A Closet of One's Own

It's taken me quite a while, but I've been working on clearing the decks (and my desk) after finishing a BIG project (more on that very soon).

For me it was no small task. Our shared office was displaced when we converted it into a nursery upon Gracie's arrival (can it be almost two years already?). My husband moved his desk to the basement, but I knew that solution wouldn't work for me. Although our "creative space" is down there (I've been upgrading that too, and I can't wait to share pics soon) I was reluctant to move my desk. I work in tiny pockets of time throughout the day. I need my stuff close to where the kids are so I can make the most of those precious pre-dawn, nap-time, or wee-hour moments.

So I took it upon myself to take over our utility closet, which is conveniently located in what would be called our family room if it was big enough to qualify as a family room. Mere steps away from both of my children's bedrooms, it is a particularly peaceful spot when Jack and Gracie are both asleep (as they are right now... shhh!). A home for the vacuum, toy spillover, various totes and luggage, and outgrown babygear, among other things, it had been left unfinished in the (neverending) construction chaos.

So, instead of launching a campaign to finish it, I followed Voltaire's sage advice: Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Unfinished is a look all its own, right? I emptied the closet, unscrewed the sheetrock that had been started and abandoned at some point, painted the studs (going right over nails and around exposed plumbing), and used scrap lumber to make mini between-the-studs shelves. I spruced up my file drawer by painting it white and "galvanized" the hardware by spray painting it silver, and then sanding off the shine. I made an old stool fit by sawing down the legs a bit. I sorted, purged, organized, and purged some more. I made sure the vacuum still had a home (to the left of my desk) and the toys and totes were still accessible (on the shelf above). The random nails became an ideal spot to hang little notes, a mini red wagon hanging from the wire shelving was instantly transformed into a display for my favorite wedding photo (eleven years this weekend!) with the help of one tiny magnet.

The best part? I can close the doors and make it disappear when work time is over (or when little hands decide that rummaging around in my paperwork is the activity of the moment).

Sparse, utilitarian, functional, and cheap, with a hint of cottage chic, it's a really good spot for me to focus on writing. Dare I say almost perfect, Mr. Voltaire?

Tune in tomorrow, and I'll show you how I tricked-out the inside of the closet doors.

Comments

[Anne]

This is INSPIRING! I think you might get me to get going on my messes!!

[aud neal]

I love how you made this work for you -- it looks fantastic! (and I'm a firm believer that a coat of white paint will fix ANYTHING!!!)

[Mridu Khullar]

Wow, you've done such an incredible job with this. Good luck in your new office, and hopefully it'll be a place that inspires you for months to come.

[Joyfullness]

OOOOH! and AHHHHHHHH!
I think this is the first time I have ever commented, but i check in on you often!!
THIS IS GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for the motivation...I have boxes galore screaming my name all the way down the hallway!!
Well done! Well done!!
joyfully!

[Brandy]

beautiful! love the wagon and all the bits of lined paper to label things!

[Angela]

adorable! i love it!
and...i'm inspired by you, once again!
thank you.
keep writing. and posting for us all to see!

[MyKidsMake]

ahhh, your closet gives me hope to tackle my own closet project! You did a beautiful job! I love all the jars, and that desk!!!

[paviamma]

Hi, Can you please tell me about the back walls.. paneling? how did you make that wall in front of your desk.. if that makes sense :-)