Monday, July 7, 2014

The New Desk Declaration

Most Americans spent this weekend celebrating the 4th of July, when the Declaration of Independence was signed (still love you Britain, with your Doctor Who and your Sherlock...friends?). I, on the other hand, spent most of my weekend declaring my independence from my old desk.

Don't get me wrong--it was a lovely desk, and served me well for years. But its configuration really didn't work for the way I am writing these days. Most of the actual writing is done on the laptop, sitting in my magic red recliner (which is much easier on my back and the tendonitis in my arms). The main desktop and office is now primarily used for the business side of writing: emailing, organizing projects, and keeping track of obligations.

Samhain practicing thinking writerly thoughts.




The high profile of the desk also made the room seem smaller and more crowded. So I commissioned a new desk from one of the woodworkers at The Artisans' Guild (the shop I run). Naturally, since I had planned to spend the long weekend relaxing and working on the novel in progress, I got a call on Thursday saying that the desk was ready. Most of Friday was spent installing the new desk (with Glen, who made it) and the rest of the weekend was used for reorganization and perfecting the space. It was well worth it!

Here is the old desk being dismantled. (Mystic looks like he is saying, "What the heck is going on?")






Here is the new one:
Naturally, Magic the Cat had to claim it right away. We witches call that the "butt blessing." (Okay, I just made that up.) Isn't the wood beautiful? It is hickory, to match the counter top on the other side of the room (between the dining room/office and the living room) Glen built for me a number of years ago. The desk is actually two separate tables, in case I decide I don't want to use the whole thing somewhere down the road.

Here's the desk, all set up, with the wall boards reorganized (multiple times), plus an emergency run to Office Max to get new organizer thingies for the desk.


I finally got back to the writing and copy edits on Sunday night, but I'm pretty happy with the end results of how I spent my weekend. The room seems so much more open and airy, and for the next five minutes, anyway, everything is organized and neat.

How did you spend your weekend? And what is your work area like?

11 comments:

  1. I love the natural wood. Plus you have all of the beautiful energy of a handmade item. I can't think of a better choice. It's perfect!

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    1. Definitely! My only choice locally for an L-shaped desk was a crappy mass-made glass topped one from Office Max. I'd much rather have a beautiful wood one (most of the house is wood, so it fits in well) made for me with care.

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  2. That's a beautiful desk. (Also I _love_ the idea of the "butt blessing"!) Mine is nice but currently buried under stuff, so I work on my laptop on the couch. :-/

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    1. Anyone with a cat or a dog probably knows all about the "butt blessing." They probably just didn't know what to call it until now :-)

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  3. I love the photo of Samhain on the chair!

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  4. My work space consists of an antique chair which has a really straight back and is the perfect height for me, a short table (an old bed table I think) and a tool bag. I'm a Broom Maker so when I work everything has to be easy to reach. Having only a few simple items also makes the setup quite mobile so that I can take it to markets and art shows on the weekend. I think Samhain I thinking "wow I so totally nailed this Owl imitation and no one noticed!! There's no pleasing this human."

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    1. LOL. I love your translation of what Samhain was thinking! And I am looking forward to seeing one of your brooms in person!

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  5. Beautiful, beautiful wood. Looks glorious in place. It would be hard for me not to get distracted just staring at the grain.

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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    1. I really love natural wood, so it is quite the treat!

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  6. What a beautiful work space. It reminds me of Shaker and Scandinavian furniture - wonderful clean lines. I love when wood is finished and so smooth that it actually feels soft to the touch.

    Wishing you and the butt blessers many happy creative hours in your new space.


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