Home Office, Far From Homely

Several years ago one of my favorite people Ann McIndoo, invited me to guest-blog.  The topic was writing space/office space.

Some topics just take time to percolate.  Others are questions where the answers must be lived into.

Here’s what I found about organizing my space; organically, it emerged, that I require three areas for creative activities.  One is my client office.  It consists of my mother’s bookcases, a loveseat and an overstuffed chair for me.  The second space is my general office area.  And the third-place is my dining room table.  It affords me large surface space where an entire project can be laid out.  There is room on the table to lay out fabric, apply a pattern and cut out a garment.  Or, set out my beading supplies and leave everything out for several days when I make comfort angels to give my patients.

Each space has its own focus of purpose, which designates its decor.

I’ve been in my current location about 2 ½ years.  Before I moved here, I was in a smaller mother-in-law apartment.  Attached to the living space, was a utility closet which was designed to give access to the media room on the other side of the wall.  The builder had been considerate and finished the space with carpet and lighting, and a door.  It was about 10 feet long and 6 feet wide.  It was perfect for a custom office.

My neighbor from across the street, who loves wood working, designed it, built it and installed it. 

Notice the abundance of surface space.  I am very visual, and truly dominated by the phrase,” out of sight, out of mind.”  This layout complemented that need, and I was able to have several projects going at the same time, kind of a ‘file by pile’ method.

When it was time for me to move, the new owners had no need for my customized office.  It was lovingly dismantled, and the pieces stored, in the hope that they could be reincorporated, somehow into my new home. 

This was indeed the case.  There was a wonderful 25 foot storage area located under a stairway, accessed by lovely double French doors.  I use the back half of the space for regular storage of seasonal items like my Christmas decorations, extra bedding and some miscellaneous craft materials.

I found that the way to compensate for the loss of surface space, was to go vertical.  I used a 6 foot high metal bookcase in the storage area, added a 6 foot tall generic shelving unit and matching smaller bookcases topped by some of the salvaged desk components from my old house.

In spite of the footprint being smaller, it feels more spacious because I work there with the French doors open.  Now, the space is filled with natural light, a sense of ‘elbow room’ and fresh air. When my work is done, I can close the doors on any clutter.

The office where I see clients, was an extra bedroom.  I use the closet space for some seasonal clothing, but also, installed a file cabinet and two small storage caddies.

The centerpieces of this office, are the L-shaped bookcases which belonged to my mother.  They are fraught with decades of memories; as a little girl, sitting on the floor in the curve of the L reading Shakespeare for the first time; as a young mother, hauling them around through several moves; and, in my mature years, startled by the comfort they bring me.

During one unsettled period in my life, my youngest daughter kept them safe in her home, a sacrifice for which I will always be grateful.

That room is always ready for visitors, clutter free, comforting and inviting.

Until I moved to my present location, I ate meals at a 4 foot bar height, marble topped bistro table, with four matching barstools.

When I realized I had the space, I began considering the advantages of a dining room table.  One afternoon, while furniture shopping with my sister, Kathy, I saw a dark mahogany tabletop in the clearance section.  It was 6 feet long with a leaf that could add two more feet.  It was on sale for $100, an 80% discount, that put it in my price range, but it had no legs (a minor inconvenience). 

Being the resourceful rancher’s daughter that I am, I approached the store and found that for another hundred dollars, they could order the exact legs from the factory, that sealed the deal!

This table turned out to be the heart of my home, much like the table in the home where I grew up.  On that farmhouse table, my mother regularly served meals for 12 to 13 people.  On that table, I laid out the cream-colored velvet fabric for my wedding dress, applied the pattern and carefully cut the pieces.

On my present table, I have had book club luncheons, fairy tea parties for the little girls and their mothers in my neighborhood, indulged in scrapbooking projects, and yes, I still sew occasionally.

I have worked from a home office for three decades.  During that time, I have come to appreciate the intentionality of purpose that dictated my present surroundings.  I have always preferred the privacy of a personal office; without the requirement to share with others, or the worry of invasion from outsiders/coworkers.  I cherish the flexibility of keeping my client office immaculate; my dining room table, cluttered or neat, depending on the project; and, my cozy, utilitarian office under the stairs, perfect in every way and always accessible behind the pretty white double French doors.