Claiming my own space (with pics)

My office!

I have an office. This might not sound like a big deal, but it is enormous for me. For the first time in over a decade I have a space that is all mine. (Okay, I do have some kid furniture in there, but that's just being realistic about my life right now.) Really though, it's amazing. My computer, printer, paper, bills and files are all in one place, so I'm not constantly having to go to another room to get something. It now tops my list of best things about my new house. I loved our old house, but it was so small that every inch was dedicated to the kids or the family as a whole. I spent the most time in that house every day and somehow had the least amount of space. Craig had the basement and the boys had basically everywhere else. I kind of perched in different places but didn't have anywhere to call my own.

This is no longer true. Here I took a space that wasn't being completely utilized and made it mine. I chose the paint color and the furniture and even did all the work myself, although Craig did have to jump in and help a few times. I'm not quite done, want to put either pictures or a memo board over the console and I need an office chair, but I'll get there. It was so much fun to put together. I had a very small glimpse at how the pioneers must have felt a hundred years ago as they claimed something and made it their own. I even have my own displaced persons, since the room I took over was the room on the first floor that my parents use when they visit. Not to worry, though, I left the center of the room open and have a nifty portable bed from Front Gate they can use. Don't want any unfortunate incidents to occur if the former inhabitants rebel.

I also feel like it was the first step in making this Laura's house instead of Amy's house. As I said before, the former owner had a great sense of style, which is why I didn't feel like I had to do much of anything before moving in here, but it was odd to live somewhere someone else had decorated. Starting to put my stamp on it has made me feel more at home. It actually inspired me to paint my kitchen. My mom helped with this, which was great since it turned out to be a much bigger project than I imagined. I picked a darker and warmer color and love how it makes the space feel cosier. I'll apologize for the pictures now, the boys broke my camera so I took these using our mini-camcorder and the resolution could be better.

Old color

New color

I probably broke some design rule because the new color is very different from the color in the living room next to it in the open plan, but I actually like that it makes a visual break in the space. 

living room right next to kitchen

Transition between the two

I also still need to do some decorating in the kitchen. My plates didn't work with the new color so I've moved them to the dining room and I'm not really sure what else to use. I also need to finish organizing the area by the desk and the door to the garage. That will be boy central, with a place for backpacks, coats and all things school related. Oh, and the light over the table is the one I spray-painted. It used to be an icky putty color, but I like it much better in antique bronze.

Anyway, I am off to my office to finish my latest work assignment. Yes, I have managed to say the words "my office" a ridiculous number of times in the last week and it still makes me smile.