My Favorite Space

When I’m not out in the garden, the room I truly feel most comfortable in is this one. You’ve seen it a multitude of times.

My favorite things are in this room. It is my place to unwind, check in with my bloggy friends, and create (when I get off the computer long enough to do so.)

You would think I might want more tranquil colors in here. But no. I’m most soothed by my bright patches of color everywhere. My one nod to a serene backdrop was to paint the walls blue.

Right behind my reading chair is a coffee bar. Yes, the white shelf is gone, in use outside on my potting table. So this brown one that needs some updating (still pondering that one) came in from the garage and got the cobwebs cleaned off. And put into service. The Splenda and Equal packets are in the two drawers.

At the back there is the kitchen, then the garden room (as I like to call it), which opens right up to the bedroom. Very convenient, as these are the rooms I really live in.

Everything in here is washable and casual and comfortable. And this is where I sit and visit all of you. Right here in my little bloggy corner. It’s a bit dark with only a couple of small skylights and no windows. My dark little dungeon. But still, I love this space.And I'm so thankful I have it.

Where is your favorite space to spend time?

I'm linking up to Wednesday Gratitude At Heart & Home.

Technorati Tags: Favorite spaces,garden room,decorating

Rearranging The Garden Room Office Area

Look what Kim sent me. The sweetest red and white pillow! (The one on the right.) I love it so much I immediately made a new blog banner to show it off. Thanks Kim!

Since "hacking" the steel and glass desk apart, I've rearranged the grouping three times.

If there was an AA-type group for inveterate "rearrangers," I suppose I'd have to join it.

"Hello, my name is Brenda. And I rearrange my furniture a lot. However there are far worse things in life."

And while I rearrange, I feel compelled to clean.

And dust off my beloved Singer Featherweight.

My most used books.

You know how much I love to organize.

Just another day in "the neighborhood."

Cozying Up The Recliners

I seem to recall that perhaps it was Kelli who said I'd end up with quilts on those brown recliners.

Well of course she was right. My garden room just wouldn't be "the garden room" without quilts tossed about.

With a dog in the picture...

And naturally some red...

Along with some other colors.

And some pretty white pitchers I ordered from Laurie Anna's Vintage Shop down the road in Canton.

And enough knick-knacks to make you dizzy.

And aromatic French Vanilla candles in old muffin tins.

And discarded "relatives" from the dusty shelves of the antique mall.

And cozy light casting shadows on one of my homemade quilts. Simple patchwork that most anyone could make. If they were of the mind to.

And enough magazine reading to keep yourself busy and out of trouble.

Yep, that's me. Spelled right out here for you to see.

Organizing A Craft/Office/Living Space

I have been asked to explain how I created a craft/office/living space that is both functional and organized. So I did some measuring this morning.

I spend most of my daytime hours in this room, and it is 14 feet by 18 feet. In this space I have doorways on three walls. So this limited me somewhat on furniture arrangement.

Still, I managed to define a living area, an office/computer area, and what I refer to as my library/bistro area.

Below is the corner which is my office area. I measured it out, and it comes to about 5 x 8 feet.

I use old vintage boxes to store books I often need for reference.

A rolling file cabinet stores the home's necessary files. And on top of that I have scrapbook paper I use for decoupage projects.

When remodeling this room over a year ago, I had shelves built up high around three sides of the room, where I could put knick-knacks and such there was no spare room down below for.

Adjacent to my office space is my library/bistro space. I can sit here and have coffee and scan through decorating and gardening books. This area is 6 x 7 feet. So I have a lot packed in a small space. The key is to use your space both horizontally and vertically. And to combine function and decorating at the same time.

Just across from my computer/office area is my living area. I have a reading chair and couch, along with a table and chair combo, along this long wall. It measures out 8 x 18 feet.

Between the photo above and the one below, you see the entirety of the west wall. I use outdoor rugs, due to the fact that three pets are in this room much of the time.

I have very little drawer space, so I have to go vertical for some things. This rubber stamp cabinet I purchased at Michaels. I think you can also get them at Hobby Lobby. I can store my stamps and get the extra benefit of seeing them on display.

Try to buy decorative storage when you can. It looks good, and you can hide supplies at the same time. This textile box looks old, but it's actually a reproduction piece.

Just use your imagination. Size up how much room you have, and decide what components must fit in this area. Then divide that space into little "rooms" to get the most of that space.

Another hint is to carry a tape measure with you in the car. Then when you find a piece, you can find out if it will work in your space without making several trips.

You can use dish drainers for file dividers, vintage jars for small things like buttons. Think outside the box and look at what you already have with fresh eyes. Go through your garage, basement or attic and see what you can come up with that would serve a function and look nice at the same time.

I'm linking to Today's Creative Blog's Get Your Craft On Tuesday.

Technorati Tags: Utilizing your space,craft areas,office areas,library corners,decorating,storage