The Proto-Office: The Official 'Before'
This is the proto-office, in it’s rather messy ‘before’ state. It has a tropical island theme–it used to be one of the boys’ bedrooms. I’m keeping the theme, because I like the bright sky-blue and just the general funkiness of it. In the dead of winter, this will be a fun place to hang out and write. You can see my whiteboards waiting to be installed. I’m debating doing built-in bookshelves against the wall at the bottom of the sloped ceiling. The space isn’t really good for much except that kind of storage, but a set of nice shelves and a few sets of drawers to keep things in would be really handy.
This is from the other end of the room. The desk will be staying–it’s an incredibly heavy beast and there’s no way I’m getting it back down the stairs without hiring professionals. I think I’m going to move it against the long wall, but I’ll have to wait and see how things look as I get stuff cleared out of there. I do have another desk downstairs which I’m considering moving up to this room. The clothes dressers will go, as well as at least one of the beds. The other is an old Dutch army cot, and I’m tempted to keep it as a place to lounge when I need to do research or just recharge. You can see the little fish tank sitting on the desk. We have incredibly hard water around here and it’s more than a bit of a mess. If I can scrape the mineral deposits off it, I think I’ll set it up with a small school of neons and some plants, to keep me company during long editing sessions.
A close up of the ‘banana tree’ at the end by the door. I made it out of burlap and a length of that heavy green fabric you make awnings out of, to hide a pipe that runs up through that corner of the room. My house is old, has had many owners, and lots of really odd things have been done to it. It’s a prime example of ‘good enough’ renovations, where doing things the way they should be done is a rare thing indeed.
And some little buddies that hang around in the room. Note the cobwebs–this room has been storage for nearly five years, so there’s a fair bit of dusting and dewebbing to be done.
I’m really excited to be moving forward with this project. My own space, a bit of room to spread out in. I’m looking for some picture frames, so I can have my book covers printed and framed for the wall. Maybe a laser printer? I’m sure I’ll come up with other things I need, or want, to make this into a working office.
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Zoe X. Rider - April 5, 2014
>I’m tempted to keep it as a place to lounge when I need to do research or just recharge
Do it do it do it. I have a loveseat in my office that I scrunch up on when I need to clear my head or fight off a headache. If I dragged myself upstairs to the bedroom, I’d be out for an hour or more (because comfy bed with fluffy pillows and blankets and no distractions), but in my office I’m both less snuggled in and close enough to my computer that I can pop up and get to writing when my characters start talking in my head.
Now all you need is some paper umbrellas for your drinks. 😀
Kate Lowell - April 5, 2014
Paper umbrellas! That’s what I was missing.
I plan to throw out a bunch more of the junk you can see lying around tonight and start moving furniture. What do you think of the floor? leave it as is, or paint it an off-white?
Zoe X. Rider - April 5, 2014
As-is adds to the sandy beach effect. Off white would make the room brighter…and if you wanted both, you could go off-white and add a sisal area rug for a sandy beach effect. There will be cabana boys too, right?
Kate Lowell - April 5, 2014
There’s always cabana boys. 😀
Gail Bridges - April 5, 2014
Love it! You will love having this space to work in. I like Zoe’s idea of a sisal carpet. There’s no window, right? Is there any way you could knock in a sky light? I can’t wait for the “after” pictures.
Kate Lowell - April 5, 2014
There’s a window at one end of the room. I’ve considered a skylight, but I plan to put a new roof on (Haha, plan. Like I have any choice in the matter. Old houses. :P), so it’s something that will have to wait.
I can’t wait to get it finished, but I suspect it’s going to take several months. I’ll be working in it before it’s done, but the final touches will take a while.
And it can double as a guest room. *cough, cough*
Zoe X. Rider - April 5, 2014
Mine took 4 months to do, but SO WORTH IT: http://www.zoexrider.com/z/2014/03/the-office-of-horror-and-music/
Kate Lowell - April 5, 2014
I love your office. What a luxury, to have different spaces within it. I have to look at my ‘plans’ again. 🙂
Zoe X. Rider - April 5, 2014
You can probably find some useful ideas on Apartment Therapy and other small-spaces blogs.
Scarlet Day - April 5, 2014
Love it! I could send you a bag of sand and some shells from Siesta Key Beach to add to the ambiance.
Kate Lowell - April 5, 2014
Throw in some sunshine, and you’ve got a deal!
Scarlet Day - April 5, 2014
Lol! *tries to figure out how to make the sun stay in the box*