The small home office for the small house...

Some interesting and very different small space home offices. They have all used the space efficiently, while still keeping their eye firmly fixed on what looks good. I love them all.

pics via here

Small House Living - a quiet corner...

I really love the challenges presented by small house living. Wanting to make a space for myself to work on some long-neglected art projects, I have reclaimed our old drop-front desk. Sadly disorganised, it had become a repository for all those things that you just don't know where to put.

Nestled snuggly (let's face it, most things are snug in a terrace house) next to my bed, it is now much more inviting, with lots of useable storage. I have used inexpensive boxes from Ikea, old jam jars and some bowls borrowed from the kitchen. This corner gets quite a bit of sunlight, as it is next to two big sash windows.  I'm looking forward to spending many happy hours there.

Re-kindling a fabric obsession...

Despite my best intentions to do very little yesterday, I had a small clear-out of my old drop-front desk (I hesitate to call it antique, but it must almost qualify for that title). It was full of the detritus of life - batteries, old padlocks, pens that no longer work and I cannot tell you how many unused keys. Although  I'm sure it could bring some kind of bad karma to hold onto unused keys (I'm thinking unopened doors, lost opportunities - you get the picture), I cannot bring myself to throw them away. It is as if one day I'll come across a locked door in my home that I had previously been unaware of, and magically produce the key. Consequently, they are now stored in tiny plastic bags elsewhere.
My intention for this desk is to set it up as a work place for small, but nevertheless important, hand made activities. Any time the creative urge strikes, I am forced to pull apart my wardrobe in an effort to reach the small swatches of fabric stored in the back. Of course, the fabric scissors are missing, and have been used for something unseemly like chopping up a chicken. My aim is to centralise all of these things - glue, card, fabric, ribbon, scissors (of course newly purchased) etc. Think small (very small) studio/workshop.
In the process of sorting, and re-sorting, I came across some beautiful fabric that I had put away for (I hesitate to say a rainy day, but yes, just that). I had forgotten how much I love gorgeous, have-to-run-your-fingers-over-it fabric. And so, I am heading out today to source some more, as I can feel the seeds of ideas beginning to sprout.
I'll post some shots of my re-organised desk once it is finished. Have a lovely Tuesday.

this pic from here

top pics via Jane Churchill

A Holiday Monday...time to get organised

via Swish and Swanky

If procrastinating were an Olympic Sport, I'd certainly be up for a Bronze, at the very least. Today is a holiday Monday in my corner of the world, and, when faced with a free day, I begin by mulling over all the things that I could do (compare this to a 'proper' work day, when I do all the things I have to do). What I really should do is get a little bit of order into this small space of mine. Cupboards are threatening to overflow, and drawers are struggling to close. This pic above, from Swish and Swanky, inspires me to sort, tidy and re-do. But, I might just start by putting the kettle on....

Wardrobe Heaven

pic from here

I think I may have audibly gasped when I saw this wardrobe. My own is in great need of some re-organisation, but it would take a magic wand for me to achieve this result. So... some procrastination is called for. Instead of tackling the problem, I'll sit down with a hot tea and the weekend paper, and wait patiently for that magic wand to appear.