Wednesday, February 25, 2009

office (not studio)

We have recently converted our tiny guest room into an office.

I can't bring myself to call it a studio...I just don't really consider myself to be an "artist", and isn't a studio for art?

Everything in the room serves dual purposes:
Sleeper sofa = seating + sleeping
filing cabinet = document storage + bedside table
closet = storing linens + printers
folding table = laptop + paper cutting surface
bookcases = Peony Paperie storage + extra books + John's PE exam stuff
(wow! 3 functions for that one! although I would like the space all those books take up.)

We've searched high an low for the perfect solution. One that allows the room to EASILY function as a guest room when our family or friends come to visit. I don't want our parents to have ANY excuse not to come play with their grand kids! "Michelle makes us sleep in the living room on the floor" is NOT an option! Of course, they're so wonderful, they WOULD sleep on the floor, but anyway...

But the room must also provide a place for my ever growing pile of stationery paper, envelopes, mailers, printers, paper cutters, etc. And also provide a work space, that is self contained. The office/guest room was the best choice. The door can be shut to contain my messes, and I'm not stuck in the cold basement. It also keeps my projects from being spread out all over the kitchen counters, which I had been doing.

So, we bought some bookshelves from Target, and some great (cheap) photo storage boxes for envelopes, scissors, ribbon, gift boxes, and receipts.

I ordered some custom curtains from Avec Dieu Couture (another etsy seller) and they are WONDERFUL. A beautiful, yet fun, orange and cream damask fabric by Joel Dewberry.
And throw pillows for the sofa in a coordinating aviary fabric in orange, taupe, and dark brown.
I still need great paper storage solutions (an upcoming post teaser!) and a cover for my card table, but the room is really coming together. It's comfortable to work here (although I'm writing this post from my bed!) and so far everything has a place.

Now, if you stuck with me through that ENTIRE post...a big thank you...and some pictures!

1 comment:

I'd love to hear what you have to say!