Whether you like it or not you are now at home (possibly working) with your kids. God Bless us. I am at home with my 16 year old son who has decided that staying up til 3 am playing Play Station is the new norm. Umm no. No school this week and probably not again this school year. Fortunately for him he lives on the second floor where my office is and my knee will not take me. The joy in my life is that he still has to come downstairs to eat (often). Lucky me I get to see him because I am working at my kitchen table.
I like to entertain. For me entertaining is a way to get my house cleaned and looking fabulous. Everybody needs that every now and so often. Now is a different time – we are not entertaining and not socializing. The need for perfection and beauty is raised as our stay-at-home standards have been raised
I am going to make it my goal to make my office fabulous.
What can I do to stay sane? Was I ever sane?
My son’s school started giving assignments online. No classes, just assignments! I have decided that we will keep somewhat of a schedule.
Dream Schedule:
Bedtime will remain the same but I don’t think it is necessary for my son to get up at 5.15 which is the time his alarm goes off, never mind the fact that he snoozes it till 5.35. He will not be catching the bus at 6.25 as the walk down from upstairs only takes a few seconds. So, that explained, he can sleep till 7. Gone are the days of not showering. Every day will be the same as a school day for him. He can start his schoolwork at 7.30 and stay working till 3 pm.
Dream crushed. So far it is not working. I am lucky if he is up by 11. There is no school and no online classes. Just assignments that have to be done and uploaded by Friday.
I get up every day and shower and dress as if I am meeting with somebody.
Every day the bored chef in me cooks a good meal. Dinner is usually ready by 5. Not that we eat that early even though we are 2 old people (it’s all relative they say) with a teenager.
I plan on seeing how much weight I can gain while I am at home (not really) I have started baking bread for the boys and I am just liking it a little too much.
Falling in love – with my office that is
I am used to working from home albeit usually by myself. Usually on the kitchen table. I want to love my office and use it. It is currently painted taupe and I am not going to change that right now, even though I do not like the color.
Getting rid of the clutter
I have steadily cleared out my storage space that had all of my staging furniture in it, but all the accessories are still at home. I am taking pictures and posting on Facebook marketplace because really nobody needs 20 vases that are bluish-green.
For me now is the time to get organized and take care of all the little things I have put off for one reason or another. Many accessories are still in my office. Those need to fly away away away
I am also taking into consideration the things I would like to change or need to change. It is truly a time of reflection.
My office is currently a sad state of affairs but I want to start sewing again and making things. Hmm, maybe I could make masks? My stash of fabric is very high and I can weather being in isolation for a long time making things. I understand that most people need a place to work from and not necessarily a whole room to sew in.
This does not stop me from dreaming up a beautiful workspace.
Here’s how I plan on getting a beautiful office
I am going to incorporate what I love. I have a lot of pictures of my son (who is my everything) that have been in a box since we moved last summer. I am going to put a few of those up in my office to remind myself what I work for every day.
I also have some beautiful fabrics that will soon adorn my walls. Yesterday I took down the awful beige 2 inch blind that I hated, to replace it with a new zebra shade that was incorrectly measured and made for a client. It is not exactly the right size but I will work around that with fabric.
Here’s the office I really want
I love the use of animal prints with florals. The desk and chairs both are so feminine and gorgeous!
Here’s the office I have
Oops where did I go wrong? Reality is sinking in. If I am going to spend weeks more at home it is time to fix my office. It is time for me to spend time on the things that matter and only those.
This week I am going to dig through my very large stash of fabrics and find the fabric that will save it all for me! More next week…
Think about what you want to change in your own home? Send questions!
Enjoy your staycation!! Stay healthy!!
I know your home office will be beautiful and inspirational…I can’t wait to see the final reveal!
Love your work
Thanks!
I can totally relate to the kid sleeping until 11 thing! Mine just got home from his Masters program in Canada last night – so glad to have extracted him and grateful he made it back. It’s 1:04 and he hasn’t gotten up for the day yet…which means he’ll be playing the piano at 1 am. I’ll give him a pass for a few days, but then we are moving to NHT (normal human time!!). I’m sure your new and improved office will be wonderful – having a beautiful space to work is becoming increasingly important!
Thanks for the comment!
It’s a beautiful inspirational photo for your dream office. I’m sure it would be fun to repurpose something old into those pieces.
Yes that is my pie in the sky inspiration and I hope I can come close to it. Not so sure about the fluffy chair though
I love that desk in your dream office! I did an edesign with it. Creating your dream office is going to be a fantastic project that I am sure you will love when it is done!! Such a great idea. I am also taking into consideration the things I would like to change or need to change. It is truly a time of reflection.
I can’t wait to see what you do with your office!
I too can’t wait to see what you do with your office.
Ilse, I loved reading your post. I think many of us are in the same situation – how are we going to get out of this without gaining pounds!
I’ve started to bake consistently ever Sunday. And yes – I also eat it!
Thanks Sheri, You just reminded me that I need to go for a walk before I put another biscuit in my mouth!
Hi Ilse ~ I am so glad to see you blogging and I loved reading this post. And I love how you shared the *before* of your home office with us. I can’t wait to see the *after* once it’s all organized.
I bet that will make you feel so much better once it’s done!
Thanks Leslie. I am aiming to do 2 blogs this week!!
I wish I had a place for that fabulous desk!!! Love your blog, hearing your thoughts and looking forward to the new office “after” picture!