"Before" home office.I'm still on my new home blog tour and here's my "Writing Studio/Home Office" that I share with hubby Steve. Even though my hubby likes cottage style, this time I decided to keep the look a little more streamlined for him so that he didn't feel overtaken by cottage foo foo! Hence we now have a wonderful home office we share that reflects both his streamlined masculine taste and my penchant for colorful cottage cozy.
More views of the trees from my windows--I have trees in the windows of every room in my "Tea/Tee for Two Treehouse."
I hung covers of the magazines I've been hired to write for above my desk to keep me inspired to keep on keeping on with my freelance writing. The "inspire" sign was a dull brown thing from Linens 'n Things, but I repainted it with hot pink paint to "inspire" me to work away!
I like my supplies and resource materials at my fingertips next to my desk so that I'm efficient. The Bon Bon decorators made a wonderful suggestion to put the shelving all the way to the ceiling on either side of my desk. I organize my things with baskets, photo boxes from Michael's, and binders. I like a riot of color and pattern vs. a "matchy matchy" look. I buy what I like when I see it and it all works out.
Case in point with the variety of patterns.
Here you can see the bookcases going up to the ceiling. I love my office chair slipcover which was sewn by Rhonda from http://www.cherryblossomcottage.net/. She does a lovely job and it was only about $45. I just detest those boring black and navy office chairs! Let's do "pretty" for a spirit uplifter! The pink part of the seat is a pillow sham I found and like and "cat proofs" the slipcover as I can throw the sham in the washer easily.
My desk is from Crate & Barrel and is very functional for me. I replaced the knobs with some antique style ones. The white window treatment is just a simple scarf from Wal-Mart but it looks great.
When I sit at my desk, with the bookcases so high, it has a "loft feeling" which I love. I also hung my B.A. in English diploma, my decorating certificate, and my professional organizer association certificate up at the top to keep me inspired to keep on working, even when it's hard!
I organize my desk with gifts of mugs and containers from various friends and family over the years and with diddies I have collected on my travels with hubby Steve. My "K" paperweight is a favorite collectible and I use it frequently for my "Do it Now" pile of papers!
I found the hanging garden containers at a consignment store and loved them. They work great to hold pens, scissors, and post-it notes.
An entertainment center that I outfitted with baskets from TJ Max also holds my all-in-one copier.
Hubby Steve hanging the window treatment rod.
Steve has an armoire with doors for a streamlined office look. The Bon Bon decorators did the vignette above his armoire using an antique mirror we used to have in our bathroom, his grandfather's clock, and old family books, including his family's Bible.
We put another bookcase nearly to the ceiling for photo albums etc.
I paired down my four filing cabinets to two before we moved. They fit perfectly inside the closet for an efficient use of space.
When my magazine articles began to be published, I wrote to my first college writing professor, Dr. Charles Woodard, thanking him for all he taught me nearly 30 years ago. One of his own books was nominated for a Pulitzer prize, so indeed I was right that I had a very special teacher. He sent me back a dear note saying he remembered me well as a student and was so proud of me. I was so touched by his words that I framed the note and hung it above my writing desk to keep me motivated. Mentors are important. They help us grow. I have been fortunate to have had some wonderful writing role models in my life, and also some editors who have given me the opportunity to be a paid published writer, which is something only 5 percent of writers ever achieve, or so I've read. (Thank you to a few of my favorite editors I've really enjoyed working with over the years: Dena at San Diego Style Weddings magazine, Barbara Jacksier, former editor for Harris Publications, Jodi Zucker, current editor for Harris Publications, Rhonda Hogan from Guideposts Books, & Dick Lindberg, editor of The West Point News.) Dick assigned me my first feature article when I was a mere 23 years old! Because of their faith in my writing and interviewing skills, I have been able to put my passion for writing out into the world and in return, I have mentored others. Life is a circle. So here's to mentors!!
I found this quote recently about what one of my favorite artists, Harvey Dunn, fondly said about his painting mentor, Ada Caldwell.
MENTORS
"She opened up new vistas for me. For the first time I had found a serious, loving, and intelligent interest in what I was vaguely searching for. She seemed to dig out talent where none had been, and she prayed for genius. She was tolerant and the soul of goodness. With my eyes on the horizon, she taught me where to put my feet."
--Harvey Dunn--
To end my tour of my home writing studio, I'll share one of my favorite books, Women of Words, which profiles many famous women writers.'Til Next Time!
--Kathryn--
