we can work it out: more than you ever cared to know about my home office

Well, it only took about 7 weeks, but we finally have the apartment together. And by that, I mean that we have it looking as good as it’s going to look for now, given that for the time being, we have no more money to spend on making it look any better. Save for a few small projects (sewing pillows, mainly) everything is finished. I really love how it all turned out (I will post pictures eventually, promise!) – all, except for the office.

Part of what I loved about the apartment the first time I saw it was the bonus room: a small space just off the living room, which overlooks the canal (Did I mention we live on a canal? Because we do. And yes, it is amazing). I thought about using the bonus room as a reading room, filled with all of our books and some cozy seating. It was a very romantic idea, but not so practical. In this original plan, our second bedroom was going to be used as a dual purpose office and guest room, but that space could not comfortably fit our futon, desks, bookshelves, Rock Band stuff  and all the other odds and ends that needed a home. So, in the end, the second bedroom became the Transfuton Room (primarily housing our futon for guests and Will’s Transformers collection) and the bonus room became the office .

Now about this office. It is serviceable, tidy, and efficient. We have used up just about every inch of space, but it is well-organized. The only problem: in my opinion, it is a total eye sore. We have both of our desks in it – his, the Walmart special: a black and silver utilitarian-looking deal, and mine, a teeny tiny desk, the last remaining remnant of my childhood furniture, which my father graciously spray-painted black for me in an attempt to make the two desks “go together”. In hindsight, I wish that we sprayed Will’s desk to match mine, which used to be a soft creamy color. Anyhow, here is what we wound up with:

Pretty bad individually. And not much better when you see them together:

It could be worse, I’m sure. But to be fair, this shot does not completely expose all of the ugly up in here. And because I have nothing to hide from you, gentle reader, I will share my list of hates with you, in all its fugged-up glory:

left to right: Will’s rolling bins and old computer tower which, for reasons I can’t explain, has no face; generic rolling desk chair which has about zero personality or appeal; my beat-up filing cabinet, which I literally beat up at some point when I was mad (possibly at it); the jumble of wires under Will’s desk

As I was typing this just now, Will walked into the room and asked what I was doing. I told him that I was writing about how much I hate our office. He sort of frowned and quietly said, “I like our office”. I told him that I’m sorry and that I don’t entirely hate it, but I do hate parts of it. Then I thought about a few things in here that I actually like. And although this post is already getting quite lengthy, I will share them with you, too:

left to right: chicken tape dispenser from my dear brother, my crapbook and crapboard, the best desk accessory ever

All of this is to say that I have plans for the space, when and if I can find the time and (more importantly) money to carry them out. Here are some room inspirations I found online. I know they are a bit idealistic, but what I like about them is that they all feature functional and attractive double desk designs:

top to bottom: stacked office from Lauren Resen Photography, bright white sight from Elding Oscarson, long desk and wow-me wallpaper from Trine Andersen of Ferm Living via Design*Sponge, another long desk with simple trimmings from Frederikke Heiberg via From Scandinavia With Love, storage sammich from the redesign of TV producer Ellen Rakietan’s home as featured in Elle Decor, the art of symmetry from Knoll via Unplggd

Advertisement