Kathryn Bechen Ink New World Headquarters

I knew it! I knew I should never have watched that movie where the heroine is a neurotic-and-uptight-writer-sort (albeit beautiful and charming!) who meets said annoying-but-oh-so-lovable male hero (emphasis on annoying!) and their over-the-top-chemistry forces her muse into overdrive to the point she writes a blockbuster bestselling book, enabling her to buy a beach-front mansion! Smile. Smile. Smile. :)

As I mused about the movie, my own muse kicked in, (the decorating one), and I walked down the hall past my wall of "writing paraphernalia" to my little home office corner in our San Diego highrise apartment which overlooks a pretty pocket park. (It's not a beach front mansion of course, but I do love my digs!)

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

And I became determined to take my home office corner as paperless as possible and also create a simpler and more neutral and serene color palette to go with our all-white master bedroom I just re-decorated. (Some people climb mountains for a thrill; I decorate and organize!)

Most writers can't go completely paperless as we have a tendency to collect info that supports our writing and constant learning, but I did manage to downsize my files into plastic bins sitting in wicker file baskets which I can easily move back and forth to my bedroom when I write from bed. Love that portability! I also stored my office supplies in white paper photo boxes on my bookshelves. I love having just a tiny office corner area without too much "stuff" so my mind stays clear enough to write. (My husband Steve shares the other side of the office with me.)

I found an elegant "Old World" style table at one of my favorite secondhand design stores, and I adore her gracious demeanor! I also found a pretty rose picture at Pier One and I repainted the "Bloom" and "Inspire" signs I had with blue paint. Easy-breezy project!

I LOVE the new office chair slipcover that the talented Teresa of Cozy Cottage Slipcovers made for me. Can you believe she did that virtually with me mailing her the fabric and my chair measurements, and it fits perfectly! Her customer service was awesome, too. Thanks, Theresa! :) The fabric is a painting drop cloth I bought at Home Depot and washed about ten times so it was really soft. Frugal, fun, durable, washable=YES!!

I especially like the gold detailing on my new desk, and when I'm tired of it as a desk, I can always use it as a foyer or sofa table, of course!

I also like the shabby "Old World" finish because if I scratch the top...well, um, who will ever know?! Old looking things give me comfort because they have....patina. (And since I just turned 52, I suppose that means I now have patina too, huh?! :) Well, as the old saying goes, it's all in the attitude. :)

This ol' gal has quite the pretty ladylike legs, don't you agree?!

Just perfect for a night on the town of dancing....or shall I say...a night of writing at home with her very own author owner curled up in a soft cozy robe...

holding a steaming cup of hot chocolate and using all her fun favorite "writerly" tools...

so she can encourage others through her writing to do the things in life that make them happy and help them BLOOM!

'Til Next Time!

Kathryn :)

www.KathrynBechenInk.com

"Where Beauty, Order, & Business Bloom"