I splurged last week on an expensive magazine. As soon as I leafed through it, I knew it would light up my world. I was right!
Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women lightened my heart and brightened my mood. It opened possibilities in that closed-off, winter area of my brain. The spaces and women featured within were unique, individual, and amazing.
I'm blessed to have a workspace all my own, but it does not resemble any of the spaces featured. And guess what? It shouldn't. It's one thing to get inspired by photographs and another thing entirely to copy them.
The most satisfying rooms in my house are the ones I pieced together with my style, borrowing from this look or an idea from that magazine, but ultimately, my own.
I'm starting to get an idea of my ultimate workspace. It will cost money. But I can wait for it. I'm gathering ideas now. I want floor to ceiling cabinets with open shelves and hidden drawers. I want a few shelves mounted to the wall. I would love a comfy chair and ottoman plus a coffee table to spread my work on.
Just because I have a vision of a future workspace doesn't mean I'm not grateful for what I have now. My current workspace does inspire me. It's quiet. I have a large desk and a door to close out noise. There's even a window to enjoy the birds playing in the backyard.
Even when my office consisted of a tiny table, a folding chair, and a laptop, I was satisfied with my space.
Maybe because it was mine?
I think that's the key. Any workspace can be inspiring, but we have to claim it and make it ours.
Does your workspace inspire you? If yes, why? If no, can you tweak it?
Have a fun weekend!
My work space consists of a writing desk and sweet office chair tucked away in the corner of my bedroom. I will have my own room one day (for writing not sleeping ;)) But for now, I love it. I repainted the desk, picked out my own chair, lamp etc...No one sits there or uses it. Just me and when I pop my Skullcandy in, I don't hear the TV or the man in the bed watching it. The man is my husband, just in case anyone wonders. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
My writing space here in Mexico is now just a cubby compared to a whole room back in Ohio...but I filled this cubby with my laptop, books that inspire me and a place for my coffee mug. Unfortunately, ants have found me and my cubby and I'm constantly flicking them away. They bite!
ReplyDeleteMy workspace is a computer cabinet in my bedroom, designed to hide away the computer in what looks like a wardrobe (except I never shut the door). I like it. All my writing supplies and books are within easy reach. And you can't beat the commute in the morning. lol
ReplyDeleteI love my workspace. I've got a big espresso-colored desk in my writing room...a nice big markerboard 'cause I'm a visual kind of girl, my favorite plant ('cause the thing is un-killable, I'm telling you!) and my old daybed.
ReplyDeleteI love having my old daybed in the room for a specific reason. When I was a kid, I shared a room with my sister...until...on my thirteenth birthday my parents surprised me. I came home to a room all my own...with a daybed. And I'd always wanted a daybed, but I didn't think I'd ever told my parents that. I remember saying over and over, "How did you know?"
So, I know it sounds all sentimental...but I keep the daybed in my writing room because it's a reminder to me that my dreams matter. Like my parents had a plan for my silly daybed dream, God's got a plan for my writing dream.
Enough rambling. You're so right, though...we can claim any space and make it ours!
I need to do some organizing. Clutter is one of the things that can halt the creative energy.
ReplyDeleteI love this, I can't wait to set up my office. Since right now is it the wood stain and poly capital, AKA the indoor work area when its to cold to be in the garage.
ReplyDeleteI have always had this image in my mind how I want the pieces that inspire me to be set up. I can't wait to see it all come together.
In some ways yes, because of my view of the outside. But in other ways no, because it's not all mine. I share it with my children (playroom) but I'm okay with that. For now.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I love my work space. It's just a little roll-top desk tucked away in the corner of my bedroom, but... I love my bedroom. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved to our current house, I was thrilled to finally have a room that I could use for myself. Right now it's our guest room/my work room, with my bookshelves and my sewing and quilting supplies and a daybed. However, I still do most of my writing either at the dining room table or with my feet up in the recliner in the living room! Hm, maybe I should try personalizing my space a bit more, it might inspire me to spend more time there.
ReplyDeleteThis is so funny, because a bunch of Rachelle's clients have been sharing pictures of their work spaces.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at the different places people work.
My work space works great. I wish I had a better view...something more inspiring than the wall. But what can ya do?
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteJessica: Love it! (I laughed out loud at your clearing up the man issue for us!) Since I share everything in my life with my family, having a space all of my own is important to me. I will slap hands that touch my stuff!
Em: Mexico!! Yay!! Try sprinkling red pepper or a hot spice around the perimeter of your area. Ants typically don't like the heat and will stay away. :)
Stina: I'm with you on that commute. I love working from home. And I also love having everything I need within reach--great tip!
Melissa: Your story warmed my heart right up this morning. God has such a generous touch when it comes to surprising us with a long-awaited dream. I'm so glad you have a daybed AND that it brings such cherished memories. :)
CJ: Ugh, tell me about it! I've been on a de-cluttering mission for the last few months. Not fun!
Christina: Winter can really mess up a girl's workspace! Ha! I hope you're able to put your dream area together soon. :)
Wendy: I have shared my office with our children's toys and it was not pretty. I just needed one area in the house to call my own that no one would touch or leave crumbs on, you know?? That's when I set up a tiny corner with a fold-up table, my laptop, and a cup full of pens. Bliss!
Ayda: I love my bedroom too! I'm so glad you have a special section just for you!
