 80 degrees here yesterday??..I could hardly believe it myself…My tulips have bloomed and I’m so happy to see them again…My willow tree is covered with green leaf buds…and the pretty little dandelions are everywhere…I know I am one of the few people who like dandelions but to me they are just another pretty little wildflower…I think making your office room is one of the best things you two have done for yourselves…The Flowering Quince is such a pretty color…
It was close to, if not, 80 here as well. I’m happy to see things coming out of the ground. The hostas are growing by leaps and bounds!
I love your light -filled workspace with all your pretty things. I think you have started a trend with your aqua cart! I have seen the exact one in a number of retail shops as well as homes. (I personally think IKEA should reward you.)
Wouldn’t that be nice!
I love your office / desk layout. I have mine in the exact same L-shaped setup so I can swivel from computer to work table for painting/writing, etc. Yours is so bright and cheerful. And I agree, it’s wonderful to be able to close a door once in a while!
Oh my goodness, I now realize how hard it was to not have a door to close, if necessary!
That’s a great create/work/play L shape set up. You are going to wonder how you did
without it. Nice.
Enjoy~
Monica
I already do!
How nice to have everything at your finger tips. Finally, a place to craft, write/blog, and work!
Has Don been able to use the room? I see his guitars there in their cases. I picture you both in there, you crafting, reading , ‘while his guitar gently weeps.’
(sorry, couldn’t help that one!)
I would love to have my room as neatly tucked in and all together as you have yours. Hmmm… summer break is coming. Maybe, some organizing and rearranging will happen?
The Flowering Quince is firey red, so pretty!
Don does go up there to play his guitar every once in a while and he also meditates there from time to time. But as of now, I use it much more than he does.