Louise: It's still good to have a space dedicated to your life, even if you don't spend all of your time in there. It's not as if you can keep all of your hobby items out all the time, right? :)
Katie: A view can be soooo nice. I rarely look out my office window though. I tend to get in the zone. Everything else disappears!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love my workspace. I have the room above the garage, so it's large and airy, with two big windows that let in a lot of light. I would like more bookcases in there, and some wall decor, but I think it's close to perfect now. It's a great getaway. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one whose desk in in their bedroom, lol. My problem is I don't use it as much as I should. It's filled with books and various pictures my daughter has made me, which I love. And for whatever reason, I often find myself writing in the living room.
ReplyDeleteMy dream office is a sun room with my own special area. I even have a pinboard dedicated to it, lol.
Fun post!
Yes, my workspace inspires me! It's still new, I just put it together, so I think I'll be enjoying it for awhile. If it ends up getting a little boring, I'll just do something fun to spice it up! :) For now, I love it!
ReplyDeleteJill, I'm also blessed to have my own space. My office is downstairs next to my husband's. It's still in the refining stage, but it's done in a seashore theme with beachy type borders and soft, muted colors.
ReplyDeleteI always think of you when I'm at the magazine counter! :)
And Melissa's comment made me tear up... Is it just me, or is anyone else out there a sentimentalist?
Happy Friday!
At present my office, with my desktop computer and it's nice big screen, inhibits my creativity because it's filled with clutter. That's why I've taken to using my laptop while draped over my comfy armchair and toasting my toes in front of the pellet stove. Spring is coming, though, and a fire will no longer be needed, so I will be forced to clean my office. =)
ReplyDeleteMy work space is perfect for me. I do have a front view of the street and trees from a second floor window.
ReplyDeleteMore often, I sit in bed with the lap top and write.
I love both places.
I couldn't agree more! I love my study where I write. It's painted a soothing color with dark hard wood floors, red accents and soft lighting. A desk and comfortable chair sit beside a window that looks out onto the flowers in the back yard. It has an overstuffed chair in one corner for those breaks to ponder or play with the cats. A writing space made to our liking is so very important! By the way, love the Pillsbury Dough Boy in your picture!
ReplyDeleteAdriana: Keep a list for your wish items--you'll be surprised how often just the right thing will come to you!
ReplyDeleteStacy: Maybe you prefer to work in a social environment? Tucked away in private doesn't suit everyone. :)
Cindy: Yay for your new office!! I'm with you on spicing it up. That's half the fun of having an office--updating it!
Cynthia: I love the sound of your workspace in progress. Beachy themes soothe me! And, yes, Melissa's comment went straight to my heart too!
Keli: Love the visual of your feet dangling from the chair to keep warm! That's the best way to work. Comfort!
Loree: Same here! I work out of my bedroom in the afternoon so my kids can get on our other computer (in the office) if they need to. I like having both places!
Donna: Wow, you just described a lovely, lovely room! I'm all about playing with the cats, too. :) Wish I could claim the pic as my own, but I found it through Flickr Creative Commons--it made me laugh!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I have my own office, but I'm rarely in it right now. I usually write and work on the couch. Bad, I know, but I think it's because I've been sitting at a desk all day during my day job...and I want to be near my husband, who is usually on the other couch. :) When we have kids and I'm a SAHMW (stay-at-home mom writer, lol), I'll have to share an office with my husband, and he has some great ideas about what to do with the office. But I do love the idea of having my own space someday that I use during the day...at home. Not in my day job office. :P
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to read all the posts! Am I the only one who pulls the shade? I love the view from the window in here, my office/guest bedroom, but when I'm writing, I need to close the outside world out.
ReplyDeleteA friend came in here a few months back. I apologized for the piles of books on the bed and the papers spread out across the desk. She loved it and wormed her way into a spot on the bed. (Well, we both did). And there we sat, two book lovers, for a long chat and some prayer time.
In here I'm surrounded by things that inspire me. To my right hangs a ceramic leaf in a beautiful deep aqua color with this painted on: I have great plans for you. Love, God (And so on around the room.)
But, honestly, what matters most is writing good stuff, and when that is happening, any place is a good place to write!! Right?
Your Dream Room sounds perfect, Jill. I often imagine a room like this. It would make organizing so much easier!!! Thanks for sharing!
Jill:
ReplyDeleteI have my own workspace. Until a year ago, my space was part of my son's bedroom. My desk was bought when he didn't live with us. I have a book case in the corner, my desk with my computer, a small stand with my printer, another small shelving unit for my supplies and more books. Last fall, I finally got a love seat that is a hide-a-bed in here. But for some reason, the clutter comes in when I'm not here and messes everthing up.
Hi Jill -
ReplyDeleteMy workspace is perfect for me. It's functional, spacious, and reflects my interests.
Blessings,
Susan :)
My writing workspace is shared with my jeweler's bench. Both inhabit a room that is dedicated to my creative pursuits. I have a window that looks out over my rose garden in the backyard, but I find that when I write I tend to close the drapes and do what I can to shut out the world. I like to be more focused on my inner world. I also like to take my alphasmart and go to coffeehouses or out to the park to write.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading about other's writing spaces and I'm a fan of "Where Women Create Magazine" as well.
Lindsay: I love writing on the couch! It's good to switch up our locations! :)
ReplyDeletePatti: It's so wonderful when we can share our imperfect spaces with our friends and they kind of make them perfect! And I rarely look outside when I'm writing. I get in the zone!
QuietSpirit: Yes, clutter weasels into my office too. It comes in the form of two kids using our family computer! :)
Susan: Sounds lovely! You've got the right idea!
Wendy: Ooo, you make jewelry? How cool! I have a few friends who use Alphasmarts, and I almost bought one but was outbid on Ebay! They just sound great for portable writing without the distractions, you know?
Thanks so much for stopping by!